Afton, MI

The theme of this year’s annual Onaway Fourth of July parade is “There’s No Place Like Home.” Sure, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz said the famous line in the classic 1939 film, but she was talking about Kansas. When Kaye Porter says it, she is...

OTSEGO COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - A Michigan man will spend time in jail after authorities say he threatened to decapitate a judge and challenged him to a duel. Jonathan Brisson, 32, of Vanderbilt, was sentenced this week to 12 months in jail with credit for 100 days time served, and two years of probation. He also cannot have contact with Otsego County Circuit Court Chief Judge Colin G. Hunter, and must undergo mental health treatment.

The Walloon Lake Association has installed two new boat-washing stations along Walloon Lake, addressing an environmental concern that impacts the entire region. The new stations are put in place to help with the spread of invasive water species, which has impacted the region for years. In 2019, it became Michigan law that boaters must ensure plants and aquatic organisms are free of their boats and trailers when transporting them.

The man allegedly threatened Otsego Co. Circuit Court Chief Judge Colin G. Hunter via Facebook.

CHEBOYGAN — After a public hearing and presentation from Cheboygan City Department of Public Works Director Jason Karmol, city council voted to raise utility rates and fees for city water and sewer customers effective July 1. The water rates will increase from $7.05 to $9.57 per 1,000 gallons used. Non-residents, such as the...

One hundred fifty years ago, Willard A. Smith, editor/publisher of the Charlevoix Sentinel, accompanied by friends hopped on the tug Commodore Nutt to take a jaunt of discovery over to Little Traverse (Harbor Springs) and Bear Creek (Petoskey).    The Nutt had been the first powered boat ever to part the waters of...

For this week’s Brewvine, Whitney Amann and chief photojournalist Jeremy Erickson take us to check out the location and libations at Mackinaw Trail Winery in Petoskey. “I know people are starting to wanting to get back out there, finally get back with their friends and family and finally get married and celebrate all together again. So we definitely do still have openings this year and then we are still available for 2023 as well.”

Q: You recently completed your 23rd season as head coach of Cheboygan varsity baseball. Do you remember what that first season was like?. Baller: I do. I had a great bunch of kids. I want to say – in my first two years of coaching, I don't have the paperwork in front of me for wins and losses – but I'm pretty positive we only won nine games, but that was back when we were in the Big North Conference and I had some young kids on the team, a young boy named Donny Schley and another by the name of Mark Schley, and they really did well, and nine wins was good, especially in the Big North, but I can still remember it. I was nervous, but it was a lot of fun because I knew I had some pretty good talent that was with me.

OTSEGO COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) – The Gaylord City Council is asking the state for $250,000 to help cover the costs from last month's tornado. While that may seem like a lot of money its barley makes a dent in overall expenses. The total cost of cleanup was initially projected...

A Vanderbilt man who confessed to threatening a judge in Otsego County was sentenced Thursday, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

HARBOR SPRINGS — The Harbor Springs Festival of the Book is thrilled to announce New York Times bestselling author and historian, Candice Millard, as the 2022 Keynote presenter. “Candice was the top choice of our author committee, and we are so honored to have this unrivaled historian and author...

A Vanderbilt man was sentenced for making death threats against an Otsego County Chief Judge on social media, according to Attorney General Dana Nessel in a release Thursday. In January, Jonathan Brisson, 32, of Vanderbilt was charged with communicating a false threat of terrorism, a 20-year-felony, after he threatened Otsego County Circuit Court Judge Colin G. Hunter on Facebook.

PELLSTON – There’s a lot of sporting activities that people will get on board with quickly. Both there's also certain activities where it's a challenge to sell people on. For Kathleen Blust, currently a teacher at Pellston Middle School/High School, she knows all about the latter. Since arriving...

CHEBOYGAN — Cheboygan Area Schools is planning for an increase in pupil funding, a decrease in enrollment and upgrades to the high school. The CAS Board of Education approved the school district's operating budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year on Monday, June 27, based on an estimated $19,593,488 in revenue and planned expenditures of just over $19 million. ...

HARBOR SPRINGS — A building deeded to the city of Harbor Springs will remain open, thanks to the joint efforts of the city and local historical society. The Andrew J. Blackbird Museum — deeded to the city in 1964 — was the home of Blackbird, also known as "Black Hawk," from 1858 until his death in 1908. Blackbird was an Odawa tribe leader, historian and author.

GAYLORD — A longstanding annual tradition will soon take over the city of Gaylord bringing a week of celebrations, family-friendly activities and more. The 57th annual Alpenfest is slated to transcend upon Gaylord this coming July 12-16 and those behind the scenes are excited about its full return. "We...

INDIAN RIVER — Representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs partnered with local staff, veterans and project engineers for a groundbreaking ceremony on a new, expanded clinic for veterans Thursday, June 30. The new Community Based Outpatient Clinic will be located at 5739 M-68 Highway — just east of Indian River and I-75. The original...

“I believe in America because we have great dreams, and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true.” — Wendell L. Wilkie. Gerald Stanley Lee (1862-1944), an American writer and minister, wrote that “America is a tune. It must be sung together.” How great is it that we can come together on American Independence Day and celebrate how our forefathers worked together for our country’s independence? Happy Fourth. We hope that everyone will have a fun and safe holiday.

WALLOON LAKE — Hotel Walloon and the national touring company of Keith & Margo’s Murder Mystery Weekend have finalized plans to conduct the first in a series of annual Murder Mystery Weekend events in Walloon Lake and have scheduled the first one for Friday-Sunday, Nov. 4-6. The weekend of mystery and crime-solving will follow one of mystery writers Keith O’Leary and Margo Morrison's twisting plots. The events will begin with a Friday evening cocktail reception in the Hotel Lobby when guests meet their fellow sleuths along with incognito actors posing as guests. The mystery plays out through the weekend at meal times and finishes on Sunday when the solution is revealed. The three-day, two-night weekend package includes hotel accommodations and amenities, meals, and the Murder Mystery Weekend adventure.

HARBOR SPRINGS — Approaching nearly 50 years, the annual Paul Revere 5K and 10 mile run will return to downtown Harbor Springs next week. After a year of being a virtual event, the race returned to July 4 last year with hundreds of runners flocking to the streets of Harbor Springs. ...