When Can You Legally Use Fireworks?

Where Are Fireworks Allowed? Fireworks can only be used on private property with the owner’s permission. It’s illegal to use them on streets, roads, or public parks. The Michigan fireworks safety act (MCL 28.451 et seq.) allows for the use of “consumer fireworks” without restrictions as to the date and time of use. MCL 28.457(2).

However, that same statute allows for a local unit of government (i.e. township, city, or village) to pass ordinances restricting the use of consumer fireworks, but the Michigan fireworks safety act explicitly prohibits any local ordinances that would regulate the ignition, discharge, or use of consumer fireworks on the following days after 11:00 a.m:

What Fireworks Are Legal in Michigan?

Is It Legal to Consume Drugs or Alcohol While Using Fireworks?

Michigan law, with certain age restrictions, allows for the purchase of novelties, low-impact fireworks, and consumer fireworks without the need of any special permit or licensing for the consumer.

Examples of these legal fireworks include but are not limited to: Legal Consumer Fireworks Aerials Roman Candles Helicopter/Aerial Spinners Reloadable Shell Devices Missile-Type Rockets Bottle Rockets/Sky Rockets Firecrackers Single-Tube Devices with Report Ground or Handheld Sparklers Sparklers & Sparkler Trees Cones Cylindrical Square Calif. Rockets Smoke Devices Cylindrical Smoke Cones Calif. Smoke Cones Ground Sparkling Devices Ball & Disk Cylindrical Novelties Snappers/Drop Pops Snakes Party Poppers Smoke Ball Sparkling Devices Sparkling Wheel Devices Michigan law prohibits the use of consumer fireworks by anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Additionally, Michigan Law prohibits the use of fireworks while smoking. Fines for illegal fireworks usage can range from a civil fine of no more than $500 for igniting fireworks on public property to up to $10,000.00 and 15 years in prison if the violation of the Michigan Firework Safety Act resulted in someone’s death. There may also be additional criminal and civil liability not subject to the Michigan Firework Safety Act.

However, the Michigan fireworks safety act does prohibit the purchasing and use of “display fireworks” by normal consumers. A good rule of thumb for distinguishing between “display fireworks” and “consumer fireworks” is to simply read the label. “Consumer fireworks” are required to have certain safety labeling on them and comply with certain chemical requirements, and they should be easily distinguishable from “display fireworks” simply from their visual appearance.

Overall, the state estimates that the UP had 7,900 people unemployed across the 15 counties in the region in May. That compares to roughly 8,800 in May of 2025, which is a decrease of more than ten percent. The number of people reported as jobless also fell by six percent compared to April’s figures.

“Michigan regional labor markets were largely influenced by seasonal labor force gains in May” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll jobs rose in most metro areas over the month.”

May Jobless rates in our RRN Listening area:
MENOMINEE COUNTY 4.7% (4.3% in April)
MARQUETTE COUNTY 5.6% (5.5% in April)
DICKINSON COUNTY 5.9% (4.4% in April)
DELTA COUNTY 6.0% (5.9% in April)
SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY 7.2% (8.7% in April)
IRON COUNTY 7.3% (7.9% in April)
LUCE COUNTY 7.7% (8.0% in April)
ALGER COUNTY 8.0% (10.3% in April)

The group will gather on the Stephenson Island Bridge from noon until two as part of the national “All of Us 250” protest, which organizers say focuses on protecting American civil rights and preserving the nation’s history.

Immediately following the rally, attendees can meet Democratic congressional candidate Rick Crossan at the nearby pavilion. Organizers say the event offers voters an opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from the candidate rather than relying on campaign rumors.

The event will also feature live music by the Indivisible Band and a community food drive benefiting local food pantries.

Organizers are encouraging donations of non-perishable food, toiletries and other household essentials, saying demand at local food pantries continues to grow.

The protest begins at noon Saturday on the Stephenson Island Bridge, followed by the candidate meet-and-greet from two until four at the pavilion.

Thirty-seven-year-old Cody Race entered the plea Wednesday to aggravated battery with the use of a dangerous weapon. Prosecutors reduced the charge from attempted first-degree intentional homicide as part of a plea agreement. Several other felony charges were dismissed.

According to the criminal complaint, investigators say Race had been using methamphetamine throughout the day on June 17th of last year and became increasingly erratic. Friends told authorities he became angry after he couldn’t find his girlfriend, who had reportedly hidden upstairs because she feared for her safety.

Investigators say Race confronted a group of friends outside his home while armed with a semi-automatic rifle. When one man approached with his hands raised in an attempt to calm the situation, Race allegedly shot him in the upper left leg.

Authorities say Race later threatened witnesses and tried to persuade them to claim the shooting was accidental. Sentencing is scheduled for August 11th. Race faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.

The Northern Lights Master Gardeners are hosting a “Plant a Pizza Garden” program from 10 a.m. until noon, where children will help plant tomatoes, peppers, onions and herbs in a specially designed pizza-shaped garden. The event is free and includes educational activities, crafts and hands-on gardening.

Organizers say the event is designed to make learning fun while giving children a chance to experience gardening firsthand.

In addition to planting the pizza garden, children will also help expand the popular Three Sisters Garden by planting beans and squash alongside the growing corn. No registration is required, and everyone is welcome to attend Saturday morning at Harmony Arboretum.

“My housing plan will help protect the path to homeownership for working families,” said Bohnak, R-Deerton. “It stares down corporate greed by blocking big business from invading Michigan’s housing market armed with buying power no average person could compete with. Single-family homes should be purchased by families, not out-of-state billionaires who see our communities as nothing more than dollar signs.”

One of the biggest factors contributing to the ongoing housing crisis in Michigan is the prominence of corporate ownership throughout Michigan. Far too often, giant companies snatch up single-family homes to boost their own bottom lines, taking the chance of homeownership away from working class people who can’t compete with the aggressive all-cash offers made by huge companies.

“There are so many people, young and old, who are struggling to find homes right now. Whether it’s a new teacher fresh out of college or a recent retiree looking to downsize, flexible homeownership options just aren’t there,” Bohnak said. “My plan alone will not fix this crisis, but by ensuring giant corporations aren’t monopolizing a huge chunk of our housing inventory, we can protect the single-family homes we already have.”

Bohnak’s House Bill 6074 would prevent the largest corporations – companies that already own more than 100 similar properties – from purchasing additional single-family homes, ensuring that these properties remain on the market for families looking to call Michigan home.

The legislation now moves to the state Senate for further consideration.

His total bond was set at $2,000. Lusardi is scheduled to appear in court again on July 9, 2026.

Also on June 24, 2026, 34-year-old Brianna Poehls was arraigned in 96th District Court on one count of Animal Abandonment/Cruelty Involving 10 or More but Fewer Than 25 Animals and one count of Fourth-Degree Child Abuse. Poehls was released on a personal recognizance bond and is scheduled to appear in court again on July 9, 2026.

Both subjects are considered innocent unless proven guilty.

On June 23, 2026, at approximately 8:10 p.m., troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Negaunee Post responded to a report of domestic violence at a residence in Ishpeming Township. Troopers determined that the suspect had left the residence and returned to his home in the City of Ishpeming. Troopers located the suspect at his home and subsequently executed a search warrant at the residence.

Inside the home, troopers found two young children, sixteen bloodhound dogs, and one cat. Troopers determined that the children and animals were living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. The residence contained extensive animal feces and urine throughout the home, and troopers observed additional evidence indicating that both the children and animals were not being properly cared for.

As a result of the investigation, an adult male was arrested on charges of Aggravated Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence, Second-Degree Child Abuse, and Animal Abuse/Neglect. An adult female who also resided at the home, was arrested on charges of Second-Degree Child Abuse and Animal Abuse/Neglect. Both individuals were lodged in the Marquette County Jail.

In coordination with Child Protective Services (CPS), the children were placed with a relative to ensure their immediate safety while CPS completes their investigation. The dogs and cat were placed in the care of UPAWS, where they will receive appropriate care and evaluation. According to UPAWS, due to this emergency intake of the animals in this case, the shelter is at capacity and temporarily unable to accept owner surrenders or stray dogs until further notice. If you have considered adopting a pet, now could be a great time and UPAWS encourages you to adopt. For more information about UPAWS, including the pets currently ready for adoption, please visit Home – Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter or call 906-475-6661.

The tourism-promoting agency Travel Michigan has ponied up $20,000 in prize money for participants in the LPGA ladies golf Epson Tour events. Three events are being held as part of the Michigan Cup, which is three events around the state that includes Island Resort Championship this weekend at the Sweetgrass Golf Course.

Travel Michigan Vice President Kelly Walgamott says it’s just one of their many efforts to bring tourists here to the Upper Peninsula. The agency operates as a part of the Michigan Economic Develepment Corporation, and is funded by both state taxpayer dollars as well as c0ntributions from local governments across the state.

Walgamott tells RRN News that they are trying hard to get people from Chicago to come up here for summer vacations, doing billboard advertising in the Windy City and even wrapping the famous “El Train” subway trains with advertising messages.

Walgamott was in the Upper Peninsula last week, along with the Michigan Travel Commission members, for meetings in Houghton. And she plans to come back here this Saturday, to take in some of the Epson Tour action at the Sweetgrass Golf Course.

Overall, Walgamott says that the summer tourism season is off to a good start across Michigan, and she says the advretising campaign will continue on several different platforms in major Midwest cities to try to entice even more people to “take advantage of a Pure Michigan summer”.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Michigan State Director Dom Restuccia today announced a $250,000 investment to relocate and renovate the Bates Township Hall in Iron County. The hall serves as the center for the township government and an election polling location.

The funding announcement was made while Rural Development was co-hosting an Opportunity Zone roundtable in Marquette. Another Opportunity Zone roundtable will take place on June 25 in Sault Ste. Marie.

“Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the Trump-Vance U.S. Department of Agriculture is committed to supporting the local governments across rural America, including municipalities like Bates Township,” said Restuccia. “Local government is the cornerstone of local control and community-based decisions. We are proud to play a small part in supporting the people and local government of Bates Township.”

USDA provided the funding through its Community Facilities program to the Bates Hall Preservation Society to relocate and restore the historic Bates Township Hall. The hall’s foundation is deteriorating due to weathering and the proximity to road traffic and runoff. USDA funding will help build a new concrete basement foundation for the township hall, as well as additional facility layout improvements and a new porch. The total project cost is $500,000 with the recipient providing $250,000.

Opportunity Zones are economically distressed communities, defined by individual census tract, nominated by America’s Governors, and certified by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury via their delegation of authority to the Internal Revenue Service. Under certain conditions, new investments in Opportunity Zones may be eligible for preferential tax incentives. 

“Opportunity Zones represent a unique opportunity to boost investment and improve economic conditions in rural Michigan communities,” said USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement Senior Advisor Jason Allen. “This is not a top-down, one-size-fits-all program, it is community-based and community-driven and focuses on practical solutions.”

USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with programs to promote rural prosperity. These programs expand access to high-speed internet, electricity and infrastructure, and support economic growth, healthcare, education, housing and other community essentials.