5 YEARS AGO December 19, 2019
An emergency effort to keep county roads from eroding into Lake Michigan due to rising water levels has forced the Leelanau County Road Commission to forego funding its Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS) account as planned this year. Major erosion is currently occurring on portions of South Shore Drive north of Peck Road in Suttons Bay Township and on a bluff along Lee Point Road in Bingham Township, according to Road Commission manager Justin Kelenske. *** A tentative plan to use village resources to fill in the hole underneath the sidewalk at Empire Beach was adopted this week by the Empire Village Council. The council Monday night decided to fill the hole created this fall by high water on Lake Michigan undermined the sidewalk at the popular destination. Using village resources means it may be able to be done cheaper than the $20,000 that Trustee Maggie Bacon said Team Elmer’s bid to rebuild the decorative wall and reinstall the undermined concrete sidewalk.
10 YEARS AGO
December 18, 2014
Leelanau County has received its first offer to buy the former courthouse property, which has been listed with a Traverse City real estate firm for six months. However, the offer is for $800,000, only a fraction of the $1.4 million asking price for the county’s 2.1 acres along the Leland River. Commissioners stopped short of rejecting the offer, instead authorizing county administrator Chet Janik to begin negotiations with Grand Rapids real estate broker and developer Joel Peterson. *** Dozens of needy Leelanau County families appeared at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall in Lake Leelanau yesterday to pick up free Christmas gifts through the Leelanau Holiday Needs program. Coordinated by Suttons Bay resident Mary Stanton, the program distributes toys to needy Leelanau County children that were donated through the countywide Toys for Tots program. In addition, items of clothing and gifts for adults are provided at the event through other local programs.
25 YEARS AGO
December 16, 1999
Suttons Bay School officials are eyeing plans to construct additional classrooms, office space and possibly a 500-seat auditorium. Officials said $4.5 million was their best guess at the cost. *** The owners of a development located across from Tom’s West Bay shopping center is seeking a permit for a seasonal 460-foot floating pier, and 14 mooring sites in West Grand Traverse Bay. The parcel is located just north of the intersection M-72 and M-22. *** Leelanau County is the proud owner of a 199-foot communications tower in Kasson Township, according to a tentative settlement in a lengthy dispute recommended for approval this week.
50 YEARS AGO
December 19, 1974
George Fredrickson, Leelanau County treasurer, said snow removal money for Leelanau County based on last year’s snowfall amounted to $26,310.31. This amount is $3,175.37 less than the amount received at this time last year, $29,485.68. Fredrickson said the lesser amount this year is because of the light snowfall last year. *** Complaints of dogs running loose in the Village of Empire was brought up for the second time recently at the regular Village Council meeting Tuesday night. Pat Zoyhofski, the new Village Clerk said a citizen appeared before the board to request that something be done about the problem. The board admitted that the problem is occuring and voted to confer with the Leelanau County Animal Control Officer.
75 YEARS AGO December 16, 1948
Public Will Pay Total of 25 Per Cent More If Commission Grants Request The Michigan Bell Telephone Company announced today that it will ask the Public Service Commission on December 29 for another raise in rates. This follows immediately on the heels of an 8 percent increase that went into effect the week of October 21. This time the company will demand 17 per cent more revenue.
*** Fred Smith of Greilickville, driver of the ill-fated Norris school bus which collided with an M&NE train last month, was brought before Justice Paul Mork Tuesday on a charge of negligent homicide. Mr. Smith demanded a preliminary hearing. Its date was set for December 23 in the Leland courthouse before Justice Mork. Meanwhile Smith is free on $100 personal bond.
100 YEARS AGO December 18, 1924
Miss Henrieth Possing formerly of this village and Mr. Benjamin Neil were married November 26th at the home of the bride Mr. and Mrs. Frank Possing at Charlevoix. *** Robert Prause, Carl Peterson and Henry Stormer left last Tuesday for North Manitou Island to hunt foxes. *** We acknowledge a pleasant call from our friend Frank Sheridan of Glen Arbor on last Saturday.
