Ferry Presses Through as Ice Builds
     The Huron arrives at St. Ignace early Monday, January 4, its bow coated with a layer of ice. Most of the ice that had built up over the weekend moved away from the shoreline as winds shifted.
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County Road Match Funds in Question
By Michael Ayala
      This year's Mackinac County budget does not include money for the road match program that's been in place for 10 years. The program matches $10,000 in township funds for road maintenance with $10,000 from the road commission and $10,000 from the county commission.
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City Residents Ask for Better Contract
Police Interviews Begin; Mayor Makes Final Appointments to City Boards
By Mark Tower
      Concerned citizens approached St. Ignace City Council at its Monday, January 4, meeting, asking for better conditions for the new solid waste and recycling contract currently being bid on by three waste haulers. The city's current contract with Waste Management, which expires February 1, does not include a satisfactory recycling program or sufficient requirements for hours at the St.
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Monitors Allow Study of Bridge Stress
System in Place on Mackinac, Cut River Bridges Tracks Movement, Weather
By Mark Tower
      The Mackinac Bridge and Cut River Bridge are part of a $400,000 ongoing data collection project that uses fiber optic gauges and sensors and wireless communication technology to monitor strains and stresses placed on the structures through normal use. It helps engineers track the lifespan of various bridge components. Powered by solar energy, it also tracks traffic and weather patterns.
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County To Get Hovercraft
By Mark Tower
      Police and emergency response crews in Mackinac and Chippewa counties will have one more tool at their fingertips when Mackinac County receives a hovercraft, which can be used on ice, water, and land for law enforcement and emergency operations.
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2 County Animal Care Jobs Filled
Valentine in Charge of Shelter, Thompson Animal Control, Commission Decides
By Michael Ayala
      In a series of sometimes-awkward resolutions over the course of a week, the Mackinac County Board of Commissioners has hired Cedarville resident Lorie Thompson as the county's animal control officer and hired Ginger Valentine of St. Ignace as the animal shelter administrator, who will oversee all operations of the county's animal control program.
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Sharing Toll System, One-way Collection Eyed by Two U.P. Bridges
Authorities for Mackinac, International Bridges Meet Jointly To Explore Needs
By Mark Tower
      The Mackinac Bridge at the Straits and the International Bridge at Sault Ste. Marie may explore sharing an automated toll system, and both governing boards are considering the feasibility of one-way toll collection to cut operation costs.
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Trail Ride Sends Message: Fund Tourism Promotion
     Michigan legislators hit the snowmobile trails to raise awareness of snowmobiling and its economic impact on local communities Sunday, January 3, to Monday, January 4.
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City Will Take Over Steps, but Rejects Property Swap
Mackinac Island
By Karen Gould
      Saving a 70-year-old stairway topped a short list of city issues addressed during the last council meeting of the year on Mackinac Island Wednesday, December 30. Council members unanimously voted to obtain an easement for the steps from Rowe Terrace Condominium Association. The city easement was sought by the association and will place the stairway and its liability under city control.
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