Good morning, Traverse City.

Despite last week's flooding of the Ottaway River, Traverse City residents are set to welcome spring by taking out bikes (ditching winter gear) and joining running groups on local trails, marking a shift toward renewed outdoor activity.

The annual Economic Symposium will be held on May 15 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Boyne Mountain Resort by the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance; the event will feature industry experts discussing key economic drivers in manufacturing, agriculture and construction with keynote speaker David Malpass.

The Great Lakes Region 2026 Child Safety Conference will be held May 7 at Central High School Auditorium (starting at 4 p.m.) and will feature keynote speaker Rachael Denhollander at 7 p.m. along with experts discussing campus safety, bullying, and online protection.

Munson Healthcare began construction this month for a new childcare facility that will create 137 openings to support employee childcare.

The facility is set to open in late fall at the Foster Family Community Health Center (550 Munson Ave).

Scott O’Dell, an aviation maintenance teacher at Northwest Education Services Career Tech Center, won New Teacher of the Year at the state level on Jan.

27 and received regional recognition on Tuesday; he will now vie for a national award.

Some Traverse City Area Public Schools offices have moved or have limited access as a three-year, $55-million renovation project at Central Grade moves into its next phase; students and staff will begin using the Glenn Loomis building in the 2026-27 school year.

The Department of Natural Resources released a treasure map showing fire-affected spots ideal for morel mushroom hunting in areas where jack, white or red pine once grew; mushroom hunters are urged to bring navigation tools (map and compass or GPS) and proper footwear when exploring off-trail.

The City Opera House announced a partnership with DTE Energy — its first green sponsor — to support eco-friendly upgrades including rechargeable microphone packs and recycled paper programs.

Future plans include installing a bike rack to boost transit for patrons.

The Traverse City Fire Department marks a milestone as Chief Jim Tuller retires today after 36 years of service—he is known for his commitment to firefighter safety and community engagement and plans to visit the department, travel, and fish this summer.

The US Drug Enforcement Agency sponsors National Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at several Grand Traverse County locations (law enforcement agencies host the event to collect unused or expired medications, accepting only pills and empty vape cartridges).

Aaron Kendall at Keller Williams Northern Michigan Real Estate is using (Normie) an AI tool available 24/7 to give buyers quick, hyper-local market insights and answer detailed questions about each township's unique features in our competitive market.

On Thursday, the Trojans improved to 13-2 with two wins over the Lakers, 16-0 and 16-2, in a doubleheader that marked the new season's start.

The game follows last season's district championships won by Traverse City Central and Glen Lake (boosting community pride for local sports).

The Golden Age of Broadway Concert

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Milliken Auditorium — $10-$20 — Experience a musical journey through the beloved songs of Broadway's Golden Age with the NMC Grand Traverse Chorale.

5th Annual Asian American Pacific Islander Celebration

5-8 p.m. — Dennos Museum Center — Free event — Celebrate culture and community with food, film, and poetry featuring local talents and diverse culinary offerings.

Great Lakes Child Safety Conference

The inaugural Great Lakes Child Safety Conference will take place on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Traverse City Central High School, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The free conference is presented in collaboration with Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), Northwest Education Services, Rotary, and Traverse City Area Public Schools.

Spring Art Market

10 AM – 4 PM — Dennos Museum Center — Free entry — Engage with over 25 artists showcasing diverse media from painting to ceramics.

Traverse City Repair Cafe

10 AM – 2 PM — Traverse Area District Library — Donation-based — Bring your household items to be repaired by skilled volunteers and help reduce waste.