I'll be adding local news stories and other items of interest to this page as they develop, with links wherever possible.
- (10/1/08) John Shahan stopped by after talking to Mar at Brownwood. She told him that Chris Corbett had told her that he is buying the Lamplighter Inn, will rebuild the restaurant in the old hotel, and will not rebuild the Blue Pelican. No word on the fate of twofers. I'll post the newspaper articles next week.
- (9/15/08) Here's a scary Free Press story about the destruction and danger caused by wild pigs in 63 Michigan counties, including Antrim. Jane Allensworth says that she thinks Emily Garfinkle (Ann Webb O'Brien's daughter) saw a pig with a dog or two in Jeff's field, and that Jane's son David tried to rope a large pig by their compost pile. These pigs were pink and looked like escapees from a farm rather than the feral pigs described in the Free Press story.
- (9/10/08) I received a reply from Rep. Stupak to the letter described in the item below. Be sure to scroll to the second page. I'll also publish any replies that we get from the Senators.
- (9/7/08) Some of us from the Birch Point group signed a form letter protesting the Alba injection well that the Friends of the Jordan River Watershed provided to the Intermediate Lake Association, and we sent copies to the Michigan Governor, U. S. Senators, and our Congressman. I received Governor Granholm's reply to such letters, in which she says that no laws were broken and the state has no choice but to grant the permit. I guess it's up to the courts now, and here's the FOJ's web page describing the ongoing legal challenges and appeals.
- (9/6/08) Here's a letter to the editor of the Antrim County News written by Antrim County Prosecutor Charles Koop. I think it's the most comprehensive description of the Alba injection well issue that I've seen.
- (8/21/08) Friske's is building a barn next to their store and restaurant near Atwood to sell barbeque meat and sauces. The chef, Kevin Heard, is the real estate agent who I bought my house through. Here's the Antrim Review article.
- (8/6/08) Dan Bean defeated Sheriff Terry Johnson in yesterday's election. The Record-Eagle has a short article on the results.
- (8/5/08) The third restaurant fire in the last two months, after Gio's and the Blue Pelican, has closed Lulu's. This one was small, and Lulu's is expected to reopen within two weeks. Here are the articles from the Antrim County News and The Antrim Review.
- (7/31/08) The Blue Pelican restaurant was destroyed by fire on Tuesday, July 29th. Here are the articles from The Antrim County News and The Antrim Review. Chris and Merrie Corbett wrote a Thank you letter that was printed in the Review. Click here and on "Watch Video" for the Channel 9 video of the fire being fought and here to see my pictures of the remains.
- (7/29/08) A recent article in the Antrim Review by Linda Gallagher was nothing but an ad for the Thermacell mosquito repeller, but she sounded so enthusiastic about it that I bought one. I haven't tried it yet, but I'll let you know how well it works.
- (7/24/08) The Antrim Review had an interesting article about loons. I didn't know that the new chicks don't return until they are four years old.
- (7/16/08) The finale of the July 4th Central Lake fireworks show was cut short when one of the crew was injured. Although it required 42 stiches, his injury was minor. The fireworks company has promised a double finale for next year. Here's the Antrim County News article.
- (6/19/08) The Record-Eagle has an article about weather damage to the cherry crop. It looks like at least half of the Leelanau area crop was wiped out by cold weather and hail storms, but I think Antrim countly was less affected. The USDA is coming out with their national fruit crop assessment today, and I'll post it here when I find it.
- (6/18/08) Because of our wet spring and high amount of standing water, we're expected to have an abnormally high mosquito population this summer, Click here and on "Play Video" to see Channel 9's coverage.
- (6/10/08) Gio's Trattoria, on M-88 south of Bellaire, was destroyed by fire early Monday morning. Here's the Channel 7 article and video, and a more complete story in the Antrim County News.
- (6/8/08) The Free Press has an article today about the buyers' market that has developed for second homes in the northern LP. Surprisingly, another article says that prices have been stable in the UP. It's hard to understand how the house at the end of Bell Street, next to the Tyvek monstrosity, can be listed at $599K for 150 feet of lakefront.
- (6/4/08) The Channel 7 item below may have been too optimistic in its assessment of the freeze damage to the fruit crops. According to this article in today's Antrim Review, local farmers are expecting serious damage to the cherry, apple, and strawberry crops.
- (6/3/08) The cherry crop seems to have escaped major damage from last week's freeze, but the apple crop is in trouble. The Elk Rapids area was particularly hard hit. Here's the Channel 7 coverage.
- (5/22/08) This week's Antrim County News has an article about Michael Moore's speech at the Pelican Room last week. He considers Antrim County to be his home now. Love him or hate him, he's the only celebrity we've got.
- (5/14/08) Tapawingo has reopened and the Antrim County News has an interview with owner Pete Peterson. I didn't realize that he worked seven years for the Rowe Inn before starting his own place. In other restaurant news, Tuesday twofers start May 20th at the Blue Pelican. I was told that Chris Corbett had said that Michael Moore wouldn't be welcome at his bar, but he seems to have changed his mind since Michael was the guest speaker at an Antrim County Women Democrats dinner at the Pelican Room on May 14th.
- (5/11/08) The Sunday Free Press has a couple of interesting articles concerning northern Michigan. The first is about how Traverse City seems to be holding its own in the dismal economy. It mentions how the old mental hospital is housing upscale businesses, including the Trattoria Stella. The second article describes invasive species threatening the Great Lakes and efforts to control those arriving from the Black Sea in the tanks of ocean vessels.
- (5/7/08) Toonies Restaurant in Bellaire has gone smoke-free. Here's the article about them in The Antrim County News. It says that another Antrim County establishment will eliminate smoking by the end of the month, but doesn't identify it. I'll bet it won't be The C.l.u.b.
- (5/7/08) A nursery and produce market has opened across Intermediate Lake Road from the Cabanas. Here's an article in the The Antrim County News and another one in The Antrim Review. At the very least, it should be a good place to get fresh tomatoes. Hopefully they'll sell fresh strawberries and blueberries in season.
- (5/4/08) Here's an interesting history of the Central Lake Hotel from The Antrim Review. It's still for sale.
- (4/30/08) Our 23° temperature last night could be ominous for the cherry crop. Here's the Channel 7 coverage. From the video picture on the right, you can see that the Leelanau buds have opened, as opposed to the King Orchards' buds picture on the Landscapes page. Hopefully the Antrim buds aren't developed enough to be seriously damaged and, also hopefully, Leelanau didn't get as cold as we did.
- (4/29/08) The property owners around Bear Lake in Manistee County are going to have to pay $157,000 ($600 each, plus $188 yearly) to treat Milfoil. No money will come from the state or county. Here's the Channel 7 story. The same problem will eventually have to be addressed for the Intermediate River south of Intermediate Lake.
- (4/28/08) The Record-Eagle has an article about reported cougar sightings near Sleeping Bear. Although federal and state agencies don't have enough evidence to take a position, the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy claims to have proof that the animals are here.
- (4/11/08) Jeff Cullen emailed that the ice broke up at the south end of the lake last night and he saw a pair of loons swimming this morning.
- (4/9/08) I received this email from DNR Conservation Officer Andrea Albert addressed to the Intermediate Lake Association. It requests feedback regarding a request to build a water-ski course south of the launch ramp down by the islands, which puts it right in loon territory. I forwarded the email to Scott Zimmerman and Jeff Cullen, president and vice-president of the association, and Jeff sent it to Linda Gallagher of The Antrim Review. Here is Linda's reply. I think the permit has little chance of being granted.
- (4/3/08) Adding to the economic problems of Antrim County, the Dura factory in Mancelona will be closing this year. The 300 people who will lose their jobs make latches and hinges for cars. Here's the Record-Eagle article on the closing.
- (4/1/08) The 100-year-old dam between Elk Lake and Lake Michigan has the capability of supplying electricity to 700 homes, but was scheduled to be converted to an upscale restaurant. The Free Press has an article about a retired Ford engineer who paid Antrim County $195,000 for the right to operate the dam as a power station.
- (4/1/08) According to this Free Press article, Mackinac Island will have a critical labor shortage this summer because Congress allowed a guest worker program that had been operating since the 1940's to expire. In a related article in the Antrim Review, Richard Friske doesn't expect problems because he doesn't participate in the federal program. The Review article doesn't seem to explain how he is able to opt out or what will happen if some of his workers are caught without proper documentation.
- (3/28/08) Local residents around 1.5-mile long Eight Point Lake in Clare County are trying to keep the state from installing a public boat ramp. Click Play Video to see the Channel 9 story (after a 15-second commercial). Being as selfish as the next person, I can understand why the neighbors want to keep the lake all to themselves. However, I don't see that they have a legal leg to stand on.
- (3/26/08) Bellaire passed a law banning the feeding of waterfowl because of increasing levels of bacteria. They've promised not to bust little kids with bread crumbs, but haven't figured out the details of enforcement. Here's the article in the Antrim County News along with a picture of a swan who tried to attack the photographer when he didn't have any food.
- (3/22/08) The Detroit News has an article describing the difficulties of selling northern Michigan vacation homes these days. It can take years. On the other hand, the "For Sale" sign by Alma's driveway finally says "Sold."
- (3/19/08) A plan to kill 50% of the cormorants at a site near Ludington has received approval. Although they're not an invasive species, they've become so attracted to the breakwater at a pumped storage plant that they're destroying the fishery.
- (3/19/08) An article in this week's Antrim Review says that lake effect snows lower the level of Lake Michigan by drawing water from the lake while system snows raise the level by transporting water from the Gulf of Mexico. The levels of Antrim County's Toad Lake and Mud Lake are raised by both types of snow. These "pothole" lakes west of Ellsworth don't seem to get much publicity from the Chamber of Commerce.
- (3/15/08) Articles in the Free Press and Record Eagle say that this has been the best winter in years for businesses in parts of the LP that depend on snowmobilers. The area southwest of Kalkaska normally gets 85" of snow per season and has had 157" so far this winter. This has taken business away from the UP, which has seen reduced traffic. As you can see from the "Snowfall to Date" button on the Home page, Antrim County has had 151.5" as of last week, almost exactly the seasonal average of 151.6".
- (3/11/08) A couple of snowmobilers fell through the ice on the Elk River yesterday and had to be rescued by emergency crews. The accompanying picture shows the stumpy area to the east of Highway 31. According to this news item, both were taken to Munson, where the woman is in critical condition. Alcohol is thought to be a factor.
- (3/7/08) In a reversal of fears that the Great Lakes might reach record low levels this spring, the Free Press has an article predicting that the level might rise as much as a foot by summer.
- (3/7/08) Here's a short video about how 1994's Proposal A has backfired from its original intent by causing this year's property taxes to increase while home values decreased. Click Play Video below the headline. (You'll have to watch a 15-second commercial.)
- (3/7/08) There haven't been any deaths from snowmobiling or falling through the ice in Antrim County this winter, but a man was found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in an ice fishing shanty on Torch Lake. The article doesn't give details on whether the heater failed or was just not for use in small spaces, but I guess a CO detector should be used in any enclosed space heated by gas equipment.
- (3/4/08) We should all have received our 2008 assessment notices by now. Today's Antrim County News has an article and a letter to the editor about how our taxes are calculated. I'm not saying I completely understand it all, but I think the information is there so that we can sit down with our assessment notices and tax bills and figure it out.
- (2/27/08) Like other areas in the north central states, Antrim County has been hit by a salt shortage. Normally, a mixture of sand and salt is used on major highways such as US-31 and M-88 while secondary roads receive pure sand, if anything. The Antrim County News has an article about the situation in today's edition. If they do run out, the major highways will have hardpack and ice on them instead of being bare and wet, increasing the danger. The Free Press has an article about the situation in the Detroit metro area.
- (2/26/08) When Bonnie and I were in the Eastport Brownwood store a couple of years ago, the man in charge told us about all the diseases that could be prevented or cured by their fruit-based products. I remember thinking at the time that he was getting awfully close to practicing medicine without a license. Today's Antrim Review has an article reporting that the FDA has issued an injunction against Brownwood Acres ordering them to stop their illegal claims. You can see the resulting disclaimer at the bottom of Brownwood's website.
- (2/24/08) The Mackinac Bridge was closed for two hours on Friday due to ice falling from the cables and towers. The closure caused a traffic jam of over 1,000 vehicles. Here's the TV 7-4 article.
- (2/19/08) A father and son team has been arrested on suspicion of stealing over $100,000 worth of property from summer cottages over a four-county area near Muskegon. They helped themselves to everything from snowmobiles to antiques. The Muskegon Chronicle has an article about them. Our local burglar from a couple of years ago seemed to limit himself to cheap booze and an old air conditioner, but it's still cause for worry.
- (2/19/08) Yet another invasive species threatening the Great Lakes is the Asian Carp. They can weigh as much as 100 pounds and could get into Lake Michigan from the Mississippi through the Illinois River. The EPA has a page describing the threat. The USDA has an excellent site covering threatening plant and animal invasive species across the country, including our zebra mussels and purple loosestrife.
- (2/17/08) In an update to the item about Sheriff Terry Johnson firing Undersheriff Dan Bean, federal authorities say that the Hatch Act may not apply in this case. The Record-Eagle has an article about the legalities and another one about Dan's criticisms of Terry.
- (2/15/08) The Charlevoix Marina is expected to be completed by the end of June. I have a picture of the performance pavilion in the Landscapes section. The DNR is conducting a gray wolf survey through March 10th. The UP is home to at least 500 wolves, while three have been confirmed in the northern LP.
- (2/12/08) Antrim County Sheriff Terry Johnson fired Undersheriff Dan Bean after Bean indicated that he would run for sheriff against Johnson. Johnson claims that Bean is violating a 1939 federal law. It should be an interesting campaign. Also, here are more details on the Friske's burglar, including his picture.
- (2/11/08) A patented form of yeast may be the next weapon to be used in preventing zebra mussels and other invaders from entering the Great Lakes. The Free Press has an article about the company in Troy, Michigan that is developing the yeast.
- (2/7/08) A Charlevoix man was arrested for breaking into Friske's multiple times. Also, the son of a King Orchards employee received a $4,000 check in the mail, of which he was supposed to keep $400 and send the rest back to the sender in money orders. Finally, a not-too-bright teenager was arrested for passing counterfeit $100 bills in Mecosta county, west of Mount Pleasant. I think I'd stick to 20's.
- (2/4/08) Botulism has killed as many as 8,000 water birds, including 2,000 loons, in northeastern Lake Michigan in recent months. The toxin works its way up the food chain through zebra mussels and other Black Sea invaders. Here's the Free Press article on the Lake Michigan situation and some FAQ about the risk to humans.
- (2/3/08) After a 13-year-old girl died in a skiing accident at Shanty Creek last month, State Representative Bob Constan of Dearborn is proposing a bill that would require all Michigan skiers to wear helmets. This would be the first such law in the country, and would be sure to generate a nationwide controversy. Here's the Record-Eagle article on the proposal.
- (1/30/08) An art gallery will be opening April 26th in the former Classic Video building. Visitors will be welcome to browse or buy at prices ranging from $5 to $5,000. Here's the article about the gallery in this week's Antrim County News.
- (1/23/08) The owners of Lulu's have opened a new restaurant in downtown Elk Rapids. Located in a former antique mall, Siren Hall specializes in seafood. This week's Antrim Review has an article about it. Assuming that the menu isn't identical to Lulu's, it might be worthwhile to drive the extra distance to check it out. Also in Elk Rapids, Short's is opening an expanded facility.
- (1/19/08) The Zebra mussels that have invaded Intermediate Lake apparently came from the Black Sea in the ballast tanks of oceangoing freighters. In spite of the damage that they have caused, Wikipedia says that they have had some positive effects, including an increase in the size and population of smallmouth bass. This Free Press article describes a new rule requiring ships to flush their tanks at sea before entering the Great Lakes. The rule is a stopgap measure to slow the spread of the mussel until Congress decides to take action.
- (1/16/08) Click here to see the Antrim County results for yesterday's primary election. Statewide for the Republicans, Romney received 39% of the vote, McCain 30%, and Huckabee 16%. On the Democratic side, Clinton received 55% and Uncommitted - including Obama and Edwards - 40%. The straw poll mentioned below didn't seem to be very accurate, at least as reflected in the Antrim County results.
- (1/15/08) Linda Gallagher wrote an excellent article about the history of Intermediate Lake in today's Antrim Review. Among the facts that I didn't know, there actually was a lake called Central Lake which consisted of the most northerly mile of the present lake. South of that were mostly river and wetlands. The article also has interesting information on the original settlers and fish and wildlife. Local native Americans once called the valley the "Valley of Nature's Choice," which sounds like a brand of margarine. I suspect something was lost in translation. Richmond Brown, Intermediate Lake Association member, wrote a letter to the editor about his memories of the lake from the 1930's.
- (1/13/08) Michigan's confusing primary takes place next Tuesday. A straw poll shows that Barack Obama and Ron Paul would each get two-thirds of the vote for their parties from Northern Michigan voters. The problem is that Hillary Clinton is the only major candidate on the Democratic ballot, and, if voters write Obama's name in the write-in space, their votes will be thrown out. Here are the sample ballots. This could be the biggest mess since hanging chads, and I'm sure we'll see much analysis from the pundits about the feud between the national and state parties.
- (1/9/08) After 23 years as Headmaster of John Burroughs School, Keith Shahan announced at today's assembly that he will be retiring at the end of the 2008-2009 school year. Included in Keith and Marcia's plans is spending more time Up North. Here are the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article and the Burroughs formal announcement about Keith's retirement.
- (1/9/08) The most active year-round bird at my feeders has always been the Black-capped Chickadee. Here's an interesting article about the bird in The Antrim Review, including efforts to replace the robin with the chickadee as our state bird. As I remember, they disappear for a few weeks in late spring, probably to nest, and then come back later in the summer.
- (1/6/08) Snow-related businesses are booming so far this season, but that's going to come to a screeching halt as this warm spell takes hold.
- (1/4/08) Here's a sad little item that I scanned from this week's Antrim County News Sheriff's Report. It concerns some "good Samaritans" who stopped to help a lady whose car was stuck in the snow. "Warrant pending" hopefully means that these guys were too stupid to avoid being identified.
- (1/4/08) Here's another item that shows the intelligence of some of our local scofflaws. I scanned it from a DNR Report of a month or so ago. I think "CO" means "Conservation Officer."
- (12/30/07) The ice fishing season in northern Michigan is off to a good start, although winter tourism is down. There are some shanties on Intermediate Lake, but the ice doesn't look very solid at this point. Two fishermen became lost on the ice south of Sault Ste. Marie and had to be rescued the next morning after their vehicle broke through. Follow-up (1/1/08): The weekend before New Years was the best in years for snow business in Cadillac.
- (12/30/07) The editorial linked in the item below mentions an island of plastic waste twice the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean. MSNBC.com has an interesting two-minute video (after a short commercial) about this trash.
- (12/28/07) The Trichloroethylene (TCE) plume from a WWII-era Mancelona factory is continuing to migrate through the water table northward toward Shanty Creek. This is one of the largest TCE plumes in the country, and total remediation is apparently not feasible. This editorial in the Antrim County News accompanied this article.
- (12/28/07) A Mancelona mobile home was totally destroyed when falling roof ice damaged a propane line and the gas leaked under the house. The explosion occured when the owner attempted to light the furnace.
- (12/27/07) I found a series of articles on the Charlevoix Library website about Earl Young, who designed the Charlevoix mushroom houses including the Weathervane. He was born in Mancelona in 1889, but lived most of his life in Charlevoix until his death in 1975. Unlike many local citizens and summer people, he was a supporter of the Medusa Cement Company plant. One of the articles says that "He never achieved fame outside this small pin-prick on the map of northern Michigan," but his work was certainly unique.
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