5 YEARS AGO May 9, 2019
Members of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians will head to the polls next month to decide whether to decriminalize marijuana use and possession on tribal lands in Leelanau County and elsewhere. On June 11, adult tribal members residing in the tribe’s six-county service area in northwest lower Michigan will be eligible to vote in a referendum to amend a provision of the Grand Traverse Band (GTB) Criminal Code that currently outlaws marijuana entirely.
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Lake Michigan water levels climbed nine inches in the last month, jeopardizing the integrity of a Leelanau icon.Fishtown is in danger, causing the Fishtown Preservation Society (FPS) to embark on a $1.6 million fundraising campaign to rebuild and heighten its weather- worn fishing village that lines the Leland River. Two chunks of docks have already split away from buildings the society owns along the river’s south bank, and swirling water that continues to rise threatens to destabilize pilings that serve as the foundation for the registered Michigan State Historic Site.
10 YEARS AGO May 8, 2014
A petition drive is underway to banish a plan to charge $1 per hour for parking at the Empire Beach. Those who oppose the measure plan to show up at today’s regular monthly workshop meeting of the Empire Village Council, where they’ll likely present that petition. Like Beryl Skrocki, who with her husband Frank owns Sleeping Bear Surf and Kayak on Front Street in Empire Village. Skrocki, who collected petition signatures, said she is fundamentally opposed to the plan.
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An ill-fated trip to South Manitou Island last weekend provided a valuable lesson to two men in their 20s from Battle Creek. It was also the first of what could be numerous “cold water” tests this season for fire and rescue personnel, as ice continues to clog county harbors and Lake Michigan water temperatures have budged little. Witnesses called the county sheriff’s department early Saturday afternoon to report that the pair had launched an inflatable raft from Sleeping Bear Point.
25 YEARS AGO May 13, 1999
Nine fires in the Suttons Bay area considered “suspicious” in origin are being investigated as cases of arson. The Michigan State Police fire marshal’s office, county Sheriff’s Department and Suttons Bay Police are investigating the series of fires which began on May 21, 1998 and continued through May 3. Damages from the fires are estimated at $500,000.
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Ownership of a communications tower in Kasson Township is being disputed. County officials are claiming the county should have title but NPI Wireless, Inc. refuses to deed over the tower. NPI claims an unauthorized NPI representative signed the agreement, nullifying it. The issue goes back to 1997 when Leelanau County entered into a 10-year “agreement” with NPI which called for the company to build a new tower, turn it over to the county for $1 and in essence occupy the site “rent free” until the firm’s investment was recouped.
50 YEARS AGO May 9, 1974
Kenneth R. Tondreau, postal clerk at the Traverse City post office since 1971, has been appointed postmaster at Cedar. Before coming to Traverse City, Tondreau served as a substitute clerk-carrier at Livonia, Michigan, for a short period. In 1960 he was promoted to regular mail carrier and the same year he took military leave for three years. He again served at the Livonia post office until his transfer to Traverse City in 1971.
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Pamela Dawn Neeley, blue eyed and blond daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Buford Neeley of Glen Arbor, was named Miss Leelanau County in a scholarship pageant Sunday at Sugar Loaf Village. Miss Neeley, whose talents and interests are as varied as a shelf of Dresden China, received a $450 scholarship and will represent Leelanau County in the annual National Cherry Queen Contest.
75 YEARS AGO May 6, 1948
Empire and Glen Lake will get a modern airport as fast as improvements can be made on 160 acres of land the State Conservation Department is deeding to Empire Township within ten days. The port, located on old Benzonia Trail four miles east of Glen Lake narrows, will require little grading and the removal of only a few trees.
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Fears that high school baccalaureate services are completely banned by the recent Supreme Court ruling against religious teaching in state-supported schools were declared unfounded today by educators in the county. School Commissioner Harry Dumbrille, interviewed in Glen Arbor, said that to the best of his information, baccalaureate sermons may be preached under certain conditions.
100 YEARS AGO May 8, 1924
Starting May the 1 to Oct. 1, mail leaves Leland at 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; arrives at 12:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Post office opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 7:00 p.m. Elmer L. Dalton, postmaster.
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For Sale or Trade I have a pair of horses weight 2500 pounds, ages 8 years that I will sell or trade for a heavy young work hourse. Enquire of D.P. Roche, Empire, Michigan.
