5 YEARS AGO
January 9, 2003  

The value of new construction in Leelanau County fell for the second straight year in 2000 — the first time for back-to-back drops since the steep recession of the early 1980s.
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 Alloa Anderson, 102, represents the changing face of the county’s elderly — a population that is increasing, living longer and staying independent as long as possible. The population of adults in Leelanau County aged 55-59 increased 62.5 percent from 1990.
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Dorothy Reicha of Lake Leelanau didn’t realize what she discovered last spring when she was walking back from her milbox to her home. What she found was the badge of a county deputy, who four months earlier had performed CPR on her Reicha’s husband, Julian, saving his life.

10 YEARS AGO
January 8, 1988

A rusted-out valve is being blamed for a New Year’s Eve sewer leak south of Leland that dumped an estimated 2,000 gallons of “gray water” into North Lake Leelanau.
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Two comprehensive reports about the health of Leelanau County’s inland lakes and streams indicate generally good water quality.
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The County Road Commission has denied a request by the National Park Service to shave about 200 feet from the M-209 right-of-way in Glen Haven.

30 YEARS AGO
January 12, 1978

The proposed annexation of 198 or more acres of Elmwood Township land to Traverse City remained in dispute this week, with weather and action in the U.S. Supreme Court delaying a decision.
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Leelanau County and several local units of government will share more than $222,000 from the State of Michigan as reimbursement for property tax losses caused by acquisition of private lands by the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
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Leelanau County residents were digging out yesterday from the effects of a 3-day windstorm that was accompanied by a modest amount of snow, but which piled up deep drifts in some areas and at times brought traffic to a near standstill.

55 YEARS AGO
January 8, 1953

An M. & N.E. railroad engine jumped the track at Northport Monday morning causing damage to both the engine and track, and making hours of back-breaking labor for a railroad crew of nearly 20 men recruited from Northport, Suttons Bay and Traverse City.
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Chariman William Milliken of the Michigan Waterways Commission Monday called a meeting of the commission to be held at Leland all day Friday, Jan. 30, to discuss plans for improvement of Leland Harbor. Members of the Corps of Engineers, Milwaukee District will meet with the commission.
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Two teen-age Lake Leelanau boys were arrested Monday for breaking and entering Dec. 28 at Send’s Barber Shop, Suttons Bay, and Erle’s Service, a mile south of there.

120 YEARS AGO
January 5, 1888

The G.R. & I Railroad Company is discussing plans for the new depot to be built next season at the cost of $100,000.
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Harry Carpenter has sold his farm to Dr. Burke, and plans to move to Florida.
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William Clement has purchased a large amount of land on Cat-Tail Point on Carp Lake. He has set up a camp and is cutting logs and square timber.