Town Packed Full for Pond Hockey

Action on the Bay Makes for Busy Winter Weekend

Attracting the largest turnout yet of 156 teams, the fifth annual U.P. Hockey Championship on Moran Bay lured about 1,000 players and their families to St. Ignace Friday, February 18, through Sunday, February 20, filling restaurants and hotels in one of the busiest winter weekends the city has ever hosted. While Friday’s games were cancelled owing to warm weather, the […]

Litzner Resigns County Position



With his Mackinac Bridge Authority job at risk, Mike Litzner of St. Ignace resigned his political post as a Mackinac County commissioner Thursday, February 17. A judge ruled that Mr. Litzner, a state employee, could not be protected from financial harm while he contested his employer’s decision not to allow him to serve politically, opening him up to potential loss […]

DeTour Winterfest Planned Saturday



An auction of gourmet and specialty cakes will be among the activities planned this year at Winterfest in DeTour Village Saturday, February 26. Contests and activities are planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day, most of them at the DeTour school. A craft show, food booths, and chili cook off will take place in the auditorium, with many […]

Youth Pond Hockey Next to Take the Ice



About 40 teams are slated to compete in this year’s U.P. Youth Pond Hockey Tournament on Moran Bay in St. Ignace Saturday, February 26, and Sunday, February 27, doubling last year’s turnout of 20. Now in its third year, the tournament will use the 30 rinks already carved in the ice on the bay for last weekend’s pond hockey games. […]

Les Cheneaux Community Celebrates 50th Snowsfest



Temperatures dropped into the low 20s for the Les Cheneaux area’s 50th annual Snowsfest celebration Friday, February 18, through Sunday, February 20, but the hearts, bellies, and competitive fires of those in attendance were warm. Nostalgia lit the eyes of parents as they watched their children enjoy the traditional games and activities associated with this winter celebration, which included snow […]

Gov. Snyder Unveils Proposed Budget; Job Training, Tourism Focus of Spending



Workforce training and development programs and the Pure Michigan advertising campaign would be among programs where Michigan would spend its dollars, while tax credits for filmmakers and state inspections of dairy farms would be among items eliminated under the governor’s proposed budget. Governor Rick Snyder presented to the legislature Thursday, February 17, his 2012 executive budget and a 2013 projected […]

Michigan Politics

Environmental Protection Takes Budget Hits

Environmental protection took hits last week in budgets presented by President Barack Obama and Governor Rick Snyder. But they were modest in amount and percentage compared to cuts in many other programs. States across the land are facing huge budget shortfalls—several of them billions bigger than Michigan’s $1.4 billion deficit that Snyder deals with in his $45.9 billion “shared sacrifice” […]

St. Ignace Recreation Department To Seek Treadmill for Little Bear Fitness Center



Prompted by residents who say people are spending too much time on exercise equipment at Little Bear East Arena’s fitness center and that there are not enough machines, the recreation department now plans to purchase a treadmill to better meet demand, Recreation Director Scott Marshall informed the St. Ignace Recreation Advisory Committee Wednesday, February 9. A three-year-old used treadmill would […]

City Council, Mayor Should Consider Donating Their Time



To the Editor: In reading the February 17 issue of The St. Ignace News, about eliminating the St. Ignace City Police Department, and then turning the pages and reading what our city council gets paid, don’t you think it’s time that the city council steps up to the plate and makes some sort of concession to help the city? According […]

Just What Is the City of Mackinac Island Up To?



To the Editor: Like many others, I am troubled — and more than a little angry — at the meddling of the City of Mackinac Island into the private business affairs of the three ferry companies that serve the Island. By raising the franchise fee imposed on the ferry operators to an astonishing 7% (from the present 2%), and demanding […]