The U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously sided with Dana Nessel in the ongoing dispute over the Line 5 pipeline. Justices ruled Enbridge missed a key deadline to move the case to federal court, meaning it will stay in Michigan’s state court system. The decision doesn’t determine whether Line 5 will shut down, but it’s a […]

Water levels remain high across much of Northern Michigan, and while some areas are beginning to stabilize, impacts from the flooding are still widespread. In places like Black Lake and along the Cheboygan River system, some residents are only now able to begin recovery, while others are still dealing with standing water and limited access. […]

Water levels are slowly dropping at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam after crews successfully restarted the adjoining hydroelectric plant Friday. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, turbines are now pushing about one-third more water through the system—an extra 2,000 cubic feet per second. As of Sunday morning, levels had fallen slightly and remain […]

Flooding concerns continue across Northern Michigan, though there are some signs of stabilization. On the Island, work on East Side Drive is progressing well with the road passable and residents in the area saying it no longer is a challenge to get through. At the Cheboygan Dam, water levels remain high with residents still in […]

Even as an evacuation order was lifted for some low-lying areas near Cheboygan Wednesday, concerns remain about high water across Northern Michigan. The earlier evacuation followed a levee breach in the Little Black River watershed—not the Cheboygan Dam—but water levels at the lock and dam complex continue to fluctuate. After rising overnight, levels dipped slightly […]

We start with an updated look at island road conditions. At last report yesterday afternoon from Peaine Township Supervisor Maria Dal Pra East Side Drive was still passable, but problems are worsening in spots. Washouts remain at Nomad’s Corner, with deeper water and damage reported north of Kilty’s Point, where a culvert is now exposed. […]

The melting snow and rain continue to present problems for East Side Drive near the south end. Peaine Township Supervisor Maria Dal Pra took a survey drive and found the road passable as of yesterday, but is some places only the drown of the road is visible, and there are places near Nomad’s corner where […]

The Emerald Isle’s first official roundtrip of the season leaves Charlevoix this morning at 8:30, and she heads back across at 11:20, her new earlier departure time from the Island. She headed out yesterday from the Island on a repositioning cruise to get ready for today’s trip. The 11:20 Island Departures are Monday, Wednesday and […]

First some news…   With the start of its season set for tomorrow, the Emerald Isle headed out headed out for a test run yesterday, taking advantage of the area cleared by the Bristol Bay last Friday.  The first departure is set for 11:20 tomorrow.   One year after the devastating northern Michigan ice storm […]

The first ferry trip of the season is scheduled for Wednesday with a departure at 11:20. That looked in doubt last week with Paradise Bay still covered in ice, but the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay came to the rescue on Friday clearing a path for the Emerald Isle to sail. WVBI’s […]