2 hurt when Michigan driver crashes through electrical pole, causing car to catch fire
Two people were injured when a Michigan driver crashed through an electrical pole, causing the car they were in to catch fire.
2 men arrested for possession of methamphetamine, carrying machetes, drug pipes in Traverse City
Michigan State Police Traverse City Post arrested two men for possession of methamphetamine, carrying machetes and drug pipes, amongst other things.
Traverse City hair salon accused of discrimination names Michigan in lawsuit. State wants dismissal
The state has filed a motion to dismiss claims filed by a Traverse City hair salon against the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) based on lack of jurisdiction.
Trooper, victimโs dog rescues 65-year-old man who fell through ice in Arbutus Lake
Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Officer Kammeron Bennetts responded to a call of a 65-year-old Traverse City man who had fallen through the ice in Arbutus Lake in East Bay Township.
Michigan State Police want help identifying 2 in Grand Traverse County off-road vehicle crash
A dirt bike rider in Grand Traverse County was hospitalized and police are searching for the driver of the off-road vehicle that struck them.
What to check off your summer bucket list when youโre in Traverse City
Local 4 has encouraged you to check off your summer bucket list with us, including outdoor concerts, baseball games, discovering a new hiking or biking trail, or one of our many lighthouses.
Michigan officials investigate bizarre, chaotic confrontation between women at daycare
Michigan officials are investigating after video surfaced of a bizarre confrontation between two women in a room full of screaming children at a daycare.
Passenger seen holding crack pipe in car that was driving on wrong side of Michigan street
A passenger was caught openly holding a crack pipe inside a car when police pulled it over for driving on the wrong side of the street in Michigan.
Man with knife, woman who gave fake name arrested for violations in Michigan construction zone
A man carrying a knife and a woman who gave police a fake name were both arrested after their car was pulled over for violations in a Michigan construction zone.
Campfire turns to โraging forest fireโ in Northern Michigan over Memorial Day weekend
A small campfire at a private residence quickly turned into a โraging forest fireโ in Northern Michigan over Memorial Day weekend.
Michigan manโs $328,000 lottery ticket almost flies out car window on way home
A Michigan man almost lost his lottery ticket out the window of his car moments after finding out he had won a $328,000 jackpot.
Former Western Michigan University officer arrested for allegedly uploading child porn to social media
A former Western Michigan University officer has been arrested on child pornography charges.
Wildfires in Michigan rages out of control as string of warm weather brings high risk
The dry conditions sparked a fire warning from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, as even the slightest mistake could quickly become a disaster.
๐ Can 170-year-old bourbon be salvaged from sunken cargo ship in Lake Michigan?
A little over a decade ago, the Westmoreland was discovered. This ship sank to the bottom of Lake Michigan on Dec. 7, 1854, after being lost in a storm. This ship was carrying a lot of precious cargo, from gold to booze. Many items went down that winter night.
Group of 78 Michigan healthcare workers wins $1 million Powerball prize; each gets $12,800
A group of 78 nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers in Michigan won a $1 million Powerball prize, meaning they will each receive about $12,800.
Invasive algal bloom โrock snotโ found in Boardman River in Grand Traverse County
Didymo, a nuisance alga known as โrock snotโ has been identified in a stretch of the Boardman River in Blair Township in Grand Traverse County.
CDC recommends masks in Metro Detroit amid โhighโ COVID spread
Several Metro Detroit counties have been upgraded to a โhighโ COVID-19 risk category and are being urged to practice mask wearing in public by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CDC recommends mask wearing in Grand Traverse County due to โhighโ COVID risk
After a period of decreased coronavirus spread, COVID cases are starting to rise in some regions across the U.S. and the world -- including in some parts of Michigan.
Complaints filed after reporter attacked at anti-mask event near Traverse City
A prosecutor has filed criminal complaints against two northern Michigan men in connection with an attack on a newspaper reporter covering a meeting by a group opposing masks and vaccination mandates.
No charges filed against Michigan official who flashed rifle
Michiganโs attorney general said Friday she would not file charges against a county commissioner who displayed a rifle during a livestreamed meeting, an incident some described as illustrating racial and cultural tensions in the Lake Michigan resort area.
Bear moved from northwestern Michigan treks 90 miles back
An apparently homesick bear who was moved from an area in northwestern Michigan where he had raided bird feeders and trash cans has traveled back to the same location.
Michiganโs National Cherry Festival returns this year amid pandemic: Full schedule, info
Michiganโs National Cherry Festival that brings fruit fans to Traverse City each year is returning this summer after canceling 2020 events due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Michigan official sues after another year without a raise
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. โ A 71-year-old elected official in the Traverse City area claims she hasnโt had a raise in eight years because the county wants to force her out of office. Peggy Haines, the register of deeds in Grand Traverse County, has filed an age discrimination lawsuit. She has been in office since 2000 and was reelected in November, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported. A register of deeds records all documents related to local real estate, including deeds, mortgages, land contracts and liens. Grand Traverse commissioners considered a merger last year, but it was voted down.
Michigan weighs charges against official who displayed gun
The Michigan Attorney General's office is considering whether charges should be filed against a county commissioner who displayed a rifle at a livestreamed public meeting.
Michigan official shows gun after public meeting criticism
Ron Clous, an elected member of the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners, was at home during the livestreamed meeting Wednesday, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported. โThe only thing I know about them (Proud Boys) is when they came and spoke to us," Clous said. "To have a public official do that during a public meeting is horrendous.โBetsy Coffia, a fellow county commissioner, labeled Clous' action โdeeply disturbing." โI am not a member of Proud Boys,โ Hentschel said Wednesday. Iโve met Black Proud Boys, Iโve met multi-racial Puerto Rican Proud Boys and they inform me they also have gay Proud Boys.
Abducted Wisconsin boy found in Michigan after missing for nearly 3 months
KINGLSEY, Mich. โ Michigan State Police located an abducted Wisconsin boy after a resident reported seeing the boy and his father in Kingsley. Azariah Petrick, 4, was reportedly taken by his father, Mark Anthony Petrick, on July 22. They were from Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. Troopers found Mark Petrick and the boy in a motorhome. Mark Petrick was uncooperative and gave police a fake name, officials said.
Grand Traverse County jail administrator charged with criminal sexual conduct, other felonies
GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich. A Grand Traverse County jail administrator was arrested Thursday, charged with multiple felonies, including criminal sexual conduct and embezzlement. The arrest and charges come after an investigation by the Grand Traverse County Sheriffs Office. According to a press release, 48-year-old Todd Ritter, of Lake Ann, is charged with embezzlement by a public official over $50, larceny in a building, second-degree criminal sexual conduct, common law offenses - misconduct in office and willful neglect on duty. Reports of Ritters unprofessional conduct were initially examined in April 2019 by the county sheriffs office, placing him on administrative leave. Michigan State Police conducted an investigation following the county and the case was reviewed by the Attorney Generals office in April 2020Ritter is scheduled for an arraignment Friday.
Amber Alert issued for missing 15-year-old girl in Grand Traverse County
GARFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. An Amber Alert has been issued in Grand Traverse County after a 15-year-old girl went missing on Sunday afternoon. Anna Mae Taylor of Garfield Township is believed to be in the company of a male named Brandon Reyes, who is also from Garfield Township, officials shared in a Facebook post. Taylor is described as standing 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighting 110 pounds and has brown hair and hazel eyes. Reyes is described as standing 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 110 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Grand Traverse Central Dispatch at 231-922-4550.
Hot summer warming up Lake Michigan, experts say
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. Lake Michigan is having a warm summer. MORE: Soak it up: Great Lakes surface temps are really, really warmThe summer high is 75.6 degrees recorded in August 2016, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA. Im loving this, Whitney Miller, a swim instructor, told the Traverse City Record-Eagle. I was a popsicle.The air temperature in the Traverse City topped 87 degrees for 11 consecutive days, according to the Midwest Regional Climate Center. Its a rare occurrence up here to get that long of a stretch of that weather and not cool down at least for a day or two, said meteorologist Matt Gillen of the National Weather Service.
Traverse City man charged with criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13
LONG LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. A 57-year-old man is facing criminal sexual conduct charges after allegedly assaulting a minor in Long Lake Township. Ricky Alan Byard of Traverse City has been charged with three counts of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree with a person under 13 years old. At the time, Byard was dating someone in close connection with the victim, Michigan State Police say. The victim reportedly disclosed multiple incidents of sexual assault to a family member, who then contacted police. Byard is being held at the Grand Traverse County Jail on a $50,000 bond, police say.
Michigan officials: Boat at bottom of Grand Traverse bay must be removed
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. A sunken boat must be removed from the bottom of Grand Traverse Bay in northern Michigan, according to state officials. Federal and state authorities said Thursday they are working to arrange the salvage operation for the 33-foot-long vessel that sank last month, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported. Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy spokesman Nick Assendelft said officials dont want that left in the water.The boat took on water June 19 and sank. The boats owner, Todd Elsenheimer, said he has insurance on the lake cruiser and his plan all along has been to remove it from the bay. The sunken boat continues to be monitored and it does not appear any of the 70 gallons of fuel believed to be on board has leaked, according to the Coast Guard.
8 possible COVID-19 exposure locations identified in Traverse City after group fails to follow rules
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. Officials have identified eight possible coronavirus (COVID-19) exposure locations -- including bars and vineyards -- in Traverse City after they were visited by a group of people who tested positive for the virus and admitted to not following any of the safety guidelines. Officials from the Grand Traverse County Health Department said a group of people visited the area last week and admitted they didnt practice any social distancing or COVID-19 prevention measures. Anyone who was at these locations at any of the corresponding times should self-monitor for coronavirus symptoms for 14 days. Anyone who is concerned they might have come in contact with the group should call the health departments Communicable Disease Line at 231-995-6801. While self-monitoring, everyone who might have been exposed should keep away from family members and friends as much as possible.
Officials: 2 visiting Northern Michigan from out-of-state test positive for COVID-19
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. Health officials in Grand Traverse County say that two people visiting the area from out-of-state have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The Grand Traverse County Health Department says the two were visiting family this weekend. Both travelers were symptomatic and one has been hospitalized, according to Traverse City Ticker. The Grand Traverse area was included in the first batch of regions reopening in the state, which started last Friday. As of Sunday, Grand Traverse County reported 23 total COVID-19 cases, and five total deaths.
VIDEO: Traverse City bars reopen at midnight as loosened restrictions begin
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday that she is partially reopening businesses and lifting medical restrictions across the entire state. READ: Michigan Gov. In Traverse City, restaurants and bars started to reopen at midnight Friday. One bar in Traverse City has asked people who are not from the area to stay out of the bar.
Northern Michigan braces for heavy snow, strong winds, up to 8 foot waves
DETROIT โ A lake effect system will bring two days of snow, high winds and lakeshore flooding issues to Northern Michigan. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. Friday for several counties including Leelanau, Antrim, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Missaukee. Additionally, Northern, Central and Eastern parts of the Upper Peninsula could see several inches of snow, as well, including Marquette, Alger, Luce and Schoolcraft counties. Hereโs more from the National Weather Service:NWS Gaylord: Portions of the area will have significant accumulating lake effect snow today through Friday. (NWS)Strong sustained northwest winds will produce lakeshore flooding today and tonight along most lakeshores of Lake Michigan and a small portion of lakeshores along Lake Huron.
2 Michigan prison officers found dead at home were shot
KINGSLEY, Mich. - Police say two Michigan prison officers found dead last week were shot. Authorities in Grand Traverse County wont publicly say it was a murder-suicide, although they say theres no threat to the public. Tara Kelley and Angelina Winn were found dead Friday at their home near Kingsley. Both transferred to Oaks Correctional Facility, near Manistee, after the Pugsley prison was closed. The 53-year-old Kelley was named officer of the year at Pugsley in 2013.
Healthiest US counties in 2019: Where Michigan communities rank
Where do Michigan counties rank among the healthiest in America? U.S. News released their 2019 Healthiest Communities Rankings this week, ranking nearly 3,000 counties on a range of categories. Population healthEquityEducationEconomyHousingFood & nutritionEnvironmentPublic safetyCommunity vtalityInfrasturctureRelated: 6 Michigan cities listed among worst places to live in USWell, no Michigan county ranked that well on the list. Here's where local counties ranked in the top 500:No. 495: Benzie CountyThe healthiest ranked counties were Douglas County (Colorado), Los Alamos County (New Mexico) and Falls Church (Virginia).