5 YEARS AGO November 28, 2019
The trial of Justin Bembeneck is now in the hands of the jury after three days of testimony and evidence. Leelanau County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Hubbell and William Burdette, Bembeneck’s court-appointed attorney, were expected to make their closing arguments in the case Tuesday. Bembeneck, 34, of Interlochen and Bailey Rosinski, 25, of Cedar are charged with aiding and abetting; assault with intent to murder; armed robbery; assault with the intent to commit armed robbery; first-degree home invasion; assault with a dangerous weapon; and aiding and abetting — charges which stem from an incident at the home of Francis and Helen Rosinski on Jan. 10. *** Saturday was a first in Leelanau County prep sports. There were three teams playing on the same day at separate locations across the state. Leland volleyball traveled to Battle Creek in a rematch of the 2018 finals against Mendon. An hour later, the Suttons Bay Norsemen were at Marquette’s Superior Dome to play in the eight-man Division 1 football finale against Colon. And Glen Lake traveled to Clare to face Montague in the Division 6 semi-final.
10 YEARS AGO November 27, 2014
The team of Solon Township resident Troy Broad and Traverse City dance instructor Pam McCormick has raised $98,000 with their smooth dance stylings, despite Broad’s selfproclaimed “two left feet.” But the real winner is Leelanau Christian Neighbors (LCN), the charity the couple has designated as the recipient of their winnings in the SwingShift and the Stars event being held at the Traverse City Opera House. *** Suttons Bay’s “virtual” students are what’s keeping the district afloat based on records submitted earlier this month to the State of Michigan. According to the fall student Schools of Choice (SOC) data filed by all local school districts, Suttons Bay loses nearly as many “on campus” students to SOC as it attracts through its online offerings. Documents filed with the state show that the district “lost” 137 students to neighboring districts this year — the bulk of those choosing to attend Leland Public School.
25 YEARS AGO November 25, 1999
The Bingham Township woman accused of first-degree murder in the New Year’s Eve death of her husband has been found competent to stand trial. Cynthia L. McDonnell, 45, allegedly withdrew $50,000 from the trust fund of her husband’s developmentally disabled sister. *** After two relatively warm and snow-less winters, area businesses are hoping for snow. The Homestead Resort and Sugar Loaf Resort both need a solid, long snowy winter to help overcome two less than spectacular seasons. Meanwhile, Stander Marine in Leland is overstocked with new snowmobiles. *** County officials got a taste of a true “Y2K” scenario Friday afternoon when a sliced telephone cable disabled the 9-1-1 communications system. A cut Ameritech communications line south of Leland along M-22 resulted in lengthy delays for those calling 9-1-1.
50 YEARS AGO November 28, 1974
A controversy over the right of the County Road Commission to go into a platted subdivision where property owner’s reside, remove some trees and widen a small trail into a road large enough to get through with a snow plow, fire truck or other emergency vehicle, erupted at a hearing held on the matter by the Leelanau Township Board recently. *** Two snowmobiles and a trailer valued between $800 and $1,200 which broke loose from behind a car which was hauling them away, were recovered by Leelanau County Sheriff’s Deputies Monday. They were found on M-22 near Leland and identified as ones taken early Monday from the H&M Sales in Lake Leelanau.
75 YEARS AGO November 25, 1948
Doors of business places and public schools are closed today and those of the churches are open as Leelanau County celebrates another Thanksgiving Day. According to Harry R. Dumbrille, county school commissionar, it is up to the head of each School whether there shall be classes Friday, but as far as can be learned, Friday will be an extra day of vacation from all the schools. *** Action toward a county-wide fire fighting force that could be mobilized quickly in emergency was taken last Thursday night as the Solon-Centerville fire department went on record as approving the plan suggested by this newspaper in a November 18 editorial. Fire Chief Louis Commins reports there was not a dissenting vote when, after he had read the editorial to his 40 volunteers, meeting in Cedar Town Hall, he asked them if they were in favor of the idea.
100 YEARS AGO November 27, 1924
A number of young people of this village attended the basketball game which was played between Suttons Bay and Williamsburg at Suttons Bay Wednesday Night. *** Chief Engineer John Peters of Light Ship 56 ate his Thanksgiving Dinner at his home in this Village. *** Born to Mr. and Mrs. True Dalton on Monday last a nice baby girl congratulations.
