Each year, the Enterprise offers a recap of community news, reflecting life in Leelanau County. The following is a compilation of the papers front page news for the second half of the year as summarized by the editorial staff.
July 3
From Empire to Cathead Point, Greilickville to Good Harbor, Leelanau will be decked out in red, white and blue to mark the 249th anniversary of American independence.
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Leelanau County’s reputation as the county in the state free of big-box, discount variety stores will continue … for now. An amendment which will functionally zones out these stores in Cleveland Township becomes effective July 10. The Cleveland Township Board recently adopted an amendment to Section 8.05 in the Business I and Business II districts, limiting lot coverage to 50% and the maximum size of non-residential buildings at 5,000 square fee.
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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday an ongoing investigation into Twin Flames Universe (TFU), an organization founded and operated by Jeff and Shaleia Divine of Suttons Bay. The couple and their highly controversial TFU practices gained notoriety in recent years through various documentaries, with many characterizing them as a controlling cult.
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They’ve done their part. Now they need help. Members of VFW Post 7731 have launched an $800,000 fundraising campaign to support an update of the hall which has been at the center of the Lake Leelanau community for generations.
July 10
A proposal to install traffic cameras throughout the county failed to gain traction at this week’s meeting of the county board. Sheriff Mike Borkovich and Undersheriff Jim Kiessel appeared before commissioners at their executive committee Tuesday with a proposal for a 60-day traffic study which would include installation of 12 traffic-related cameras at location throughout the county.
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County commissioners plan to adopt their 2026 budget by their November meeting. The board, during its executive committee meeting Tuesday, agreed to begin budget preparations next month as set forth in a recommendation from Jim Dyer, county administrator
July 17
A four-month employment review of the county administrator’s performance will take place in the coming month. County commissioners voted 7-0 at Tuesday’s regular meeting to conduct a review of county administrator Jim Dyer’s performance.
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A request for a speed study and speed limit reduction on Western Avenue was presented to the Glen Arbor Township Board this week. Glen Arbor resident Nancy Mueller made the request
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Leelanau County is known for its beaches, trails, booze, and old people. And we aren’t getting any younger, as 42% of the peninsula is over the age of 60, representing the oldest county in the region and state, according to the Area Agency on Aging in Northwest Michigan and Leelanau County Senior Service.
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July 24
The Leelanau Conservancy is on a path to acquire Sugar Loaf through an $8 million campaign, following the initial $6.4 million raised. “The discussion has been ongoing for quite some time, and it’s been a great collaboration to develop a vision that we can all get behind. It’s going to be an incredible conservation gem for Leelanau,” Leelanau Conservancy Executive Director Tom Nelson said.
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A historic bicentennial barn in Maple City is currently in its restoration phase and will need helping hands from the community to be completed. New home and barn owners’ Scott and Tamara Stone closed on the Maple City property located off W. Harbor Highway last October and have been busy doing what they can to restore it in the meantime. The historic barn, which stands as a landmark and symbol of Leelanau County’s history, is in need of various repairs, however, the post and beam construction of the barn itself and roof structure are in good condition
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Parents of county newborns will soon have more help to keep their precious cargo safe. The county Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 last week to amend its contact with the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, to allow Parenting Communities to provide car seats at no charge to parents.
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July 1
The family of a homeless man with mental issues accused of stabbing 11 people at a Walmart near Traverse City on Saturday say they’ve begged authorities to institutionalize him for decades
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The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) announced Monday the distribution of $706,758.54 of gaming revenue allocation to local units of government. Of that total, approximately $181,855.84 will go to agencies and programs in Leelanau County.
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A proposed residential development in Suttons Bay did not receive a decision Tuesday night from the Suttons Bay Planning Commission about the proposed 20-lot residential development during a preliminary meeting that lasted until after 9 p.m. Instead, they will be reconvening September 2 during the regular meeting after legal opinions can be gathered from Suttons Bay Township attorney. It’s unclear when a final review will be available
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August 7
Commissioners will meet this morning to go over the results of a four-month employment review of county administrator Jim Dyer.
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Will we see a clear blue Leelanau sky at the height of summer again? If Canadian wildfires have anything to say, that would be no. “For three summers in a row, residents in my District have dealt with hazardous air quality, limited outdoor activities, and real threats to public health— all caused by wildfires burning across the border. It’s time for Canada to take this seriously and implement the forest management strategies needed to protect both their citizens and ours,” Congressman Jack Bergman said in a letter to Canadian Senator Michael MacDonald. There was no public response to Bergman’s letter.
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Leland Township’s fire and rescue department renewal millages passed easily during its special election held Tuesday despite having just a 29% voter turnout. Approximately 597 ballots were cast out of the 2,040 registered voters, according to Leelanau County’s unofficial election results.
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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore remains down to one superintendent, only now he’s also been assigned to oversee the River Raisin National Battlefield.
Aug. 14
County commissioners have unanimously agreed to support county administrator Jim Dyer.
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Voters in Kasson Township in November will decide the fate of a $5.8 million bond proposal for construction of a new fire station.
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Lake Leelanau Winery Laurentide will now be featured at all University of Michigan athletic contests, including The Big House, Yost Arena, and Crisler Center, in a big win for the local boutique winery.
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Aug. 21
Contracts for four collective bargaining groups were ratified this week by the county Board of Commissioners.
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A proposal to change the name of the county’s facilities and maintenance department failed to get support from commissioners this week.
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A request for a speed study on Western Avenue in Glen Arbor failed to get the backing of the Glen Arbor Township Board this week
Aug. 28
With the first day of school set to begin on Tuesday, at least 1,850 public school students are expected to head back to campus for the new 2025-2026 academic year.
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Almost a year after recovering from serious injuries sustained in an accident, Cedar Hardware owner and beloved community member Rich Zywicki is doing better than anyone could hope for. Jen, Zywicki’s wife, said while he may not be back to 100% due to suffering from his traumatic brain injury, his family is just grateful to have him home.
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Projects totaling just over $1.8 million were included for 2026 in the county’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan adopted this month by the County Board of Commissioners. The board voted unanimously to adopt the plan that lists proposed projects through 2031. The plan was developed by the office of Planning and Community Development and the County Planning Commission and was part of budget discussion this week.
Sept. 4
The veiled Bluebird restaurant in Leland could be hatching out of its egg at some point this fall. To join them could be the new Northern Latitudes Distillery (NLD) in Lake Leelanau.
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The dust has settled on the Leelanau Conservancy’s July announcement that they plan to purchase the former Sugar Loaf resort for $ 8 million. To date the Conservancy has raised $7.2 million — $6.4 in a “quiet effort” and another 500 donations of all sizes since the sale was announced. The remaining $800,000 will need to be raised by Dec. 31 to complete the transaction.
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Local families are closely monitoring state and federal funding restrictions that could impact their loved ones with special needs. Deb Kuhn of Centerville Township belongs to one of those families. Her son, Trevor, 33, attends Grand Traverse Industries (GTI) day program in Traverse City. GTI provides job training, supported employment and day programs to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Trevor has PittHopkins syndrome, which affects his ability to communicate and move safely through this environment, requiring support for his daily needs. He attends the program three days a week.
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County budget work sessions will be streamed live after action Tuesday by county commissioners. The board suspended its rules during its budget discussion to address the issue which made for an interesting exchange of words at its Aug. 26 meeting.
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Sept. 11
Leelanau County expects to receive more than $850,000 in revenue over a period of 18 years from settlements of lawsuits against producers of addictive substances.
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A temporary hiring freeze has been supported by county commissioners. The board voted 5-2, with commissioners Will Bunek and Alan Campbell opposed, for a “strategic pause” in spending during budget preparations.
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County administrator Jim Dyer does not have a conflict of interest serving on the county Land Bank Authority(LBA) and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA). However, changes may be coming for the county’s conflict of interest policy.
Sept. 18
Commissioners are looking to expedite the removal of a cell tower on the county campus. Emergency Management Director Matt Ansorge presented his proposed budget for 2026 and long-term plans for his department at Tuesday’s budget workshop session.
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A political undercurrent of mistrust and derision between county staff and commissioners boiled over this week. Tuesday’s agenda for the regular meeting of the county Board of Commissioners appeared non-controversial.
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Ground has been broken for the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center at Discovery Pier in Elmwood Township.
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A political undercurrent of mistrust and derision between county staff and commissioners boiled over this week. Tuesday’s agenda for the regular meeting of the county Board of Commissioners appeared non-controversial.
Sept. 25
Local cherry farmers gathered last week for a Michigan Cherry Growers Alliance end-of-harvest event at the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Center, which recapped the tough growing season while laying out priorities for the upcoming year. “It’s important that the growers are in the room and having a voice,” Cherry Alliance founder Leisa Eckerle said. “It was very clear having that opportunity to be able to sit at the table and have discussions is really important, especially right now, when there’s so much going on in the industry from how our crops look the last couple of years to pricing to what’s happening with the federal marketing order.”
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With the deadline to approve the state 2026 budget fast approaching on Oct. 1, lawmakers are hoping to come to a consensus within the next week before a potential government shutdown.
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Steve Stanton was a giver. Now good things are being given in his name with the Stephen S. Stanton memorial endowment. Stanton died in Traverse City on Aug. 20 after an abrupt illness. He was 82.
