🌱 How tonight’s budget and housing votes could hit your Traverse City wallet
Traverse City, Michigan Patch AM: a 5 min readGood morning Traverse City! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How tonight’s budget and housing votes could hit your Traverse City wallet
- How students helped return ancient sturgeon to downtown Traverse City’s river
- What the new county clerk’s appointment means for Traverse City voters
Today's riddle: Why do Honeydew Melons have to get married in church? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Monday: Rain and a t-storm; warmer, with a high of 80 and low of 65 degrees.
- Tuesday: A shower and t-storm; breezy, temps: high: 78, low: 42.
- Wednesday: Mainly cloudy and less humid, with a high of 51 and low of 34 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. City Commissioners to Consider Eighth Street PILOT, Budget Approval, Paramedic Program (traverseticker.com) — Traverse City commissioners are set to vote tonight on the 2026-27 city budget, utility rate hikes, and a long-term tax break supporting new workforce apartments on Eighth Street. They’ll also consider partnering with West Shore Community College to host local paramedic training at the Traverse City Fire Department, aiming to ease staffing shortages and improve EMS service for residents. 
2. Michigan's ancient lake sturgeon are showing signs of a comeback (mlive.com) — Students and tribal biologists are helping restore ancient lake sturgeon right in downtown Traverse City, releasing classroom-raised fish into the Boardman/Ottaway River as the dams come down and the waterway heals. Their work is part of a broader, decades-long effort across Michigan that’s finally showing real signs of success, with stocked sturgeon surviving, returning to rivers, and beginning to spawn naturally again.
3. Samuel Gedman named Grand Traverse County clerk (9and10news.com) — Grand Traverse County’s longtime clerk, Bonnie Scheele, will retire June 19, and Chief Deputy Clerk and Elections Manager Samuel R. Gedman has been appointed to serve out the term through 2028. Gedman, who has overseen elections in multiple states, is also active locally with the Traverse Area District Library and Traverse City youth football.
4. Trek For Vets 2026: Lawrence Miller's 500-Mile Michigan Route (wgrd.com) — A former Marine’s 500-mile “Trek For Vets” is literally walking through Traverse City as he raises awareness and support for veterans facing mental health struggles. Starting in St. Ignace and ending in Royal Oak on Memorial Day, his route links many Michigan communities while inviting residents along the way to follow and back his cause online.
5. Music by Request - May 16 & 17, 2026 (interlochenpublicradio.org) — Interlochen Public Radio’s Music by Request, airing on 94.7 and 91.5 FM in Traverse City, features listener-chosen pieces by Beethoven, Yiruma, and more. You can stream the May 16–17 episode on demand and still submit your own classical favorites for upcoming shows.
📸 Around Traverse City
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Traverse City
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
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Books & Brewskis
Traverse Area District Library, 1110 East Eighth Street, Traverse City
7:00 pm -
Toddler Time
Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City
10:00 am -
Wigglers Storytime
Traverse Area District Library, 213 S Brownson Ave., Kingsley
10:30 am -
Norte Bike Day
Traverse Area District Library, 213 S Brownson Ave., Kingsley
10:30 am -
Mind Your Money: Smart Finances for Seniors
Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City
11:00 am -
Freestyle Writing Workshop
Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City
12:00 pm -
Guided Meditation for a Calm Mind and Kind Heart
Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City
1:00 pm -
Eggshell Herb Gardens
Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City
4:00 pm
Monday May 18
Tuesday May 19
📣 Traverse City Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
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TCAPS Music Boosters Benefit Concert
Traverse City Central High School, 1150 Milliken Dr, Traverse City
7:00 pm -
Intro to Woodworking: Charcuterie Boards →
Builders FirstSource, 5700 US-31, Grawn
10:00 am -
Traverse City Pit Spitters vs. Royal Oak Leprechauns →
Turtle Creek Stadium, 333 Stadium Dr, Traverse City
7:05 pm -
Kalamazoo Growlers at Traverse City Pit Spitters →
Turtle Creek Stadium, 333 Stadium Dr, Traverse City
11:05 am
Thursday May 21
Saturday May 23
Monday June 1
Thursday June 4
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Traverse City PatchAM possible:
- Compaan Garage Doors — (231) 943-1111
New Traverse City, MI Location Now Open
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Good Morning Old Mission.
I hope you enjoy your day. The sun is shining, the birds are singing. What more could you ask for? Be like a sponge and soak it all in today because… (Nextdoor Old Mission) - Just used Abby to help with some yard work.
Excellent help, puntual , follows directions well, and keeps at it (Nextdoor Old Mission Peninsula North)
- The Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office hosted its annual police memorial ceremony on Friday afternoon, May 15, outside the Governmental Center in... (X: upnorthlive)
- The Union Redhawks boys golf team placed third at the conference championship on Wednesday, May 13. Union returns to the course May 26 for regional... (X: GRPublicSchools)
- Healthcare Services Group posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Traverse City. Apply here.
- Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Team Member in Traverse City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Traverse City here.
Ok Traverse City! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Because they cant elope!! (Thank you Charlie H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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