Alpena County, MI

ALPENA — The number of Northeast Michigan children living in families investigated for abuse or neglect skyrocketed between 2010 and 2020, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book report released today. While Michigan as a whole saw a 37% increase in the rate of children in investigated families, rate...

ALPENA, Mich. — For those of you who miss the book–browsing experience, the Alpena County Library has some good news. Starting Monday morning, people in Alpena county can schedule appointments online to go inside the library’s temporary location at Bear Pointe Plaza. Appointments allow people to browse the shelves and check out books indoors for 20 minutes.

ALPENA — Jennifer Cousineau has a master’s degree in clinical neuropsychology, a private counseling practice in Alpena, and Medusa on her back. “I didn’t get her to hide her,” said Cousineau, displaying the large tattoo she said is one of the conversation pieces that helps her connect to clients. Tattoos,...

ALPENA — Second Chance Animal Shelter in Alpena started as an idea discussed over coffee in 2018. Since then, the group has operated as a network of volunteers who foster rescued animals until they’re adopted. Since then, they have helped over 400 animals find permanent homes. The group planned to...

ALPENA — Since June 1, health officials have reported 17 Northeast Michiganders infected or probably infected with COVID-19. The number is far below the more than 300 new cases reported among Northeast Michigan residents in May and the more than 1,000 new cases in April. Two Northeast Michiganders — both...

MAXWELL, Lorraine ‘Susie’, 87, of Ossineke, Michigan, died on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center – Midland. Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by the Karpus-Hunter Funeral Home in a future edition of The News.

ALPENA COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- A man was arrested after investigators said he assaulted his girlfriend. Michigan State Police said a woman came to them on Thursday, June 10 to report she was assaulted by her boyfriend earlier in the day. According to the woman, he physically assaulted her twice...

ALPENA, Mich. – An Alpena man has been arrested for domestic violence and assault with a dangerous weapon. 23-year-old Hunter Terry Curry was already on parole for domestic in a separate incident. His girlfriend went to Michigan State Police June 10 to report that he assaulted her. Police said Curry...

ALPENA — While some dads fire up grills or open giftwrapped neckties this Father’s Day, others will sit behind bars, far from the hugs of their children. Jail inmates, whether sentenced or awaiting sentencing, have to do without the comfort of family, and little help is available during their incarceration to help them strengthen family ties or focus on the parenting skills that could break cycles of crime and incarceration.

ALPENA, MI – On Thursday, June 10th, 2021, at approximately 1:00 p.m., an Alpena woman went to the Michigan State Police (MSP) Alpena Post to report she was assaulted by her boyfriend. The alleged incident occurred earlier that day. He physically assaulted her twice and after the second time, she made an excuse to leave and had a relative pick her up. She then went to the state police post to make the report.

The CCHS Class of 1960 will meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 6 at The 19th Hole for a social gathering and dinner. This will be in place of the 2020 class reunion that was postponed until August 14, 2021. All classmates are invited to attend. Please RSVP to...

ALPENA ― A tearful mother apologized to her community and her children before a judge sentenced her to spend two years in prison for helping two men trying to deliver several hundred doses of methamphetamine in Northeast Michigan. Lacey Roskey pleaded guilty in May to helping Donald Grooms and Justin...

ALPENA — District Health Department No. 4 staff are getting back to day-to-day operations as the number of COVID-19 cases decrease and interest in the vaccine wanes. Although they continue to offer limited services related to COVID-19, public health officials are once again able to focus on its normal operations such as the monitoring of public beaches.

ALPENA — Private information will soon be a little less public thanks to a change to court rules that shields birth dates and other identifying information from public consumption — a change that could stand in the way of residents in search of a job or a home, critics say.

ALPENA — Alpena Public Schools officials may sell a sliver of district-owned property to Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan, a nonprofit organization, that would use the property to extend the parking lot of a recently purchased property. Alpena County records show Habitat in March purchased the former flea market property...

ALPENA — When a school closes, memories created at the school remain while the neighborhood adapts to the building’s new use. In recent weeks, Alpena Public Schools officials closed Alternative Choices for Educational Success Academy on Pinecrest Street, with plans to relocate the program to Alpena High School. Talks with a developer have begun about moving APS’s transportation facility from M-32 to property near Alpena High. And APS officials have pondered closing and selling the district’s central office on Gordon Road.

ALPENA, Mich. — Alpena County Home Improvement has already begun funding projects with their Neighborhood Enhancement Program grants. The county was given $37,125 from NEP grants, which come from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The Home Improvement Department divided the grant into two homes selected by their neighborhood as well as Home Improvement.

ALPENA — The Alpena Fire Department plans to utilize residents who have aspirations to become firefighters, and those who have retired from the career, during large emergencies. The Alpena Municipal Council voted last week to allow the fire department to establish a fire auxiliary, as well as a retiree reserve.

ALPENA, Mich. — It turns out people in Alpena County have quite a bit of junk in their basements. The Alpena Resource Recovery Facility’s free electronics drop-off had an enormous turnout Saturday morning. People turned in obsolete or broken televisions, CD players, computer monitors, and more. RRF manager Stan Mischley...

ALPENA — As of Thursday, 53.1% of Alpena County residents 16 or older had been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to state data. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said Michigan can begin to fully reopen once 70% of its residents 16 and older have been vaccinated. The state says 57.9%...