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‘What Constitutes a Hole?’
A public hearing that most attendees expected to be a cakewalk turned into 90-minute Cordon Bleu pastry class by the Village attorney. Many of her changes will be made and the public hearing will continue November 4. Look for an updated draft of the zoning ordinance in a week or so.
Know Your Ballot: Find Out More About the County and School Millages
Come to the Heritage Center tomorrow to eat treats and meet with Benzie Board of Commissioners chairman Art Jeannot and Benzie Central Schools Superintendent Amiee Erfourth and talk about some funding proposals up for your yea or nay November 3.
Daniel Carter
The November 3 election looms, and some of you have already received your mail-in ballots! Three candidates are running unopposed for open seats on Elberta's 5-member Village Council. Earlier this month, the Alert sent them all the same 8 questions. Here are their unedited responses (part 3 of 3).
Jennifer Wilkins
The November 3 election looms, and some of you have already received your mail-in ballots! Three candidates are running unopposed for open seats on Elberta's 5-member Village Council. Earlier this month, the Alert sent them all the same 8 questions. Here are their unedited responses (part 2 of 3).
Arlene Sweeting
The November 3 election looms, and some of you have already received your mail-in ballots! Three candidates are running unopposed for open seats on Elberta's 5-member Village Council. Earlier this month, the Alert sent them all the same 8 questions. Here are their unedited responses (part 1 of 3).
Village Election Guide
Check back on this page for hot election takes and updates as they occur.
In Memoriam: Lois Marie (Soper) Schram
Sue Oseland shares a tribute to our longtime neighbor on Lincoln.
Diana Trivia: Elberta at a Crossroads Again With a New Developer
On Day 1 of the community design charrette for the Elberta Commons project on the Betsie Bay waterfront, Brooke Ruble, the director of management and marketing for Artemis Companies, took time to answer some Alert questions.
Sound System
A report on the rescheduled August regular council meeting of Wednesday, September 2, 2026. The zoning ordinance public hearing set for 9/21 (tomorrow) is now on 10/7! Scroll down for more info, plus the Elberta Commons Charrette schedule. (True September meeting report to follow soonish.)
Dune It Elberta Style
Two years ago, Kelly Gregory, a sailor and architect, and her partner, Patrick Haesloop, a landscape architect, made a wild choice for the front yard on Lincoln Avenue. Here’s how it turned out.
‘We Push the Good’
On September 8, the Board of Commissioners heard about several rescues, reviewed a generation-bridging millage fact sheet, and narrowed their search for a search firm down to two.
New Little Free Library Opens in Village, and Rubberman Kicks Off
Terminus Park Survey
What’s going on with Elberta’s newest and biggest parkland area?
Council Releases Audit, Resolves to Be the Decider on the Master Plan, and Hires a Firm to Ease Functions Within BS&A — Plus a Sprinkling of Ferry Dust
August Council Meeting Rescheduled and Special Meeting on Audit
Big Brother and the Internet Company
On August 25, the Board of Commissioners heard about health and human services and broadband, adopted a video surveillance policy, and received their marching orders to rouse support for the millages.
The Benzie Grass Is Blue
Dolly Parton didn’t have children of her own in the conventional sense, but through her Imagination Library, she’s given Benzie kids a world of many colors.
Calling All Kickballers: Agenda for August 20, 2026
The council meeting agenda for this Thursday shows two resignations. Plus, read the draft Parks & Rec minutes!
The Mills of November: BOC Tries Again to Fund County
On August 11, the Board of Commissioners approved the Tax Advisory Committee’s November millage proposal suggestion, got a visit from MI state senate candidate Kim Cole, heard why Central Dispatch’s revenue is cutting out while the Road Commission’s is ramping up, and got a lot of public comment.
Turtlefest Signs: The Race Is Not Over!
Don’t throw those political signs in the dumpster. We are collecting them for Turtlefest 4!
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This Week This Morning
Hearing but Not Listening?
After the Headlee reset failed by 9 votes at Tuesday’s primary, the Tax Limitation Advisory Committee met Wednesday, August 5, to discuss the next attempt to fund the county. The ballot language for the November election is due tomorrow, August 11.