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July 15, 2010 / News

Church Roof Repair Is a Tall Order

Construction workers from Gould Roofing and Siding of St. Ignace atop the United Methodist Church, as they finish rebuilding its roof Thursday, July 8. The church is on the business loop in St. More...

Mackinaw City Tackles Regulating Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

By Michael Ayala

Determining where medical marijuana dispensaries will be located in Mackinaw City, or if they will even be allowed in the first place, was one issue tackled during the Thursday, July 8, Mackinaw City Planning Commission meeting. More...

Zip Line Project Underway After Brief Setback

The new zip line rides at the Mystery Spot in St. Ignace are expected to open by the week of July 19, said owner Dan McCarthy. The ride could have been delayed until August because of setback issues, but the concern has since been resolved. More...

Brown, Gleason Reappointed to Mackinac Bridge Authority

Barbara Brown of East Lansing and St. Ignace and Patrick Gleason of Davison were reappointed to the Mackinac Bridge Authority by Governor Jennifer Granholm Wednesday, July 7. Both will serve until June 30, 2016. Ms. More...

Coach Marshall Resigns School Board Seat; Patti O’Brien Appointed To Fill Vacancy

St. Ignace Board Wants To Continue Exploration of Cooperation With Gros Cap

By Ted Booker

The St. Ignace Area Schools Board of Education decided Monday, July 12, to delay making a decision on the junior high band and athletic participation policy with Moran Township that would limit programs to St. Ignace students only. More...

Bois Blanc Land Swap Raises Questions

By Karen Gould

A possible glitch in a 2009 land swap deal between Mackinac County and Bois Blanc property owners John and Elizabeth Kilbourne has the county commission taking a closer look at survey markers on the property. More...

With Background in ISD and Special Education, Nettleton Hired as Pickford Principal

By Josh Perttunen

Angela Nettleton is the new principal at Pickford Public High School, chosen from a pool of 16 applicants, three of whom made it to the interview process. More...

Harrison Retires From Pickford District

By David Latva

Neil Harrison, a 1968 graduate of Pickford High School and 1972 alumnus of Lake Superior State University, completed his final day as principal of Pickford High School Wednesday, June 30. Mr. More...

Goodwill Gesture: DDA To Pay First Ticket for Downtown Parking Offenses

Parking offenders in St. Ignace will have their first ticket paid by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) under a program to create a friendlier atmosphere for downtown patrons. In a partnership with the St. More...

Painted Veil’ To Be Shown at Library

“The Painted Veil” (rated PG- 13) will be shown at a movie night for adults Thursday, July 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Ignace Public Library. The movie is free and open to the public. More...

Erik Alsgaard Brings Skills in Communications to His New Post as Methodist Church Pastor

By Ted Booker

Erik Alsgaard has been a communicator throughout his career, spreading the gospel both as pastor and journalist. He will continue that mission as the new pastor at United Methodist Church in St. Ignace. More...

Music in Mackinaw Features Huron Shores Chorus Saturday

Huron Shores Chorus will perform for the “Music in Mackinaw” concert series Saturday, July 17, at 8 p.m. at Conkling Heritage Park in Mackinaw City. Huron Shores Chorus is a barbershop chorus with more than 15 voices from Alpena. More...

Morning, Evening Book Clubs To Meet at St. Ignace Public Library

The morning book club will meet Thursday, July 15, at 10 a.m. at the St. Ignace Public Library to discuss “Iliad” by Homer. The evening book club will meet Thursday, July 15, at 5:30 p.m. at the St. Ignace Public Library. More...

Schmindt, Blue Water Ramblers Perform at St. Ignace Marina

Claudia Schmindt will perform for Locals on the Bay Wednesday, July 14, at the St. Ignace Marina. Blue Water Ramblers will perform for Bayside Live! Thursday, July 15. Both concerts are at 7 p.m. More...

Flower Gardens, Fresh Red Paint on Breakwall Brighten Les Cheneaux Area This Summer

By Josh Perttunen

With the 33rd annual antique wooden boat show and the national ensign race putting the spotlight on the Hessel Marina and vicinity, volunteer efforts to keep the Les Cheneaux community looking its best are particularly important this year, Gail Drei More...

Council: Continue Vigilance in City Finances

By Ted Booker

City council members called for continued close scrutiny of the city's financial picture, asked for a report on marina occupancy during June, and said they would take citizen concerns about the Fourth of July fireworks display to the vendor who prov More...

Swim Lessons Offered at Rudyard Pool Beginning July 19

Swim lessons will be offered at the Rudyard Pool beginning Monday, July 19, meeting Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. or 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Lessons will be offered through Friday, July 30. More...

Street Blockade May Be Resolved Soon

The City of St. Ignace is working with Maverick Construction owner Robert Fraser to establish an easement on Alpine Street to solve a dispute about ambulance access there, said City Manager Eric Dodson. More...

Moran Township’s Finances Are in Good Shape

By Michael Ayala

Moran Township's finances are in good shape, according to an audit report for the year ending March 31, 2010, presented to the township board by Rich Mahlmeister, a certified public accountant, Wednesday, July 7. More...

Island Asks Rental Companies for Cooperation

By Allison Knopp
Mackinac Island Town Crier

Traffic hazards caused by rental bikes being staged in the street were discussed with rental operators during a Mackinac Island Streets Committee meeting Wednesday, July 7, and the operators were told to correct the problem or face tough enforcement More...

Sadie Delights Fans With Island Appearance

The nation's top dog celebrated the nation's 234th birthday Sunday, July 4, at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. More...

Les Cheneaux School Sets Goal of Better Defining Committees

By Josh Perttunen

The Les Cheneaux Community Schools board elected a new treasurer at its Thursday, July 8, organizational and regular board meeting, decided to better define its committees, addressed how scholarships are handled, and set dates for this upcoming year More...

Ambulance Work Costs Less

A new ambulance box will cost $1,600 less than expected, saving five townships and the City of St. Ignace hundreds of dollars. More...

Music and Art Dockside To Bring Local Talent to Hessel Marina Sunday

By Josh Perttunen

Boats and waves dot the landscape at Hessel Marina, the scene Sunday, July 18, for an annual celebration of the arts. More...

Frog Fest To Put Focus on Environment

By Josh Perttunen

Jumping at the chance to educate the public on the unique environments created in the 36- island Les Cheneaux archipelago, the organizers of the first Frog Fest, held in 2000, formed a family-friendly weekend series of events emphasizing an apprecia More...

Fish Feast Planned for July 24 at St. Ignace

Featuring fresh Great Lakes fish, the fourth annual St. Ignace Fish Feast will take place at the St. Ignace Public Marina Saturday, July 24, at 4 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults, and free for ages 21 and younger. More...

Volunteers Sought at Historic Village

The Historic Village in Mackinaw City needs volunteers to keep the village open on Tuesdays and Saturdays, said Mackinaw Area Historical Society president Bill Marvin. More...

Court Reports

The following dispositions are from 92nd District Court in St. Ignace July 6, and July 7, Judge Beth Gibson presiding. Arresting agencies are in parentheses. More...

For the Record

• In the article “Weather, Crowds Perfect for 4th,” published July 8, the Cedarville RV Park was incorrectly identified as the Airstream RV Park. More...

Superintendent Krahnke Retires, Mulls Return at Lower Salary

By Josh Perttunen

Pickford Public Schools superintendent Keith Krahnke is retiring effective July 1, but the door is wide open for his return as the school district's head administrator in a costcutting move that is being repeated at school districts across the state More...

Retiring LaSalle High Educator Leightner Says Teaching Has Been ‘a Great Experience’

By Ted Booker

Lynwood Leightner, a shop teacher at LaSalle High School in St. Ignace for 26 years who retired from St. Ignace Area Schools this summer, said there's one thing he's going to miss the most about teaching. More...

Technology Projects Defined Education Style for Marcia Sweeney

By Michael Ayala

Marcia Sweeney, a fifth and sixth grade teacher and technology coordinator at Gros Cap School, retired from 23 years of teaching Thursday, July 1. Designing technology integrated learning projects defined her teaching style. More...

St. Ignace School District Earns Nationally Recognized Accreditation

St. Ignace Area Schools was granted District Accreditation from the AdvancED Accreditation Commission, Superintendent Michael Springsteen announced Wednesday, July 7. This means that the district and all of its schools are accredited, and that St. More...

Bayliss Public Library To Host Archaeology Talk July 15

Dillon Carr, a graduate student at Michigan State University, will speak about “The Archaeology of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula” at Bayliss Public Library in Sault Ste. Marie Thursday, July 15, at 7 p.m. More...

Ossmann Bikes Across Country

Joe Ossmann, a LaSalle High School graduate in the early 1960s, has been bicycling with a friend this summer from San Francisco, California, to Portland, Maine, and he will be stopping in town to visit with friends and family Friday, July 16. More...

Rudyard Library Hosts Book Sale

The Friends of the Rudyard Public Library will be hosting their annual used book sale from Tuesday, July 20, through Saturday, July 31. Donations of used books for the sale are being accepted now. More...

Mackinaw Historic Village Seeks Builders for Bluebird Homes

A volunteer is needed to construct houses for bluebirds at the Mackinaw Area Historical Society Historic Village, said Dorothy Krueger of the historical society. The bluebirds were first noticed at the Mackinaw City site in the spring, Mrs. More...

Ventriloquist To Visit Library Monday

The ventriloquist team Skippy and Dave will entertain children Monday, July 19, at 4 p.m. at the St. Ignace Public Library. More...

Armentrout, Wing, Royal of Station St. Ignace Report on Gulf Oil Spill

Three Reservists Aid in Clean Up Efforts

By Michael Ayala

“It was definitely an eye opener,” said St. Ignace Coast Guard Reservist Lyndsae Armentrout of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. More...

Fun Begins Friday at Relay for Life

Collection Underway To Determine Who Gets To ‘Kiss a Kid’ at Fundraiser

By Karen Gould

This year, 16 volunteers organizing the Mackinac County Relay for Life, a 24-hour event to raise funds to help fight cancer, hope to tap into the community's generous spirit when teams take to a makeshift track at 1 p.m. More...