Houghton County Sheriff Joshua Saaranen invites members of the public to have coffee with him at the Sheriff’s Office on East Houghton Avenue in Houghton on every Thursday for the next month. The intent of these informal meetings is to allow the citizens of Houghton County to see what their tax dollars are achieving as well as have a direct talk with the Sheriff himself to ask questions or make comments.
Individuals that express an interest may also be given a tour of the Sheriff’s Office and associated jail facility, provided that there are no critical activities being performed at that time.
The announcement of Coffee with the Sheriff comes amidst a push for funding to construct a new public safety facility in Houghton County, which will be voted on in the November general election. Sheriff Saaranen adds that the current facility, constructed in 1963 to replace the antique jail cells in the basement of the adjacent courthouse, has exceeded its lifespan and is in critical need of replacement. Chief of jail operations Captain Travis Dessellier commented that he has had several visitors that were vehemently against funding a new jail facility tour the existing building, and upon seeing its condition, change their mind.
To attend Coffee with the Sheriff, visit the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office next to the Houghton County Courthouse on E Houghton Ave. in Houghton at 2 p.m. on Thursdays.
