Jeff Blakeman
9 & 10 News
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Past articles by Jeff:
Mason County Teenager Remembered by Special Olympics Coaches, Teammates
This Mason County teenager is being remembered. She drowned Thursday night while swimming Lake Michigan. Albrianna Huck was reported missing Thursday night around eight and found in the water about two hours later. She passed away at the hospital. This all happened at Sterns Beach in Ludington where Albrianna had been swimming with family members. 14-year-old Albrianna Huck was just... → Read More
Construction on Broadway in Mount Pleasant Wraps Up 3 Weeks Early
Businesses along a stretch of road in Mount Pleasant are happy. A road project wrapped up almost three weeks early. Broadway in Mount Pleasant is back open after it was closed at the start of May for a construction project. Sidewalks along the stretch were also closed which hindered businesses along Broadway. The road project was scheduled to go until... → Read More
Northern Michigan Organizations Honored for Reducing Veteran Homelessness
Some local organizations came together Monday morning to share some big news about their fight against veteran homelessness in our area. Several northern Michigan organizations were honored Monday for their work to end veteran homelessness. The Northwest Michigan Coalition to end Homelessness has reached “functional zero” in Wexford, Missaukee and Manistee Counties. That means veteran… → Read More
Mount Pleasant Police Arrest Man for Trying to Use Counterfeit Money
Police in Mount Pleasant arrested a man after someone tried to use a counterfeit $50 bill at the Blackstone Bar. On Saturday morning, police were called to the Blackstone Bar. They say a man tried using a fake $50 bill. Their investigation led to the arrest of Ty Showerman. Police say Showerman had given the fake money to someone else... → Read More
Michigan Senate Passes Legislation to Ban Minors from Having E-Cigarettes
The Michigan Senate just took a major step to keep vaping products out of the hands of minors. The Senate unanimously passed the bill that would ban anyone under the age of 18 from having e-cigarettes. It would also ban the sale of the battery powered vaping devices to minors. Kimberly Manor owns several vape shops and supports the legislation.... → Read More
Mecosta Co. EMS Gets Digital Mannequin for Advanced Training
First responders in Mecosta County have a new way to train. Mecosta County won a grant from Trans Canada to purchase a digital smart mannequin. It will help train EMS workers, giving them real-time feedback on heart rates, pulses and how hard their chest compression recoil rates are. Mecosta County’s EMS coordinator says this is a great tool to make... → Read More
Traverse City Based Hybrid Robotics Receives Major Investment
A Traverse City company just received a major investment to help them finish building and launching a drone that can land on water. Hybrid Robotics received the investment from Boomerang Catapult. The drone they’re developing can land on water and then launch an underwater remote operated vehicle. That vehicle can go up to 500 feet under water. The company says... → Read More
Local Independent Bookstores Thriving Amid Major Online Competition
There is a bookstore boom across the country right now. Independent bookstores are reporting an uptick in sales despite strong competition from online retailers like Amazon. Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City is one of the many independent bookstores across the country standing strong and thriving in recent years. “The ’90’s we’re really those great big, big box stores and... → Read More
Future view of Federal Changes to Tax Law; Concern for Charities
When you’re filling out your forms next year, you’ll notice some changes to federal tax law. There is some concern that charities could suffer because of the new rules. The new tax structure means deductions are higher, and could mean fewer people will make charitable donations, since it takes more to qualify for the tax benefit. Jon Supernaw, owner of... → Read More
Gretchen Whitmer on the Issues
Michigan voters are now less than three weeks away from picking the person who will hold the state’s highest office, Gretchen Whitmer or Bill Schuette. Last week, 9&10 News brought you a one-on-one interview with Republican Bill Schuette. Now, it’s Democrat Gretchen Whitmer’s turn. We caught up with her at the UAW hall in Flint, and began with her now-famous... → Read More
Hook & Hunting: Elk Hunters on Day 3 of Early Hunting Period
Almost 40,000 Michigan hunters threw their name in the ring for a chance to elk hunt, but only 200 will be lucky enough to win that opportunity. Right now 100 hunters are on day three of the early hunt period. So far they’ve harvested 12 elk. Before hunters can head into the woods, they have to attend a special orientation... → Read More
Governor Snyder Visits Beaverton, Gladwin to Review Rising Tide Program
Governor Rick Snyder visited Northern Michigan Friday, checking on the progress of the Rising Tide Program in Beaverton and Gladwin. The discussion focused on manufacturing jobs, early robotics programs for elementary students, and affordable housing. There’s a need in the communities for middle level housing. One business described not being able to hire highly qualified candidates due to a… → Read More
Ludington Upgrading Roads With Lane Lines For Bicyclists, Adding Bike Repair Stations
Bicyclists in Mason County are getting some extra help, thanks to a special grant. Ludington received almost $3,000 to upgrade roads with fresh paint and create three bike repair stations around the city. The new “shared lane” paint on the road will help notify drivers to watch out for bikers. The additions will be found on Rath and Bryant roads,... → Read More
Missaukee County Voters Approve 911 Surcharge
Voters in Missaukee County approved a surcharge to any phone line that’s capable of dialing 911. The money will be used to upgrade equipment that’s more than a decade old in the county’s dispatch center. That is the oldest in the four state area of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. One of the upgrades will include the Smart 911 feature.... → Read More
Teen Charged With Kidnapping, Assault in Mason County
An 18-year-old has been arrested in Mason County and charged with kidnapping and assault. Ludington Police say Devin Martin held a 13-year-old girl against her will and tried to sexually assault her last Friday. Ludington Police Chief Mark Barnett says 18-year-old Devin Martin grabbed the 13-year-old victim he was walking with, pulled her a short distance and tried to sexually... → Read More
Wanted Man Arrested After Hiding from Police for More Than 24 Hours in Clare Co.
“Well he didn’t willingly go, he took off running on us. He did not resist when we caught up.” A wanted man who eluded capture for more than 24 hours in Clare County is in police custody. It all started with a standoff Monday morning at a home in Clare. He was arrested Tuesday just a few blocks away from... → Read More
New Building for Bay Area Recycling for Charities
After 10 years, Bay Area Recycling for Charities finally has their own place to call home in Grand Traverse County. The company offers recycling services, donating some proceeds to charities. Now you can find them at a building they own at 466 U.S. 31. BARC says it will make it easier for people to have a dedicated spot to drop... → Read More
Traverse City Suicidal Man in Jail After Pointing Gun at Deputies
A man was jailed Tuesday night after pointing a gun at deputies in Grand Traverse County. Someone called the Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office around 1 p.m. on Tuesday about a man making suicidal statements. When deputies got to his home, they tried to convince him to come out. The man pointed what looked like a hand gun at them and... → Read More
Roscommon County Welcomes New Addiction Treatment Center
A new addiction treatment center is now open in Roscommon County. The Lions Den started accepting patients on Monday. They say their mission is to help anyone struggling with any form of addiction. The non-profit organization will not charge for services and can house between 30 and 40 people at a time. The assistant director went through the program for... → Read More
Army Corps of Engineers Looking into Human Skull Found At Old Gas Plant in Manistee
In Manistee contractors for Consumers Energy found a human skull while working to excavate a site last week. They made the discovery on Jones Street in the city of Manistee at an old manufactured gas plant. Once workers found the skull work stopped immediately. Manistee police ruled out any criminal activity and turned the investigation over the the Army Corp... → Read More