Local archive
Education
Alpena County Administrator Jesse Osmer proposed placing the county fairgrounds under the Parks and Recreation committee, arguing the change could ease pressure on the general fund while directing existing recreation money toward needed improvements. Committee members opposed moving the MSU Extension office, and two board members said they did not support transferring the fairgrounds.
Community Thunder Bay River
Visit Alpena highlights a dozen places in and around Alpena for fall color, including lakeside trails, Ocqueoc Falls, wooded pathways, wildflower habitat and dark-sky parks.
Culture
The 75th Posen Potato Festival ended Sunday after a busy weekend of concerts, family activities, a grand parade and community events. Organizers credited the Sawyer Brown concert, favorable weather and volunteers for the strong turnout, while Blackwater NE said more events are planned for Posen.
Education
Alpena Public Schools is considering a $29 million bond proposal that could go before voters in May 2027, with the district outlining possible building, safety, accessibility and athletic improvements while preparing for community input this fall.
Business & Openings
Target Alpena has selected Andrew Thomson, an Alpena native and longtime community leader in Chelsea, Michigan, as its next executive director after a two-month search that attracted 30 applicants. Thomson will begin Oct. 5, succeeding interim executive director Mike Mahler.
Culture Downtown Alpena
A $50,000 crowdfunding campaign could unlock a matching MEDC grant and help Thunder Bay Theatre complete the final work needed to reopen its historic 400 N. 2nd Ave. building after two fires and a six-year hiatus.
Community Lake Huron Waterfront
A livestream from Alpena’s Lake Huron region will take viewers into the Middle Island Sinkhole, an oxygen-poor ecosystem that scientists study for clues about early life on Earth.
Community
The Alpena Lions Club will celebrate its centennial Oct. 16-17 with a Boys & Girls Club fundraiser, a community event at McRae Park and an anniversary banquet at the APlex featuring former Lions International President Brian Sheehan.
Culture Downtown Alpena
The Association of Lifelong Learners has announced a Sept. 21-25 program schedule featuring a first look at the renovated Thunder Bay Theatre, a presentation by stone artist Autumn Bildson, a public event at a new Alcona County facility and a technology workshop led by Alpena High School DECA students.
Community
The Alpena Township Fire Department’s annual Fire Prevention Open House on Oct. 3 will offer station tours, demonstrations and hands-on activities, with a special focus on lithium-ion battery charging hazards ahead of Fire Prevention Week.
Sport
The Alpena Wildcats lost 29-12 to Escanaba on Friday, dropping to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in the Big North Conference. Alpena begins a home stretch Friday against Gaylord at Park Family Field at Wildcat Stadium, with Valor Night and a scheduled F-16 flyover planned.
Sport
Alpena High School’s boys’ soccer team battled Gaylord to a 2-2 draw Thursday in a Big North Conference match at Gaylord. Jackson Birmingham and Joe LaCross scored for the Wildcats, while goalkeeper Jayden Crandall made five saves.
Sport
The Alpena High School girls swimming team scored 214 points to finish third Saturday at the eight-team Stephanie Rice Memorial Swim Meet in Ogemaw. The Wildcats recorded several personal records and will travel to Alma on Tuesday for a 5 p.m. dual meet.
Traffic & Construction Thunder Bay River
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reports limited but varied fishing activity around Alpena, including walleye near North Point and Sulphur Island, lake trout and Chinook salmon in Thunder Bay, and salmon near the Ninth Street Bridge.
Sport
Friends of Plaza Pool will host an adults-only euchre tournament Sept. 20 at the Alpena Eagles Club, with games, food, prizes and fundraising activities planned.
Education Chisholm Street
Alpena Public Schools and nearby Alcona Community Schools commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with announcements, moments of silence and age-appropriate classroom discussions. A large American flag flew above Chisholm Street in Alpena in honor of those killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Community
A student-led partnership has brought a permanent beach cleanup station to Starlite Park, giving Alpena residents and visitors buckets to collect litter and help protect Lake Huron.
Sport
The Alpena Sportsmen’s Club is preparing for the 2026 hunting season with new archery targets, planned indoor-range improvements and sight-in days scheduled for Nov. 1-14. Members are also answering questions about Michigan’s 2026 deer-season changes and the Lower Peninsula’s one-buck limit beginning in 2027.
Community Water Street Commons
Alpena’s city council unanimously approved a temporary downtown safety demonstration that will add painted curb extensions, new crosswalks and flexible posts at four intersections. The Alpena Downtown Development Authority plans to install the changes Oct. 2 during the One Water Gathering, then collect traffic and pedestrian data through December to support possible permanent improvements and a future state grant application.
Education
The AMA ESD is asking voters in Alpena, Montmorency and Alcona counties to continue a 1.2872-mill levy that supports special education programs, services and reimbursements to local school districts.
Community
As the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks approaches, Alpena-area firefighters and residents are reflecting on what they saw, how public safety changed and why younger generations need to learn what happened.
Sport
Alpena travels to Escanaba at 7 p.m. Friday seeking a second win of the season, while Rogers City, Alcona, Hillman and other area teams also prepare for Week 3 football matchups.
Business & Openings Water Street Commons
Target Alpena interim director Mike Mahler says two major Alpena development projects are moving forward, though the Gardens of Alpena still lacks a groundbreaking date and the former DPI property faces major infrastructure needs. He also expects vacant downtown storefronts to eventually attract new businesses despite recent closures and relocations.
Crime & Public Safety
James Walsh, 33, waived his preliminary examination Wednesday in Alpena’s 88th District Court. He faces three charges tied to an investigation involving conversations with an individual posing as a 13-year-old girl, according to The Alpena News.
Community Water Street Commons
Alpena will celebrate its new Bird City Michigan designation on Saturday, Sept. 26, with a morning bird walk at Sytek Park and free family activities, conservation displays and hands-on projects along the South Riverfront.
Community
Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan will hold its 2026 Annual Dinner on Oct. 9, featuring elk-viewing carriage rides past new Habitat homes in Hillman, a gourmet dinner at Thunder Bay Resort and a keynote address by orsa foundation Executive Director Matt Nahan.
Community
Alpena Golf Club’s latest results include a shared low score of 47, hole-by-hole honors, and a full slate of Ladies Golf Association winners across four flights.
Education
Milo Dahleen of Alpena High School was named a semifinalist in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, placing him among more than 16,000 students nationwide competing for about 6,700 scholarships.
Community
St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alpena will host its Harvest Dinner on Sept. 24, with two dine-in seatings, takeout service and a traditional menu of meat, vegetables, rolls and pie.
Crime & Public Safety
The trial of Aaron Pokorzynski in Alpena County is expected to move from Jan. 26 after his defense attorney cited an out-of-state seminar and indicated that as many as three motions could be filed.
