Beth Milligan

Grand Traverse County is launching a new online dog license registration system for local residents. The new software provides "an easy, user-friendly platform for dog owners to purchase or renew their dog licenses online, a much-anticipated service aimed at streamlining the dog licensing process," according to a county release.

Garfield Township planning commissioners Wednesday approved plans for Two Brothers Dog Park Cafe and Taphouse to open its doors at the Cherryland Center, as well as an updated comprehensive development plan for the mall that will guide parking, signage, stormwater management, and cross-access drives as the site continues to be developed.

Befitting a topic that dominated discussion all through 2024, Traverse City commissioners will tackle several items related to homelessness at their final meeting of the year tonight (Monday). Those include a $250,000 commitment to supporting Safe Harbor’s transition to a year-round shelter; discussion of a timeline for enforcing the city’s camping ban at the Pines; proposed ordinance updates to address alcohol consumption, prowling, and loitering; and a proposed resolution to end chronic homelessness in the region by 2028 through permanent supportive housing.

The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has closed on the $19.5 million purchase of 35 acres of land in Elberta thanks to secured gifts, pledges, and an anonymous supporter who provided an interest-free loan to cover the multi-year pledges.

A Traverse City man was arrested and arraigned this week on two charges relating to an alleged home invasion this fall in Peninsula Township. Troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Traverse City Post were dispatched to a Peninsula Township home just after 7pm on October 4 to investigate a residential alarm. The owners were not …

Traverse City commissioners plan to kick off 2025 with a review of city buildings, their physical condition, and their leases – with the goal of creating an updated policy that provides “fairness and consistency” for tenants who want to rent city buildings, according to City Manager Liz Vogel. The discussion was prompted by the Traverse City Film Festival’s looming exit from the Bijou by the Bay building and by dueling proposals from Crooked Tree Arts Center and the Traverse Area District Library to use the Carnegie Building on Sixth Street, as well as past lease issues at properties like the Outpost TC/former Brew space on Front Street.

New owners and brands are circling the Grand Traverse Mall, with downstate real estate firm Lormax Stern purchasing the Macy’s site and courting new tenants and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet eyeing the former T.J. Maxx space. Though supportive of efforts to keep the property viable, Garfield Township officials have flagged the need to ensure redevelopment occurs in a cohesive way – similar to recent discussions about the Cherryland Center – as some proposed uses could change how the mall operates.

Bringing a long-envisioned public square to life in downtown Traverse City topped a list of projects TC Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board members agreed Friday to pursue between now and 2027 as the current tax increment financing (TIF) 97 plan winds down. A community engagement process to design Rotary Square will kick off in January, with a final plan expected by August. Other priorities for the approximately $9.3 million in remaining TIF 97 funds available for capital improvements include upgrades to the Boardman/Ottaway riverwalk and J. Smith Walkway, a new farmers market pavilion, and East Front Street improvements.

Grand Traverse County Commission Vice Chair Brad Jewett was sentenced to five days in jail, six months probation, and a $500 fine Monday after pleading guilty to engaging the services of a prostitute, a misdemeanor charge in Michigan.

A 32-year-old Illinois man was killed in a snowmobile accident in East Bay Township Sunday.