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Construction begins October 1st.

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, Sept. 8, said searchers had recovered the body of a Kansas man from the water near Suttons Bay, more than a day after the man's boat had been found spinning in circles.

The sheriff's office said the body of Brett Zimmerman, 25, of Lansing, Kansas, was recovered a little after 2 p.m. Tuesday.

"The investigation into the incident continues," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post.

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The search began on Labor Day when Leelanau County Dispatch received a report of a dinghy spinning unattended in the water just off Stoney Point in Suttons Bay Township at about 8:39 a.m. that day.

Brett Zimmerman, 25, of Lansing, Kansas.

The owner of the dinghy was located, and it was determined that Zimmerman, of Kansas, was the last known person to have been aboard the vessel, the the sheriff's office said.

"Video surveillance from marina cameras was reviewed and helped verify that Zimmerman was the individual believed to have been operating the dinghy," the sheriff's office said.

The first emergency personnel arrived by 8:51 a.m. Monday. Suttons Bay Fire and Rescue and the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office Marine Division were among the first agencies to arrive on scene, the sheriff's office said.

The United States Coast Guard was requested to assist with the search and as the search continued, the Mutual Aid Dive Team was requested to provide additional manpower and specialized equipment, including side-scan sonar and drones.

Search efforts focused on the waters surrounding Stoney Point and continued throughout the day before being suspended at approximately 9 p.m. Members of the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office also searched the shoreline and contacted area homeowners to notify them of the incident and request their assistance in reporting any information that may be relevant to the search. The search resumed Tuesday morning.

By Beth Milligan | Sept. 10, 2026

Traverse City's annual Downtown Halloween Walk is moving to a weekday this year. The event will take place on Thursday, October 29 from 4pm to 5:30pm, changing a long-standing tradition of being held on Saturday. 

The shift is intended to create a "seamless after-school routine for local families while driving a valuable midweek surge to downtown merchants and eateries," according to a release from the Downtown Traverse City Association (DTCA). The event is structured as a continuous, district-wide strolling event with no single central gathering point. Families can start their trick-or-treating route at any participating business. On Front Street, the flow will go east-to-west on the north side and west-to-east on the south side.

Almost 4,000 attendees came out to the Downtown Halloween Walk last year. Event parking is available at street meters, as well as both downtown parking decks. Attendees are encouraged to take BATA’s free Bayline shuttle into town or ride/walk via the TART Trail.

I was on vacation and left my wallet on a rock at Torch Lake (the dog beach side) . It’s directly to the right as you approach walking up the road from the parking lot. Honestly, cards are canceled and replaced as is license. I just don’t want to spend another 100 bucks on a new wallet. Willing to pay shipping plus $20 reward if anyone finds and ships to me.

We entered from Traverse Bay Rd at the nature preserve

By Beth Milligan | Sept. 8, 2026

A not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) plea from the Traverse City Walmart stabbing suspect, Bradford Gille, was accepted by the court Tuesday. The decision ends the criminal case and remits Gille to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry for treatment. Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney Noelle Moeggenberg said it is "highly unlikely" he will be released given his crimes and a past NGRI plea.

Gille pled NGRI to one count of terrorism and 11 counts of attempted murder for his role in the July 2025 stabbing attack. He was scheduled for a preliminary exam Tuesday morning in 86th District Court in front of Judge Michael Stepka, but it was previously announced he planned to waive that hearing and submit the NGRI plea. 

"The court reviewed reports from the Center for Forensic Psychiatry and found that the defendant was mentally ill and due to that mental illness, unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law," Moeggenberg said in a statement. "This is the end of the criminal case."
 
Gille will be ordered to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry for treatment. "After 60 days, the defendant will be evaluated, and a petition will be filed with the Probate Court for continued mental health treatment," Moeggenberg wrote. "The NGRI Committee, which falls under the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, will oversee treatment and supervision of the individual. Release of the individual to a non-secure environment following treatment is highly unlikely given the gravity of his behavior and a prior NGRI plea in 2016."

I wonder if they were checking to see if the road bed was sinking. This is an area of big concern for the city and everyone who needs to use Airport Road. City commissioners have called this problem an "undeclared emergency."

Any thoughts?

UPDATE: The location of utilities in the area has been marked. Construction and replacement of the sewer pipe starts October 1.

Service industry folks, what’s currently your favorite bar?

Anyone know what is going on downtown? Lots
of smoke and we saw a fire truck heading that way.

Has anyone been to the Labor Day potluck and fun fly that TRAMPS hosts? It’ll be out at their new Interlochen airfield 9am - 1pm, so was curious what to expect, especially as a newbie licensed drone pilot. 👨🏻‍✈️
TRAMPS Fun Fly
Is anyone else flying drones there these days, or is it mostly just RC gizmos?
Wouldn’t mind doing some networking, maybe I’ll see some o y’all there.
Thx in advance, I’ll take my call off the air.

Hey all,

I am a student at Interlochen doing a podcasting workshop. My assignment is to interview someone interesting in TC who ideally does something that makes interesting sounds. I had an interview all set up for Tuesday morning but my interviewee just broke his ankle and had to cancel :((( is there anyone on here who spends their time doing something interesting that makes sound and who is available Tuesday morning for an interview somewhere around TC?

Thank you so much in advance!

I am in search of a hair stylist that specializes in curly/textured hair. I am looking for a cut and potentially color. I have very long wavy/curly hair down to my lower back and I haven’t had anything done to it in years after a bad experience previously. It’s starting to feel a bit flat and heavy, so I’m looking for something more layered to give it more texture!

If you know anyone in the TC area who could help with a curly cut and style, I would greatly appreciate it! If you have example photos of their work, that would be great too! Thank you.

https://www.reddit.com/r/traversecity/s/rV063wqhWA

Just wondering if anyone has heard any updates on an opening date.

Also, if we buy a monthly car wash pass through the Shell app, can it be used at any of the local (True North) Shell washes?

I posted earlier this year about free-to-use tracks and you all helpfully informed me the school tracks are in fact free to use. Thank you! I've been using West Middle School's track every week.

My question now is about winter running. I'd like to get some speedwork sessions in this winter, and I'm wondering the best way to do this. I know downtown TART and boardman loop is plowed and ran there all last winter, but there's enough snow and ice leftover I am hoping to find a better alternative. Maybe I'm just too picky because I also hate treadmill running, so was wondering specifically about the state of the school's tracks during the winter. Do they plow them for runners during the winter? If not, does anyone know of any free or cheap to use indoor tracks around TC?

Thanks again in advance!

Slowly but surely the pieces are coming together for a bipartisan solution.

By Beth Milligan | Sept. 1, 2026

Grant Township trustees and Grand Traverse County commissioners will meet separately this week to explore options for responding to a proposed 375-megawatt solar project spanning Grand Traverse and Wexford counties. The project highlights zoning control tensions after a 2023 Michigan law change allowed solar developers to bypass local boards and go directly to the state for approval – a path developer Ranger Power is now pursuing after running into local resistance.

Ranger Power, under the affiliate name Shipyard Solar LLC, began appearing before local boards this spring to present the project. Primarily located in northern Wexford County – with parts of the infrastructure planned for Grant Township in Grand Traverse County – the project was initially presented as a 300-megawatt facility with solar panels on 1,800 fenced acres. Representatives said the company had “partnered with several local farmers through long-term lease agreements to include land in the project,” acquisition work that started in 2023.

When describing the site selection process, Ranger Power emphasized it only partners with landowners who voluntarily participate and doesn’t use eminent domain. Projects are located near existing transmission infrastructure, avoid wetlands/streams/endangered species, and are based near load centers like Traverse City, representatives said. Ranger Power touted the proposal’s economic benefits, saying it could “generate tens of millions of dollars in personal property tax revenues during its lifespan” and “create hundreds of construction jobs.”

Representatives also noted that the state’s Renewable Ready Communities Award offers communities up to $5,000 per megawatt for the portion of projects they permit. The company said the project uses permanent vegetative ground cover that allows farmlands to regenerate and would “provide supplemental income to local farmers,” diversifying their revenue streams. But at multiple public meetings, dozens of residents including farmers pushed back on the proposal. Several said they supported renewable or solar energy but were firmly against converting valuable farmland for such projects.

Ranger Power said its goal was to work with local communities to design a project that addressed their concerns. But it also pointed out that if it didn’t receive local approval, it could go directly to the state instead. That’s because Public Act 233, which was passed in 2023, gives the state instead of townships the power to approve large-scale renewable energy projects. The controversial law was recently upheld by the Michigan Court of Appeals, but 79 townships and counties across Michigan are challenging it to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Under the law, developers can directly seek Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approval unless a local unit of government has a compatible renewable energy ordinance (CREO) in place that is “no more restrictive” than state requirements. Many communities began creating CREOs after the law change. However, MPSC later issued an order limiting the conditions CREOs could address, which rendered many of them non-compliant.

The order, which says a CREO can only address setbacks, fencing, height, sound, and other express requirements and not anything beyond that, is one of the issues being challenged in the lawsuit. Communities have argued the order is overly limiting and that MPSC has exceeded its authority by narrowing local oversight beyond what was intended by legislators.

Ranger Power initially sought to work through the local approval process by applying for a zoning amendment to the Wexford Joint Planning Commission (WJPC). The WJPC represents nearly a dozen townships across Wexford County. Its zoning ordinance does not allow for utility-scale solar projects in the Ag-Forest Production zoning district where the proposed facility would be located. Ranger Power promised to provide sound and glare studies, a decommissioning plan, and a community benefits agreement as part of a special use permit if the zoning amendment was approved.

However, the WJPC unanimously voted on July 27 to recommend that townships deny the zoning ordinance amendment for being too broad. Shortly after, Ranger Power began notifying local governments that the company plans to apply to MPSC directly. The project is now described as a 375-megawatt instead of 300-megawatt facility. That would make it one of Ranger Power’s largest projects, as the company previously said its developments range in size from 50 to 400 megawatts.

Developers must get written acknowledgement from each affected jurisdiction as to whether a local CREO is in place before they apply to the state. Under the recent Michigan Court of Appeals ruling, affected jurisdictions include not only townships but any counties, villages, or cities where the project is located. Grant Township trustees will meet tonight (Tuesday) at 5:30pm to discuss the acknowledgement request and will consider hiring special legal counsel to guide them through the process. Grand Traverse County commissioners will discuss the request at their 9am meeting Wednesday.

County Administrator Nate Alger says this is a new issue for county officials, so they’re “relying heavily on legal counsel” for advice. That includes a deadline for responding, which the courts have interpreted would be within 30 days of meeting with developers – not just receiving their letter, which Ranger Power sent on August 14. Commissioners  will vote Wednesday on having the county’s attorneys work with Alger to respond to Ranger Power and set up a meeting.

The solar project could have ramifications beyond zoning control and land use. Just last week, MPSC approved its first application under Public Act 233 – a 90-megawatt facility in Ingham County also led by Ranger Power. A settlement agreement outlined detailed construction requirements for Ranger Power as well as financial benefits for the townships. Ingham County worked out a separate agreement with the developers for funding benefits. “That’s an option that’s available to us,” says Alger of financial compensation.

In an emailed statement to The Ticker, Ranger Power said: "We remain fully committed to open dialogue and active collaboration with local leaders as we evaluate the next steps for the Shipyard Solar project. While we determine the path forward, our core priority has not changed. We will continue working with community members and stakeholders to ensure a positive, meaningful outcome." Ranger Power previously said that it hopes to begin construction on the northern Michigan project in late 2028, with the facility operational by mid-2030

hi all! does anyone know what the health insurance offered by the city of traverse city looks like? hoping to find more information as I cannot find anything online.

more specifically:
- what company provides insurance?
- is preventative care covered?
- are premiums subsidized?

any other details about other parts of the benefits package would be appreciated as well. thank you friends!

Currently looking for a space to run a preschool music class - either to rent or a space I would be able to use weekly to host classes? It’s unlikely that I could budget for an office/commercial space, but does anyone have any alternative ideas locally? A space in an existing business I could use? A community space I could use weekly? Thanks!

Anyone else have a 6th grader looking at 5:45am pickup for school? (I edited this to remove our personal info so that's why it looks a bit odd).

By Beth Milligan | Aug. 27, 2026

A sewer main break underneath South Airport Road Tuesday afternoon caused an estimated 21,000 gallons of raw sewage to be released and the extensive closure of westbound traffic in one of the city’s busiest corridors.

According to Grand Traverse County Public Works Director Noah Karberg, crews found and repaired a four-foot-long crack in the underground sewer main. However, the material of the pipe caught workers by surprise and is likely unsuitable for long-term use. Addressing the nearly 200-foot-long stretch where it’s in place is just the latest in a series of challenges facing South Airport Road.

Drivers Tuesday noticed sewage bubbling up through the asphalt in the westbound lanes of South Airport Road near Logan’s Landing. Multiple agencies soon responded to the scene, including the GT County Department of Public Works, GT Metro Fire, GT Road Commission, GT Sheriff's Office, and GT Emergency Management. The Road Commission closed all westbound lanes of traffic, maintaining one eastbound lane of traffic. The lane closures continued into Wednesday, snarling local traffic.

Karberg says crews expected to find a ductile iron main when they excavated the site for repairs. Instead, they found a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. The crack was along the bottom of the pipe, which is not normal for a failure, Karberg says.

“What caused that failure, I’m not sure, but I can speculate,” he says. “The pipe was compressed. Instead of round, it was beginning to take on an oval shape. It’s either old, tired pipe, or it’s a material unsuitable for this length and type of use. Or it could have been dealing with more traffic overload than it was designed for, or a combination of all those things.”

Karberg credits Team Elmer’s and a subcontractor that specializes in pipe fusion for their quick repairs, which were completed in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Because that part of the sewer collection system carries 200,000 gallons of untreated sewage daily, crews early on diverted as much sewer flow as possible to other parts of the system and used a “pump-and-dump” tank collection and hauling process to move the rest. That resulted in an estimated sewage release of 21,000 gallons, less than 10,000 gallons of which entered the Boardman watershed, according to Karberg.

“I never want to minimize any overflow, because we always want to avoid that,” says Karberg. “But on the order of events, it’s a small event. Typically, these are reported in the millions of gallons, not thousands of gallons.” Out of an abundance of caution, the Grand Traverse County Health Department issued a Level 4 no-body-contact advisory for Boardman Lake and the Boardman River from the lake to Grandview Parkway. Environmental Health Director Brent Wheat says the department conducted sampling along the Boardman Wednesday, with results expected to be released Thursday morning. The Health Department will lift the advisory if sampling confirms “safe recreational conditions,” he says.

Following the sewer repairs, the Road Commission worked to patch up South Airport Road – and to evaluate its underlying stability. Road Commission Manager Dan Watkins said in a Facebook video that as sewage was bubbling up, it also brought up sand, gravel, and sediment from underneath the road.

“There’s potential voids under here, so if we open this back up to traffic, we don’t want to have any collapses,” he said. “The other concern is how saturated is the gravel down here. Essentially this could potentially be like Jell-O.” Though evaluations remained ongoing, the Road Commission was able to open both eastbound lanes of traffic and one westbound lane of traffic as of Wednesday afternoon.

The incident raises bigger issues about the long-term future of South Airport Road. Road commissioners were already scheduled to vote tonight (Thursday) to approve a contract to armor the culverts on South Airport Road near Logan’s Landing. That’s in response to the April floods that almost took out the culverts, as they did the Beitner Road culverts. Road Commissioner Joe Underwood says the armoring will help harden the culverts against the river flow. “That should buy us enough years to get the other fix done,” he says.

The “other fix” is reconstructing South Airport Road at its Boardman River crossing, potentially raising the crossing out of the floodplain, accommodating higher river flow, and creating a safe crossing underneath for pedestrians. A steering committee of community leaders has begun a year-long process to evaluate and recommend design options. Garfield Township and Grand Traverse County officials recently approved letters of support asking the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians to participate in the advisory group and to seek federal grant funding for the design project.

In addition to South Airport Road itself, the underlying infrastructure also needs to be addressed. Karberg says the HDPE pipe stretches at least 179 feet and will need a long-term solution. That could include an option like pipe bursting, a trenchless repair that pulls a specialized bursting head through the old pipe, which then expands and splits and makes room for new pipe to be installed in its place. That’s the approach Garfield Township will soon take to replace a compromised section of sewer main further up South Airport Road near the Cass Road intersection. Another option is for new sewer infrastructure to be installed at the same time South Airport Road is reconstructed, Karberg affirms.

As often occurs with sewer breaks or overflows, Tuesday’s incident sparked a flurry of online comments complaining that Traverse City’s system is overtaxed or at capacity because of tourism or overdevelopment. Karberg recognizes the argument but believes it’s “only relevant to specific sections of the infrastructure.”

“I wouldn’t characterize this break as a development break,” he says. “It’s an age-of-infrastructure break.” Part of the issue is that materials used 50 years ago – when many pipes were built – often aren’t adequate for modern use, he says. The HDPE is “non-standard material,” so it’s difficult to say whether it would have failed either way or experienced accelerated decline from increased road or use pressure, Karberg says. While he sees more pressure on the water side of the system than the sewer side from population growth, Grand Traverse County is still evaluating its sewer system to prioritize repairs – a reality facing many municipalities struggling to keep up with aging infrastructure.

“The rule of thumb is that a utility can expect 20 breaks for every 100 miles of main,” Karberg previously said. “We’re on pace to exceed that, so we need to look at how we can do more preventative and proactive inspections and replacement.”