5 YEARS AGO July 4, 2019
A former tribal official who resides in Suttons Bay is inserting himself into one of biggest environmental controversies in the Great Lakes region and the nation. The former head of the Natural Resources Department of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Desmond Berry, is now trying to facilitate discussions between the company that operates Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac, Enbridge, and Michigan’s 12 federally-recognized Indian tribes. “Only good things can happen when you make a point of involving the tribes in talks about our environment,” Berry said this week.
*** Justin Bembeneck, one of two Interlochen people charged with assault with intent to murder, armed robbery and home invasion stemming from an alleged attack on a Cedar family in January is competent to stand trial. A competency hearing held Monday in the 13th Circuit Court at the Leelanau County Courthouse found Bembeneck competent to stand trial on two charges of assault with intent to commit murder, an offense punishable by life, or any number of years, in prison.
