Suspect in social media threats taken into custody in Houghton

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech students, faculty and staff received this email message Friday morning, Nov. 13, from the university's Department of Public Safety and Police Services: "Based on information from Yik Yak and Michigan Tech Information Technology, a suspect in Thursday's social media threats was taken into custody late Thursday night and is currently lodged in Houghton County Jail. The university will have more information later in the morning."

The social media threats were reportedly aimed at Michigan Tech's black community.

Tech Today posted today a message from Michigan Tech President Glenn Mroz stating the following:

Dear campus community,
As you read in an email alert yesterday afternoon, around midday on Thursday, a threat to our black community was posted on Yik Yak. Since we sent out that initial notification, several things have been put into place:

- Yik Yak is cooperating with Michigan Tech Public Safety and Police Services to help us obtain information on this post.
- As a proactive precautionary measure, we are working to increase police presence on campus.
- The Center for Diversity and Inclusion is working with members of our black community's student associations and others. 
- Counseling services were offered in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion from 5 to 7 p.m. last night.

It's important to remember that we are a community and will not tolerate threats to any member of our family. It's time we watch out for one another. If you have any information regarding this or any other threats, please contact Public Safety and Police Service at 906-487-2216.

Rep. Scott Dianda commends MTU and local law enforcement

Michigan 110th District Rep. Scott Dianda sent this statement from Lansing today:

"Yesterday, an anonymous threat was made against black students who attend Michigan Technological University. It is disheartening to hear such striking news coming from a world-renowned school. But by ignoring this threat towards students based on the color of their skin, we only justify the ignorance of others. As a community founded on a wide array of diversity, we must actively denounce such acts of racism and constructively work together to respect the aspirations of all of our citizens. I commend Michigan Tech and our local law enforcement for their swift response to protect our campus and finding the suspect."

Dianda introduces resolution to support energy generation in U.P.

LANSING -- State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) recently introduced a resolution that encourages legislative support for the construction of new electricity generating facilities in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Currently, U.P. residents are paying increasingly large sums to keep the Presque Isle Power Plant (PIPP) -- a coal-fired plant in Marquette -- open and operating. With a capacity of more than 400 megawatts, the PIPP is the region’s largest energy supplier north of Green Bay, Wis.

"The cost of keeping the PIPP operating in our region is above and beyond what our residents can afford, and its closure is imminent," said Dianda. "Without the creation of a new, more efficient power source once the PIPP is shut down, the U.P. will be forced to rely on the construction of transmission lines to import power from Wisconsin. This is an expensive option that will inhibit economic growth, and will likely fail to meet the region’s future demand for capacity."

Dianda’s resolution recommends investment in natural gas, renewable energy and distributed generation, stating that natural gas, solar, wind and small, localized electric facilities are more reliable, and could be more cost-effective than the alternative option of building transmission lines across state borders.

"The creation of new energy facilities in the U.P. will keep our energy costs in check, and spur economic growth in our region by creating a multitude of jobs," Dianda said. "I am hopeful that my fellow legislators will see the importance of this resolution and support the growth of the U.P.’s energy sector. I also hope that Michigan’s energy companies will recognize the opportunity for growth in our region and begin the process of setting up shop in the U.P."