Latest news with #EarthWeekPlus
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cheboygan Commons update on May 13 to focus on project's environmental challenges
CHEBOYGAN — An update on Cheboygan Commons, a redevelopment project designed to replace the closed paper mill along the Cheboygan River, will occur at 6 p.m. on May 13 at the Cheboygan Area Public Library. Sharen Lange, project coordinator for Cheboygan Commons, will discuss the current hold on the project, site remediation and what steps will be taken to get it moving forward. She also wants to focus on the project's environmental challenges as part of Earth Week Plus, which spotlights conservation and protecting the earth's resources. "This is not so much about what is in the project as we have already shared with the community what we want to do with that site. I believe it is important to share images that show environmental concerns and some of the discoveries that have happened while working with EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy)," said Lange. More: Large crowd hears about Cheboygan Commons project to replace closed paper mill In 2023, a fire destroyed a warehouse across the street from the Tissue Depot paper mill. Although the building housing the paper operations wasn't damaged, the mill never resumed operations after the blaze. Developer Bob Pulte has proposed transitioning the 14-acre site into a mixed-use development featuring housing, a riverfront restaurant, a boutique style hotel, commercial space for retail or offices, a fitness center and a small special events center. Subscribe Check out our latest offers and read the local news that matters to you Currently, there is no work going on at the site. "The project's current status is due to the lawsuit over the hydroelectric power plant and the seller not being able to deliver a clear title," Lange said. Recently, Cheboygan Commons and the city of Cheboygan were dismissed from the lawsuit. Lange is hopeful everything can be cleared up this year. "We are not saying (the project) is dead but we don't have a clear pathway to obtain the property and get to work," Lange added. The price tag for Cheboygan Commons has doubled to $100 million from the original $50 million estimate. Lange said Pulte and project partners now have a better idea of what will be required to complete the project. The rising price has not deterred Pulte, according to Lange. "Bob Pulte still believes in Cheboygan and still believes in this project," she said. — Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@ This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan Commons update at library on May 13 to focus on environmental challenges at former paper mill site
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Earth Week Plus expo to take place on April 26 at Cheboygan library
CHEBOYGAN — Earth Week Plus will present a public expo on Saturday, April 26. According to a community announcement, the expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cheboygan Area Public Library, 100 S. Bailey St. in Cheboygan. The event aims to promote conservation and environmental awareness. Subscribe: Check out our subscription offers. The event is free and suitable for all ages. More than 50 exhibitors will provide information about environmental issues. Attendees will be able to see the 'vampires of the Great Lakes,' the sea lamprey, and learn about their impact on fish populations. Live amphibians, turtles and chickens will also be on display. Tour of Emmet County Recycling Center planned for Earth Day Children can also choose a free book and participate in various Make and Take projects, including making bird feeders, planting seeds, painting rocks, creating worm bins and engaging in nature art activities. A game matching birds to nests will be available as well. Additionally, attendees can bring E-Waste for recycling, including computers, cables, small appliances and batteries. This recycling will also occur from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m on April 26. For more details, go to This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Earth Week Plus expo to take place on April 26, 2025 at Cheboygan library
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Yahoo
Raptors to migrate over Straits of Mackinac this spring: Witness a natural phenomenon
MACKINAW CITY — Bird enthusiasts can witness a breathtaking natural phenomenon in Mackinaw City as raptors migrate north, according to a community announcement. The Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch (MSRW) is hosting several events to celebrate the migration of these birds of prey, which include hawks, eagles, owls and vultures. The migration typically occurs from early March to early June. MSRW conducts research to support raptor conservation and aims to inspire people about these majestic creatures. The group comprises scientists, birders and conservationists in the Straits region. Scott Davis, executive director of MSRW, said migrating raptors often fly along the east or west side of Michigan's Lower Peninsula to reach northern breeding grounds. The Straits serve as a choke point, as these birds prefer to see land on the other side of a body of water. Their crossing is weather-dependent, with sunny weather creating rising thermals over the land that the birds ride across the Straits. 'It's a natural phenomenon that gives you goosebumps,' Davis said. 'When you see this, it's a repeat of what has happened for thousands of years.' MSRW has hired a professional bird counter to collect data that is fed into a national database. The birds are identified by species and number. A raptor naturalist, Sarah Reding, has also been hired to help people identify birds and answer questions. She will be available at count sites during nice weekends from the end of March through May. There are two count sites, both off Central Avenue in Mackinaw City. The primary site is behind the Mackinaw City Recreation Complex, near the baseball field. The secondary site is a gravel pit/field about one mile west of the Recreation Complex on the south side of Central Avenue. A Hawk Watch sign marks the location to turn off West Central Avenue. Subscribe: Check out our offers and read the local news that matters to you MSRW has organized several specialty weekends to celebrate the migration of different species. Golden Eagle Weekend is set for March 15-16, with the optimum watch time from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. MSRW holds the nationwide record for the largest seasonal count of golden eagles seen east of the Mississippi, with 381 counted in 2024. Red-Tailed Hawk Weekend is scheduled for April 12-13, also from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In 2019, MSRW set the nationwide record for the largest seasonal count of red-tailed hawks, with 22,420 migrating through the Straits. Broad-winged Bonanza Weekend will take place April 26-27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees can learn more from Reding. MSRW is a program endorsed by Earth Week Plus. All programs are appropriate for all ages, free and open to the public. For more information, go to or This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch events to highlight spring migration
