Boyne Citizen News

10/11/2025

Highlights from this week’s Boyne Citizen: Townships pause EMS talks with City; Downtown sees many business changes; County board on BC-Charlevoix trail project; BC school superintendent says state budget brings stability; ‘Rambler Fuel’ pairs workouts with smart snacks at schools; Bay Twp. volunteers honor forgotten dead with grave markers; Halloween fun events from now through Oct. 31; Tari Herrera wins $67k Eagles Queen of Hearts drawing; Wreath and Garland Sale raises funds for Garden Club; Patrick McCleary history: The town of Hallock disappears, and more. Read and subscribe for free at www.boynecitizen.com

10/04/2025

Highlights of this week’s Boyne Citizen: City Commission Candidates Forum details, city manager negotiations collapse, County Board keeps discussing but takes no action on the BC-Charlevoix Trail, a county sheriff’s corrections officer takes a plea deal. Northern Michigan is still feeling the effects of the ice storm six months later, and a controversial dredging proposal on Walloon Lake has triggered concern. The Boyne Citizen continues its efforts to end the Northern Michigan News Desert with our free weekly nonprofit newsletter.

Email from Boyne Citizen Thanks for subscribing to the Boyne Citizen! View as Webpage October 2, 2025 | Issue #54 | Past issues Big crowd for candidates forum Housing, transparency and leadership were

09/26/2025

This week’s Boyne Citizen highlights: Negotiations stall in city manager search, Boyne City pushes forward on northside housing, School board OKs free student meals through Oct. 31, Harvest Festival is bigger and better than ever, City Candidates Forum set for Monday, Boyne City hosts Grayling for Homecoming on Friday, State Park hosts Harvest Festival and trick or treating, Patrick McCleary history: A&P stores - and much more. Details and subscribe for free at www.boynecitizen.com
The City of Boyne City Boyne City Main Street Boyne Area Chamber

09/09/2025

A lot of people were shocked by the September 4th Boyne Citizen story about how the Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners voted to not approve an engineering study that would allow completion of the final sections of the Boyne City to Charlevoix non-motorized trail. This is despite the fact that the county will be asked to pay for very little of the cost, since it will mainly be paid for with grants. We’ve heard from a number of trail supporters that have been contacting commissioners about this issue, so we are linking to our story here -https://files.constantcontact.com/c117f81d901/1c8b1754-866b-415a-97e8-453da1fa4143.pdf
> The next Board of Commissioners meeting is at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10. Although the trail issue is not on the agenda, people can speak about it under Public Comment at the beginning of the meeting.
> If you would like to let the commissioners know your feelings on this (or any) issue, here is a link to their phone numbers and email addresses - https://www.charlevoixcounty.org/boc/index.php
Here is the Boyne Citizen trail story.

09/04/2025

A nice crowd of about 80 people turned out for the Boyne Citizen’s first anniversary celebration Thursday at the Boyne District Library. Everyone enjoyed coffee, tea, pastries, and an “I am a Boyne Citizen” sticker - plus conversations with our board members, writers and newly named Associate Editor Annie Doyle. Check out this week’s newsletter at www.boynecitizen.com.
The City of Boyne City Boyne City Main Street Boyne Area Chamber

08/26/2025

The Boyne City Commission today (Tuesday) decided to hire Acting City Manager John Matthews as their permanent manager after learning that their previous choice, Elle Cole of Saline, has declined the position. Matthews’ hiring is subject to negotiating his salary and other contract details.

Mayor Tim Nemecek sent a memo to the commission Tuesday morning, stating that “After careful consideration, Ms. Cole has made the very difficult decision to decline the offer. In her message to me, Ms. Cole explained that unforeseen family logistics arose after she accepted the position, making it impossible for her to fully commit to Boyne City in the way she feels the community deserves.”

“She emphasized that her decision is not a reflection of Boyne City, its leadership, or the contract offered, but rather the result of personal family circumstances outside her control. Ms. Cole expressed deep admiration for our community, appreciation for the confidence the Commission placed in her, and assurance that she continues to hold Boyne City in the highest regard,” Nemecek said.

Nemececk noted that James Freed of the city’s executive search consultant, Pivot Municipal Services, “has provided a professional recommendation that the Commission consider appointing the second-place candidate, John Matthews. Mr. Matthews possesses the qualifications required for the role and has the support of a super majority of the Commission. Mr. Freed has also expressed doubt that reopening the search would result in a stronger candidate than Mr. Matthews.”

A number of citizens and city officials spoke in support of Matthews’ hiring during the meeting. Those speaking included Police Chief Kevin Spate, Director of Public Works and Utilities Doug Varney, Fire Chief Dennis Amesbury, Harbormaster Ralph Galbraith, Evangeline Township Board member Michelle Cortright, and Waterfront Field of Dreams representative Al Aown.

Thursday’s Boyne Citizen will have more details about this and other City Commission action.
The City of Boyne City Boyne City Main Street Boyne Area Chamber Tim Nemecek- Boyne City Commissioner

08/09/2025

Boyne Citizen highlights this week: Community invited to meet new city manager, Scott MacKenzie: “Who doesn’t want to be a pirate?” Meet and eat with the Ramblers at Aug. 23 Kickoff Classic, Lauren Macintyre publishes "Walloon Forever, " Foundation awards $681k in scholarships, Consumers plans power outage for Aug. 13 evening, FERC finds Boyne USA in violation of license, New manager of Walloon Library. www.boynecitizen.com
The City of Boyne City Boyne City Main Street Boyne Area Chamber

08/07/2025

We just learned that the Waterfront Field of Dreams has a few openings for teams and hole sponsors for their fund-raising golf tournament on Saturday, August 16, at Ye Nyne Olde Holles Golf Club. Too late for the newsletter, but here's the info - sounds like fun, and it's for a great project! The City of Boyne City Boyne City Main Street Boyne Area Chamber

07/09/2025

July 9th press release from Boyne City Police Chief Kevin Spate:
At 7:05 AM, Boyne City Emergency Services were dispatched to the Harborage Marina located at 448 Front St in Boyne City. A call to 911 reported that a small black SUV had driven into the water at a high rate of speed. Responding emergency crews arrived on the scene to find the vehicle submerged in Lake Charlevoix within the marina. Personnel from the Charlevoix County Dive Team located a body inside the submerged vehicle. Additional information indicated this same vehicle was involved in a separate crash at Pleasant Ave. and W. Division St. just prior to crashing into Lake Charlevoix. The cause of both crashes is unknown and is still under investigation.
The deceased is a 44-year-old female from East Jordan whose family has been notified. In conjunction with the Charlevoix County Medical Examiner, an autopsy will be completed.
The Boyne City Police Department extends its condolences to the family and friends of the victim.
Assisting at the scene were Boyne City Fire and EMS departments, the Charlevoix County Dive Team, the Boyne Falls Fire Department, the East Jordan Fire Department, the Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office, Charlevoix County Emergency Management, the Charlevoix County Medical Examiner, the U.S. Coast Guard, Eriksen's Towing, Boyne Country Towing, and Boyne Boat Yard.

07/04/2025

This week’s Boyne Citizen: Fire Chief Amesbury is 4th of July parade Grand Marshal, 'The Big Show Over the Little Village' in Walloon Lake, BC Blaze helps out for duck race, County board wonders: “Do we need three campuses?” FoBR challenge legal status of Boyne River dam, Boyne Citizen and others get C3F grants, Boyne Thunder is just a week away, Heritage Center presents Irish concert on Tuesday, The golden age of astronomy, Patrick McCleary history: BCHS Class of 1921, Music and entertainment listings, News briefs, Obituaries, and Municipal News. Click to read or subscribe for free - www.boynecitizen.com.

06/20/2025

This week’s news highlights: M75 hotel is still in the works, Concerts return to the Gazebo, 25 years for Leslie Neilson’s Inspired Living store, Young Eagles take plane rides, Boyne USA responds to Friends of Boyne River, Walloon Watershed, Conservation District summer events, Patrick McCleary history: Murder comes to town in 1946, and more. www.boynecitizen.com