Residents of AuGres have a weekend of tree lighting ceremonies and holiday festivities to look forward to. The annual AuGres Chamber Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights will be held Saturday the 26th after a number of holiday festivities throughout the day. At 3:00 pm, free carriage rides will be offered at the AuGres-Sims High School courtesy of the Royal Carriage Company. The rides are new this year and will last about 20 minutes, going along Michigan Avenue. At 5:30 pm, caroling at the corner of US-23 and Michigan Avenue will begin, followed by the tree lighting ceremony at the same intersection. Afterwards, the parade will move from the tree lighting to the city pavilion on North Main St, where AuGres city firefighters will be providing hot cocoa and H & H Bakery will offer donut hol... 11/21/2011

Federal funds available for landowners to create and improve grassland wildlife habitat in and around the AuGres MI area (saginaw bay). Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials remind landowners in the Saginaw Bay and River Raisin basins that federal funds are available to establish, improve and maintain quality grasslands for wildlife. The $100,000.00 fund is available through matching grants. The timing of this couldn't be better as the DNR embarks on pheasant restoration initiative. This money is available in all 3 of the priority areas and should help landowners turn idle or degraded land into quality upland wildlife habitat. Landowners who are interested in improving their grassland habitat should contact their local USDA Service Center.references: iosco news, donsr... 08/27/2011

AuGres MI to host art and wine walk Kinder Platz Park in AuGres is going to be hit with a little class when the 1st Art, Wine and a Park event is held August 12th and 13th. The event will bring a large number of people into the downtown AuGres area. The Art, Wine and a Park is a 2 day event. Friday, August 12th will feature an art show from 4:00 until 9:30 and wine tasting from 7:00 until 9:30. Another art show will be held Saturday, August 13th from 10:00 until 4:00. Tickets for the wine tasting event will cost $20 per person. The city is also encouraging anyone who wants to enter their art projects to come out. Tickets for the wine tasting can be purchased at AuGres City Hall, Chemical Bank in AuGres and the AuGres Community Library. references: arenac county independent, james kuch, ... 07/31/2011

The date for the 4th Annual Summer Slam Volleyball Tournament in AuGres has changed as the event looks to expand this year. The tournament, typically held on Labor Day weekend, will be held Aug. 6th this year, to allow more college students to participate. The tournament has evolved over the past few years. The most notable change is that the funds raised will go toward a scholarship fund in memory of Ashley Irwin. The volleyball tournament will feature 4-person teams divided into different categories. Ages 13 and older are eligible to compete in the event and the cost is $15 per person for the round robin tournament. Another new twist to this year's Summer Slam is the addition of a horseshoe tournament. Horseshoe competitors can sign up in 2-person teams. $15 for people to sign up to c... 07/18/2011

Charity Island cruise held to help foster tourism ideas A group of area business people set off from the East Tawas State Dock last Friday for Charity Island. The 17 mile trip, which featured a tour of the historic Charity Island Lighthouse and lunch, wasn't all pleasure though, important tourism networking was taking place. The excursion was hosted by the Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension and was created to explore Lake Huron ecotourism opportunities. It was part of a continuing effort by area agencies to utilize Tawas Bay, Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron to boost tourism that is environmentally sound for the lake, according to Michigan Sea Grant.references: jason ogden, iosco news, donsrealty.net 07/06/2011

The AuGres MI city council will meet with the city's planning commission to discuss the future of the property where the AuGres Water Funland currently sits. Located at 167 N. Water St. in AuGres MI, alongside US-23, has reverted back into the hands of the city. The property was placed into the hands of the Arenac County Treasurer's office after taxes were not paid. 3 years of unpaid taxes adds up to $40,000. The park opened in AuGres MI during the mid 1980s and closed around 4 years ago. It featured a number of attractions including a water park, bumper boats, go carts and an arcade. A few years ago a lot of these items were auctioned off. Schools and campers enjoyed using the park during its heyday, but, there has been a limited amount of interest in the property.references: james kuc... 04/20/2011

City council believes some census data is incorrect The city of AuGres will be looking into census data results they believe to be incorrect. The census results showing the city's number of residential homes decreasing from 733 to 598 cannot be accurate, leaving behind a negative perception of the city. Water billing records from 2008 showed an increase, based on census data from 2000, in the number of homes in AuGres. The city has a few foreclosed homes in the area, but one of the causes may be the city's seasonal homes that were not accounted for. Results from the census show the citys population fell from 1028 to 889, a decrease of about 13.6%. The potential error could take 4 years to correct.references: james kuch, arenac county independent, donsrealty.net 04/06/2011

The city of AuGres will have a few extra dollars to spend on sprucing up the downtown area after the city council reallocated around $550,000 in bond money, by passing a resolution at its meeting Tuesday, March 1st. Due to receiving a number of grants for projects, bond money that had been collected for the city's Capitol Projects fund since 2007, would have gone toward those projects, will now go toward other improvements for the city. The city is going to look at improving sidewalks, adding to the parks, improving the waste-water treatment plant and buying some new equipment as well.references: james kuch, donsrealty.net, arenac county independent 03/09/2011

The AuGres City Council voted at its regular meeting on 02/01/2011 to join the Michigan Port Collaborative (MPC). The city manager said being a part of the collaborative will help promote AuGres' small harbors. Being a part of the MPC is a great way to market AuGres. There are currently 103 ports in Michigan that are part of the MPC. Nearby areas include East Tawas, Harrisville, Oscoda and areas along the Saginaw River. The goal of the MPC is for small ports across Michigan to come unite. Joining helps all of these ports to get together and inform the public. According to the resolution passed by the city council to join the MPC, AuGres is home to a recreational harbor, a harbor of refuge and a commercial port, meeting the definition of a port community. The resolution also states that ... 02/05/2011

After originally being discussed by the AuGres City Council as an idea in 1996, and after construction which began more than 2 years ago, AuGres finally has its bike path. The newly completed path stretches from Main St. and travels to the mouth of the AuGres River. The path is estimated to be around 2.5 miles in length and cost approximately $350,000 to complete. The project was paid for thanks to money received from a $750,000 Michigan Economic Development Corp. grant, received in January, and 2, 2.0 percent allocation grants from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. The most time consuming and expensive part of the project was the addition of a storm drain, enclosing a ditch that runs alongside of S. Main St. The path is a great edition to the community, AuGres has a number of faciliti... 12/12/2010

An auction held at Dunleavey's Eatery & Pub in AuGres, raised a total of $7,833 for the Arenac County Fund. Money for the fund was raised from the auction, a 50-50 raffle, donations from the Arenac County Fund board and donations from people in attendance. Dunleavey's has hosted the auction the past 8 years and was filled with people looking to bid on 80 items. The Arenac County Fund distributed grants to local organizations and schools, more than $80,000 in the last 10 years. To make a donation to the fund or to get more information, call 989-893-4438 and specify that the donation is to the Arenac County Fund.references: arenac county independent, james kuch 12/08/2010

The AuGres City Council will be sending letters to Michigan U.S. senators requesting their continued support for a Senate bill entitled the Harbor Maintenance Act of 2010. The letter will ask the senators to adopt legislation ensuring that money collected by the Harbor Trust Fund will be used for its intended purposes of maintaining Michigan's harbors and ports. AuGres is part of the Michigan Port Collaborative (MPC), which is organizing the effort. If the city does not take the time to show the importance of being a city with a harbor, the harbor may not exist. That is why AuGres is a part of the MPC, comprised of 19 port communities from across the state. In October, the AuGres City Council unanimously decided to pay $20,000.00 from the city's Capital Projects Fund for the dredging of... 11/18/2010

The AuGres City Council approved a $273,980 bid to create a bike path on Main Street leading from downtown AuGres to the mouth of the AuGres River. The money will come from the $750,000 Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant that the city received in January. The path will connect from US-23 to Main Street. This is a continuation of a project the city of AuGres is using the MEDC grant for. The addition of the path is part of a number of improvements added to S. Main St. Construction included the enclosing of a ditch on the east side of the road, and replacing the underground storm system. Now, with that project completed, the bike path can be constructed. Another project, using the MEDC grant, will involve roadwork at the intersection of S. Court St. and South Stree, and is exp... 08/07/2010

Walleye tournament comes to AuGres Michigan The Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit is coming to AuGres August 6-8. The walleye fishing tournament will be held out of the AuGres Boating Access Site on the Saginaw Bay, where around 70 teams, equaling 150 anglers, will compete for the $11,900 1st place prize. The MWC has been in existence for 26 years and last visited the Saginaw Bay in 2008 when the tournament was held in Bay City. The 5 best fish from each team will be weighed each day and totaled to select a winner. An extra day is built into the schedule to allow for 2 full days of competition in case of bad weather. Teams will launch at 7 a.m. and return for weight in at 4 p.m. each day. Based on a 70 team field, the top 14 teams will share a $36,450 cash purse, with the winning team co... 07/29/2010

Christmas is in December, but for some local area golfers the holiday may have moved up the calendar a few months as the AuGres Area Chamber of Commerce presents its 2nd annual Christmas in July Golf outing on July 10th. The outing, which will take place at Knoll View in AuGres, will allow golfers to raise money for Christmas presents for local underprivileged children. Last year the outing raised more than $4,000, and this year they hope to raise at least that amount again. The outing, which is limited to 36 teams, had a charge of $65 for teams signing up before July 1st, and costs $75 for teams that are registering from now until the event. The registration fees not only include the chance to swing for that hole-in-one, it also includes a steak fry dinner after the event, along with t... 07/10/2010

AuGres farm market opens up. For the 3rd year in a row, the city of AuGres is hoping to grow some more popularity as they are getting ready to kick off their annual farm market. Ending Sept. 29th, the market will be hosted inside of the City Park at the pavilion, every Wednesday from 2-6 pm. Farm Market Master Eve Wressel said shoppers can expect to see a lot of fresh and new items for sale, unlike flea markets. AuGres City Manager said that she hopes to see people come on out to the Market. Arenac County Michigan State University Extension director said that MSU Extension supports the Farm Market, and that he will be one of the vendors. Vendors can join the Farm Market for a $10 fee that pays for the whole season. Potential vendors can call Wressel at 989-876-7805 for more information.... 07/02/2010

Lovers of water sports on the AuGres River, can breathe a deep sigh of relief as the AuGres River is set to gain some depth. With parts of the river as low as less than 3 feet, the Faust Corporation of Saint Clair Shores will deepen the river to an average of 6 feet deep, from the US-23 Bridge to the mouth of the river where it enters the Saginaw Bay. The project will start 07/01/2010, and it is expected to end around 10/01/2010. With the company using big equipment, including a barge with an excavator on it, it will take up a lot of the river, even though it will still be open to water enthusiasts. As the river is dredged, the corporation will empty the dredged materials into large trucks that will then take the materials to a city disposal site located on South Street, just west of th... 06/26/2010

Michigan's Sunrise Coast   With the Sunrise Coast recently becoming a featured destination on the Pure Michigan web site, It's important that Arenac County do its part in joining forces with the rest of the northeast Michigan coastline as well as become more united within the county itself. For tourists who are coming up from downstate, or for those who are coming up from other parts of the county, Arenac County is the beginning of their experience of the Sunrise Coast. The weekend traffic is already starting to roll in, gearing up every one for the summer, and we need to remember that we are just as much a part of the Sunrise Coast as areas like Tawas and Oscoda. Every community along US-23 has something to offer to travelers, and we need to remember that our county can provide for tou... 05/07/2010

If you have ever spent time around AuGres or East Tawas Michigan, then you've heard of the Charity Islands. As a kid, my grandfather used to tell me stories about how the indians used the island for collecting flint to make tools and for fishing the shallow water between the 2 islands. So when I heard about Charity Island Excursions I signed up for their monthly newsletter. The March issue talks about "Shirley Ann" departing from East Tawas State Dock this summer, dinner cruises, wildflowers of the islands, bird watching, homemade corn chowder and french bread at the lighthouse. To get information on boarding, cruise boats, day trips and schedules, contact Karen at 1-989-254-7710 or www.charityisland.net       03/24/2010

Habitat for Humanity welcomes 3rd family For 1 woman and her family, the dream of living in a nice, safe environment has finally been realized thanks to those involved with Arenac County's Habitat for Humanity. On Sunday afternoon, friends, family, and those involved with Habitat for Humanity, gathered in a newly constructed home to welcome Terrilynn Lobdell and her daughters to their new house. Lobdell said she never expected she would be chosen for the house when she originally sent in the application, but she said she thought it wouldn't hurt to try. Lobdell's home is the 3rd house completed through Arenac County's Habitat for Humanity. Construction began in the fall of 2008, and since that time, the organization was able to raise the $50,000 needed for the project. The Arenac County... 02/28/2010