5 YEARS AGO
Feb. 13, 2003

The building occupied by the Family Independence Agency (FIA) in Lake Leelanau may soon be vacant, according to Mary L. Marois, director of the FIA for Leelanau and Grand Traverse Counties.

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Public and private land may soon be swapped on South Fox Island. Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox this week was reviewing titles that developer David Johnson holds on lands proposed for exchange with the State of Michigan.

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An unanticipated influx of $87,000 in federal “impact aid” to make up for a lack of property taxes from the Native American reservation in Peshawbestown has eliminated much of an expected $98,000 shortfall at Suttons Bay.

10 YEARS AGO
Feb. 12, 1998

The fate of a proposed “Community Resource Center” near Lake Leelanau could be hanging in the balance at Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the County Board of Commissioners. Health Department officials Gerald Chase and Linda Yaroch met Tuesday with the County Board’s ways and means committee to discuss the project.

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County efforts to establish a “community policing” program are under way in Elmwood Township, and could expand to other communities in Leelanau later this year.

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M-22 south of Leland was blocked off for three hours Monday night after a flare discharged in a county police car following a routine traffic stop.

30 YEARS AGO
Feb. 16, 1978

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners has accepted for study a plan for expansion of the County Building in Leland, with the comment by Commissioner Ivan Egeler that “it is good to have the study in hand, but it will have to be studied carefully” and possible methods of financing considered before any action is taken.

New radar air controlled equipment is now being installed by the Federal Aviation Administration at the Empire Air Force Station at a cost estimated at more than $3 million.

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Donald Brown, superintendent of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Leelanau and Benzie counties, said yesterday that the National Park Service is committed to acquisition of land for scenic road corridors in the 70,000-acre federal park.

55 YEARS AGO
Feb. 12, 1953

The Lake Leelanau Eagles, the only undefeated Class D team in western Michigan, ended conference play Tuesday night by defeating the defending champion Leland Comets, 60-51. It was the Eagles’ 12th straight win.

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Those attending the Leland harbor meeting Friday learned that the entire project probably will cost about $225,000, that nothing further can be done until federal portions of the work are completed, and that Leland Township’s share of the expense probably will be $20,000.

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Warren Aylsworth, Empire village president and owner of a lumbering business there, announced today that he will not be a candidate for re-election because he will return immediately to duty with the Air Force.

125 YEARS AGO
Feb. 9, 1883

Fritz Westjohn of Solon has bought a blacksmith shop at Lake Ann and is at work.

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There will be a grand ball at the Hall, in Leland, on Feb. 13th. A grand time is expected.

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Wm. Hazlett, who, with a companion, Potts, made the trip in a cask through the whirlpool of Niagara, has determined to undertake the feat again.

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Never was there more beautiful ice harvested than that which will be put up this season.