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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.
April Calendar
Foghorn: 37 Questions on Smart Growth
Council Meeting Report: Start Your Bidding
Calendar Blast! Roaring out of March
The Busiest Weekend Ever
March 17–20: Possibly the Busiest Four Days in Elberta–Frankfort History…for more details on the first annual Benzie County Water Festival, see the official site. THURSDAY, MARCH 17 * 4 pm–10 pm St. Patrick’s Day Party, Mayfair Tavern * 7 pm Elberta Village Council Meeting, Village Community Building
Agenda for March 17 Regular Village Council Meeting
CALL TO ORDER, ATTENDANCE, APPROVAL OF MINUTES, APPROVAL OF AGENDA, AGENDA CONFLICT, BRIEF PUBLIC COMMENT, ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, CORRESPONDENCE, APPROVAL OF BILLS REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS WATER/SEWER/BLUA: Diane Jenks & Ken Holmes PARKS & REC: Linda Manville MARINA PARK/FARMERS MARKET: Bill Soper BEACH: Ross Thorsen ZONING ADMINISTRATOR:
Foghorn: Community Wind Forum Tonight, 3/10
This just in from the Eco-Building Products Facebook feed: "TONIGHT, Understanding Wind Initiatives (UWI), a community forum will take place at Benzie Central H.S. between 6:30 and 8:30 pm. You can learn more about the UWI initiative, ask questions, and participate in small group discussions
Foghorn: Come to the Elberta Master Plan Public Forum!
Vertical Thinking: Elbertian Proposes to Change Elberta's Name
During the initial public comment period at the Village Council meeting last night, Kelli Stapleton, Elberta resident and planning and zoning committee member, presented a proposal to change Elberta's name to Heaven. Among Stapleton's stated goals was the preservation of our local post office (no plans
Frigid Dare: We Polar Plunged Lake Michigan
In January, a video depicting two area women was leaked to Facebook. The video, which was recorded on New Year’s Day, shows the women stripping down to their sportswear and taking the wet route off Frankfort beach. Herewith, an Alert exclusive interview. Julia Dodd: It was New Year'
Potluck Gardening Workshops Build Soil-Esteem
Vegetable gardens are sprouting up all over the country in unexpected places, from the White House front lawn to city rooftops, in response to the economic crisis and concerns about nutrition and food safety. Some prominent Frankfort and Elberta residents are on the front lines of this trend, participating in
Stop Whining and Start W“h”ining: After-Party Will Warm the Shiverers
Diane “Jinx” Jenks, on the first annual wine festival in the Elberta terroir, Saturday, February 19, from 5 PM… The idea came from my personal winter sport, which is winter “whining.” I whine about the cold, stay in, drink wine, and read. I’m getting quite good at it, and