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After Many Setbacks, Elberta Enters the 21st Century With a Renovated Zoning Ordinance
A held-over public hearing November 4 yielded no further public input of substance, and the Planning Commission adopted the amended zoning ordinance. It now goes on to the Village Council!
Deeply Local Election Results: 2026 Midterms
Here are the November 3, 2026, preliminary totals for Elberta and Gilmore Township, not broken down by precinct!
Residents Ask: Was the Charrette a Charade?
A report on the October 15, 2026, regular council meeting.
Village Election Guide
Check back on this page for hot election takes and updates as they occur.
Council Meeting Thursday
‘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).
In Memoriam: Lois Marie (Soper) Schram
Sue Oseland shares a tribute to our longtime neighbor on Lincoln.
Gilmore Township's New Zoning Ordinance
A draft of Gilmore Township's new zoning ordinance is available online. Planning Commission chair Dennis Holcombe said today that it's 99% finished and is with the attorney awaiting a few minor wording changes. He expects the final draft will be posted within the week. A public
Near Beer: Stormcloud Brewing
The official announcement finally came today, January 15, 2013, over Facebook: This summer a little light industry rolls in to 303 Main Street in Frankfort. The Alert spoke with Stormcloud Brewing Company owner-operators Brian Confer and Rick Schmitt about their project, which will occupy the former site of the
January Parks and Rec Report: Preparing for Solstice
Regular Meeting: January 10, 2013. The Parks and Recreation Commission meets the second Thursday of the month at the Elberta Library at 7 pm. This report is adapted from the official P&R Minutes written by VP/Secretary Jennifer Wilkins. President Connie Manke called the meeting to order at
Dan Benishek at the Sleeping Bear Inn
I hope to stand firm enough to not go backward, and yet not go forward fast enough to wreck the country's cause.—Abraham Lincoln FRANKFORT—At 2 pm Friday afternoon a small group gathered around the congressman from Michigan's 1st District, Dr. Dan Benishek. Benishek was
Benzie Shore District Library January Events
Wednesday, January 9th, 9:00 a.m. – Book Share Group Thursday, January 10th, 10:00 a.m. – eUsers Group Thursday, January 10th, 3:30 p.m. – Great Books Discussion Group Tuesday, January 15th, 10:00 a.m. – Story Hour (Lego Club canceled for January) Tuesday, January 15th, 7:00 p.
Proposed Downtown Development Authority Would Sequester Funds for Improvements to Entice New Businesses
FRANKFORT CITY HALL—Frankfort City Council held a public hearing this evening on its proposed Downtown Development Authority and Downtown Development District (seen below outlined in yellow). City Superintendent Josh Mills made a presentation on the proposal, along with city attorney Peter Dorn. Business owners Dale Evans, Bob Korten, and
Flu Shots
Mlive.com reports today that a third child has died in Michigan from the flu, reflecting a nationwide increase in flu cases. According to Mlive, you and yours should be protected from the three most common strains of flu if you get vaccinated. So: help your family and your community
Have Skates, Will Skate Benzonia
It's easier to get excited about the cold weather when you realize that you can go skating at the Benzonia Ice Rink any old time! Maybe you haven't been because you need skates? Here's your chance to get some cheap and help fund rink
Fate of the Elberta Post Office
Do you use it? Do you love it? Please fill out the survey form you recently received in your PO Box. If you didn't get the form or have mislaid it, you can pick up one at the counter. Your voice counts. If we come out strong for
Pride of BC: Let's Talk about Bullying in Schools
An anti-bullying group for parents holds its first meeting tomorrow at Benzie High School's SEEDS room at 6:30 pm. The group is a spinoff of the kids' anti-bullying Pride group that formed earlier this year. All are welcome to come out and discuss how