More people expected to ‘buy now, pay later’ for holidays

November 25, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Consumers are expected to use “buy now, pay later” payment plans heavily this holiday season, a forecast that bodes well for retailers but that has credit experts again sounding alarm bells. The short-term loans often come with consumer-friendly interest rates and allow shoppers to make an initial payment at checkout, then pay the rest in installments, typically over a few weeks, even months. That can be appealing to a shopper buying multiple gifts for family and friends during the holidays, particularly if they’re balancing other debt such as student loans or ...

Column: How can it almost be Thanksgiving?

November 18, 2023

ESCANABA — As I am sitting at my desk marveling that there is only a month and a few days left of calendar year 2023, I remember my Mom telling me how time seems to go much faster as we get older. Boy, was she right. This is the time of year that I like to take a step back from our day to day activities and reflect on what has happened to this point of the year. While the pandemic economic impacts have hindered all of us for a couple of years, we are seeing the economy start to bounce back in line with pre 2020 metrics. Many large banks and financial institutions are predicting the ...

Peterson to retire as Stephenson National Bank president

November 18, 2023

MENOMINEE — After 35 years of service to The Stephenson National Bank & Trust (SNBT), president and CEO Daniel J. Peterson will be retiring. He will be succeeded by Greg Salmen, current SNBT executive vice president, and will transition into the role of SNBT executive board chairman. He will continue to work part time out of the Menominee office for the next two years and then fully retire from the executive chairman role and become the bank’s chairman of the board. To celebrate his legacy with SNBT, the bank will host an Open House on Friday, December 8 at the 1820 Hall Avenue, ...

Chamber offers Sleigh the Deals Christmas promotion

November 18, 2023

ESCANABA — Businesses across Delta County are taking part in the Sleigh the Deals Christmas promotion and giving local shoppers a chance to boost their holiday bankroll with an extra $1,000 just for collecting their receipts and bringing them to the Delta County Chamber of Commerce. The Sleigh the Deals event kick off coincides with Black Friday on Tuesday events taking place November 21. Save all your receipts from shopping locally in Delta County restaurants and businesses and bring them to the Chamber and receive a playing card for every $100 you spend locally by December 24. Once ...

Highline awarded ROBIN grant for U.P.

November 18, 2023

ESCANABA — Highline, a fiber-to-the-home internet and telephone service provider, was recently awarded an approximately $22 million Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) grant. Highline will provide $3.8 million in match funds that will create new fiber broadband connections to 3,074 unserved homes in the Upper Peninsula. “We applaud the State of Michigan’s High-Speed Internet Office for recognizing the Upper Peninsula’s significant internet access problem and entrusting Highline to serve the homes impacted by the ROBIN grant. It is our privilege ...

Peach Blossom Therapy open in downtown Escanaba

November 13, 2023

ESCANABA — Peach Blossom Therapy and Consultation Services, PLLC, is now open in downtown Escanaba. The new business held a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Sept. 29 at its location in the Ludington Centre, 1100 Ludington St., Suite 301E. Owner Monica L. Peach, LCSW, SSW, has worked in ...