5 Best Restaurants in Traverse City, Michigan You Need to Try Before Everyone Else Finds Them

Traverse City, Michigan — a city where the lake’s blue hush meets the laughter of cherry pickers and poets, where Victorian homes lean into the breeze and the air is sweet with the promise of summer. Here, the streets are stitched together by the stories of Ojibwe ancestors, farmers, artists, and dreamers who came for the water and stayed for the warmth of the community. It’s a place where the scent of woodsmoke mingles with roasting coffee, where every block hums with the rhythm of festivals, farmers’ markets, and the slow, golden drift of sunlight across Front Street.

Wexford County commissioners approve conflict-of-interest waiver for solar project

WEXFORD COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- Wexford County Commissioners have approved a potential conflict-of-interest waiver related to the Shipyard solar project. The project falls under the jurisdiction of the Wexford Joint Planning Commission, not the county board. But county administrator Joe Porterfield said the county wants to be prepared in case it becomes involved in any legal matters related to the project.

A clerk tried to remove voters from the rolls. How her county, and the state of Michigan, stopped her

Hammond Road reopens in Grand Traverse County after construction delays

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- Hammond Road in Grand Traverse County is back open to traffic following months of construction and delays. The reopening comes after crews worked on road improvements near the Three Mile Road intersection in East Bay Township. The project faced several setbacks, including unexpected underground...

Callie Barr defeats Jack Bergman in Grand Traverse County, comes up short in race

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich. — Democrat Callie Barr defeated Republican incumbent Jack Bergman by more than 6,000 votes in Grand Traverse County on Tuesday, despite falling short in the race for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District. According to unofficial election results, Barr received 29,717 votes, or nearly 55%, compared...

A New Chapter Begins for Lake Hardware

For Halloween, Lake Michigan pulls out all the stops. They close off the main street for a trunk or treat and the entire downtown turns out. What better time for Joe and Arika Reno to officially celebrate their grand opening of Lake Hardware. The food truck, Smokin' Pigs by Bigs was on hand to feed those attending the festivities.

Easement deal paves way for sewer pipe replacement under South Airport Road

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- The clock is ticking to address the pipes below South Airport Road that leaked sewage this fall. On Wednesday morning, Grand Traverse County Commissioners called a special meeting to discuss what seems to be a rapidly approaching deadline to make repairs. The underground pipe...

Second bat tests positive for rabies in Grand Traverse County

A second bat in Grand Traverse County has tested positive for rabies this year after being found inside a local residence, health officials confirmed Thursday.

Rebecca Amidon flips state Senate seat; 4 incumbents win

The midterm election brought one upset and four incumbent-won seats for the local district state Senate and House seats, according to unofficial results.

Federal, local dollars help fuel Cherry Capital Airport's new West Coast service

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- The biggest airport in northern Michigan is now getting even bigger after a federal grant and thousands of dollars from local partners are helping make it possible for the Cherry Capital Airport to offer nonstop service to two California cities. Cherry Capital Airport announced...

$75,000 Grant Puts 15 New Habitat Homes on the Map in Grand Traverse County

You teach third grade, or you drive an ambulance, or you work the line at a restaurant in Traverse City. You earn a steady paycheck, and you still can’t find a home in the county where you work. For a lot of Northern Michigan families, that’s not a hypothetical. It’s the current housing market.

Traverse City voters reject TIF 97 extension as city weighs downtown funding future

DDA says work continues through 2027 while Mayor Amy Shamroe warns of long-term budget pressure

U.S. 31 in Interlochen reopens to two-way traffic as widening project continues

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- U.S. 31 Interlochen is officially open both ways to traffic. This is a part of a $32.5 million investment to rebuild and widen a section of U.S. 31 from Sullivan Road in Green Lake Township, to Reynolds Road in Inland Township. Some new improvements...

Cadillac Voters Approve Millage to Support Fire Department

The 1.85-mill levy is expected to generate about $630,000 in its first year, helping the department address aging equipment, staffing needs and growing demands.

County's sobriety court program awarded $60K grant

The Manistee County Board of Commissioners addressed two local court items during its recent meeting: acceptance of a $60,000 grant and the search for a new chief public defender.

DNR Gives OK to Run Sewer Main Under Medalie Park; South Airport & More Road Work Coming

A last-ditch effort to prevent a new $1.77 million sewer main from potentially having to be torn up in a few years has proven successful. At a special meeting Wednesday, Grand Traverse County commissioners approved allowing the new main – which is replacing undersized pipe below South Airport Road that cracked and leaked sewage this summer – to run under Medalie Park instead of the road right-of-way. That will ensure the main doesn’t have to be ripped out or redone when the South Airport crossing is eventually reconstructed.

Zonta Club of Traverse City prepares to host annual Festival of Trees

TRAVERSE CITY - The Festival of Trees is returning to Northern Michigan at the Grand Traverse Mall. Sponsored by the Zonta Club, the event offers decorated trees, handmade holiday decor and seasonal family activities. Organized by the Zonta Club, a local women’s nonprofit organization, the event raises funds to support...

Split decisions for Benzie County voters on tax proposals

Benzie County voters approved two county millage proposals Tuesday but rejected a separate tax limitation measure and two funding requests from Benzie Central Schools.

Reed City schools face budget decisions after $10.78M bond fails

Failed bond leaves schools weighing cuts

Republican Curt VanderWall defeats challenger Angel Coon in 102nd District race

Republican Curt VanderWall has won reelection to Michigan’s 102nd House District, defeating Democrat Angel Coon. VanderWall, who serves as the chairman of the House Health Policy Committee, was first elected to the Michigan House in 2018. Before serving in the Legislature, he worked as a small business owner in Ludington. During his time in office, VanderWall has served on several committees, including those focused on health policy, transportation and natural resources. VanderWall campaigned on lowering costs, supporting local businesses, improving health care and addressing issues facing rural communities. The 102nd District includes parts of Mason, Manistee, Oceana and Muskegon counties.