Local archive
Traffic & Construction
The Alpena County Road Commission has begun a 4.3-mile resurfacing project on Spruce Road between Nicholson Hill Road and Precour Road. Traffic regulators will maintain a single lane while work is underway, with completion expected in about four days if weather permits.
Crime & Public Safety
A Michigan state crime lab is expected to search the alleged victim’s phone for communications and other evidence in the criminal case against Shaun Lozen, but the device had not yet been sent as of a Sept. 21 hearing in Alpena’s 26th Circuit Court.
Community
The Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union donated $100 to the Poetics Lab to support its Prominent Poet series, while its member-funded Community Investment Fund is set to return up to $320,406 to area communities in 2026.
Sport
Alpena High School’s boys soccer team captured the Sunrise Side Soccer Challenge after defeating Grayling 4-2 and Cheboygan twice by 5-0 scores. Eight Wildcats scored during the tournament, while the team’s defense produced a shutout in the championship rematch.
Sport
Alpena High School junior Alexander Allen won the boys race at the 58th Annual Holly-Duane Raffin Festival of Races, while the Wildcats boys finished 13th and the girls placed 15th.
Community
Children at Camper’s Cove connected with Alpena County Sheriff’s Office representative Trayton Tuinstra during the campground’s annual Halloween celebration Saturday.
Community North Second Avenue
The Salvation Army of Alpena County is collecting coats and other winter clothing for local families, with donations accepted at 722 N. 2nd Ave. during weekday hours and through an after-hours drop-off bin.
Community
Eulah Benson is celebrating her 100th birthday in Alpena with family, friends and church members at JJ’s Steak and Pizza House. Known locally as the Purple Lady, Benson has spent a century building a family, running a business, serving others and embracing life’s changes with determination and kindness.
Traffic & Construction Thunder Bay River
The Thunder Bay Audubon Society will lead a free, beginner-friendly bird walk Saturday morning from Sytek Park, with additional Bird City Celebration activities planned later at South Riverfront Park.
Community
Camper’s Cove owner Mark Hall met Demi Rhode and her infant son, Weston, during the campground’s Halloween costume contest in Alpena on Saturday.
Sport
The Alpena Jets flag football program played its second game Sunday against the Packers, while the program’s four tackle football teams posted a 3-1 record Saturday.
Education
Chris Kauffman, Class of 2003, and Corey Brooker, Class of 1990, will be inducted into the Alpena Wildcat Alumni Hall of Fame during Homecoming festivities on Sept. 25, 2026.
Community
Gaylord rallied twice in the second half to defeat Alpena 30-22 at Wildcat Stadium, sending the Wildcats to their third straight Big North Conference loss.
Sport
Thunder Bowl Lanes’ weekly results recognize bowlers across 11 leagues, with Ryan Woody and Mike Luebke tying the top Commercial score at 705 and John Monson leading the Century league with 666.
Education
Alpena Community College has opened a free market pantry in the Besser Technical Center, giving students access to food, hygiene supplies, meal cards and nutrition education through a $99,700 state grant.
Community
MyMichigan Health will host a special breast cancer screening event at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena on Oct. 15, with mammograms available from 5 to 7 p.m. Appointments are required, and patients can schedule through the MyMichigan Access Center.
Sport
The Alpena boys tennis team defeated Harbor Springs 8-0 on Thursday, winning all four singles matches and six of eight doubles contests, with two Alpena doubles victories coming by forfeit.
Culture
Art in the Loft is restructuring after all staff members resigned, as the Alpena nonprofit faces grant cuts, reduced attendance and significant funding needs.
Community
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer approved nearly $7 million in disaster assistance, including a $709,225 allocation shared by Alpena and six other counties affected by a severe March 2026 winter storm.
Sport
The 1-2 Alpena Wildcats will host the 1-2 Gaylord Blue Devils at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, seeking to recover from penalties, miscues and a difficult loss to Escanaba. Alpena also will try to answer last season’s 41-0 defeat to Gaylord and return to the Big North Conference race.
Community
Alpena County voters can cast ballots early at the Alpena Township Civic Building on U.S. 23 North from Oct. 24 through Nov. 1, 2026. Voters may also use no-excuse absentee voting, but key mailing and ballot-return deadlines apply.
Sport
The Alpena High School girls swimming team defeated Alma 108-60 in a Sept. 15 dual meet, winning several events and recording multiple personal records.
Sport
LaRae Rutenbar has been named the 2026 Golfer of the Year by the Alpena Golf Club Ladies Golf Association, recognizing her season in the women’s league.
Crime & Public Safety
Preliminary examinations for Benjamin Mckinnon and Heather Phillips were adjourned in Alpena’s 88th District Court, with new hearing dates set for Sept. 29 and Oct. 9.
Sport
Sam Bastow scored twice in the first half as Alpena defeated Cadillac 2-0 in boys varsity soccer. The Wildcats preserved the shutout with two saves from goalkeeper Jayden Crandall and a strong defensive effort late in the match.
Traffic & Construction
A Texas Air National Guard F-16 crashed Thursday near Traverse City during a routine training mission from the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. The pilot ejected safely, and Alpena Public Schools canceled Friday’s Valor Game flyover.
Community
Alpena County officials discussed alleged fairgrounds violations after the 2026 fair, including missing food licenses, unauthorized camping, property damage, late equipment removal and concerns that the county’s camping license could be jeopardized.
Community
The Boys & Girls Club of Alpena will host its Bowl for Great Futures Halloween Bowling Fundraiser on Oct. 9 at Thunder Bowl Lanes, bringing together bowlers, sponsors, volunteers and supporters to raise money for local youth programs.
Sport
F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Texas Air National Guard are scheduled to fly over Wildcat Stadium after the national anthem Friday, Sept. 18, before Alpena faces Gaylord in the annual Valor Game.
Education
The League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan will host a free, nonpartisan question-and-answer event for Alpena Public Schools board candidates on Sept. 23.
