5 YEARS AGO February 6, 2020
While the eyes of the nation and the world were focused on a dysfunctional Democratic caucus in Iowa this week, Leelanau County officials — Democrats and Republicans alike — are expressing confidence that elections will go smoothly here this year. “It’s like comparing apples and oranges,” said Leelanau County’s top election official, county clerk Michelle Crocker, a Republican. *** News that the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) will cut back Village Loop service that provides daily fixed route transportation between Traverse City and southern Leelanau County is not sitting well with some who regularly take the bus to work. BATA’s Route 11 connects Empire, Glen Arbor, Maple City and Cedar to Traverse City seven times daily on weekdays and three times daily on weekends, year-round
10 YEARS AGO
February 5, 2015
The tart cherry industry is giddy about the federal government’s decision to buy up to 43.6 million pounds of cherries. “This is probably the largest dollar value of tart cherry purchase that many of us can remember,” said Don Gregory, co-owner of family businesses associated with cherries including Cherry Bay Orchards in Suttons Bay Township and Shoreline Fruit in Williamsburg. *** Through its attorney, Glen Lake Community Schools spent more than $13,000 in 2013 for an investigation contracted through a private firm looking into a series of alleged misdoings by a former employee. The investigation did not result in any criminal charges, and food services director Samuel Hybels remained employed following its conclusion. However, Hybels was fired on Dec. 5, 2014, by superintendent Joan Groening for an unspecified “personnel
issue” at the school and then allowed to resign.
25 YEARS AGO February 10, 2000
The county’s first murder trial in 14 years began Monday. It only took 3¾ hours to seat a jury of eight men and six women to determine the fate of Cynthia L. McDonnell. She was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of her husband Daniel J. McDonnell in their Bingham home, Dec. 31, 1998. *** Sugar Loaf is going go on the auction block next month. While the news of an impending auction of Sugar Loaf Resort on March 23 may cast a dark cloud for some, resort employee Duane Flaska, a ski school director, doesn’t think the sale will impact him too much.
50 YEARS AGO February 6, 1975
A veiled hint of annexation ambitions including Elmwood Township in Leelanau County by the City of Traverse City at its commission meeting Monday night at which possible annexation of several areas surrounding Traverse City was aired by the City Manager, drew response from Township Supervisor Paul Watkoski. *** Driving on ice with an automobile I can be a risky business, David Ball of Traverse City found that out when his 1966 model sedan; went through the ice Saturday into Lake Leelanau at Leland approximately 100 feet offshore and 700 feet north of Nedows Bay dock area, Leelanau County sheriff’s deputies reported. The car went through the ice at a depth of about 5 feet and was half submerged before it was finally pulled out by a wrecker with a long tow line.
75 YEARS AGO February 9, 1950
Clara Baumberger of Northport won first place in a field of 21 young Leelanau county pie bakers Wednesday afternoon at Leland school. Ruth Spinniken of Leland was second, Loretta Carlson of Northport, third. *** Joe Hahnenberg of Lake Leelanau, who hauls the county’s freight and express, last week won a medal. He won it for driving a million and a half miles without a serious accident. After 22 years of rolling the roads of Leelanau in fair weather and foul, he has never collided, sideswiped or mixed fenders with another vehicle, never has scratched a pedestrian. His average mileage is 70,000 a year.
100 YEARS AGO February 5, 1925
U.S. Marshal Martin Brown was in town a few days last week. *** The second bi-weekly Community Social Evening, was held in the Club House at Leland, Friday January 30th. The popularity of these gatherings was evidenced by the greatly increased attendance.
