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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.
Isn’t It Laconic
The agenda for this Thursday’s regular council meeting includes a resignation, an art offering, and a Title VI coordinator discussion; elsewhere, a turtlet.
“They Deserve a Pat on the Back”
Lisa Canada was appointed to the RFQ Committee, Chris Cervantes was given a $2 per hour pay raise, Ironman, and so much more.
Special Meeting Tomorrow
New deputy clerk-treasurer has resigned, DPW Assistant wage will be considered, and an RFQ Committee candidate has been chosen.
Elberta Mercantile: The Last Haul
After a near decade of purveying not just merch but magic, Mark and Carol Carlin will close their shop — and conjure up yet another new beginning in Elberta.
Genius Loci: An Interview With a Public Artist
What does it mean to fully inhabit a place? Elbertians will have an opportunity to lively up one of our neighborhood spots on Saturday. The muralist Ellen Rutt is all about it.
August Council Meeting Canceled
No meeting this week due to lack of a quorum, BLUA, ranked choice voting petition on Thursday at the Farmers Market, walking history tour
Council Hired a Deputy Clerk-Treasurer
Janet Taylor will start on Tuesday.
Reshufflings of Early August
This week: The planning commission meeting is canceled, the Parks & Rec meeting is moved up, a special meeting to review a deputy clerk-treasurer applicant will be held, and a demolition occurred.
Join the Tumbling Mirth
“Cherries Got Me Screwed Up”
A report on the regular council meeting of July 17, 2025, and so much more
Catching Up With Village (Com)Postings
Agenda for the July 2025 Council Meeting, a note from the President on the RFQ Committee, how to file code complaints, and more from the website and post office bulletin board
There’s a New Code Enforcer in Town
Council voted to contract with Jim Baldwin, and the Planning Commission discussed the Zoning Atlas, a historic district, and parking. Plus: Celebration Week! And a job opportunity.