Walking through downtown this week was one of those first days where it truly felt like summer had arrived in northern Michigan. One of those days where you’re sure to hear the comment, “This is why we choose to live up here.” One of those days that makes you forget that, yes, we did ...
The number of unemployed in Michigan because of COVID-19 has reached historical levels. So reported the Michigan Information and Research Center in a recent weekly bulletin. In April, the state’s unemployment rate rose to 22.7%, which is definitely the highest rate since 1976, said ...
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the economy is showing signs of slowly creeping back to life, with air travel, hotel bookings, mortgage applications, restaurant reservations, and new business applications up slightly, or at least not getting any worse. But, on the same day, ...
We’re excited to see what’s happening at Studio Rubedo. Gallerist Brian Schorn had some great work by photographer John Ganis to show. But, because of coronavirus-related restrictions, Schorn couldn’t open the gallery to share Ganis’ work with the public. So he came up with a ...
A bit of normalcy has returned to Northeast Michigan, now that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has allowed northern Michigan retailers, bars, and restaurants to reopen —with several restrictions —after weeks on lockdown meant to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. With the trendlines of the ...
As a veteran, I look forward to the special-meaning holidays of Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Veterans Day. With the global arrival of COVID-19, this Memorial Day will most certainly be a different celebration than in years past. No large community gathering nor parade before World ...
So let’s see if we have this straight. Your dog can get a haircut, but you can’t. Your cat can get a manicure, but you can’t. And here’s the real kicker, some of the folks up north can get a beer, and you can’t. Houston, we have a problem. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the Covid-19 ...
When a Wall Street Journal editorial warned this week against any precipitous U.S. withdrawal that might imperil our gains in Afghanistan, an exasperated President Trump shot back: “Could someone please explain to them that we have been there for 19 years. ... and except at the beginning, ...
My heart aches for Midland area residents who were impacted by this week’s devastating floods. Days of storms in the area led to the failure of two dams and the record level of flooding that forced the evacuation of 10,000 residents there. Thankfully no one died from the flooding. ...
A new Brookings Institute survey found among mothers with young children, nearly one-fifth say their children are not getting enough to eat during this pandemic, a rate three times as high as in 2008, during the worst of the Great Recession. This should be deeply concerning to all of us — ...
Cable TV news — and CNN, in particular — have made such a habit of wall-to-wall, 24-7 coverage of a single news event they sometimes seem a parody of themselves. When Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared, CNN’s coverage was so extensive I remember a segment in which pundits at ...
This letter is addressing all Democrats, Republicans, Socialists or whatever your political affiliation. You, as a group and even in some cases as individuals have decided to shut down our economy due to health issues related to COVID-19. I am not arguing whether you did the right or wrong ...
Presuming a contract can be hammered out between Alpena School Superintendent John VanWagoner and Traverse City Area School officials, local education folks soon will be looking for VanWagoner’s replacement. The selection of VanWagoner this week as Traverse City’s new superintendent is ...
We were amused by the editorial in Thursday’s News, beginning “Dear 2020 graduates.” Lamenting the COVID-19-denied “ceremony, celebration, hugs, and parties,” as if such amusements were a seminal part of education. (Pro tip to The News: in the first graph, the phrase after the em dash ...
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was published previously in The News. Find more of Doug Pugh’s columns in his book, “Vignettes,” available for sale at The News, 130 Park Place, Alpena, Michigan, 49707. Bill is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery. He’s in Block 5 in the alley between Lots 4 and ...
On Saturday April 25, The Alpena News published an article announcing, Alpena Community College President Don MacMaster said they gave 16 apartment keys to MidMichigan and the Alpena Fire Department to use if their employees fear exposing their families to the virus. “They could use the units ...
As I have navigated the drastic changes to my daily life these past months, I have regularly reminded myself that many things remain constant. There are still things I can rely on and anticipate. One such event is the migration of birds into our area each May. Though the long stretch of ...
“These are the times that try men’s souls.” I would like to express my appreciation for the staff of MediLodge of Alpena. In this time of the virus, nursing homes serve perhaps our most vulnerable population. In many instances, the coronavirus spreads quickly in the homes and they incur ...
Picture a spring when mosquitoes and blackflies are free of predators. Swarms of biting bugs take over campsites and patios, unfettered by swooping swallows or dive-bombing bats, because there are none. Chances are, you’ve had a perfectly good camping trip or backyard picnic spoiled by bugs ...
“United” States stand! Again we are hit between the eyes (with truth) from our government leaders. This is true divisive tactics against a democratic branch of government. The president (I think) had a room full of Republicans (dividing) and was pointing out that they (do his dirty work) ...