Suttons Bay Public Schools’ senior class of 2024 were honored at the district’s annual graduation powwow on Saturday afternoon. Families and friends gathered at the school gym to see their seniors celebrated with a presentation of blankets and an honor song, and there were also dance specials for the men and women, teens and toddlers.

Dozens gathered at Cross Creek Friday afternoon to attend the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) 3rd annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Day of Awareness. May 5 is national day of awareness for MMIP and serves as an opportunity to not only educate others, but to honor the lives that have been lost and to address the violence against indigenous communities.

Sandra Witherspoon was elected as the new Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) tribal chairman, according to the 2024 general unofficial election results from Tuesday. Witherspoon received 235 votes (57.2%), with tribal councilor incumbent Brian Napont earning 176 (42.8%) of the total votes. The current tribal chairman, David Arroyo, did not run for reelection, and will serve until his term ends on May 17.

The Northwest Education Services released its 2023-24 education summary revealed at the Glen Lake Board of Education meeting this week. Out of 707 students attending Glen Lake this school year in 2023-24, 34.2% are economically disadvantaged; 12.3% have a disability; and nearly 90% of students have graduated in four years in 2022-23, according to the summary.

Local religious leaders and congregation members gathered outside the Leelanau County Government Center in Suttons Bay Thursday, May 2 in observance of the National Day of Prayer, a national holiday that has been officially observed since 1952 and was formal recognized in a proclamation by President Joe Biden earlier last week.

Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy will welcome the community to enjoy an afternoon of soup, music, outdoor art and games on Wednesday, May 15 from 3 to 6 p.m. Rain date: May 16.

Peninsula Housing, a nonprofi t housing land trust, is looking to bring affordable housing to several locations in central Leelanau County. As part of this process, Peninsula Housing’s founder and president, Larry Mawby, hosted a May 2 community workshop at the fire station in Suttons Bay, where he hoped to hear from the community on how best to meet their housing needs.

Artwork produced by Northport Public School students will be on display for the public to view at the Northport Art Association (NAA) building on Thursday, May 16. The open house art exhibition titled “J is for Juxtaposition” features over 200 unique pieces from Northport students in grades K-12, and includes a mix of art through various mediums, such as paintings, pottery, and sculptures.

New Community Vision (NCV) is moving forward with its efforts this summer to acquire the former Timber Shores property, determined to reach its $3.6 million mid-summer goal from private donors. The nonprofit has been working since last summer to purchase the property with a mission to ultimately preserve and restore the 214-acre lakeshore property of M-22 in Leelanau Township.

Human resources dominated much of the Glen Lake Board of Education this week. Bus driver Chad Kahler has retired after 26 years of service to the community school.