Traverse City Ticker

07/24/2025

With the average number of daily guest sign-ins nearly tripling from 38 in 2022 to 102 this year, day shelter Jubilee House – operated by Grace Episcopal Church on Washington Street – is seeking city funding support to maintain operations through the end of 2025. Church representatives said they’re working toward a sustainable funding model for 2026 and beyond but hope to receive a $102,256 commitment from the city to make it through the next five months.

With the average number of daily guest sign-ins nearly tripling from 38 in 2022 to 102 this year, day shelter Jubilee House – operated by Grace Episcopal Church on Washington Street – is seeking city funding support to maintain operations through the end of 2025. Church representatives said they...

07/23/2025

ATLAS Space Operations, a Traverse City-based technology company that provides Ground Software as a Service solutions for satellite communications purposes, is in the process of getting acquired by a major defense technology firm. The acquisition will play into a potentially revolutionary national defense strategy called the “Golden Dome,” which is aimed at shielding the entirety of the continental United States from potential missile attacks.

ATLAS Space Operations, a Traverse City-based technology company that provides Ground Software as a Service (GSaaS) solutions for satellite communications purposes, is in the process of getting acquired by a major defense technology firm. The acquisition will play into a potentially revolutionary na...

07/23/2025

Seven candidates filed to run for four open seats on the Traverse City commission this fall – including one mayoral seat and three commission seats – by the 4pm filing deadline Tuesday.

Seven candidates filed to run for four open seats on the Traverse City commission this fall – including one mayoral seat and three commission seats – by the 4pm filing deadline Tuesday. As covered in Tuesday’s Ticker, Mayor Amy Shamroe is seeking another term in office. She will face one chall...

07/23/2025

Three individuals were arrested for drug trafficking following an investigation that began in May between the Traverse Narcotics Team and Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement in Grand Traverse and Kalkaska counties.

Three individuals were arrested for drug trafficking following an investigation that began in May between the Traverse Narcotics Team (TNT) and Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement (SANE) in Grand Traverse and Kalkaska counties. According to a Michigan State Police (MSP) release, several controlled pu...

07/22/2025

Traverse City commissioners Monday unanimously appointed Benjamin Marentette to serve as interim city manager through January, filling the position recently vacated by Liz Vogel. Commissioners also appointed Deputy City Clerk Sarah Lutz to serve as interim city clerk, stepping into Marentette's former position. The board Monday also approved rezoning two blocks of Union Street, accepted $550,000 in grant funding to remove and replace a Kids Creek culvert on Eleventh Street, and extended a contract for the city’s strategic planning process.

Traverse City commissioners Monday unanimously appointed Benjamin Marentette to serve as interim city manager through January, filling the position recently vacated by Liz Vogel. Commissioners also appointed Deputy City Clerk Sarah Lutz to serve as interim city clerk, stepping into Marentette's for....

07/22/2025

FYI

07/22/2025

This afternoon marks the deadline for City of Traverse City mayoral candidates to file paperwork and formalize their candidacy for the November election. In anticipation of that 4pm deadline, The Ticker took stock of the likely field, which includes the mayoral incumbent, a long-time city commissioner, and a newcomer to local politics.

This afternoon marks the deadline for City of Traverse City mayoral candidates to file paperwork and formalize their candidacy for the November election. In anticipation of that 4pm deadline, The Ticker took stock of the field, which includes the mayoral incumbent, a long-time city commissioner, and...

07/21/2025

Traverse City commissioners tonight (Monday) will consider appointing City Clerk Benjamin Marentette to serve as interim city manager through January.

Following the recent resignation of City Manager Liz Vogel, Traverse City commissioners tonight (Monday) will consider appointing City Clerk Benjamin Marentette to serve as interim city manager through January and appointing Deputy City Clerk Sarah Lutz to serve as interim city clerk. Commissioners....

07/20/2025

Munson Medical Center may have just clocked its busiest week ever. It’s not just the emergency room, either. Brian Lawson, marketing and communications manager for Munson Healthcare’s central region, says MMC “has been running close to capacity all week.”

Munson Medical Center (MMC) may have just clocked its busiest week ever. “Our emergency department (ED) saw 193 patients on Monday alone; I’m not aware of a higher number than that [in hospital history],” says Dr. Thomas Schermerhorn, MMC’s chief medical officer. For reference, Schermerhorn....

07/19/2025

A year after the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board approved a new tax increment financing (TIF) plan called Moving Downtown Forward – which was then sidelined due to an election process that produced two new charter amendments changing how TIF works in Traverse City – officials are ready to revisit the plan again. DDA board members discussed Moving Downtown Forward Friday, along with updates on several downtown events.

A year after the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board approved a new tax increment financing (TIF) plan called Moving Downtown Forward – which was then sidelined due to an election process that produced two new charter amendments changing how TIF works in Traverse City – offi...

07/18/2025

FYI