Traverse City Michigan MI Warrant Search

Traverse City, Michigan Traverse City (English: /ˈtrævərs ˈsɪti/, locally pronounced /ˈtrævər.sɪti/) is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Grand Traverse County, although a small portion extends into Leelanau County. It is the largest city in the 21-county Northern Michigan region. The population was 14,532 at the 2000 census. In 2008, the Traverse City micropolitan area was estimated to have a population of 142,316. Despite its modest population, Traverse City functions as the major commercial nexus for a seven-county area totaling over 2,700 square miles (7,000 km2) and, along with cross-peninsula counterpart Alpena, is one of Northern Lower Michigan's two anchor cities.The Traverse City area is the largest producer of tart cherries in the United States. Near the time of cherry harvest, the city holds an annual week-long Cherry Festival in the first full week in July, attracting approximately 500,000 visitors annually. The surrounding countryside also produces grapes, and is one of the centers of wine production in the Midwest. Tourism, both summer and winter, is another key industry. The Traverse City area features varied natural attractions, including freshwater beaches, vineyards, a National Lakeshore, downhill skiing areas, and numerous forests. In 2009, TripAdvisor named Traverse City the number two small town destination in the United States. History Traverse City is named after the Grand Traverse Bay, which the city heads. The bay earned its name from 18th century French voyagers who made la grande traverse or 'the long crossing' across the mouth of the Grand Traverse Bay.In 1847, Captain Boardman of Naperville, Illinois, purchased the land at the mouth of the Boardman River at the head of the west arm of the bay. During that year the captain, his son, and their employees built a dwelling and sawmill near the mouth of the river. In 1851 the Boardmans sold the sawmill to Hannah, Lay & Co (Perry Hannah, Albert Tracy Lay and James Morgan), who improved the mill greatly. The increased investment in the mill attracted additional settlers to the new community.As of 1853, the only operating post office in the Grand Traverse Bay region was the one located at Old Mission, which was then known as 'Grand Traverse.' While in Washington, D.C. in 1852, Mr. Lay had succeeded in getting the U.S. Post Office to authorize a new post office at his newer settlement. As the newer settlement had become known as 'Grand Traverse City,' Lay proposed this name for its post office, but the USPS clerk suggested dropping the 'Grand,' in the name, as to limit confusion between this new office and the one at nearby Old Mission. Mr. Lay agreed to the name 'Traverse City' for the post office, and the village took on this name. Climate Its location on the 45th parallel is tempered by the strong and moderating effects of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay, which have a particularly noteworthy effect on the peninsulas that branch north of the city. As a result they have viticulture and Cherry orchards. Conseqeuntly, it generally experiences warm, mild summers and severe winters. Lake Michigan especially, but also Grand Traverse Bay, greatly impact the area's diverse coastal weather patterns, which occasionally consist of sudden and/or large amounts of precipitation during the seasonally active periods. Lake-effect snowfall constitutes a large percentage of the total annual snow accumulation, which averages around 80 inches (203 cm). Periods of snowfall typically last from November to April, with snow flurries as late as May or as early as September not unexpected.Traverse City's record high temperature is 105 °F (41 °C), and its low temperature is −33 °F (−36 °C), recorded on February 17, 1979. Geography Traverse City is a part of the greater Northern Michigan region. The city is the main inland port of the Grand Traverse Bay; a long, natural harbor separated from the waters of Lake Michigan by the Leelanau Peninsula, and divided longitudinally almost evenly by a narrow peninsula of tiered hillsides and farmland called Old Mission Peninsula.The most prominent and historically connected of the city's waterways is the Boardman River. Along with Boardman Lake, the river is part of the Boardman River Watershed and winds throughout the city as an integral and defining part of the downtown topography and economy, before flowing out into West Grand Traverse Bay. The Boardman’s 287-square-mile (740 km2) watershed contributes one-third of the water volume to the bay and is one of Michigan’s top-ten fishieres, with more than 36 miles (58 km) of its 179 miles (288 km) designated as a Blue Ribbon trout fishery. It is also a state-designated 'Natural River'.According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.7 square miles (22.5 km2), of which, 8.4 square miles (21.8 km2) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km2) of it (3.45%) is water. Demographics As of the census of 2000, there were 14,532 people, 6,443 households, and 3,485 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,728.7 per square mile (667.2/km²). There were 6,842 housing units at an average density of 813.9/sq mi (314.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.00% White, 0.65% African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.67% of the population.There were 6,443 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.9% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.82.In the city the population was spread out with 20.3% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.The median income for a household in the city was $37,330, and the median income for a family was $46,912. Males had a median income of $31,587 versus $22,512 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,247. About 4.8% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over. Government Traverse City is a home rule charter city under the Home Rule Cities Act, incorporated on May 18, 1895. The city is governed by six commissioners and a mayor, elected at-large. Together they comprise a seven-member legislative body. The commission appoints a city manager who serves as chief executive for city operations. Education The Pathfinder School- ISACS Accredited Pre-K to 8th Grade Independent School Northwestern Michigan College Great Lakes Maritime Academy Northwestern Michigan College University Center Traverse Bay Area Career-Tech Center Central Grade School (Public Elementary School) Central High School Traverse City Christian High School Traverse City High School(Alternative High School) Saint Francis High School(aRoman Catholicschool) The Woodland School (aCharter School) Grand Traverse Academy(aCharter School) Traverse City College Preparatory Academy(aCharter School) Traverse City West Senior High(established 1997 by a division of Traverse City Central) Trinity Lutheran School (Preschool-Grade 7) Western Michigan University- branch campus Interlochen Arts Academy- Fine Arts Boarding and Day School located 20 minutes outside of Traverse City Traverse Bay Christian School TC Training Center(Computer and Technology training) Print The Traverse City Record-Eagle is northwest lower Michigan's daily newspaper. It is circulated in the thirteen counties surrounding the city. In December 2006 it was sold by Ottaway Newspapers Inc., the community newspaper subsidiary of Dow Jones & Company to Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. (CNHI). It is the newspaper of record for Grand Traverse County. Daily editions of the Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, and Grand Rapids Press also are available on news stands throughout the region. Other local publications include 'Grand Traverse Insider', a local weekly community newspaper. NM3 Magazine a local lifestyle publication, Northern Express Weekly, Traverse City Business News, and Grand Traverse Woman Magazine.At least seven national magazines are published in Traverse City, including Thirdeye Magazine. Village Press Inc. is based in Traverse City. It publishes the Home Shop Machinist, Live Steam and Outdoor Railroading, Machinists' Workshop, Just Labs, Pointing Dog Journal, Retriever Journal and Twin and Turbine Magazines. Television Traverse City is the largest city in the Traverse City-Cadillac-Sault Ste. Marie Designated Market Area, the largest television market in area east of the Mississippi River. Accordingly, most stations in this vast region are broadcast simultaneously on widely-spaced transmitters on separate channels.Traverse City has two television stations licensed directly to the city:Channel 7:WPBN-TV'TV 7&4' (NBC) (simulcast on channel 4,Cheboygan) Channel 29:WGTU'ABC 29&8' (ABC) (simulcast on channel 8,Goetzville) Additionally, WGTU operates a CW Plus station on its second digital subchannel and Northern Michigan cable television systems:Channel 61:WGTU-DT2'Northern Michigan's CW' (The CW) *** The CW 61 channel is no longer in operation in Traverse City (as of June 2009) The city also has a low power rebroadcast transmitter of Mount Pleasant's PBS affiliate, WCMU-TV, operating on channel 46 (W46AD).Stations licensed to nearby Cadillac are considered local to Traverse City:Channel 9:WWTV'9 & 10 News' (CBS) (simulcast on channel 10, Goetzville, MI in the eastern U.P.) Channel 32:WFQX-TV'Fox 32' (Fox) Fox's sister network, MyNetworkTV, did not have an affiliate in the region when it launched back in September 2006. That changed at some point in 2008 when WLLZ-LP channel 12 added the network. This station also airs programming from America One and The Sportsman Channel.Cable television service is provided within Traverse City and many outlying communities by Charter Communications. Public access programming is provided on channel 2. Radio The Grand Traverse region is the primary hub for all of Northern Michigan's radio media. Traverse City is the home of Northern Michigan talk radio station WTCM News/Talk 580 AM. Other talk stations available in the Traverse City area include WJML, WMKT, and WSRT. AM 1310 ESPN Radio (operated by WCCW) broadcasts national ESPN content along with Detroit Pistons, Tigers, Red Wings and Lions games. MSU Football and Basketball can also be heard on 1310. There are 16 Commercial radio stations in a variety of typical commercial radio formats.Traverse City has 2 Religious radio stations; W201CM (a Translator at 88.1) and WLJN AM/FM 89.9FM and 1400AMInterlochen Center for the Arts's NPR member station Interlochen Public Radio. it serves a large portion of Northwest Lower Michigan via two stations: Recreation The National Cherry Festival, held during the first full week of July every year, is a draw for tourists to Traverse City. The festival features parades, fireworks, an air show, election of festival royalty, live music, a pie-eating contest and cherries. It is estimated that the Grand Traverse region produces up to 360,000,000 pounds (163,000,000 kg) of cherries annually. The largest variety of cherry produced locally is the Montmorency cherry, or the 'pie cherry'. Other cherries grown in the region include the Ulster, or sweet cherry, and the Balaton (from Lake Balaton in Hungary), a cherry situated between the Montmorency and Ulster in terms of color and taste.The locale and topography is conducive for bicycling. A map with routes, different trips, advice and local knowledge is available. Lake Michigan presents a location for sailing, fishing, and kayaking.The Traverse City State Park, with about 250 campsites, is located three miles (4.8 km) east of downtown on 47 acres (19 hectares) including a quarter mile beach on the East Bay arm of Grand Traverse Bay.The sandy soil is conducive to viticulture, and there are over 50 wineries in the Traverse City area. Most offer free wine tasting. Traverse city is located at the base of the Old Mission Peninsula wine region Shopping Traverse City's central business district is located along Front Street downtown. Another major shopping district is on US 31 southwest of town, where several big box stores are located, as well as two shopping malls: the Grand Traverse Mall, anchored by Target, JCPenney, Macy's, and the Preferred Outlets, a factory outlet center. Another mall, Cherryland Center, is located on Garfield Avenue on the south end of town; this mall features Kmart, Younkers, and Sears. Professional sports Traverse City is home to a professional baseball team and a semi-professional football team. The Traverse City Beach Bums are a minor league baseball team who play their home games at Wuerfel Park in nearby Blair Township, Michigan. The Beach Bums are a member of the independent Frontier League. The Traverse City Wolves are a semi-professional football team who play their home games at Thirlby Field. The Wolves are a member of the North American Football League in the Great Lakes region of the Northern Conference.The Traverse City North Stars are Junior 'A' level hockey club (member of the North American Hockey League), and they play at the Centre I.C.E. hockey arena. Traverse City also hosts the training camp for the Detroit Red Wings NHL hockey team. The city also hosts the Traverse City Prospects Tournament, an annual tournament displaying young NHL prospects from select NHL teams. Arts and culture The Traverse City Film Festival, founded by filmmaker and activist Michael Moore, takes place every summer. The six-day event presents independent films and documentaries, as well as discussion boards with directors, actors and others involved with the film industry. In 2007, the film festival acquired the historic State Theater for year round screenings.The Festival of the Senses, a city-wide festival with events designed to stimulate all five of the senses, occurs in the fall. The festival features art exhibitions, music and theater.The City Opera House, located in downtown Traverse City features plays, movies, and other performances.The Dennos Museum Center, located on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College, is home to a collection of Inuit art including sculpture, drawing and prints. The center is also home to a children’s museum, as well as various ongoing exhibitions in their large exhibition space.Two major arts groups are active in Traverse City. The Artcenter Traverse City offers art classes, a summer arts workshop series, exhibition space, and year-round art gallery exhibits. The Traverse City Art Works Alliance is a member-based arts group, founded by local artist Charly Hansen in 2005 with the goal to organize events and shows which feature the region’s artists.The city was also home to Clover, a Christian dance music festival, in August 2006[citation needed].Northwestern Michigan College also hosts NMAcon, a local anime convention, during August.[citation needed] Historical markers There are thirteen recognized Michigan historical markers in Traverse City. They are:Bingham District No. 5 Schoolhouse City Opera House Congregation Beth El Grand Traverse Bay Grand Traverse County Courthouse Great Lakes Sport Fishery Greensky Hill Mission Ladies Library Association Novotny's Saloon Park Place Hotel Torrent House Perry Hannah House Traverse City State Hospital Taxicab Taxi service in the Traverse City Region is served by Cherry Capital Cab and Chippewa Cab companies. Planes With a new terminal completed in 2004, Cherry Capital Airport provides regularly scheduled passenger airline service to Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis and seasonally to New York, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Denver as well as to smaller Michigan destinations to the north. Ships and boats Adjacent to theairportisCoast Guard Air Station Traverse City, responsible for both maritime and land-basedsearch and rescueoperations in the northernGreat Lakesregion. On April 7, 2010, the USCG designated Traverse City a Coast Guard City. Traverse City is the second city in Michigan and tenth in the country to receive this honor. Located in the harbor of theGreat Lakes Maritime Academyis the T/SState of Michigan, a 224-foot (68 m) former Navy submarine surveillance vessel. The vessel is used as a classroom and laboratory while cadets of the Academy are underway and shore side. Atall ship, the SchoonerManitouis berthed at Traverse City, and offers passages to the public. Near Traverse City are two other tall ships, the SchoonerMadelineand the 55-foot (17 m) long replica of the sloopWelcome, an 18th century British warship sloop, which was built for the 1976 Bicentennial of the American Revolution. They are the only two boats recognized by the State of Michigan for their historic significance. From May through October, trained volunteers conduct tours (when in port), and give a history of the boats and Great Lakes sailing. TheMadelineis berthed at Elmwood Township 'Coal Dock' (Heritage Harbor) - West Bayshore, just south of the Elmwood Township MarinaBoth are maintained by the Maritime Heritage Alliance. TheNauti-Cat, a 43 passenger catamaran books passages on Grand Traverse bay. The Nauti-Cat is the largest commercial sailing catamaran on the Great Lakes at 47-foot (14 m) long, 29-foot (8.8 m) wide and has a 63-foot (19 m) mast. They offer cruises 7 days a week, 4 times a day. Public transportation Traverse City also has a public transportation system, the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) which serves most of the Grand Traverse region with dial-a-ride services and a fixed route bus service, called the Cherriot, serves Traverse City and the urbanized areas of Garfield Township. BATA recently revealed its first hybrid bus in December, 2005. BATA recently completed a downtown bus transfer terminal on Hall St. , which opened July 21, 2006. The terminal is used to transfer riders to different buses on different routes. Bus The area is served by Greyhound and Indian Trails Bus service. The bus station is located at the corner of Cass and South Airport roads. Railroads The Great Lakes Central (GLC) provides freight rail service to the Traverse City area on track owned by the state of Michigan. The tracks were once owned by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (ex-Pere Marquette Railway) and the Pennsylvania Railroad (ex-Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad) but were purchased by the state in the late 1970s and early 1980s to preserve rail service in the area. Current freight traffic includes fruit/perishables, scrap metal, and lumber.Regular intercity passenger train service ended on October 29, 1966, after the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) discontinued Grand Rapids – Traverse City – Bay View service. Since then, excursion passengers trains have operated in and out of Traverse City on an irregular basis. Recently, Lake Central Rail Tours has operated a summer excursion during the Cherry Festival. On May 11, 1996, the Grand Traverse Dinner Train began year round service from the Traverse City depot to Williamsburg and to Walton Junction. Dinner train service was suspended in 2004 after a contract dispute with the Tuscola and Saginaw Bay Railway and additional difficulties. The train itself was removed to Owosso in mid-July 2006.[citation needed] Religion Traverse City, and the surrounding Grand Traverse region, hosts a large religious population with both historical and recently constructed or established gathering places throughout the community. With the majority consisting of various Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, and non-denominational branches of Christianity, the city is also home to Jewish, Universalist, and a number of various populations as well.[citation needed]Traverse City is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord. Notable residents Mark Brammer,Michigan State Universityfootballplayer who received theAll-Americaaccolade in 1978 and later played in the NFL. Demas T. Craw, posthumousMedal of Honorwinner Jeremy Davies, an actor featured inSaving Private Ryan,Solaris,Lost, andCQ. Tom Kozelko, formerNBAbasketball player with theWashington Bullets Dan Majerle, formerNBAbasketballplayer who played for thePhoenix Suns,Miami Heatand theCleveland Cavaliers Barbara McGuire,polymer clayartist and prolific author William G. Milliken,RepublicanGovernorof Michigan from 1969 to 1983 Matt Noveskey, musician in the bandsBlue Octoberand(a+) machines. Kenny Olson,guitaristfor thepop musicartistKid Rock Carter Oosterhouse, carpenter onreality TV showTrading Spaces Pun Plamondon, 1960s activist Craig Thompson, cartoonist andgraphic novelistbest known forBlankets Barry Watson, an actor whose credits include thetelevision programs7th HeavenandSamantha Who? David Wayne,Hollywoodfilm andBroadway theatreactor Dallas Drake, recently retired NHL player played who last played for theDetroit Red Wings. Previously, Drake played for theWinnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes, andSt. Louis Blues. Robert P. Griffin, Justice of theMichigan Supreme Courtfrom 1987 to 1994;United States Senatorfrom 1966 to 1979; Member of theU.S. House of Representativesfrom 1957 to 1966. TheGrand Traverse CountyRobert P. Griffin Hall of Justice was dedicated in his honor on November 13, 2006. Gary Hogeboom,National Football Leagueplayer for theDallas Cowboys,Indianapolis Colts,Phoenix Cardinals, andWashington Redskinsafter playing college football at theCentral Michigan Universityand high school football at Northview High School inGrand Rapids, Michigan. Bob James, jazz musician who created the instrumental theme songAngelafor the sitcomTaxiand has been sampled by numerous hip-hop artists, is a resident of Traverse City. Suzy Merchant,basketball coachcoaches for Michigan State University women's basketball. Doug Mirabelli,MLBbaseballplayer who played for theBoston Red Sox,San Diego Padres,Texas Rangersand theSan Francisco Giants Bunny Oakes, headfootballcoach at theUniversity of Colorado at Boulderfrom 1935 to 1939, who during that period compiled a 25-15-1 (.622) record. Pat Paulsen, Actor/comedian, owner of the Cherry County Playhouse theater during the 1970s Kate Botello, one time host of TechTV's The Screen Savers and Extended Play now resides in Traverse City where she owns a web design company. Michael Moore, the director of the controversialFahrenheit 9/11andCapitalism: A Love Story, among others, the co-organizer of the Traverse City Film Festival, and who helped fund the remodeling of the historic State Theater, lives in Torch Lake, Michigan.