Sewage spill caused by plastic bags and wipes

The recent sewage spill into the Tahquamenon River was caused by a perfect storm of plastic bags, according to interim Village Manager Allison Watkins. Watkins discussed the breach at the monthly meeting of the Newberry Village Council, which was held via Zoom at 6...

You can eat out on Friday

By Carol Stiffler Restaurants, bars, and retail shops in the Upper Peninsula and Traverse City region can re-open at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 22. Governor Gretchen Whitmer made the announcement on Monday, May 18, leaving restaurant owners very little time to prepare...

Businesses begin the slow re-open

By Carol Stiffler Shortly after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered the state’s restaurants to close dining rooms and switch to carry-out or delivery, Timber Charlie’s owner Ray Mahaffy decided his restaurant would simply close. Whitmer’s mandate came on March...

A new mandate

By Carol Stiffler Wearing a mask in public seems commonplace in some countries, like China, where air quality is very poor at times. But in the Upper Peninsula, it is far outside the norm. Until now, that is. On Friday, April 24, Governor Gretchen Whitmer extended the...

Three new cubs at Oswald’s Bear Ranch

By Carol Stiffler There are three new bear cubs at Oswald’s Bear Ranch, and the Oswalds want your help in naming the cinnamon-colored one. The babies came to the ranch from Wisconsin on March 24, both lucky and unlucky. They’re separated from their mothers, probably...

Here’s to the Class of 2020

By Carol Stiffler When Jared Wallace packed up the contents of his locker on Friday, March 13, he had no way to tell it would be the last time he walked the halls of Newberry High School as a high school student. Wallace, an excellent student, played basketball and...