Crawford County Avalanche

12/09/2025

The Grayling Township Board appointed Duncan Gray as township representative to the Grayling Recreation Authority at the township’s Nov. 19 regular meeting.

Gray’s appointment was approved in a motion made by Trustee Joe Smock and seconded by Trustee JoAnn Michal. Trustee Shannon Sorenson was absent. Gray currently serves on the Crawford County Trails Committee.

https://www.crawfordcountyavalanche.com/articles/news/gray-appointed-to-rec-authority/

12/08/2025

The Grayling Promotional Association supports several murals in downtown Grayling. They feature the beauty of the AuSable Valley and the popular activities of the Grayling area, such as fly fishing and canoeing.

The two most recent murals were installed at 7-Eleven, 313 James St., in October, and, more recently, Dunckley Floor Covering, 6131W. M-72 Hwy.

Other murals have been installed at the AuSable Artisan Village, The Old Lumberyard Shoppes and Cornell Insurance Agency.

By Cheryl Holladay The Grayling Promotional Association supports several murals in downtown Grayling. They feature the beauty of the AuSable Valley and the popular activities of the Grayling area, such as fly fishing and canoeing. The two most recent murals were installed at 7-Eleven, 313 James St.,...

12/08/2025

The Grayling Regional Chamber of Commerce recently announced it has a new executive director, Amanda Bentley.

“Over the coming months, I look forward to strengthening existing relationships, building new ones and advancing initiatives that support innovation, connection and economic vitality across our region,” she said, in the chamber’s December newsletter.

The Grayling Regional Chamber of Commerce recently announced it has a new executive director, Amanda Bentley. Originally from the Novi area, Bentley lives in Roscommon. “Over the coming months, I look forward to strengthening existing relationships, building new ones and advancing initiatives that...

12/06/2025

Snow fell Thanksgiving Day and continued throughout parts of the holiday weekend.

According to a post by 7&4 Meteorologist Joe Charlevoix, on Thanksgiving Day alone, Grayling received 14 inches of snow (about 18 inches total) and Frederic received 20.5 inches (and nearly 24 inches total).

Some downed trees and limbs caused power outages in the Crawford County area.

Consumers Energy Spokesperson Brian Wheeler said just over 2,200 customers lost power – 1,794 on Wednesday and another 442 on Thursday.

By Cheryl Holladay Snow fell Thanksgiving Day and continued throughout parts of the holiday weekend. According to a post by 7&4 Meteorologist Joe Charlevoix, on Thanksgiving Day alone, Grayling received 14 inches of snow (about 18 inches total) and Frederic received 20.5 inches (and nearly 24 inches...

12/05/2025

More than 100 volunteers braved the snow on Thanksgiving Day to help out at the 35th annual Crawford AuSable Thanksgiving Dinner.

Organizer Patty Crandall said volunteers of all ages came to help prepare meals for delivery and takeout and serve dine-in guests.

Crandall said that in addition to the 879 delivered meals, 182 takeout meals and 77 dine-in meals were served Thanksgiving Day.

By Ashley Patti More than 100 volunteers braved the snow on Thanksgiving Day to help out at the 35th annual Crawford AuSable Thanksgiving Dinner. Organizer Patty Crandall said volunteers of all ages came to help prepare meals for delivery and takeout and serve dine-in guests. “I look at them as ou...

12/04/2025

The Grayling Youth Booster Club (GYBC) will host a “Boosterpalooza” ugly sweater party Dec. 6, from 7 to 11 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will support youth programs in Grayling, including athletics, music, science, art and more.

The event will be held at the Grayling Eagles, 602 Huron St.

https://www.crawfordcountyavalanche.com/articles/happenings/gybc-boosterpalooza-to-be-held-dec-6/

12/03/2025

December 4, 2025 Avalanche headlines:

Santa Train is comin' to town

Gray appointed to rec authority

"Thanksgiving Warriors"
More than 1,000 meals provided to Crawford County residents

Holiday snow causes outages, inconveniences

Plus the 2025-2026 Winter Sports Preview

12/03/2025

The Grayling Viking Bots will host a robotics tournament Dec. 6 at Grayling Middle School for the first time since the pandemic.

Elementary and middle school VEX IQ Robotics Teams have been invited to the tournament. So far, there are 14 teams registered.

Competition begins at 10:30 a.m.

12/02/2025

Educators at Grayling High School said the removal of phones from the classroom has also improved their ability to teach.

“I think that this is the most impactful thing that has happened in education in the last few years,” said Grayling High School teacher Josh Demlow.

Keeping in trend with other schools in the area, state and country, Grayling High implemented a bell-to-bell phone ban for the 2025-26 school year.

By Cheryl Holladay, Ashley Patti and Krista Tacey-Cater Houghton Lake Resorter & Crawford County Avalanche On an average day, Houghton Lake High School seniors Abbey Bosel and Ryleigh Foster estimate they receive more than 100 notifications on their phones. Those alerts, from apps like Snapchat, Tik...

12/01/2025

Kids, grandpas and members of other generations gazed at the model trains, villages and miniature people on display at the home of Loren Goodale III, 1629 Industrial St., Grayling, Nov. 23.

For four hours, Goodale, whose family name is synonymous with Goodale’s Bakery, opened up the display to the public to showcase his more than 800 buildings, 1,500 train cars and 140 locomotives.

By Cheryl Holladay Kids, grandpas and members of other generations gazed at the model trains, villages and miniature people on display at the home of Loren Goodale III, 1629 Industrial St., Grayling, Nov. 23. For four hours, Goodale, whose family name is synonymous with Goodale’s Bakery, opened up...

12/01/2025

The Grayling High School Players cracked open a time capsule with their production of “A Trip to the Moon,” by Tracy Wells, Nov. 20-21.

Set around the time of the moon landing in 1969, the vignette-style play featured 16 scenes, each named after an iconic song from that year. From Woodstock and protests, to the Vietnam War and moon-landing watch parties, this play told the stories of ordinary people living through extraordinary times and reminded audiences of all that has changed over the decades – and what hasn’t.

By Ashley Patti The Grayling High School Players cracked open a time capsule with their production of “A Trip to the Moon,” by Tracy Wells, Nov. 20-21. Set around the time of the moon landing in 1969, the vignette-style play featured 16 scenes, each named after an iconic song from that year. Fro...

11/29/2025

From holiday decorations to Santa to reindeer to shopping and hot chocolate, it was all things Christmas Saturday at Grayling’s annual Christmas Walk.

The fun-filled day culminated with Santa Claus leading the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Crawford County Building.

Story and photos by Eric Hamp From holiday decorations to Santa to reindeer to shopping and hot chocolate, it was all things Christmas Saturday at Grayling’s annual Christmas Walk. The fun-filled day culminated with Santa Claus leading the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Crawford County Buil...