A hole that long scarred East Front Street isn't so holey these days. A five-story, mixed use building soon will begin to rise at the corner of Park and Front streets in downtown Traverse City.

A five-story building under construction at 101 N. Park St. spurred a concept to revitalize the southern riverbank between Cass and Park streets, where a commercial alley runs behind Front Street's buildings, said Rob Bacigalupi, of the city's Downtown Development Authority.

Judge sentenced DeJonge to life in prison without parole, the mandatory sentence for a first-degree murder conviction.

Absences in Grand Traverse County schools largely dropped this week once buildings reopened after a suspected swine flu outbreak.

Swine flu immunizations at Traverse City West and East middle schools planned for next week are canceled after a vaccine shipment was delayed. But several area student clinics at other schools are planned for next week.

A new Traverse City Commission will be seated on Monday.

City officials are seeking applications for three open positions on city boards.

Transportation officials failed to inspect some bridges, looked at deteriorating bridges less often than required by state law and did not check for erosion under bridges over rivers, Michigan's auditor said Friday.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan should be allowed to raise rates nearly 4 percent on its Medicare supplemental policies, less than the "excessive" 31 percent increase initially requested by the insurer, an independent hearing officer said Friday.

Newly released documents say a trucker took two nieces and a teen boy to school before fatally shooting an abortion protester and another man in a small Michigan town.

Michigan's chief environmental regulator wants more information about a rocky outcrop in Marquette County that could affect plans for a nickel and copper mine.

At this point, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her Senate counterparts are crafting their health care bills in ways to secure votes for passage rather than to produce good policy. But their attempts may backfire on both fronts.

The dimensions of the unfolding disaster in Afghanistan are becoming bigger and more daunting by the day. Once-staunch defenders of the "good war" are starting to break ranks.

Canada should lend Pakistan a helping hand as it struggles to stabilize its chaotic border region with Afghanistan, which is plagued by Taliban militants who threaten the entire region's stability.

Moralists assert government health care is a right. Constitutionalists ask, "What is the basis for the right?" The Declaration of Independence provides the philosophical basis for the existence of a free people. It establishes that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are unalienable and endowed to the people by their Creator. The Constitution establishes the existence and the structure of a government to secure these rights consistent with the consent of the governed, "We the People."

A personal attack; Judging Obama

The United States spends more money than any other country, and its elite institutions are the world's best. But overall the system is wasteful, fails too many and is falling behind other countries. No, the topic isn't health care -- it's higher education.

If the pass defense is Traverse City St. Francis weakness, opposing teams left in the Division 7 state tournament are in trouble. The Gladiators held pass-oriented Rudyard in check Friday for a blowout win in the Division 7 district final at Thirlby Field.

Johannesburg-Lewiston rallied from a 13-0 first-quarter deficit to defeat St. Ignace in a Division 8 district championship game.

Cadillac topped the hosts to claim a Class B district championship.
The Vikings downed Benzie Central, ending the Huskies best season in school history. (plus more volleyball)

Andy Huffs wrister under the crossbar with 2:31 remaining Friday gave the Stars a victory over Alpena to keep TC (11-4-1) atop the North Division standings.

Blues in Cleveland for quarterfinal; TC's Thiel named to U.S. team; Turkey Trot 5K set for Nov. 14; GT Ski Club team registration set

Could ethanol be the key to Michigan's renewable energy future? Ethanol has become more popular as a renewable energy source. It's promoted as an eco-friendly tool to reduce air pollution because it can be made from common crops such as sugar cane, potatoes and corn.

More than a million apples from Cherry Bay Orchards were donated to Hope and Encouragement for Humanity, a nonprofit organization based in Blissfield that will distribute the fruit to food pantries and other outlets throughout the U.S. and Mexico.

Michigan's nationally admired Groundwater Stewardship Program provides educational, financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and residents to identify and reduce groundwater contamination risks. It encourages individuals to take voluntary, proactive steps to protect Michigan's water quality and therefore the drinking water.

Weather readings taken at the NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station

Co-op marketing meeting Nov. 12; Leelanau annual meeting Nov. 17; Crop insurance deadline Nov. 20

They may be known for their Gladhander fundraiser, but members of St. Francis parish aren't doing much glad-handing at Mass these days.

For me, once I was able to open my mind to other ways of seeing and experiencing God, it seems I really began to know God. Once I realized that faith was something that you live, not something you define, it started to become my own.

Faith-related events in northern Michigan

Religion Calendar is published weekly by the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Horgan-Kobelski and Dunlap have won the Iceman Cometh mountain bike race.