Grand Traverse County

The Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office has appointed a new jail administrator.

Lieutenant Christopher Barsheff has been promoted to Captain, and will now oversee the Corrections Division. Barsheff has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 1996, and has led the community policing program and supervised deputies.

Barsheff’s predecessor, Todd Ritter, was accused of misusing funds and using his position to engage in sexual relationships with former inmates.

The daily lake trout limit for anglers on Grand Traverse Bay is reduced from two fish to one - effective immediately.

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission announced the change Friday.

They say it was necessary because last year’s recreational harvest limit for lake trout in Grand Traverse Bay was exceeded by nearly 16,000 pounds.

“We would encourage anglers to keep the first lake trout they catch and then shift to targeting other species,” says Heather Hettinger, a local DNR fisheries biologist.

The Grand Traverse County Health Department is telling coffee shops to stop serving Cannabidiol (CBD)-infused drinks. So far they’ve sent cease and desist letters to three cafes that served CBD-infused lattes: Espresso Bay, Black Market and Cuppa Joe.

CBD is a derivative of cannabis without the psychotropic effects of the drug.

Dan Thorell with the Grand Traverse County Health Department says CBD oil is still new, so many people don't know the rules.

After nearly 20 years, Addiction Treatment Services in Traverse City will stop performing court-ordered drug tests.

People will not be able to catch as many lake trout in Grand Traverse Bay this year. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says recreational fishers harvested an extra 15,800 pounds from the bay in 2018. As a result, the harvest limit has to be reduced by around 30,000 pounds this fishing season.

Harvest limits are determined by treaty tribes, the federal government and the state. 

The Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners meeting was nearly cancelled yesterday because they couldn’t decide on whether to hear an agenda item on the new prayer policy.

Commissioner Betsy Coffia wanted the board to clarify the policy for her and the public. Other commissioners said the policy was clearly spelled out and any more discussion would be a waste of their time.

Ultimately, the board was split on the vote and couldn’t break the tie.

Hundreds of people were at Interlochen Public Library’s open house Wednesday. The mood was festive, and people were excited.

The building is a modern take on the northern Michigan cabin look – a mix of exposed wood and paint with high ceilings.

Two Democrats will be joining the Grand Traverse County Commission in January.

The commission has historically been dominated by Republicans.

Bryce Hundley and Betsy Coffia were the two Democratic winners. Coffia says Democrats had a strong showing in races across the county.

"I think you're seeing a community that is really motivated for that change," Coffia says. "It takes a lot of work, but I do believe we're moving in that direction, in a more progressive direction."

Updated on 11/1/18 at 5:21. The mailer was originally sent to residents of Peninsula Township 1 and Traverse City Precincts 7, 8 and 9  

Some people on Old Mission Peninsula may be confused about where they vote next week.

A mailer from county commission candidate Dan Lathrop (R) incorrectly told some residents that their polling place has moved.

County Democrats say Kenzie Jeurink has moved to Manistee, effectively dropping her from the race.

Republican Gordie LaPointe is now essentially running unopposed for the county’s sixth district.

Grand Traverse County Clerk Bonnie Scheele says Jeurink’s name will still be on the ballot.

“If she won … she would decline to take the position and the new county board of commissioners would appoint someone from that district to fill that position,” Scheele says.

Updated on 10/9/18 10:50 a.m.: Addison "Sonny" Wheeloch of District 4 was the only Republican to attend the forum last night.

The Republican candidates for the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners withdrew from a forum scheduled for tonight. They say they are protesting the League of Women Voters (LWV), whose local branch is sponsoring the event.