Alpena soon could have two dedicated flights per day to Detroit.

During Tuesday's Alpena County Board of Commissioners meeting, Airport Manager Billi McRoberts said Mesaba Airlines has discussed keeping the 6:20 a.m. flight to Detroit and adding a 3:10 p.m. flight.

"It's an idea they're tossing around, nothing in stone," McRoberts said.

She said if the airline was to go through with the concept, it would begin in April.

Aside from the early dedicated flight, Mesaba runs flights from Sault Ste. Marie to Alpena to Detroit.

She also updated the commissioners on the essential air service bids. She said she has not heard anything from the Department of Transportation on the bids submitted by Mesaba and Intrepid International. The companies submit a bid to provide service to the airport and in return receive a government subsidy.

Though there was no news on the bids, McRoberts said the airport is in no danger of losing service in the near future because service is considered "essential" by the DOT. Any loss of service would have to be approved by the DOT and the community.

"Highly unlikely (Alpena would lose service). We're not going to agree to it," she said.

The commissioners unanimously approved purchasing four patrol cars for the sheriff department from Dean Arbour Ford. The county finance committee previously had approved the purchase of the cars from Signature Ford, but after that meeting Undersheriff Terry King contacted the local dealership.

Certain dealers are part of a state bidding program that guarantees low prices to law enforcement departments. King said the local dealer was not part of that program, but agreed to match the price.

"They would honor the current bid that we have and that's all that mattered to me," King said.

The cars, 2010 Ford Crown Victorias, cost $85,805 over four years. After the term of the lease, the county buys each vehicle for $1. King said the new cars are needed because about 10 of the 12 patrol cars in the department have up to and over 100,000 miles.

Sean Harkins can be reached via e-mail at sharkins@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.