Travelers Discard Firewood, U.P. Still Clear of Ash Borer

Checkpoints at Mackinac Bridge Curtail Spread of Invasive Beetle

Travelers to the Upper Peninsula this summer are cooperating with checkpoints at the Mackinac Bridge by discarding firewood or untreated wood. The checkpoints were set up in May to stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a foreign beetle brought from Asia that has killed 15 million ash trees in Michigan since 2002. The Michigan Department of Agriculture […]

Little Swimmers Beat the Heat



Swim lessons are one way to beat this summer’s heat, like these beginning swimmers are doing at the St. Ignace Community Pool at LaSalle High School Monday, July 18. The Red Cross is conducting its second two-week session of swim lessons for children ages 5 to 12, starting Monday, July 25. For more information, call the St. Ignace Recreation Center […]

Public To Comment on Proposed Smoking Ban

Order Would Prohibit Lighting Up in Workplaces, Public Buildings Across Mackinac County

Mackinac County residents will be able to comment on a proposed county-wide smoking ban at a public hearing earmarked for August 11. Sponsored by the Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft (LMAS) District Health Department, the order would prohibit smoking in all workplaces and buildings open to the public, including private businesses. Exempted would be bars, restaurants, and casinos and, most likely, hotels and motels. […]

St. Ignace Car Show Parade Moves to Friday in 2006



The Down Memory Lane Parade will be moved back to Friday night for the 2006 Straits Area Antique Auto Show, Car Show Committee members decided at their annual follow-up meeting Thursday, July 14. Numerous options were discussed at the meeting, including keeping the parade on Thursday or moving the starting time to earlier in the day, but the group finally […]

Hands-On Art



Les Cheneaux Community Enjoys Music and Art Dockside Children were treated to a free activity area at the 2005 Music and Art Dockside at Hessel Marina Sunday, July 17. The event was hosted by the Les Cheneaux Artisan Cooperative and featured four bands and more than a dozen artists. The Kids Craft corner was funded by a grant from the […]

Newton Twp. Eyes Recycling Center at Transfer Station



The West Mackinac County Transfer Authority station has sat idle for close to a decade, however, renewed interest by Newton Township and county officials may give it new life to benefit to area residents. One idea is to convert it into a recycling center. Built in 1986, the transfer station served as a center for garbage drop-off for residents from […]

Extreme Fire Danger To Last Through Week in U.P.



A very high to extreme fire danger is expected to continue in Upper Peninsula at least the rest of this week, says the Department of Natural Resources and, except for a brief temperature drop Tuesday, the forecast is for more of the 80 degree to 90 degree readings the Straits area has received since July 7. DNR fire officials also […]

City, St. Ignace Businesses Work Together To Resolve Restroom Concerns



A light St. Ignace City Council agenda in its Monday, July 18, meeting was highlighted by a positive update regarding concerns about the public restrooms in the new Pavillion complex. “Some of the problems have been corrected,” said Downtown Development Authority Director Deb Evashevski, noting that the issue was discussed at the last meeting of the DDA July 8. “We […]

County Holds Off Decision on $113,000 Grant



A disagreement over sheriff deputy wages has postponed a county commission endorsement for two off-road patrol grants worth $113,000 until Thursday, July 28. The grant applications need to be submitted by July 31, but commissioners said Thursday, July 15, that they needed more time to consider the ramifications an off-road patrol officer wage increase, tied to the grants, could have […]

Bringing Internet Hotspots to St. Ignace



A ribbon cutting celebration marked the opening of the St. Ignace Hotspots Wireless Broadband Internet Project June 18 at the Chamber of Commerce office. In attendance were (from left) Mackinac County Commission Chair Dawn Nelson, St. Ignace City Manager Gary Heckman, county commission assistant Cynthia Oliver, State Representative Gary McDowell, Mayor Bruce Dodson, U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak, Steve Mason of […]