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December 25, 2008 / Front Page

Community Rallies To Grant Christmas Wishes

By Karen Gould

The squeak of snow under tires could be heard along nearly deserted streets in St. Ignace before dawn Saturday, December 20. More...

$5.2 Million Road Budget Set; 5-Year Plans Approved

By Karen Gould

The Mackinac County Road Commission approved a $5.2 million budget for 2009 and a five-year plan for work on select township roads using state and federal funds totaling about $2.4 million. More...

Bicycle Rental Licenses Capped at 24% on Island

City Moves To Prevent Monopoly

By Ryan Schlehuber

To prevent a monopoly in the bicycle rental business, the City of Mackinac Island has limited the number of licenses one person can own to 24% of the total licenses issued. More...

Use of Artificial Wood on Mackinac Island Candy Store Sparks Master Plan Talks

By Ryan Schlehuber

Procrastination is what members of the Mackinac Island Planning Commission and its city attorney say has stalled the city's master plan update. More...

Island Ferries Take Time Off for Maintenance

By John S. DeMott

It's winter hibernation time for the big Mackinac Island ferries. Most of the boats of Shepler's and Arnold Line are in drydock, sitting on stands in St. More...

News

Great Lakes Grandeur Seen Aboard the Steamer Canadian Leader

By George Tombs Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

On a starry night, the 730-foot Canadian Leader, the last bulk-carrying steamship built on the Great Lakes, slips silently past illuminated buoys near Montreal on a fiveday voyage up to Thunder Bay, Ontario, on Lake Superior. More...

Northern Michigan News Roundup

The news in brief from communities around the U.P. and northern Michigan

Compiled using information published in various community newspapers.

Commissioners Question Value of Economic Development Group An economic development organization in Emmet County has come under scrutiny by the county board of commissioners after questions were raised about whether the county sees enough of a r More...

Children's Christmas Program Packs St. Ignace School Gym

A Caroling We Go...

By Karen Gould

More than 315 students from St. Ignace Elementary presented a holiday music program that drew a standing ovation from parents, relatives, and residents. More...

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Obituaries

Mary Beth Paquin

Mary Beth Paquin, 45, of Cedarville, died Thursday, December 18, 2008, at her home. She was born January 1, 1963, in St. Ignace to Charles Gerald and Dorothy Aletta (nee Matson) Paquin. Ms. Paquin was a lifelong Cedarville resident. More...

Marian Hill

Marian Florence Hill, 76, of Sault Ste. Marie, formerly of Rudyard, was a professional secretary and later a librarian, working locally for Cloverland Electric Cooperative and Rudyard Area Schools Public Library. Mrs. More...

John Melvin

John Kenneth Melvin, 85, of Drummond Island, was a marine engineer who served his country during World War II. Mr. Melvin died Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie. More...

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Columns

Michigan Politics

Strong, United Voices Helped Secure Auto Aid

By George Weeks

Kudos to the Brothers Levin, Governor Jennifer Granholm, and other Michigan politicians for successfully beating drums that helped produce the commendable action by President George W. Bush to extend a lifeline to the auto industry. More...

Mackinac Island

By Jeannette Doud 847-6298

Snow, snow, and more snow! We have a lot of beautiful, clean, fluffy powder covering the Island. Mac - kinac is absolutely sparkling under the fresh blanket of snow. More...

St. Ignace

By Deb Perry Writing for Miriam Blair 643-7815 • debperry@juno.com

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" Christmas is here, and it's a time for family gatherings and a time for giving. This is one of my favorite times, when we gather around the tree and reflect on the past year, as we hand out our gifts. More...

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DDA Plans To Go Before Public in Jan.

Clark Township

By Jonathan Eppley

The Clark Township trustees, meeting Thursday, December 18, worked to finalize arrangements for a public hearing on a downtown development authority (DDA) that has been set for Thursday, January 8. More...

Airport Work Now Pushed Back to 2010

Mackinac Island

By Ryan Schlehuber

The earliest the rehabilitation of the Mackinac Island Airport runway will begin in 2010, just after Labor Day, according to the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. When it does, the airport is expected to be closed for as long as 2.5 months. More...

Decoration Winners at Les Cheneaux

Rhonda Dutton and Mary McLain won first place in the Les Cheneaux Chamber of Commerce residential category of the 2008 Holiday Decoration Contest, for decorating 3650 North Webb Road in Hessel. More...

Santa Makes Stop at Mackinaw City Church

In a refreshingly anti-materialistic mood, Santa decided to bring the children of the world to his shop (with elves) at Mackinaw City's Church of the Straits, and teach them the real meaning of Christmas Thursday, December 18. More...

Sports

McFarlane Shoots 10-pt.

Jagger McFarlane of St. Ignace shot a 10-point buck Thursday, November 27, while hunting with his grandfather, Richard McFarlane, of St. Ignace. (McFarlane family photograph) More...

Girls Basketball

By David Latva

St. Ignace Girls 5-1 Overall After Wins Over Panthers, Hurons The St. More...

St. Ignace Saints Grapplers Win Rudyard Brawl

John Evashevski Named Most Valuable Wrestler

By David Latva

St. Ignace Saints wrestler John Evashevski captured the Most Valuable Wrestler award at the Upper Peninsula/ Lower Peninsula Bridge Brawl Wrestling Invitational in Rudyard, helping his team defend the invitational title Friday, December 19. More...

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Opinion

Bridge Cards Might Fall Under New Expiration Law

To the Editor: I see from your December 18 story about bridge commuter cards that the Mackinac Bridge Authority is mulling over expiration dates for the pre-loaded cards. More...

Think of 'All You Have To Offer'

To the Editor: We want to begin by commending St. Ignace and Brevort for their gracious and kind farewells. We appreciate these communities for their many gifts and all their help as we prepared for our move to Juneau, Alaska. More...

The Season of Signatures

To the Editor: 'Tis the season of signatures. Don't know what I mean? Let me explain. Each day, during this season, I receive several signatures of friends and acquaintances. What's up with sending me your signatures? I already know your name. More...

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