Bear Lake Bar Closes its Doors

The Bear Lake Bar serves its last drinks tonight. After 35 years of operation, owner Dave Long is retiring. 

The announcement came as a surprise to most, either through word of mouth over the last few days or via the bar's Facebook page. Long says the time had come for him to retire, since taking over the business from his father in 1977. He plans to continue his second job with the post office. 

The bar will be listed for sale in January, and Long says he wouldn't be surprised to see the Bear Lake Bar re-open in the spring, under new ownership.

Cadillac Girl Found

Update:  12/26/12, 3:43pm

Michaela Dawn Smith was found two days ago, safe and sound, when she turned herself in at a downstate hospital.  "It was a Christmas Eve miracle," said her mother, Patty Jo Springberg, earlier today.  She's currently being cared for at the Midland County Juvenile Detention Center.  Her mother said that court proceedings, about two weeks from now, will determine the next steps.

Posted 11/28/12, 4:10pm

The family of Michaela Dawn Smith Springberg quietly celebrated Thanksgiving last week, but is saving much of their gratitude for the return of the missing teenager.  "All we want is to have her come home and get her life straight," said Carl Hawkins, her great-uncle and a resident of Bear Lake.  "With her good grades, she can get her first two years in college in Traverse for free.  She's as smart as a whip."

The 15-year old was last seen in Grand Rapids two weeks ago.  Two of her friends, apparently along for a joyride in her aunt's car, decided their part in the adventure was over.  A few days after taking off with her, one of them needed medications and he was dropped off at a hospital.  The other friend didn't want to get into any further trouble, said Hawkins.  Springberg was driving a dark blue, 1997 Geo Prizm, described as having shiny silver rims and license plate BUD 0116.

Her destination is unknown.  At first, it was thought she was headed to Detroit or Dearborn.  Her mother, Patty Jo Springberg, said that Michaela's female friend told officers that it was actually Flint or Lansing.  "Maybe to see a boy there," said Patty Jo.

Patty Jo is hoping to have more help from local authorities after much frustration and few calls returned.  "I talk to the receptionist 90-percent of the time," she said.  "They say 'we'll look into that,' but I don't get a response back."  Calls to the Cadillac City Police Department and the Wexford County Sheriff's Office requesting comment was not immediately returned.  A Wexford County judge recently questioned one of the girl's traveling companions, but didn't discover anything new.

Her mother doesn't know why Michaela ran away this time, but describes it as a chronic problem over the last two years.  "She's run away from me 6 or 7 times," and also from foster care homes, she said.  A few instances have landed her in jail.  "She's told me that she has an urge to do something wrong every two or three months."  While Patty Jo has inquired about mental health screenings for her daughter, complications with the courts and Michaela's own resistance have blocked that.  Patty Jo blamed past relationships for causing turmoil at home, but said she's living on her own now and ready to welcome her daughter back.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Wexford County Sheriff Department (231) 779-9211
or Patty Jo Springberg at (231) 920-1143.

Holiday Programming & Schedule

Do you have a special holiday greeting for someone, or would you like to send wishes for a Happy New Year?

We can help, whether you're in Bear Lake or not. Call the Three Pines Gander, record your message, and keep us tuned in throughout the holidays to hear your message. Just call (231) 794-2374. That's (231) 794-2374.

TPG RADIO SCHEDULE

5am World Music - Sponsored by Niizh Makwa Traders

6am Pop Music - Sponsored by Lardoon Enterprises

7am Holiday Programming - Sponsored by the Bear Lake Lions

1pm World Music - Sponsored by Niizh Makwa Traders

2pm Pop Music - Sponsored by Lardoon Enterprises

3pm Holiday Programming - Sponsored by the Bear Lake Lions

9pm Blues Music - Sponsored by Luxe Redux

11pm World Music - Sponsored by Niizh Makwa Traders

12am Pop Music - Sponsored by Lardoon Enterprises

1am Holiday Programming - Sponsored by the Bear Lake Lions

Progress on Electrical and Landline Phone Restoration

Update:  1:35pm, 12/23/12
Power's back on at Three Pines Rd. One of the Consumers Energy technicians said "We're closing in on 'er." Earlier this morning, about 3,500 homes lacked power statewide, 1,600 in Benzie & Manistee counties and 300 on the north side of Bear Lake. vhh # # #

Update:  12:35pm, 12/23/12
Consumers Energy workers arrived at the north shore of Bear Lake 15 minutes ago. They predict power back on here within an hour, once they complete theirinspection of the lines.

Update:  2:30am, 12/22/12
Landline phone service through CenturyLink is gradually returning. as technicians swap generators between areas with newly-restored power and those stillwithout. Glovers Lake Rd. received such help early on Saturday; Three Pines Rd. around 9pm. vhh # # #

Note on Radio Service

Our new, experimental radio service may not be available Sunday or Monday, due to the power outage.  We hope to get it back online as soon as possible.

Shelter Locations

From Kevin Bavers of the Red Cross:

Below is the latest sheltering information.  Please note, we have now set up a message on our chapter hotline 231-947-7286 ext 55 so that callers can ascertain the most up to date sheltering information.

Thank you for helping us inform our community where they can get the help they need.

Update:

Storm Relief Sheltering in NW Mich. - The Red Cross is on the scene in Northwest Michigan standing by to help those affected by the recent winter storm. With thousands still without power and freezing temperatures outside, the Red Cross and community partners are still staffing shelters in Benzie County.

The following are currently open community shelters.

OPEN SHELTERS:

Fresh Wind Christian Community Center

9780 Honor Hwy

Honor, MI 49640

CURRENT STATUS: Open ­- open overnight shelter if need continues

The Maples Medical Center

210 Maple Ave

Frankfort, MI 49635

CURRENT STATUS: Open ­- open overnight shelter if need continues

For the most up to date sheltering info please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/arcnwmi or call our office hotline at 231-947-7286 ext 55.

Remaining Power Restoration Predicted for Late Christmas Eve

Update:  12/22/12, 3:55pm

Consumers Energy reports scattered outages, mostly west of US-31, including the north shore of Bear Lake, the Hopkins Forest Dr. area of the south shore, a stretch of Bear Lake Township along Milarch Rd., bounded by South Shore Dr. on the north side of the affected area and just south of 9 Mile Rd. on the south side of the affected area.  Much of Arcadia, the north side of Portage Lake in Onekama and homes along US-31, between 8 Miles Rd. and Coates Hwy.  The section of Glovers Lake Rd., east of US-31 near Springdale Township, also appears to have continuing outages.

A few scattered outages in Benzie County persist, most notably about 900 customers in Blaine and Gilmore Townships, and including portions of Benzonia along M-115.

Emily Votruba of the Elberta Alert reported that as of mid-afternoon, Stapleton's (US-31 & M-115) was open and pumping gas, that the Maples and FreshWinds church in Frankfort offered heat.

Hear more information about Benzie County conditions from Emily Votruba here:

Cherryland Electric reports a total of about 250 households still without power in its Brethren, Thompsonville and Copemish substation areas.

Chip Kragt, Red Cross Regional Emergency Service Director for West Michigan, says that Little River Casino Resort is now available as a warming shelter.  Earlier this afternoon, he reported that no one had yet arrived to take advantage of the service.  He said that other shelters would be set up on an as-needed basis, based on the calls they receive and the locations that need shelters.  He recommended calling the Muskegon office of the Red Cross at (231) 726-3555.

This morning, CenturyLink reported a restoration time of Wed. Dec. 26 for its landline customers.  During the March 2 storm and during the windstorm of 2011, CenturyLink technicians set up generators to power the phone lines, but such arrangements do not appear to currently be in place.  

12/21/12, 3:00am

The longest night of the year is stretching into the longest weekend, for some. By 1am, early Saturday morning, Consumers Energy had pushed back its 4pm Sat. restoration time to 10:30pm Monday.

Pleasanton Township vacationers arrived for an extended Christmas holiday but found the only festive lights were those across the lake at "Sparkle in thePark." The Red Cross worked to set up a second shelter in Manistee County.

The first, at Safe Harbor on 8th St. near US-31 in Manistee, offered meals and overnight stays on Friday. Plows did not reach some northern county roadsuntil 8:30pm, however, making a 25 mile trip (and driveway departures) impossible.

The second shelter is being planned at Little River Casino Resort, said a Red Cross staffer early Saturday morning, but could not predict an opening time. While snow totals appear to be about half that of the March 2 storm, power and phone restoration may still be days away. vhh # # #

Landline phone service appears to be down at our location. We can be reached on the cell phone: (231) 970-1148

The Maples asks that one call ahead to check space availability (352-9674). As of 7pm, some parts of Benzonia have intermittent power. vhh # # #

Consumers Energy estimates up to 12 hours until power restoration and reports thousands without, as 4.5-6.5 inches of wet, heavy snow have fallen. vhh ###

Workers' Union Legislation Draws Crowd to Lansing

(Photo:  Gretchen Whitmer)

Update:  12/18/12

Governor Snyder signed the bills into law on the same day they were passed by the legislature.  Here's his video message, recorded the next day (12/12/12):



Capitol coverage of labor legislation

Lansing State Journal:  Michigan's labor legacy takes a hit: Right to work signed into law

Detroit News:  Right-to-work laws may cut wages, boost jobs, or both

Capitol coverage of other year-end legislation

Lansing State Journal:  Michigan Legislature goes until 4:30 a.m, passes abortion, emergency manager, gun, personal property tax bills

Detroit News:  Lame-duck push ripped


Update:  2:09pm, 12/11/12

From WLNS' Rob South:  "Senate Bill 116 has passed the house, 58-52. Now on its way to the Governor for signing."

Update:  12:36pm, 12/11/12

WLNS reports:  "The Michigan House of Representatives has passed one of two "Right To Work" bills. House Bill 4003 passed by a vote of 58-51. That's the bill that deals with public employee unions."

Original post:  11:59am, Tues. Dec. 11, 2012

This is the scene from outside the State Capitol in Lansing, where the legislature is considering bills known as "Right to Work" legislation. 

Photo originally posted by Gretchen Whitmer on Facebook, and reposted by WLNS' Rob South.  South reports that 2,500 people are inside the building, and 10,000 are outside. outside

Live coverage via WLNS' website here: http://www.wlns.com/story/20314363/the-right-to-work-debate-live-blog

Watch deliberation by the State House of Representatives here (video stream):  http://mhrwms.house.mi.gov/session

Listen to the same here (audio stream):  http://mhrwms.house.mi.gov/audio

State-level Changes to Public Education?

From our colleague at the Elberta Alert:

Gov Watch: Bills to Take the Public Out of Michigan Education?

by Emily Votruba

State legislators may soon vote on a set of bills that would make sweeping “emergency manager”–style changes to state public education, while making it easier to establish private and charter schools. 

Full story at:  http://elbertaalert.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/gov-watch-bills-to-take-the-public-out-of-michigan-education/

(Bear Lake and Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools superintendent Mike Matesich was not immediately available for comment. -Eds.)