Time for Better Railroads in Michigan?

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Fed’s big bucks, local forums build interest in rail transit, freight By Hannah Clark This story was originally published by the Great Lakes Bulletin News Service, a project of the Michigan Land Use Institute. The automobile drove Michigan’s economy for most of the last century. That singular emphasis on cars, though, left the Auto State […]

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Common sense to preserving the Glen Lakes

By Rob Karner Sun contributor Sometimes the solution to preserving our lakes and streams is simple. Often, keeping it simple has the best opportunity for success. Many people along the shorelines of the Glen Lakes-Crystal River Watershed need to water their lawns and plants (the greenbelt) during the dry periods of the summer. In addition, […]

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Message in a bottle

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From staff reports Kathleen Dodge Buhler and her husband were walking the wonderful shoreline of Lake Michigan around 9 p.m. on July 17, as she had done for the last 58 years, enjoying the pink sunset afterglow to the west as small waves lapped in. An aqua-colored wine bottle on the top of a wave lapping gently […]

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Growth in Glen Arbor

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By Keenan May and Peter Spaulding Sun contributors Glen Arbor is a special place, the ideal small town for many temporary and year-round residents alike. Glen Arbor has experienced significant business development in even the last five to 10 years, filling in many of the smaller buildings and re-purposing spaces from previous lives. Glen Arbor […]

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To pave or not to pave the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail?

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Some citizens prefer compact earth or crushed limestone to asphalt By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor With at least one fundraising meeting under the belt, and checks already committed by local private-sector philanthropists, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail appears to be on a momentous course for success. According to Tom Ulrich, Deputy Superintendent of the Sleeping […]

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Sugar Loaf plot thickens

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By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor The narrative surrounding Leelanau County’s troubled Sugar Loaf resort seemed to surface last month, when current owner Kate Wickstrom went public after years of silence to discuss her role and the enigmatic Las Vegas businessman Liko Smith’s much publicized attempts to acquire the long-shuttered ski resort. But since then the […]

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“Fracking” gas companies target northern Michigan

By Eartha Melzer Sun contributor As natural gas companies prepare to prospect in northern Michigan, experts are warning landowners to be careful about selling off mineral rights. When the state took in an all-time record $178 million in a mineral rights auction back in May, it became apparent that natural gas companies see new opportunities […]

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Sugar Loaf deal dead?

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Kate Wickstrom goes public … Liko hides in Vegas … trail leads to Polselli By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor Kate Wickstrom has broken her silence. And she has spoken with a vengeance. Wickstrom has effectively banned Eneliko Sean Smith from Sugar Loaf until he makes a legitimate, written offer to purchase the long-shuttered ski resort. […]

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Time running out on Sugar Loaf

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Liko Smith sets June 1 deadline for deal with Kate Wickstrom: Red Ginger fundraiser a flop By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor The window for the mysterious West Coast businessman Liko Smith to acquire and re-open the Sugar Loaf Resort and ski hill appears to be closing — and fast. Smith wrote on his blog’s “Weekly […]

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Fire audit saves money

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By Mike Buhler Sun editor In the summer of 2008 the Glen Arbor and Empire township fire departments joined forces as the unified Glen Lake Fire Department, and things have been good for both communities. Beginning July 1 of this year, the first synergistic reward will come to both communities as insurance carriers recognize the […]

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