Lachine
Lachine, MI · Municipal
wcmu.org
Alpena volunteer group working with city to clean storm drains
MIShores founder Jeff Welch (left) stands with Dave Szydlowski, Jeff Johnston and Dennis Werblow (right) during a beach clean up at Blair Street Pier in Alpena, Michigan on Friday, July 24, 2026. A group of volunteers roam the shores of Lake Huron, on a Wednesday morning, raking in debris in...
Petoskey News Review
Hutchens joins Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce as new executive director
The Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently announced Ashley Hutchens as the organization’s new executive director. The board selected Hutchens following a leadership transition process, and her appointment became effective on July 2. According to the chamber announcement, Hutchens “has demonstrated exceptional leadership, a deep commitment to the chamber’s mission and a genuine passion for the Gaylord community. The board is confident she will continue building strong relationships, supporting chamber members, and leading the organization with vision and enthusiasm.” Hutchens is a longtime Gaylord resident. She has been a member of the chamber team for the past three years working in membership engagement, marketing, event coordination, business advocacy and community partnerships. “This community has given so much to me throughout my life, and it is an incredible honor to now serve it in this capacity,” Hutchens said in the announcement. “I believe in our businesses, our people and the future of Gaylord, and I am excited to help lead the chamber into its next chapter.” Paul Gunderson, who has served as executive director for the last six years, will transition into the role of Legacy Director. This means Hutchens will lead the chamber’s strategic initiatives, member engagement
michiganbusinessnetwork.com
NLEA: State Maritime Grant to Fuel New Manufacturing Academy at Industrial Arts Institute
BOYNE CITY, Mich. (July 27, 2026) — The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) is celebrating a major workforce development win for the region: NLEA’s grant application submitted in partnership with the Industrial Arts Institute (IAI) in Onaway has been selected for funding through the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification’s (OFME) Michigan Maritime Innovation Grant Program.
Cheboygan Daily Tribune
NLEA, Industrial Arts Institute celebrate Michigan Maritime Innovation grant
The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) announced this week that its grant application submitted in partnership with the Industrial Arts Institute in Onaway has been selected as one of just five projects statewide to receive funding through the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification's Michigan Maritime Innovation Grant Program. The projects are all intended to advance the newly released Michigan Maritime Strategy, which is the state's first comprehensive 10-year roadmap for growing its maritime economy. The Industrial Arts Institute (IAI) will use the grant funding to build a specialized training curriculum tailored to growing maritime and naval industries by expanding its welding and fabrication programs. The new programming will see its first cohort of graduates in spring 2027. Grant funding will also allow NLEA to assess the economic impact on maritime trade and manufacturing in the region. “Northern Michigan has a long history of innovation in the skilled trades, and this grant strengthens our region's ability to lead in maritime manufacturing as well,” said Tammy Ward, executive director of IAI, in a statement. “In partnership with NLEA, IAI is enhancing our curriculum with maritime-aligned competencies that directly support shipyards, manufacturers and employers across the Great Lakes. This investment deepens
rapidgrowthmedia.com
Alpena builds accessibility roadmap by listening first, improving public spaces for everyone
Amy Stevens has spent decades thinking about accessibility, not because it’s her job, but because it’s her life. Living with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, Stevens, 61, has used a walker, a manual wheelchair, and now a power scooter as her disease has progressed. Each change has given her a new perspective on how difficult it can be to navigate parks, sidewalks, and public buildings that many people take for granted.
The Saginaw News
Michigan lighthouse turns 150 with live music on National Lighthouse Day
TAWAS, MI -- A big birthday party is taking place on the sunrise side of the state on National Lighthouse Day. The Tawas Point Lighthouse turns 150. The lighthouse, built in 1876, has seen its countryman forge through wars, technology revolutions and environmental changes. To celebrate, the Michigan Department of...
Petoskey News Review
Otsego County Library to host pollinator garden program on Aug. 4
Residents can learn how to create gardens that support bees, butterflies and other pollinators during a free program at the Otsego County Library at 6 p.m. on Aug. 4. The event is titled "Pollinator Gardens." According to a community announcement, Kelly Draeger, district manager and soil erosion officer, will discuss ways to establish and maintain gardens designed to support pollinating species while enhancing residential landscapes. Attendees will receive information about the role pollinators play in ecosystems and food production, along with guidance on selecting native plants that attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating animals. Participants will also learn strategies for designing pollinator gardens in spaces of varying sizes and explore methods for creating habitats that support biodiversity and local wildlife. The presentation is intended for both experienced gardeners and people who are new to gardening. Topics will include plant selection, garden planning and approaches that encourage pollinator activity in residential settings. "This is a wonderful opportunity for community members to learn how small changes in their own gardens can make a significant difference for our local environment," Jackie Skinner, director of the Otsego County Library, said in the announcement. "We're excited to welcome Kelly Draeger and offer this informative
Petoskey News Review
Former USCG Cutter Sundew to take part in SS Carl D. Bradley ceremony Aug. 5
When a distress call came from the SS Carl D. Bradley at around 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 18, 1958 as it was passing near the Beaver Island group in Lake Michigan, the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sundew in Charlevoix launched into action. In stormy waters, the Sundew searched for hours. Dick Selissen, a 19-year-old cook, was the one who spotted something amidst the churning waves. Clinging to a life raft were First Mate Elmer Fleming, 43, and deck watchman Frank Mays, 26. They were the only survivors of the 35-man crew. The tragedy echoed around the region, but struck Rogers City, about 80 miles east of Charlevoix, the hardest. Twenty-three of the crew called Rogers City home. More: 65 years later: The SS Carl D. Bradley sinking left its mark in Northern Michigan More: Remembering the sinking of the SS Bradley Now, 67 years later, Rogers City will pay respects to the vessel that saved Fleming and Mays. “The Sundew searched for survivors in merciless conditions,” said Karen Goddard, executive director of the Presque Isle County Historical Museum, in a press release. “The wind shredded its flags, its seasick crew members tied themselves to the ship’s furniture.
Up North Voice
The arts return to Mio
Editor’s Note: Interested in free weekly updates from Northern Michigan? Sign up for the UP NORTH VOICE MAIL. MIO- The 22nd Annual Nor-East’r Music & Art Festival took place at the Oscoda County Fairgrounds in Mio June 12-14. The weekend was packed with live music, art, workshops, food, camping, and family-friendly fun.
9&10 News
FEMA funding is $14.7M for Presque Isle Electric & Gas storm recovery
Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op announced July 22 that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has officially obligated $14.7 million toward the cooperative’s Category A debris removal costs. This funding is for recovery efforts following the historic March 2025 ice storm and marks the first federal funding approved for the cooperative’s recovery. The obligation is a significant milestone in the federal reimbursement process for Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op, though the funds have not yet been received. The cooperative has submitted approximately $145 million in eligible storm recovery costs to the Federal Emergency Management Agency following the catastrophic ice storm. President Allan Berg and CEO of Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op, called the announcement an “exciting day for our cooperative and our members.” Berg noted that while the funds are not yet in hand, the $14.7 million obligation is an “encouraging sign that the reimbursement process is moving forward.” The ice storm caused more than $150 million in damage across Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op’s electric system. Any reimbursement received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be used to reduce the emergency line of credit that the cooperative secured to restore service after the storm. The
climatecosmos.com
13 midwest lake towns retirees over 70 keep quietly moving to each spring in 2026 because the summers stay under 82 and property tax stays under 1800 a year
Most retirees over 70 are still packing for Florida or Arizona – and quietly regretting it by July. A small, sharp-eyed group has found something the retirement industry never advertises: Midwest lake towns where summer afternoons stay under 82°F and the property tax bill lands lower than a monthly car payment.