5 YEARS AGO August 8, 2019
A room filled with mechanical and electronic equipment that controls the Leland Dam is flooded due to high Lake Michigan water levels, imperiling the county’s ability to control Lake Leelanau water levels and the flow of water into Fishtown. Docks in Fishtown are already in peril due to high Lake Michigan water levels. Moisture in the dam’s control room could short-circuit equipment required to manipulate hydraulic rams and gates that regulate the flow of water over the dam. *** Leelanau County voters will head to the polls this fall to decide whether to approve 0.235mill property tax over the next five years to pay for “early childhood services” for county residents. A deeply divided Leelanau County Board of Commissioners voted 4-3 Tuesday to accept the recommendation of an “Early Childhood County Committee” led by District No. 5 Commissioner Patricia Soutas-Little, a Democrat, and District No. 1 Commissioner Tony Ansorge, a Republican.
10 YEARS AGO August 7, 2014
Lou Batori of Glen Arbor celebrated his 104th birthday with the “usual routine, enjoying the sun and the blue skies and the people,” he said. Batori is the oldest person residing in Leelanau County, and somewhat a celebrity for his active lifestyle. He daily rides a stationary bike or bicycles along Glen Lake, takes in visitors along with his wife, Judith, in their home near downtown Glen Arbor, and enjoys a happy hour in “moderation.” Batori turned 104 last Thursday. He was born in 1910. *** After several years of low water levels Lake Michigan is on the rise. But more water means less sand, so some Leelanau County beaches are losing ground. For example, consider Leelanau Township’s newly acquired Christmas Cove beach, which backs up against a bluff. “I would say we’ve lost more than half the beach that we had last year,” said Leelanau Township Supervisor Doug Scripps. “If water rises another foot and a half, we’re not going to have a beach.”
25 YEARS AGO August 12, 1999
The Homestead resort is hoping to sell 13 acres of property along the Crystal River that includes an historic grist mill and miller’s home that was once included in plans to develop an 18-hole golf course and housing development. Concerns that the Army Corps of Engineers would dictate to The Homestead how the mill site could be used helped to spur the decision. *** A long-awaited report ranking proposed sites for county facilities has been presented to commissioners. The 11-page report is the culmination of months of review by a county facilities site committee. The committee ranked Myles Kimmerly and the current site at the top of the list. *** The National Park Service has rejected the South Manitou Memorial Society’s plans to sponsor the restoration of two farms on the island. The August Beck and George Conrad Hutzler farm projects would not benefit Park Service goals.
50 YEARS AGO August 8, 1974
More than 125 residents of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore area attended the annual meeting of the Citizens Council. Sleeping Bear Dunes area on Friday, August 2, at the Glen Arbor Township Hall. John Dorsey presided in the absence of Council president, Ford Fisher. A treasurer’s report showed a cash balance of $3,452.70. *** Two Leelanau County candidates for the 104th District State Representative Posts were winners in the Primary election Tuesday with Leelanau County Commissioner Constance Binsfield of Maple City a nearly 2-1 victor for the Republican Nomination and William Greorgy of Suttons Bay the Democratic winner by a big margin over his competitor, William Waples of Traverse City.
75 YEARS AGO August 5, 1948
Commissioner Donald S. Leonard, head of the Michigan State Police and member of the State Aeronautics Commission, will deliver the principal address at the dedication of the Empire-Glen Lake airport Sunday, August 29, it was learned today. Commissioner Leonard, long an aviation enthusiast, has served the state in many capacities. *** WE CHALLENGE YOU! We, a picked team from Independent clubs of Leelanau County, hereby challenge the alleged baseball team, known as the Traverse City Merchants, managed by A1 Ott, to a game at any time — any place. We’ll go the full 9 innings, if you feel up to it, and play under any financial arrangement. (Being a little hard up, we prefer a winner-take-all arrangement.)
100 YEARS AGO August 7, 1924
There are a lot of counterfeit $50 bills in circulation, but that isn’t what you would call exciting news for most of us who never knew there are $50.00 bills. *** Political Announcement: I wish to announce to the people of Leelanau County that I will be a candidate for the Office of Sheriff in the September Primaries. DENTLESS JOHNSON *** A severe wind storm struck here last Sunday morning doing much damage to trees and shrubery and completely demolishing B.N. Pickard’s car which was hit by a large tree while parked in the yard of the Nickols hotel.
