‘Pete’ Heckman Ends 20-Year Stint as City Manager



‘Pete’ Heckman Ends 20-Year Stint as City Manager As he sat at his desk in City Hall, Wednesday, December 28, a day before he officially retired from the City of St. Ignace, Gary Heckman, known to many simply as “Pete,” sifted through old papers he had collected over the years. The thick folder exemplifies the 20 years Mr. Heckman served […]

Utility Co. Appeals Lead to Lost Funds for County Schools, Townships, Hospital



Townships, schools, and hospitals are paying money back to energy companies, following a series of appeals the companies have won that reduce the value of their energy distribution systems. The appeals center around financial valuation tools called “multipliers,” figures by which assessors value personal property assets to determine how much tax money can be collected. Taxes paid by companies on […]

Halls of LaSalle High Resonating With Drum Sounds of the Tropics

Students Learn New Skills in 'Saints of Steel'

Students Learn New Skills in ‘Saints of Steel’ For the past several weeks, the resonant boom of steel drums has been heard throughout LaSalle High School. The sound comes from the newly formed “Saints of Steel,” a steel drum group organized by the school band director, Jason Byma. It is a new group based on a new instrument, an unexpected […]

Kim Cardwell Chosen as U.P. Teacher of the Year

Cedarville Educator Named inWal-Mart Program

Kim Cardwell, a resource room teacher for high school and middle school students at Les Cheneaux Community Schools, has been named the 2005 Teacher of the Year in the Upper Peninsula by WalMart. She was one of more than 3,800 teachers to be honored and received a $1,000 education grant, which she spent on classroom materials. She was nominated for […]

Treasurer’s Office To Be Audited

Commission Calls for Immediate Probe

Treasurer’s Office To Be Audited An immediate internal audit of the Mackinac County Treasurer’s office was ordered by county commissioners Thursday, December 29, following a closed door meeting with county prosecutor Clayton Graham. Both Mr. Graham and a Michigan State Police investigator recommended the audit, say county officials, following the disappearance of $400 from the treasurer’s office in November. “While […]

State Poised To Override Local Ordinances To Promote Wind Power



In an attempt to promote alternative energy development, the House Government Operations Committee has proposed two bills which would ease restrictions on where companies could build wind turbines in Michigan. Although several township and county officials in Mackinac County have expressed interest in wind power, this action by the house has alarmed some local authorities, because the bills would exempt […]

Man Recreates Mackinac Bridge in Christmas Lights



Although Sam Bohling’s lighting display didn’t win any contests this year, the colorful decorations that fill nearly every inch of his front yard were a local show-stopper in Hessel this holiday season. Mr. Bohling added a yard-sized rendition of the Mackinac Bridge to his collection of homemade and hand-painted characters and lights. His sister, Bonnie Bohling, and mother, Shirley Mondoskin, […]

Mackinac Island Featured on ABC’s ‘The View’



Mackinac Island Featured on ABC’s ‘The View’ Mackinac Island was featured on ABC’s “The View” Wednesday, January 4, as one of the top five places to lose weight. The program is broadcast live by ABC at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday from New York City and features Barbara Walters. The show included Mackinac Island for its unique transportation culture that […]

Legislation Expands Trail Access for Snowmobiles



Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed legislation December 27 that will allow snowmobiles to operate on some limited access highways in Michigan under the discretion of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). “This legislation will not only expand access to trails for snowmobile operators, but will also benefit Michigan communities whose local economies […]

100 Children Enjoy Tribal Christmas Party at Hessel



Cedarville High School foreign exchange student Pauline Le Tamo of France (far left) joined Rhianna Milligan (far right) and members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Hessel Youth Group Sierra Causley, Brett LaLonde, and Hollie Currie in helping with the Tribe’s Children’s Christmas Party. Miss Le Tamo is staying with her host family, Rhianna and Terrie Milligan […]