Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Northern Michigan

Wednesday, May 15, 2013  “Is economic development a responsibility of the Leelanau County Board, or is it something that the private sector needs to handle?” – Leelanau County Administrator Chet Janik.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013  The Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the Top 10 finalists for the 2013 Small Business Celebration.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013  A record number of businesses are taking part in the 2013 Small Business Celebration of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013  State leaders are debating whether or not they should expand Medicaid coverage in the state of Michigan.

Monday, February 18, 2013  The DDA is asking city commissioners for more time to submit a formal recommendation about allowing (or not allowing) food truck vendors within city limits.

Friday, January 25, 2013  At it's annual dinner, the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce presented its Distinguished Service Award to entrepreneur and humanitarian Terry Berden.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013  Village of Kalkaska officials are calling their recent purchase of more than two acres of land a huge step toward reaching their downtown redevelopment plans. On Friday, the Village closed a purchase deal on the old Erb Lumber property located behind the east side of Cedar Street, which is considered Kalkaska's main thoroughfare.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012  The Downtown Traverse City Association exceeded their goal with the Downtown Gift Certificate program this year.

Monday, November 19, 2012  "Very early on in one of my first meetings I was asked to serve coffee, and this was 20 years ago, everybody in the room sort of took a collective gasp to see how I was going to do it," said Marsha Smith, Executive Director of Rotary Charities of Traverse City. "So I got up and I left the table and went over to where the coffee pot was and I came back and I said to the gentleman who requested it, 'Here's your coffee sir, would you like it in your cup or in your lap?', and of course everybody laughed and that was the last time I was ever asked to serve coffee at a meeting."Marsha Smith is the Executive Director of Rotary Charities of Traverse City and she has been for the past 16 years. "We have the wonderful opportunity and privilege of helping non-profits, units of government and schools make our community better," Smith said. "So we do that by giving away grants with two cycles a year and we also provide services and programs."

Monday, November 19, 2012  Uncertainty. It might just be the best word to describe the so-called ‘fiscal cliff.’ Drastic spending cuts and tax hikes are set to kick in at the end of the year, if congress doesn't come to terms on a new budget.

Wednesday, November 07, 2012  For the first time in ten years, Michigan has new political lines. Districts were redrawn following the 2010 U.S. Census Report. Changes in the population have a major impact on how political lines are drawn.

Monday, November 05, 2012  Oblinger's job is to lead strategic development for the Chamber's programs and services, membership strategies, and its branding and communications process."I do have a job that requires, on average, more than 50 hours a week," Oblinger said. Though her career is very demanding, requiring a lot of her time and hard work, Oblinger says the real work is trying to juggle her career and her personal life.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012  A new report underwritten by the Traverse Bay Economic Development Corp. looks at the local money generated by the Cherry Capital Cup soccer tournament and The Cherry Bomb lacrosse tournament.

Wednesday, August 01, 2012  A Northern Michigan company that does very unusual business is growing at a rapid pace, adding jobs, and winning awards.

Saturday, July 21, 2012  Some local wines and even some music could be heard in Suttons Bay.  The Leelanau Peninsula Wine, Food & Music Festival kicked off Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock and went until 7 p.m.