Local News in Leelanau County
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Leelanau County 16 storiesWiden to Greater Traverse City

Glen Arbor Players present “The Savannah Sipping Society”
The Glen Arbor Player will perform "The Savannah Sipping Society" as their last play of the 2026 season. Don Kuehlhorn directs the play that he describes as a laugh-a-minute comedy that follows four unique Southern women who, seeking to escape the monotony of their daily lives,…

“I found the will to do it.” Matt Darling swims across Manitou Passage in 4 hours, 21 minutes
After years of checking weather forecasts and waiting for the perfect window to safely swim across the Manitou Passage, Matthew Darling found the gap in the clouds he had been waiting for on Sept. 3. "Like that Temptations song. 'The third of September, a day I'll always…

Celebrate SunDay 2026 with Leelanau Energy
Local nonprofit Leelanau Energy will host its second annual SunDay on Sunday, September 20, with an additional family event on Tuesday, September 22. These free community events will highlight solar power, renewable energy, and explore how individuals and communities can help…

Traverse City Police to hold event to reduce stigma around homelessness
Traverse City’s Resilience Night brings the community together with music, food and stories from unhoused neighbors to reduce stigma around homelessness.

River Club holds Sept. 12 Run & Hole in One
The River Club Glen Arbor will holds its first annual 5K and 10K Run & Hole in One on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 9 am. Click here for information and to sign up. After the run athletes will gather at River Club, enjoy a free meal, awards ceremony, a hole in one contest and live…

“We remember the fallen.” Glen Arbor commemorates 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
Each year on September 11, Glen Arbor holds a memorial ceremony at the Fire Department at 8:30 am to commemorate the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. This year marks 25 years since the attacks. Glen Arbor resident Ted Peterson designed the memorial which sits in front…

Glen Arbor Arts Center exhibit takes flight
For centuries, humans have been captivated by the idea of flight—not only as a physical act, but as a symbol of possibility, freedom, and transformation, writes Katie Dunn. That longing to rise beyond the limits of the earth continues to stir our imagination, inviting all of us…

Back to (after) school SEEDS continues filling after school gap at six local schools
By: Elizabeth Dunham Staff Writer Summer camp students learn during an educational presentation at Hartwick Pines. Kalkaska Public Schools and Forest Area Community Schools districts, back to school also means back to SEEDS EcoSchool. SEEDS EcoSchool is a program of SEEDS Ecology…

Grand Traverse County Metro Fire to memorialize 25th anniversary of 9/11
The ceremony takes place at the Grand Traverse 9/11 Memorial Park at 897 Parsons Road in Traverse City. Those attending will gather around the roughly 3000-pound World Trade Center beam for moments of prayer and silence to honor those lost.

Performing arts rebound at Leelanau County schools
In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic brought confusion and uncertainty to public school extracurricular programs across the U.S. In Leelanau County schools, sports seasons were cancelled or postponed, various academic and creative clubs were brought to a halt—and student actors and…

Historical Society holds Leelanau Maritime History Festival
The Leelanau Historical Society (LHS) is set to host the annual Leelanau Maritime History Festival on Saturday, Sept. 12. This well-loved festival, along with the equally loved 21st annual Wood Boats on the Wall, welcomes guests along the newly constructed boardwalk overlooking…

East Bay Drive returns to The Homestead’s “Music on the Mountain” series
The concluding show for Music On The Mountain at The Homestead on Sept. 9 will feature the easy-grooving sounds of East Bay Drive, the popular Traverse City-based jazz band. Now an official five-piece, it will be augmented again this year by special guest Miriam Pico on vocals.…