File photo Ice storm

ALPENA — There was no shortage of local news in Northeast Michigan this year.

From the historic ice storm, the local homeless issue coming to light, to new stores opening and others closing, it seemed like each day there was a new story to tell or provide an update on. Below is a recap of some of the largest news events in the Alpena area in 2025. Some of them have been resolved, while others will drag into 2026 or beyond.

ICE STORM

In late March and early April, nearly all of northern Michigan was in the crosshairs of a historic ice storm that left hundreds of thousands or people in the dark and without heat for many the power outage lasted more than two weeks.

The storm also caused significant damage to the local forest and tree population and clean-up took months. The devastation from the storm caused Michigan Governor Grethen Whitmer to call for a State of Emergency and deploy the Michigan National Guard to help clear blocked roads, assist utility workers, conduct local headcounts and set up temporary warm up locations.

On July 22 President Donald Trump approved a federal disaster declaration authorizing FEMA PA funding for emergency work and certain permanent repairs across 13 counties and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. However, further FEMA funding was denied, despite an appeal by Whitmer, that could have provided residents and utility companies funding to cover the expenses they incurred due to the storm.

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS

Two officer-involved shootings occurred at the end of the year, one on Thanksgiving and the other on Dec. 22.

The first incident occurred on Thanksgiving morning when deputies from the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Office attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 33-year-old Edward Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald fled the scene, and a vehicle pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit continued into Alpena County and concluded when the suspect’s vehicle crashed into a ditch on M-65 near Leer Road in Long Rapids Township.

Upon exiting the vehicle, Fitzgerald was observed holding a firearm. Deputies discharged their department issued weapons, striking him. Deputies immediately rendered medical aid on scene. Fitzgerald was transported to the hospital. The deputies were not injured.

An update on the investigation of the incident was recently provided by the Michigan State Police (MSP).

“Based upon a thorough review of the facts and applicable law, it is clear that the actions of Presque Isle County deputies, in the shooting of Edward Fitzgerald, were not criminal in nature but done in self-defense,” Alpena County Prosecuting Attorney Cynthia Muszynski said in the press release. “The actions of Mr. Fitzgerald on November 27, 2025, presented an immediate danger of death or great bodily harm to deputies. Both deputies were justified in shooting at Mr. Fitzgerald under the doctrine of self-defense or defense of others.”

On Dec. 22, two Alpena Police Officers initiated a traffic stop on an allegedly stolen vehicle. One occupant of the vehicle, a 35-year-old man, brandished a knife and cut one of the officers on the hand. That officer discharged his department issued weapon. The man was transported to MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena and pronounced dead. The injured officer was also transported to MyMichigan. The two Alpena officers were put on leave pending the investigation of the incident, which is being conducted by the MSP.

CULLIGAN PLAZA

After waiting for several years, the Alpena community was finally able to see and enjoy the new Culligan Plaza in downtown Alpena. Work on the project was completed just before the annual holiday parade the day after Thanksgiving.

In 2023, the City of Alpena, in partnership with the Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Target Alpena, received a $991,995 Public Gatherings Spaces Initiative Grant from the state to help pay for a complete renovation of Culligan Plaza and a new restroom facility downtown.

In addition to the grant, the Alpena Municipal Council committed a 10% cash match of $118,555. The Alpena County Youth and Recreation Commission awarded the city a $20,000 grant and the First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation donated $100,000.

In September of 2024, The News reported that the reconstruction project was supposed to already be completed that fall and that the city estimated that the project wouldn’t begin till spring 2025.

This delay was due to requirements the city had to meet per grant guidelines.

In May of this year, the project began and by June the Culligan Plaza fountain art was relocated to Bay View Park.

The reimagined plaza includes a new water feature, stage, and fire feature that are all ADA accessible. The plaza and adjacent parking lot also include an internal drainage system of which has a green filtration system utilizing rain gardens and tree filtration boxes. A new restroom was also built and opened in the parking lot near the plaza.

The former fountain and plaza were in need of improvements, as there were water leaks under the plaza’s concrete and much of the cement work was cracking. It was also not ADA compliant.

The new water feature likely will not be operational until spring.

EDMONDS RETIRES, MARCEAU TAKES THE HELM

Former Alpena Fire Chief Rob Edmonds announced his retirement in early November, and his last day was Nov. 30. Alpena Fire Chief Andy Marceau officially started his duties on Nov. 30 and was sworn in on Dec. 1. Marceau was formerly the deputy fire chief and community risk reduction officer.

ELOWSKI SENTENCED

Former attorney Michelle Elowski was sentenced to eight months in jail and two years probation by Judge Laura Frawley of the Oscoda County 23rd Circuit Court. Elowski was charged with one count of check fraud with non-sufficient funds of $500 or more, one count of embezzlement by a trustee of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, and one count of embezzlement by a trustee of $50,000 or more but less than $100,000.

FINANCIAL CHALLENGES AT HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Financial and administration challenges began at the District Health Department No. 4 (DHD4) in June when the department laid off two of its employees, Emergency Preparedness Supervisor Nick Modrzynski and Kendra Bartz, DHD4 human resources director.

The former Administrative Health Officer Denise Bryan disclosed to the health board that the department was missing upwards to $700,000 due to “accounting errors” and “gross negligence.”

By July, Bryan told the board that the amount was closer to $1 million due to “willful and reckless” negligent actions per the former financial director’s oversight.

In August, the department’s new Finance Director Michele Konwinski updated the board on its financial challenges, and noted a $500,000 budget shortfall for the 2025 Fiscal Year, likely due to unfunded pension liabilities that the department is required to pay.

When the health board gathered in September to conduct their regular meeting, the board voted to terminate DHD4’s contract with District Health Department No. 2 (DHD2) thus releasing Bryan and Devin Askwig, community health director and epidemiologist, from employment at the health department.

At that meeting, Health Board Chair Lloyd Peltier took on the role of Interim Administrative Health Officer.

As of their last meeting of the year, the health department has yet to present a completed audit nor have they officially appointed a new Administrative Health Officer.

HOMELESSNESS

In July, Alpena County Facilities, Capital, and Strategic Planning Committee took steps to eliminate third-party payments for campsites at the Alpena County Fairgrounds. County Administrator Jesse Osmer said that this action was not intended to bar homeless individuals from the campground, but rather to keep better tabs on who stays at the fairgrounds.

In October, All Saints Center for Charity closed its overnight shelter for men, citing lack of funding. To reopen the shelter, the organization explained in a statement that 30 individuals or groups would have to donate $550 per day on a monthly basis.

By Thanksgiving, Alpena County recognized the need to house homeless individuals amid the dropping temperatures. The county offered to provide the Merchant’s Building as a temporary warming shelter for unhoused individuals with the caveat that All Saints Center of Charity would run the operations.

The center declined the offer, while still providing their Friendship Room services from the Trinity Episcopal Church in Alpena after a fire in their boiler room ceased operations there.

In December, Executive Director Michelle Bailey presented to the Alpena County Board of Commissioners the extent to which Alpena is grappling with a homelessness crisis.

As of Dec. 9, Bailey said that Sunrise Mission estimates there were approximately 168 unhoused individuals in Alpena County. Of those, 132 were native to Alpena County; 13 had strong family ties to the Alpena County area, and 16 had strong family ties to communities that touched Alpena County.

Following that meeting, Alpena County and the City of Alpena partnered with St. Vincent de Paul and the All Saints Center of Charity to open the Merchant’s Building as a temporary warming shelter for unhoused individuals.

The shelter officially opened in the afternoon of Christmas Eve, though to a slow start, only admitting one.

The county plans on hosting a special meeting about homelessness on Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Howard Male Conference Room and on Zoom.

DEVELOPMENT

Businesses came and went in Alpena in 2025, ushering in a new era for downtown Alpena and the surrounding areas. From projects like the Water Street Commons to demolitions, there was no shortage of development in Northeast Michigan.

WATER STREET COMMONS

Water Street Commons was officially named in June and opened its doors for the Alpena Flower Festival. The fall shopping season ended on Nov. 1 and the market introduced new vendors for their winter shopping season following Thanksgiving. The market officially closed for the year on Dec. 27 and plans to stay closed through the spring to prepare for their summer shopping season.

DECORATIVE PANELS INTERNATIONAL PLANT (DPI)

The former Decorative Panels International plant (DPI) officially sold to Melching Inc., a Norton Shores company that specializes in demolition and environmental remediation and has experience preparing large industrial properties for mixed-use development, on Jan. 21.

Demolition began on the former plant in October, which led to a fire on Oct. 28.

Hampton Inn and Suites opened in the spring following the closures of Big Lots and JOANN Fabric and Crafts. The announcement about the new hotel came in 2022 and is located near Aldi grocery store on M-32.

THE GARDENS OF ALPENA SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

The Gardens of Alpena Senior Living Community project made progress in October when the Alpena Municipal Council approved the development agreement and the developer completed the required tree clearing. Target Alpena Economic Development Director Mike Mahler said in his December report that before the project can move forward, the developer and city want to make sure the equity and bank loans are in place.

FAMILY FARM AND HOME

In October, Mahler announced the development of a new store called Family Farm and Home, a Tractor Supply type of business, that is moving into the former Big Lots location.

Family Farm and Home have stores mostly centered in the Midwest including Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

At the time of the announcement, Mahler said he was not sure of the timing of the project.

HAMILTON INN and SUITES

The new 101-room hotel, which features all of the modern amenities people look for, was constructed on M-32, a stone’s throw away from the new Aldi grocery store.

FORMER ROGERS CITY DDA DIRECTOR CHARGED WITH SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Alex Harimoto, 26, former Rogers City Downtown Development Authority executive director, was arrested and arraigned on June 30. The date of the offense was March 5, 2024.

Harimoto is charged with three counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a minor. His next hearing is 11 a.m. on Jan. 5 in the 53rd Circuit Court in Rogers City. He is expected to enter a plea deal at that hearing.

SHERWOOD SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR DRUG DELIVERY

John Sherwood, 37, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on July 23 in the 23rd Circuit Court in Alcona County. He was found guilty in a jury trial on five charges: controlled substance delivery/manufacture methamphetamine – conspiracy, controlled substance possession narcotic/cocaine less than 25 grams, two counts of controlled substance delivery/manufacture narcotics/cocaine less than 50 grams, and controlled substance delivery/manufacture methamphetamine.

HUNT GAINS NEW COMMANDER

Huron Undercover Narcotics Team (HUNT) former Commander D/Lt. Stu Sharp retired on April 10. D/Lt. Ray Rollet was made the new commander.

ONAWAY HIRES NEW SUPERINTENDENT

After multiple Superintendent transitions in the last few years, Onaway Area Community School District hired new Superintendent Shaun Jordan. Jordan was officially hired by a vote of the board on May 19 and began her duties in July.

LAWSON BECOMES PRESIDENT OF APS BOARD OF ED

Anna Meinhardt, former APS board of education President, stepped down from the position at the July organizational meeting. Eric Lawson was made the new President. Meinhardt had been president of the board since January 2023.

APS PLANS FUTURE OF FACILITIES WITH KINGSCOTT

The APS board approved an agreement to work with KingScott, an architecture and design firm, at their April 28 regular meeting. KingScott presented two master plan scenarios they designed after a study of APS facilities at the board’s Nov. 17 workshop meeting. The scenarios presented different ways which APS could reduce the number of facilities in use, with both suggesting the eventual disuse of Sunset School and the Administration building on Gordon Road.

In master plan scenario one, Sanborn and Wilson would house grades K-6. In scenario two, Hinks would become a junior high magnet school for grades 6-8.

No major changes will be made for at least three years, Superintendent Dave Rabbideau has said.