Pastor Lance Reflects on Sunday Gatherings at Petoskey Church of Christ

Sunday mornings are the hinge of our week. Not because the building is special — it isn't. Not because the music is special — it's good, but it's not the point. They're the hinge because that's when we remember together. Three things we keep coming back to Scripture, read slowly enough that it can land. The table, where we are equally welcome. Each other — names, faces, whatever this week has held. If you've been away a while, that's fine. The seat is still there.

Addressing Rumors Regarding Data Center

Emmet County Planning & Zoning is aware that claims have been circulating on social media that a data center proposal will be considered by the Planning Commission at their April meeting. We also have heard concerns that the Planning Commission is adopting ordinance language to allow or facilitate data centers. Please note the following facts: A data center proposal is NOT on the April 9 Planning Commission agenda. As of the date/time of this posting, no site plan, proposal, or inquiry regarding a possible data center has been received by the Emmet County Planning & Zoning department. The April 9 Planning Commission agenda includes discussion of Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments for storage uses. As part of this review process, the Planning Commission was provided analysis and sample ordinance language regarding data centers and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Currently the Emmet County Zoning Ordinance does not include provisions to regulate data centers and BESS facilities. State law prohibits exclusionary zoning – meaning the County cannot use the Zoning Ordinance to exclude a certain type of land use. It is therefore not possible to simply reject any data center proposal or adopt an ordinance that would ban data centers entirely. The Planning Commission is not reacting to a specific request, but rather they are working to get ahead of the issue by reviewing case studies and sample ordinances to determine how to appropriately regulate these uses within the law and in a way that best protects the health, safety, and welfare of our community. For more information, please review the Planning Commission Packet.

Alanson Village Council Meeting Notice

Spring Clean-Up Pickup Delayed to Wednesday or Thursday

Delay: Annual Spring Clean-Up Pickup Posted on May 22nd, 2026 var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":false}; Due to an equipment issue, pickup of materials left by the road for annual spring clean-up will not be completed until Wednesday or Thursday next week. Sorry for the inconvenience, but it will get done.

Recycling Carts Resume Service Monday April 27 After Frost Law Delay

Recycling Carts Back in Action – Monday April 27th! Posted on April 26th, 2026 var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":false}; Since Friday, March 6, Emmet County Recycling (ECR) has not been able to service the rolling recycling carts for residents in Bay Harbor, Bear Creek, Little Traverse, and Resort townships due to weight restrictions on the roads called Frost Laws. Starting Tuesday, April 21that 7 AM, the weight restrictions have been lifted and the big trucks are allowed back on all roads. This means that the cart’s “spring break” is over and they can be placed at the curb for service again.   Reminders as we return to normal operations: Lid on paper, boxes and bags wheeled cart should be able to close. Cardboard in your wheeled cart should be no larger than 2’ x 2’. If you have excess, it needs to be in a container of similar size to the small, green totes. Or visit one of twelve drop sites. If there are high winds, hold your bins – we don’t want to litter! To stay in the know, visit our website, sign up for Emmet County Recycling’s E-newsletter, and follow our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. Call 231-348-0640 or email [email protected] if you have further questions.  

Resort Township Compost Site Reopens Saturday May 2

Compost Site Will Open May 2, 2026 Posted on April 20th, 2026 var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":false}; The Resort Township Compost Collection Site, located at 4888 Resort Pike Road, will reopen for the 2026 season starting Saturday May 2, 2026. Residents may visit Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, from 8am-6pm or Saturday, and Sunday from 10am-5pm. At this time, we are accepting branches/tree limbs 1″ to 4″ in diameter. For additional information regarding what items are accepted at the Township Compost Park please visit our Compost Page.

Environmental Committee Meeting Cancelled June 2

Cancelled: Environmental Committee Meeting Posted on June 1st, 2026 var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":false}; The Environmental Committee meeting scheduled for 5:30pm Tuesday, June 2, 2026 has been cancelled due to lack of agenda items. The next meeting is currently scheduled for 5:30pm Tuesday August 4, 2026. Additional information can be found in the Meeting Notice.

Curbside Spring Clean-Up 2026: May 18-22 in Resort Township

Curbside Spring Clean-up 2026 Posted on May 11th, 2026 var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":false}; Curbside Spring Clean-up 2026 *** Change from last year roadside cleanup will start Monday, May 18th and continue through the week*** The general curbside spring cleanup will take place starting Monday, May 18, 2026. You can put up to 2 cubic yards of miscellaneous material out at the edge of the road. This would be a pile approximately 4’x4’x4’ high. It should be at the street no sooner than Monday, May 11th. The trucks will be starting early, and there will be NO return trips. Everything they pickup will go into the landfill. A change from past years is that small plastic devices (printers, coffee makers, vacuums etc.) are no longer recyclable and should be included in the curbside pickup. Things that will NOT be picked up are hazardous materials, mattresses, paint, TVs, tires, and used oil. Yard waste may be taken to the compost collection site at 4888 Resort Pike Rd for recycling. Broken glass must be in a container, and other small items must be in a container weighing no more than 50 pounds. If you wish to keep your container, please mark “SAVE” on it. Do not put trash out until about May 11th and remove anything left the next week as we want to keep our community looking nice. If you have more than 2 cubic yards of rubbish, please call GFL trash haulers and make private arrangements for the extra pick up. A final reminder: Garbage trucks will not be asked to go back for a forgotten residence; no exceptions. Please have your pile out by 7:00am Monday, May 18th. If you have any questions call the Township Hall at 347-7915 or email Suzanne Coveyou at [email protected].

Township Recycling Day: Saturday May 16, 9am-1pm

Township Recycling Day 2026 Posted on May 6th, 2026 var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":false}; Township Recycling Day 2026 The annual Township Recycle Day is scheduled for Saturday May 16, 2026 from 9:00am until 1:00pm and will occur at the Resort Township Hall (2232 Resort Pike Road). Residents are responsible for transporting their materials to the Township Hall. Materials accepted on Recycle Day include, Car tires (up to 4 allowed) Skid Steer, tractor tires or tires more than 10 ply and 20″ NOT ALLOWED Lawn equipment Metal of all kinds Appliances – refrigerators, washers, microwaves, stoves, etc. Batteries – car batteries and household type batteries (can also be dropped off at the Hall year round) Computers, monitors TV’s and other electronics Mattresses of any size – must be clean and dry Not Accepted – Small appliances – toasters, coffee makers, vacuums are NOT recyclable, please put along roadside for pickup the week of May 18th Vouchers are also available throughout the year to take up to 2 cubic yards of rubbish to the Emmet County Transfer Center on Pleasantview Road by Harbor Springs. Each Resort Township residence can receive 2 vouchers per year at the Township Hall offices and haul your own trash/recycling. If you have any questions call the Township Hall at 347-7915 or email Suzanne Coveyou at [email protected].

Park Garden Parking Lot Improvements Project Update

May 1, 2026 Construction Update - Park Garden Parking Lot Reconstruction Majority of the removals are complete Concrete work in process Storm water infrastructure will be completed early May Irrigation and landscaping started Grading and aggregate base placement early May Paving mid-May Cleanup, restoration, pavement markings, signage and pay station installation to follow paving Anticipating completion Memorial Day weekend Thank you for your understanding and patience throughout the construction process.  If you have any questions or would like additional information regarding this project, please contact the Construction Engineer, Matt Miller or Director of Public Works, Jason Fate at 231-347-2500.

Howard & East Mitchell Street Reconstruction Project Update

May 1, 2026  Construction Update - Howard & East Mitchell Street Reconstruction Sanitary sewer main replacement complete Water main replacement will be complete early May Storm sewer replacement will be complete early May Intersection planter removed and replaced Majority of the removals are complete Traffic signal rewiring work started Concrete sidewalk and curb work to start early May Sidewalk and intersection decorative brick work to follow concrete placement Anticipating completion mid- June Thank you for your understanding and patience throughout the construction process.  If you have any questions or would like additional information regarding this project, please contact the Construction Engineer, Matt Miller or Director of Public Works, Jason Fate at 231-347-2500. Click here to review street detour map.

Little Traverse Wheelway Restoration Basis of Design Report

Click here for more information on the LTW Restoration Basis of Design Report. 

Deer Population Complaint Form Available

City residents have the ability to notify the City of a deer concern.  The concern may be related to population, location, destructive behavior, etc.  Let the City know the day and approximate time of occurrence as well as the frequency.  Click here to submit the form.

Interactive Capital Budget Available

The City is focused on enhancing infrastructure and public services through projects that improve residents' quality of life.  Citizens can view the interactive 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Plan by visiting the following link.  2026-2031 Interactive Capital Budget

Residential Rubbish Collection Program Schedule

The City's 2026 Weekly Residential Rubbish-Collection Program will consist of a spring and fall collection period. Spring collection will be for a period of two weeks, which will occur mid to late May. Fall collection will be for a period of two weeks in late August and early September. This four-week-long program will provide collection services to City residents located West of Howard Street on Tuesdays and to residents East of Howard Street on Wednesdays. Weekly, residential, rubbish-drop-off-program services again will be provided by the City of Petoskey Department of Public Works crews within the Bay Harbor portion of the City. This four-weekend-long program will provide rubbish drop-off services during a two weekend period in the spring and a two weekend period in the fall. Drop off sites will be available at the southeast and southwest ends of Bay Harbor.Click here for complete details!

Information on May 5 Special Election

Absentee ballots are available for the May 5, 2025 Special Election.  The City of Petoskey Clerk’s Office mailed absentee ballots to permanent mail ballot voters on March 25. If you did not receive your permanent mail ballot please contact the Clerk’s Office at 231.347.2500 or [email protected]. Absentee ballots do not get forwarded by USPS.  The Clerk's Office will be open from 7:00am to 3:00pm, Saturday, May 2, 2026 to issue and receive absent voter ballots in advance of the May 5, 2026 Special Election as required by MCL 168.761b.Polls are open Tuesday, May 5, 2026, from 7:00am to 8:00pm for all City of Petoskey voters at the Grand Unity Event Center, 1106 Charlevoix Avenue, Petoskey, Michigan. 

Call for Artists: Wheelway Outdoor Art Gallery

The City of Petoskey Public Art Commission is proud to introduce the “Wheelway Outdoor Art Gallery” a new community-based public art initiative that will be installed along the Little Traverse Wheelway near Bayfront Park. Designed to celebrate the creativity of local artists from Emmet and Charlevoix Counties, the project will transform a section of the U.S. Highway 31 retaining wall into a distinctive outdoor gallery featuring twenty 4-by-4-foot paintings by area artists.The installation will enhance one of Petoskey’s most visible public corridors, creating an engaging visual environment for all who travel the Wheelway—whether on foot, by bike, or by car. Beyond improving the aesthetics of a key gateway to the community, the Wheelway Art Gallery aims to strengthen local identity, civic pride, and highlight Petoskey’s ongoing commitment to the arts and cultural investment.Artists residing in, or affiliated with Emmet or Charlevoix Counties- (as part-time residents, through employment, schooling, or having grown up in Emmet or Charlevoix Counties) are invited to submit up to two photographs representing the single image that they propose to paint for the outdoor "Wheelway Art Gallery".Click here to view the Wheelway Mural Call. 

Freeze Warning Issued for Petoskey Area

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 27 expected. * WHERE...A portion of Northern Lower Michigan. * WHEN...Until 8 AM EDT this morning. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. INSTRUCTIONS: Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

Jury Questionnaires

PRESS RELEASE April 29, 2026 For further information, contact:57th Circuit Court, 348-1711 RE: Jury Questionnaires The Emmet County Clerk's office will be mailing jury questionnaires to 3500 Emmet County residents. The law requires that the questionnaires be completed and returned within 10 days. Circuit Court Judge Jennifer E. Deegan reminds all citizens that it is your civic duty to participate in this process as our judicial system could not operate without you. By filling out the questionnaire, you will be placed into a pool of potential juror applicants for the coming year. Failure to timely complete and return the form could result in a Show Cause order. If you have any questions or concerns about the form, please contact the County Clerk's office at 231-348-1744.

Freeze Warning Issued for Petoskey Area

* WHAT...Sub-freezing with low temperatures in the upper 20s expected. * WHERE...A portion of Northern Lower Michigan. * WHEN...Until 8 AM EDT this morning. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. INSTRUCTIONS: Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.