Michigan Winter Beer Festival returning to Grand Rapids with over 700 unique beers, 124 breweries
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Michigan Brewers Guild’s fan-favorite event, the Winter Beer Festival, will once again touch down in the Grand Rapids area this month. The 17th annual festival will take place at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park, just north of downtown Grand Rapids, from 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Supporting Michigan’s title of “The Great Beer State,” this year’s event features 124 breweries collectively offering more than 720 beers and nearly 90 distinct styles, according to the Michigan Brewers Guild (MBG). “But the point is there are dozens of great beers from all these great breweries. Formed in 1997, the Michigan Brewers Guild represents nearly 300 member breweries with the mission of promoting and protecting the Michigan beer industry to help locally brewed beer attain 20% of all beer sales in the state by 2025.
mlive.comMajor road reconstruction project to begin in Portage this spring
PORTAGE, MI — A two-mile stretch of a busy Portage road will begin to undergo major road reconstruction this spring as part of a $3.8 million project. Work is expected to begin in May on Shaver Road, from the Vanderbilt Avenue intersection to the north to the city limits to the south, with project completion anticipated for summer of 2024. The Portage City Council voted unanimously, 5-0, with two members absent, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, to approve a contract between the Michigan Department of Transportation and the city. Shaver Road in Portage , Michigan on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. The Shaver Road reconstruction project, set to begin in spring of 2023, includes replacement of the water main from Oakland Drive to Vanderbilt Avenue, upgrade of concrete sidewalk ramps, storm sewer replacement and hot mix asphalt.
mlive.com87 tickets, 178 warnings issued by DNR patrols during U.P. I-500 snowmobile race
CHIPPEWA COUNTY, MI – The state stepped up its snowmobile patrols over the weekend during the 54th annual I-500 race in Sault Ste. On Feb. 3 and 4, conservation officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources patrolled 660 miles of snowmobile trails in Chippewa County. They contacted 782 snowmobilers and issued 87 tickets and 178 warnings. Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers stop for a photo while on trails patrol in Chippewa County, Mich., during stepped-up patrols on Feb. 3-4, 2023, for the I-500 snowmobile race in Sault Ste. 100 The 54th running of the I-500 Snowmobile RaceREAD MORE:A Michigan tradition: This sturgeon season lasted 65 minutes this yearMinnesota woman, 26, thrown from snowmobile in fatal U.P.
mlive.comDuran Duran to tour with Bastille and CHIC’s Nile Rodgers with 1 Michigan show
DETROIT - One of the top acts of the 80s is teaming up with Bastille and CHIC’s Nile Rodgers for a 26-date North American tour this year. Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Duran Duran will perform one concert in Michigan with a stop at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, September 16. Tickets go on sale Thursday, February 16 at 10 a.m. READ MORE: All of the big concerts announced for Michigan in 2023 so far“It’s remarkable to me that as a band, we are still hitting new milestones, and introducing the sound of Duran Duran to new generations of music lovers,” said lead singer Simon Le Bon. “We are truly grateful that we get to do what we do on a daily basis, and that we still love our job as much as we did when we started out some four decades ago.”DURAN DURAN 2023 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR:
mlive.comMega Millions results for 02/07/23; jackpot worth $31 million
LANSING, MI – Two players won $1 million and a player in Michigan was one number away from the grand prize, but there was no winner of the $31 million Mega Millions jackpot for the drawing held on Tuesday, Feb. 7. That means the drawing on Friday, Feb. 10 will be worth $50 million, with a cash option of $26.4 million. Mega Millions is played in 44 states, plus the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. Deadline is 7:08 p.m.For the latest on Michigan Lottery, check out the official Michigan Lottery site, which also offers more information on instant tickets, raffles and other lottery games. The last players from Michigan to win a Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot is the Wolverine FLL lottery club which claimed a $1.05 billion jackpot in March 2021.
mlive.comTo move up in balanced Big Ten, Michigan looks to continue dominance over Nebraska
A win on Wednesday would move Michigan into a tie for second place in the Big Ten. Michigan will try to improve its position when it hosts Nebraska (6:31 p.m. Michigan has won the last seven, 17 of the last 18, and never lost to Nebraska at Crisler Center (11-0). Nebraska has finished last in the Big Ten throughout his tenure, though Minnesota will likely ensure the Huskers avoid that fate this year. Michigan head coach Juwan Howard turned 50 on Tuesday.
mlive.comNebraska vs. Michigan basketball predictions, picks & odds: February 8th
Our experts have their Nebraska vs. Michigan basketball predictions below, including a best odd with odds courtesy of PointsBet Sportsbook, so let’s dive into their analysis. Nebraska vs. Michigan basketball predictions for Wednesday, 2/8As things stand now, both teams in this matchup are projected to miss the NCAA Tournament. Our experts’ Nebraska vs. Michigan basketball predictions have Michigan -11.5 as their best bet, which has -110 odds at PointsBet Sportsbook. Enter your email here:Nebraska basketball vs. Michigan Wolverines picks featuring Michigan -11.5Despite Nebraska earning an impressive victory in their previous game, our experts like Michigan to cover the spread at home. Our Nebraska vs. Michigan basketball predictions on Wednesday night provide a great opportunity for your first bet.
mlive.comPedestrian killed in crash, police search for driver who fled scene
KENT COUNTY, MI – A pedestrian was killed Tuesday, Feb. 7, when he was struck by two vehicles, including one that fled the scene, on East Beltline Avenue SE, Kentwood police said. The crash was reported at 8:38 p.m. in the 2500 block of East Beltline, near Lake Eastbrook Boulevard. Police said the man was crossing from east to west when he was struck by a car going south on East Beltline. Moments later, he was struck by a pickup truck that left the scene, police said. Witnesses described the vehicle that fled as a newer model, dark Ford F-150 pickup truck.
mlive.comLGBTQ rights took a step forward in Michigan last year – but lawsuits followed
But that significant ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court kicked off a flurry of lawsuits. Each case names Nessel, executive director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights John Johnson Jr. and seven members of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission. Related: Sexual orientation is now protected by Michigan’s civil rights law. Related: Lawsuit challenging LGBTQ civil rights is ‘purely speculative,’ Nessel arguesNessel recognized LGBTQ rights in Michigan are “based on precedent” from court decisions. Meanwhile, a bill introduced in Michigan could codify protections for LGBTQ people in the state civil rights law.
mlive.comWhat’s Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit all about?
Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders are working toward a five-fold increase of Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, since the beginning of the year, though it has been a longtime objective of Whitmer’s administration. Legislators are convening Wednesday in the hopes of ironing out details of a broader package of bills, of which the EITC is the most widely-supported facet. While Michigan’s extension of the federal program is simple enough, how the EITC is measured, who qualifies and how it impacts families isn’t always as straightforward.
mlive.comBrush with death inspired Michigan woman to fight for expanded health care
We have medical debt, and we’re literally crushed for sometimes the rest of our life.”Gerard, the Health Care For All Organizer for the political advocacy group Michigan United, now works to expand access to medical care across Michigan, and her efforts are being recognized. Gerard first volunteered for Michigan United while attending Kalamazoo College. While thankful for the state social workers that helped her navigate the “maze” of health care coverage, the process was not “particularly inspiring” as she said those social workers had too much on their plate. “I think these are all stepping stones to pave the way for Michigan to become a leader in a single-payer health care system.”Now her work is to expand health care access in rural parts of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. “I realized through my ordeal that preventative health care is crucial,” she said.
mlive.comTaylor Lewan says Michigan sent cease and desist letter over T-shirt
Taylor Lewan and Michigan are at odds over an unlicensed T-shirt the NFL star’s podcast was promoting and selling, recently prompting the school to issue a “cease and desist” letter. The Tennessee Titans offensive tackle and three-time Pro Bowler, a co-host of the Barstool Sports-owned “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, vented about the situation Tuesday on social media from Phoenix, Ariz., site of this year’s Super Bowl. “One battle ends and one battle begins type sh-(expletive),” Lewan said in a self-recorded, 1-minute, 22-second video shared on Twitter. “It hurts when your alma mater gives you a C & D on the T-shirts that you’re wearing,” Lewan, a two-time All-American lineman at Michigan, continued. “I think it’s the people at the University of Michigan; not the football side.
mlive.com3 top-ranked US pizza spots are in Michigan and they’re not the usual suspects
Michigan has no shortage of the usual suspects when it comes to top pizza places like Buddy’s and Supino in Detroit, Mani Osteria in Ann Arbor, Licari’s and Harmony Brewing Company in Grand Rapids and D’Angelo’s in Bay City. Three other pizza spots are now getting some national attention that you might not expect as we celebrate National Pizza Day on Thursday, February 9. The first is in small-town Michigan at Patellie’s located at 28 North Elm Street in the Village of Three Oaks in southwest Michigan near New Buffalo and Michigan City.
mlive.comKids can have fun, get educational lessons at this Flushing playground venue
FLUSHING, MI - For those with children living in Genesee County, it might be a bit difficult finding a place to take your kids out for imaginative and educational play. It also has a grocery store, where kids can pretend they are ringing up or buying groceries like their parents. Coming in at 3,600 square feet, Toddler Country Play Café is in the same parking lot as Cops and Robbers Great Escape and The Grounds Driving Range and Pro Shop. “We have pizza, chicken bites, quesadillas, and French toast sticks for children,” Stroble said. Follow Toddler Country Play Café on Facebook, Instagram and visit its website.
mlive.comBay County’s Excited Goat Coffee Co. opening new location
BAY CITY, MI — Excited Goat Coffee Co. is preparing to open its second location Friday, Feb. 10, in Bay County. The coffee shop’s newest store can be found at 916 N. Euclid Ave in Bangor Township, and it’s opening to customers for the first time at 7 a.m. Friday. “We’re excited,” Josh Sharrow, who owns Excited Goat Coffee Co. with his sister Rachelle Ranville, told MLive/The Bay City Times a few weeks prior to the opening. “It was always the plan to expand.”Related: Michigan’s Best Local Eats: Try Excited Goat Coffee Co.’s lavender honey oat milk latteSharrow said Excited Goat is “like a mix between a country bar and a coffee shop.” He and Ranville, who previously owned City Grind at City Market, opened the first Excited Goat at 1480 W. Center Road in the Hampton Plaza in Essexville in December 2021. “We looked and looked and looked for different locations, and I’m really happy with what we chose,” Sharrow said of the new Euclid Avenue store.
mlive.comWith Michigan losing two aces, Lauren Derkowski ready to step into spotlight
As a freshman in 2022, Michigan’s Lauren Derkowski watched pitchers Meghan Beaubien and Alex Storako routinely mow down opposing hitters. Derkowski, who posted a 2.19 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings last season, believes she can step into that role. “I’ve worked so much with ‘Biggie’ (pitching coach Jennifer Brundage) on the mentality of pitching, on everything that you can possibly imagine. She and the rest of the team’s pitchers will have big shoes to fill when they open the season Thursday against South Florida in Tampa. “That is intimidating to look at if you didn’t have Lauren Derkowski and Jessica LeBeau,” Tholl said of how many innings Storako and Beaubien accounted for last year.
mlive.comThe spring signs we get in February
We know that February is flat out a winter month in Michigan- usually. Even with being a winter month, there are some changes in the weather and sky that are the first signs of the coming spring. All of the inching toward spring is based on a more direct and longer amount of sunshine. Since December 22 the sun has been inching higher in the sky. This sun position might not sound like a big deal but the more direct angle has higher heating capacity.
mlive.comKalamazoo County commissioners direct treasurer to provide financial report ‘under oath’
KALAMAZOO, MI -- The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to direct Treasurer Thomas Whitener to provide an official written report on financial information, in the wake of scrutiny and concerns about issues at the treasurer’s office. At the Tuesday, Feb. 7, Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Jen Strebs made a motion to direct the county treasurer to “provide an accurate, written official report under oath regarding the county’s fourth quarter 2022 investment report and statements of accounts, and bank reconciliation progress as necessary for the completion of the county’s audit with supporting documentation.”The motion directs Whitener to give the update at the next Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The item was added to the agenda during at the beginning of the commission meeting Tuesday night before it was approved by commissioners. Newly elected members of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners were sworn in to office in January. Read more:Accounting firm hired at $150 an hour to promote transparency at Kalamazoo County officeKalamazoo County hires finance director amid money issues in treasurer’s officeFalse reports of school shootings ‘nothing short of a nightmare’ with investigation ongoingMichigan reports drop in new COVID infections and deaths
mlive.comFalse reports of school shootings ‘nothing short of a nightmare’ with investigation ongoing
The FBI, state police and local police continue to investigate false threats of active shooters at schools across Michigan. “It’s creating a fear in the kids, the staff and the families – that’s the most disturbing part,” state police Lt. Michelle Robinson told MLive Tuesday, Feb. 7.
mlive.comMichigan reports drop in new COVID infections and deaths
Michigan health officials identified few COVID-19 infections and deaths last week, according to the latest weekly report. Michigan also reported 12 confirmed COVID deaths per day, which is down considerably from 29 per day this time last week. Since the start of the pandemic, the state has identified 3,036,304 confirmed and probable cases, and 41,809 confirmed and probable deaths. Of them, 2,605,166 cases and 37,766 deaths are confirmed, and 431,138 cases and 4,043 deaths are probable. Below is a chart that tracks the state’s seven-day average for reported, confirmed COVID-19 deaths per day over the course of the pandemic.
mlive.com3 men, 1 teen charged for smoke shop burglary in Ottawa County
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – Four suspects have been charged for their alleged roles in a burglary this week at an area smoke shop. The three Grand Rapids men were each charged with breaking and entering a building and resisting a police officer. RELATED: Police track down 4 burglary suspects whose vehicle crashes during I-96 pursuitA fourth suspect, a 16-year-old Grand Rapids boy, was referred to juvenile court on identical charges. The charges stem from a burglary shortly after 2 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, at Funky Monkey Smoke Shop in Coopersville. Police arrived at the scene as the burglary was in progress, but the suspects fled in a stolen vehicle.
mlive.com25 people rescued from ice floes on Lake Michigan and Huron
Twenty-five people were rescued from ice floes on two Great Lakes this week, prompting a warning from the Coast Guard about unsafe and changing conditions. The Coast Guard rescued 11 people, including six children, from the Green Bay ice off Sherwood Point near Sturgeon Bay, Wisc., on Monday evening, Feb. 6. Later, 14 people were rescued from Saginaw Bay. “The two large ice rescue cases highlight the unpredictability of the ice on the Great Lakes, especially with fluctuating temperatures,” said Capt. Timothy Holt, chief of incident management for the Coast Guard Ninth District.
mlive.comYou’ve never seen anything like it: Grueling, cold, whiteout madness of the world’s fastest snowmobile race
This weekend, race teams from across North America descended on the northern border town of Sault Ste. Marie for the 54th running of the International 500 Snowmobile Race. The race is considered the world’s most prestigious and grueling endurance snowmobile race, with 37 teams competing for the coveted racing trophy, said Ric Federau, the I-500 board chairman. 100 The 54th running of the I-500 Snowmobile RaceAlso on MLive:The Kentucky Derby of the UP: Scenes from the largest snowmobile race in North AmericaSon’s photo finish in Michigan’s I-500 snowmobile race comes exactly 17 years after father’s deathYooper couture: The best U.P. fashion from the nation’s biggest snowmobile raceSee results from the closest checkered flag in I-500 snowmobile race historyU.P.
mlive.comMichigan adds former college QB, Youngstown State assistant to staff
A former college quarterback with long-time ties to the state of Michigan has joined Jim Harbaugh’s staff. Sinagoga, who later attended Central Michigan, was most recently quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator at FCS Youngstown State. He will work directly to help support Kirk Campbell, who was recently elevated from analyst to quarterbacks coach at Michigan. He was a graduate assistant in 2014. Sinagoga went on to help at nearby CMU, where he served as a quality control coach and graduate assistant until 2017.
mlive.comHave a cup of coffee with a Jackson code enforcement officer and find out what they do
JACKSON, MI – Jackson residents soon can sit down, share a hot cup of coffee with a code enforcement officer and ask them what exactly they do. The city of Jackson is hosting an inaugural “Coffee with a Code Officer” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1107 Adrian St. Free coffee and doughnuts will be provided at the event. “There are often misconceptions about our work, so it’s important that residents understand all we do to help the community,” Code Enforcement Officer John O’Connor said. Working out of the city’s Department of Community Development, the officers also help Jackson look its best by following up on various blight, trash and property violations. More from The Jackson Citizen Patriot:Several Michigan school districts hit with fake active shooter threatsLicense plate reading cameras already helping to solve crimes in Napoleon, police sayCelebrate Black History Month with these Jackson County events
mlive.comWinter Severity Index quantifies our ‘almost unbelievable’ non-winter
The Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index is an easy way for us to look at our skimpy winter. The Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI) takes into account when winter weather started, how long it hangs on into spring, snowfall, sizes of snowfalls and various measurements of temperatures. The lowest winter severity index was only 190 on this date. Our winter experience has been built on two short, very harsh periods of winter weather and one other wintry period. The non-wintry stretch coming may flatline the AWSSI for a few more weeks and push some cities to a record low winter severity.
mlive.com‘Sigh of relief’: Jackson, Ann Arbor-area schools respond to fake active shooter threats
JACKSON, MI - Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Beal was on the phone with police about a potential active shooter at Jackson High School when he observed an “army” of police officers arriving on the scene to search the building. Other schools in Jackson County, including the da Vinci Institute, went into lockdown as a precautionary measure. While the lockdown at Jackson High was lifted shortly before 9:30 a.m., students and staff there and at Jackson Pathways were sent home by 10 a.m., Beal said. Additionally, swatting could result in charges including false report of a crime, false report resulting in physical injury, false report resulting in a serious bodily impairment and false report resulting in a death. READ MORE:Several Michigan school districts hit with fake active shooter threatsActive shooter report discredited in 2 minutes at Portage high schoolNo gun fired in Saginaw County’s Nouvel Catholic Central High School
mlive.comBiggest WWE event since ‘Wrestlemania’ coming to Michigan for 1st time in 30 years
DETROIT - Wrestling history is about to me made again in Michigan. The biggest professional wrestling event since “Wrestlemania” 23 is coming to the state later this year with the announcement of WWE’s “SummerSlam” at Ford Field on Saturday, August 5. This will be the first time “SummerSlam” has been held in Michigan since 1993 and the biggest wrestling event in the state since 2007 when “Wrestlemania” took place at Ford Field. “Landing WWE SummerSlam at Ford Field is a signature win for Detroit and continues the momentum of the Detroit Sports Commission in attracting major sporting events to the region,” said Detroit Sports Commission Executive Dir. “Metro Detroit enjoys a special place in WWE history and has produced many iconic moments.
mlive.comA Michigan school group’s push to label LGBTQ discussion as ‘rogue sex-ed’
The non-profit Great Schools Initiative (GSI) first registered with Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs on Sept. 12, 2022. Particularly, in their view, as it intersects with the existence of LGBTQ individuals within Michigan schools. Under Michigan law, the state is not required to teach sex education but is required to educate students about HIV/AIDS. If sex education is taught, it must be medically accurate and taught by someone qualified to teach health education, though it does not need to be comprehensive. A request for comment from the Michigan Department of Education regarding GSI’s initiative was met with an emailed memorandum sent to educators Thursday, Feb. 2.
mlive.comMuskegon-area high school wrestling team district matchups and schedules
A team member of Whitehall High School’s wrestling team puts on the red ankle marker during the division 2 and 3 team wrestling semifinals at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.Gabi Broekema | MLive.com
mlive.comFour Flint-area boys basketball teams ranked among state’s best by The Associated Press
FLINT – Genesee Christian’s reign as the No. 1-ranked Division 4 basketball team in Michigan lasted exactly one week. A 59-36 loss to Beecher knocked the Soldiers (12-3) from first to third in this week’s Associated Press poll.
mlive.comNo gun fired in Saginaw County’s Nouvel Catholic Central High School
SAGINAW TWP, MI — Contrary to social media rumors, no gunshots have been fired in Nouvel Catholic Central High School. “However, we believe this could be part of a coordinated effort.”MSP troopers, Saginaw County Sheriff’s deputies, and police from Saginaw city and Saginaw, Richland, and Thomas townships responded to the school. Within two minutes of the initial report, police entered the school, said Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Blair N. Stevenson. The internet rumor mill quickly began churning out allegations that a gun had been fired within a Nouvel classroom. In light of the threat, Saginaw Township Community Schools put all of its schools in secure mode for the rest of the day.
mlive.comActive shooter report discredited in 2 minutes at Portage high school
PORTAGE, MI – It took about two minutes to discredit a report of a shooting at Portage Northern High School on Tuesday morning. The caller claimed multiple shots were fired, a joint news release from the city of Portage and Portage Public Schools said. The FBI and Michigan State Police are involved in the investigation at Portage, VanderWiere said. Portage Northern High School enrolled 1,289 students the 2021-22 school year, according to most recent state data. “We’re lucky to have the partnership that we do with the Portage Public Safety Department.
mlive.comSee 2023 Saginaw-area wrestling team, individual district brackets
Tournament season has hit, with wrestling team and individual districts kicking off the winter season post-season events for Michigan high schools. Saginaw-area teams will compete in the team districts Wednesday and Thursday, with the individual wrestling districts Saturday.
mlive.comHow to virtually tune in to a Mass at this unique U.P. ice chapel
HOUGHTON, MICH. -- The deep snow country of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is once again home to a hand-built chapel made of snow and ice. “Our Lady of the Snows” Ice Chapel and its annual Ice Mass have become beloved traditions during Michigan Technological University’s annual Winter Carnival, the region’s largest seasonal festival. Ben Hasse stands in a pulpit made of snow and "stained ice" during the 2022 Ice Mass in Our Lady of the Snows Ice Chapel. | Photo courtesy of St. Albert the Great University ParishThe tradition began in 2016 and has expanded every year since, according to the parish. This year St. Albert’s will host three Ice Masses in the Our Lady of the Snows Ice Chapel, the first of which will be live-streamed on Facebook on Friday, Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m. EST.
mlive.comPair of $1 million winners sold in Michigan for $754 million Powerball drawing
LANSING, MI -- Two lucky lottery players in Michigan brought home $1 million prizes Monday night as they matched all five white numbers drawn -- 05-11-22-23-69 -- for the $754 million Powerball jackpot on Feb. 6. The other winning ticket was bought on the Michigan Lottery website. Related story: Powerball results for 02/06/23; 1 winner of $754 million jackpotAlong with the two winners in Michigan, three tickets sold in New York won $1 million and a player in Texas won $2 million. For the latest on Michigan Lottery, check out the official Michigan Lottery site, which also offers more information on instant tickets, raffles and other lottery games. And while they were lucky winners, it’s smart for players to check their tickets immediately as a winner worth $1 million sold in Warren 2021 went unclaimed.
mlive.comEx-Wolverine on 1989 title team, Demetrius Calip, dies at 53
Demetrius Calip, a member of the Michigan men’s basketball team that won the 1989 national championship, has died at 53. The Michigan basketball program shared the news on social media on Monday night. He scored nine points in an NCAA Tournament first-round win over Xavier during the championship run, and played 11 minutes in the title game against Seton Hall. Current Michigan head coach Juwan Howard, whose playing career at Michigan started one season after Calip’s ended, shared his condolences on social media. “If Calip doesn’t come off the bench to give us key plays and 9 points, I doubt we beat Xavier.
mlive.comUnpredictable winters are here to stay. How will Michigan ski resorts adapt?
Jeffrey Andresen, professor of climatology at Michigan State University, said that unpredictability is here to stay, challenging snow-dependent ski businesses. On the current trajectory, Michigan winters are going to continue getting warmer and wetter into the foreseeable future. This creates a real issue for snowmakers like Aaron Teesdale who works overnight from close to open managing the 37 snow guns at Cannonsburg. Both resorts have been in the snowmaking business for decades; their snowmaking teams are recognized among ski resorts in California, Colorado and Canada, among others. Jim MacInnes, CEO and co-owner of Crystal Mountain, reflected on the resort’s snowmaking investment from seven snow guns in 1985 to the resorts current 175 snow guns pumping out 5,000 gallons of water per minute.
mlive.comShop small and enter for a chance to win $400 at the Bay City Boutique Love Crawl
BAY CITY, MI — Several downtown Bay City boutiques are hosting a Bay City Boutique Love Crawl this week, just ahead of Valentine’s Day. This special shopping event is a way to support area small businesses and possibly win prizes. Shoppers can pick up a punch card at any participating store, visit all eight, then return their punch card at their eighth and final stop for a chance to win $400 in boutique gift cards. The boutique crawl begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, and continues through 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. The following shops are participating:SoCal Threads, 140 Uptown DriveOMONI Boutique, 130 Uptown DriveBelieve Inspire Beauty, 132 Uptown Drrive and 906 Washington Ave.Fern Boutique, 922 Washington Ave.Panache Boutique, 214 Center Ave.Kenz & Rose, 820 Saginaw St.Ellie & Isabelle, 906 N. Waters St.Vintage Greenhouse, 925 N. Water St.For more information, find Bay City Boutique Love Crawl on Facebook.
mlive.comValentine’s Ghost Hunt offered at Michigan’s abandoned Eloise Asylum
You can go ghost hunting on the most romantic night of the year inside Eloise Asylum, said to be one of the most haunted places in the state. Participants for this will receive a paranormal tour of Eloise Asylum and look for proof of paranormal activity with professional ghost hunters. Lastly, a new escape room at Eloise Asylum opens to the public on February 11. Herzog says he hopes to open a third thriller-based escape room at Eloise before the end of the year. Eloise Asylum was founded as a poorhouse in 1839 before it became one of the largest public healthcare facilities in the U.S.
mlive.comBurl & Sprig distillery partnering with Muskegon Heights cafe to offer Cajun cuisine
MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - A new menu filled with Cajun flavors will soon be available at a downtown Muskegon distillery. Burl and Sprig, located at 333 W. Western Ave., is partnering with The Us Cafe in Muskegon Heights to provide a new culinary experience inspired by Creole recipes beginning next week. Related: Downtown Muskegon partnership with distillery turns empty lot into ‘social sandbox’Thornton-Hunter said Burl and Sprig was leasing out its kitchen and looking for a brand to partner with at the time. The full menu will drop at the Burl and Sprig Cajun Cuisine launch party Wednesday, Feb. 15. The classic drinks offered at Burl and Sprig will complement the dishes made with Cajun seasonings from Thornton-Hunter’s small business, Kaja’s Flavor.
mlive.comNew era of Michigan softball set to begin under Bonnie Tholl
When Bonnie Tholl was hired as a Michigan softball assistant coach in 1994, she had dreams of leading her alma mater at some point in her career. “I’m somebody who thinks often before they actually enter into a situation,” Tholl said during Monday’s team media day. “I think the big thing is that we’ve had a long, rich history in Michigan softball,” Tholl said. That’s really the philosophy yet being able to kind of utilize some of my own ideas and my own skill set to elevate the program. I’ve asked them to embrace the feistiness of a team that’s fighting to create an identity, and they’ve done so.
mlive.comTop 25 Michigan high school boys basketball rankings for Feb. 7, 2023
Here is MLive’s latest high school top 25 boys basketball rankings for the state of Michigan. Report any updates to japurcell@mlive.com or tag/DM @JaredPurcellDET on Twitter with your missing scores. Watervliet (13-1)
mlive.comWhat does Michigan need to do to make the NCAA Tournament?
Last season, Michigan snuck into the NCAA men’s basketball Tournament as the last team to avoid a play-in game. This year’s Wolverines, at the moment, have a considerably less impressive résumé. As a result, no bracket projections include Michigan.
mlive.comMichigan leaders vote to change presidential primary election date from March to February
Michigan will become one of the first primaries in the country and the first in the Midwest after a National Democratic Party approved sweeping changes to the primary election calendar for the 2024 election on Saturday.