We take a look back at the top stories of the year.
Read more: Local, 2009, Top Stories, Year in Review
UPPER PENINSULA -- We know the recession and fears over the swine flu dominated national and world coverage this year. But both had a huge impact on the U.P.
Earlier this month we learned Smurfit-Stone Container in Ontonagon was closing; 182 people losing their jobs and devastating the community.
"It's just hard because those are the jobs the rest of the spin-off jobs are created from," said Kathy Wardynski, Ontonagon restaurant owner. "It'd be equivalent to Northern closing in Marquette, Michigan Tech closing in Houghton, the mines when they closed down."
Ninety people lost their jobs when Terex Handler closed in Baraga, also this month.
April saw the announcement that Sara Lee Bakery in Marquette, with its 80 employees, was shutting down.
The W Fitness and Community Center in Sawyer closed in May.
In June, Governor Granholm announced the closure of four U.P. prisons: Camp Cusino in Shingleton, Camp Ottawa in Iron River, Camp Kitwen in Painesdale and the Hiawatha Correctional Facility in Kincheloe.
"We would definitely see a decrease in the population," explained Principal Tim Keteri, Jeffers High School Principal.
Kennecott Minerals was dealt a blow when its parent company delayed their nickel and copper mine project because of poor market conditions.
"There's no guarantee because there's no guarantee on what the actual market conditions will be at some point in the future," said Jon Cherry, Kennecott Eagle Minerals General Manager.
Some good news for Kennecott--in August they announced plans for a new southern road through Marquette County.
And the U.P. State Fair on the state's chopping block was saved thanks to local community members coming together.
Besides the economy, swine flu was the other big global story with ties to the U.P. Schools across the U.P. were closed this fall, and desks, lockers and rooms were disinfected.
"Well, I only came to school for one day and then fell to the epidemic and got the flu myself, but there's just a lot of kids missing and school was just...everybody was sick," said Justin Farley, Westwood High School senior.
Of course it wasn't all bad news in '09.
The long delayed Founders Landing development finally moved forward with construction, Ontonagon won a national competition for a playground, Marquette hosted the top speedskating athletes in the world, the 1431st Engineer Sapper Company returned to Calumet in November, and 14 workers at a Newberry restaurant struck it rich, winning $12.7 million dollars in the lottery in July.
And while the future is uncertain, one thing is for sure: we will be there to bring both the good and the bad.
If you think we missed any top stories of 2009 in this or part one, let us know by leaving a comment below.
