5 YEARS AGO
February 6, 2003

The county has a 6-month option to purchase the Sugar Loaf wastewater treatment system for $875,000. Action came after two lengthy closed-door sessions with representatives of the county septage task force, which recommended the purchase.

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A record $1,088,905 will be distributed by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in “2-percent” casino payouts to local units of government.

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Kasson Township — the first municipality to consider participation in the county’s farmland preservation program — has declined.

10 YEARS AGO
February 5, 1998

A committee studying a “regional” jail proposal between Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties will begin meeting regularly to determine an “action plan” to complete planning for a new facility.

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Commercial fishermen licensed by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians may be allowed to target salmon and expand gill netting opportunities.

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Besides the 1.5-mill regional school tax proposal, it’s probable that the County Road Commission and the Bay Area Transportation Authority regional bus system will also ask county voters to approve property tax levies this year.

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30 YEARS AGO
February 9, 1978

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners voted yesterday to move swiftly to start a legal process that probably will lead to construction of a new county-owned dam on the Leland River at Leland to regulate the level of 18-mile long Lake Leelanau.

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Damage to property amounted to more than $870,000 in the first two days of the “Blizzard of ‘78” that smashed into Leelanau County Jan. 26, according to reports compiled this week by William Chatfield of Leland, the county’s emergency services coordinator.

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The Northport Village Council is studying ways to pay its $35,000 share of a completed $140,000 engineering study for a proposed but not approved sewage collection and treatment project.

55 YEARS AGO
February 5, 1953

Governor G. Mennen Williams, after a conference Friday with a delegation from this county, promised to call a meeting of the Michigan Cherry Commission, agriculture commission, and Farmers Union representatives to discuss the cherry grading law.

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Miss Majean Kahrs, 17-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Kahrs of Suttons Bay Route 1, was crowned Thursday night at Northport “Champion of Leelanau County Cherry Pie Bakers.” She will represent Leelanau Feb. 10 in the state pie baking contest at Grand Rapids.

111 YEARS AGO
February 3, 1897

Leland received no outside mail on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, due to snow.

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Fish shanties are now being hauled out upon the ice and trout, perch and pickerel will be depopulated. Harry Hinshaw has a contract for furnishing 1,000 pounds per week.