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December 17, 2009 / News

Chief Tim Matelski Sees Many Changes in 32 Years on City Police Force

Town’s Development, Stronger Domestic Violence Charges Are Two Improvements

By Mark Tower

St. Ignace Police Chief Tim Matelski will don his uniform for the last time Thursday, December 31, and retire from the police department January 1. More...

County Adopts Drug Testing, Does Not Support Limit on U.P. Mining

By Michael Ayala

Mackinac County commissioners adopted a new drug testing policy for new employees, heard an update on the sale of patrol cars, approved funding for a seasonal deputy sheriff, and approved the retirement of county employee Katie Frosland Thursday, De More...

Toy Drive, Pantry Collect Kewadin Christmas Donations

Toy Deadline Is Friday

Christmas donations were distributed to local charity agencies Friday, December 11, by Kewadin Casinos, which served as a charity collection site this year. St. More...

Island School Narrows Superintendent Search

By Karen Gould

Two superintendent candidates are being considered by the Mackinac Island Board of Education, following telephone interviews Monday, December 14. More...

Library Movie Is Saturday Afternoon

The St. Ignace Public Library will show movies Saturday, December 19, at 1 p.m. instead of its usual movie night Thursday, December 17. The movie will be “Santa Buddies” (rated G). It is free and open to the public. More...

Early Winter Storm Closes Schools, Drops Thick Blanket of Snow on EUP

By Michael Ayala

Heavy snows and strong winds stormed through Mackinac County throughout the day Wednesday, December 9, closing schools and resulting in brief power outages in the county. More...

Nowak To Speak at Wawatam Senior Center December 21

Cathy Nowak, nurse practitioner from Mackinac Straits Health Center, will talk about the new Mackinaw City Health Clinic and the services available Monday, December 21, at the Wawatam Area Senior Center in Mackinaw City. Ms. More...

St. Ignace Elementary Students Bring Christmas to Long Term Care Residents

Above: St. Ignace elementary students gather at Mackinac Straits Hospital's long-term care unit to sing Christmas carols and pass out handmade ornaments and Christmas cards. More...

Musicians Perform At Erickson Center

Jamie-Sue Seal and John Latini will perform holiday music Friday, December 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Erickson Center in Curtis. Ticket donations are $10. For ticket information, call (906) 586- 9974. More...

Hessel’s Tara Amarose Takes Over United Way Job

By Mark Tower

Tara Amarose experienced a homecoming when she was awarded a position working for United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. More...

Drop in State Funding May Mean Less Snowplowing in County This Year, Commission Says

By Michael Ayala

Mackinac County drivers may see less frequent snow removal or grading of gravel roads in the coming year, as the county road commission has seen a drop in state funding, road commissioners said at a public budget hearing Tuesday, December 1. More...

Still Time To Get Food Baskets

The Moose Lodge is still taking names of families who would benefit from their Christmas food basket program this year. Ken Hardy, one of the organizers, said baskets will be delivered Saturday, December 19. More...

Search Ends for Missing Woman

Straits of Mackinac

A search for a missing 24-yearold woman in the Straits of Mackinac was called off by the U.S. Coast Guard early Saturday, December 12, after three hours without results. The woman is reported to be from the Mount Pleasant area. More...

St. Ignace Voters To See 0.55 School Mill Appeal

Millage Would Fund Buses, Heating Plant

By Mark Tower

Voters in the St. Ignace Area Schools district will be asked to approve 0.55 mill for the construction of a wood chip heating plant, new buses, and new computers and accessories, the school board decided Monday, December 14. More...

Bridge Authority Studies Deck Replacement

Funding Project in 2017 Could Push Mackinac Bridge Authority Into Debt

By Mark Tower

The Mackinac Bridge Authority is studying its bridge deck to determine when repairs and replacements need to be made and how much it will cost, an issue that threatens to wreak havoc with its budget if the deck needs to be completely replaced. More...

Nursing Students Host Long Term Care Social

Nursing student Rene Hamel (right) holds up several scratch cards Doris Schmidt won in a game of bingo when practical nursing program students from Lake Superior State University threw a social at the More...

Les Cheneaux Children Welcome Santa With Song

Kindergarten and first grade students at Les Cheneaux Community Schools perform during the elementary school's Christmas concert Thursday, December 10. More...

VFW Will Host Children’s Party

The St. Ignace VFW is hosting a children’s Christmas party, Sunday, December 20, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the VFW Hall. Santa is planning a visit. Everyone is welcome. More...

Snowmobile Club Seeks Volunteers

The Straits Area Snowmobile Club is in need of volunteers to help groom trails. Those interested in grooming are invited to attend an open meeting Saturday, December 19, at 11:30 a.m. at the St. Ignace Super 8 Motel. More...

Sheriff’s Office Conducts Safety Program for Children

The Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office is mailing letters seeking sponsors to donate toward the cost of printed educational materials to be distributed at various community events over the coming year, Sheriff Scott Strait announced Tuesday, Dec More...

Rudyard Lions Host Christmas Party

Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit the Rudyard Lions Club Christmas party Saturday, December 19, at the Rudyard Community Center. Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. More...