Craig M. Romer, a construction worker with an "infectious laugh" and a young daughter, was on a first-name basis with many in Suttons Bay. Equally familiar to locals is Ricardo Roman Jr., the man police believe stabbed Romer to death during an argument at Roman's home early Monday. Authorities on Tuesday charged Roman, 35, with an open count of murder in Romer's death.

A committee created to suggest budget cuts for next year in Traverse City's public schools has not definitively identified any reductions with only two meetings left on its schedule.

The Grand Traverse County Road Commission will stay a part-time, three-member appointed board with salary and benefits worth more than $20,000 a year.

Temperatures 64 feet beneath Grand Traverse Bay are warmer than those that will greet some locals on their front porch this week. Researchers can now track water temperatures at that depth thanks to a "thermistor" buoy, recently dropped three miles north of Old Mission Peninsula.

Tom Menzel, executive director of Bay Area Transportation Authority, wants to investigate whether BATA's bus fleet can help Traverse City Area Public Schools cut costs. But school leaders say any possible savings will take time to sort out and implement. So far, nothing has come from the idea, Menzel said.

A Traverse City man, 19, faces a criminal sex charge.

More than 14,700 U.S. taxpayers came forward to disclose billions in offshore bank accounts in 70 countries under a voluntary Internal Revenue Service program allowing most to avoid criminal prosecution as long as they pay what they owe, IRS officials said Tuesday.

Huge crowds are expected when Sarah Palin kicks off her national book tour in Michigan.

The National Labor Relations Board says an illegal arrangement by five southeastern Michigan beer distributors has resulted in back pay for Teamsters members totaling $41 million.

Before the Ford Pinto, AMC Pacer and Chevy Chevette, there was the Edsel. It was a vision of Detroit at its mid-20th century worst, an overhyped, overpriced automotive monstrosity produced by the Ford Motor Co.

The issue: Four years ago the Bay Area Transportation Authority secured a $4.7 million federal grant that was to build a wind turbine to power a small fleet of hybrid buses. Now BATA finds itself scrambling to keep the grant. Our view: We're paying the piper.

I've done some exhaustive research on the matter, and I'm afraid there's nothing to be done other than to face the awful truth with a steely resolve: There is absolutely nothing we can eat. Oh, there would seem to be plenty of food around. The trouble is, whatever you're thinking of eating is going to kill you.

No guns on campus

Mike and Andrew Pratley shared in each other's success last weekend. Andrew is the head football coach at Ogemaw Heights, and Mike is a longtime assistant at Frankfort. It sets up an unusual situation Saturday.

Two Detroit fans are commemorating decades of futility with a Lions version of the Terrible Towels like those brandished by Pittsburgh Steelers fans.

Pellston is heading back to Battle Creek. The Hornets clinched their second straight berth in the Class D state semifinals on Tuesday with a four-set win over Hancock in the St. Ignace quarterfinal.

Hundreds of area business representatives gathered Tuesday for an annual economic forecast and business expo sponsored by the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ford, Subaru and Volkswagen sit atop the insurance industry's annual list of the safest new vehicles, according to a closely watched assessment used by car companies to lure safety-conscious consumers to showrooms.

General Motors Co. is promising to keep its headquarters in Detroit in return for expanded state tax credits approved Tuesday.

Stocks finished an erratic session mixed Tuesday as higher commodity prices lifted energy and materials shares.

Grab your girlfriends and get ready for the season's blowout fashion event. Friday evening's Gals, Glam and Glitz -- Girls Night Out will bring a taste of New York runway style to Traverse City.

When Tim Keenan set out to hike the Appalachian Trail last March he was looking for an adventure -- what he got was an unexpected opportunity to heal.

Visit the Grand Traverse Herald Web site for more of Wednesday's Community stories.