Features

Feature Story Float Paddle Center List Image

No boat, no problem. Bay County offers many options for water access.

As spring and summer edge nearer in Bay County, a variety of services stand ready and waiting to get residents out on the water and enjoying what the local waterways have to offer.  

Feature Story Trends list image

Voices of Youth: Teens explain what's hot now and predict the next big thing

From fashion to music to social media, what's popular constantly changes. In this month's Voices of Youth installment, local teens explain what's trending now.

Feature Story Music List Image

Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame rolls into the Historical Museum of Bay County

From Motown greats and the Bay City Rollers to Alice Cooper and Madonna, Bay City’s brushes with rock and roll history are impressive.  

Feature Story Application list image

Spring is the season of sunshine, flowers, and grant applications

If your agency runs a program to help people in Bay or Arenac counties, the United Way of Bay County and Bay Area Community Foundation want to hear about it.

Feature Story Hofmann House list

Re-visiting a family renovating an historic home on North Grant Street

As the Hofmann family continues renovating a historic home on Bay City's East Side, they also are making big plans for the neighborhood.

Feature Story Tessa Leppek list

Back to Bay County: One young professional's journey to a career in her hometown

Bay City native Tessa Leppek says family and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology drew her back to the community.  

Feature Story Bay County list

Local leaders ready themselves to put ARPA dollars to work in the Bay County region

Bay Future Inc. is using $2 million in ARPA funds to help Bay County businesses recover from the pandemic and to attract and retain a high-quality workforce.

Feature Story Ice Fishing list image

Ice fishing generates regional revenue while showcasing successful environmental recovery efforts

Winter ice covering the Saginaw River and Bay offer unique and affordable opportunities to try the sport of fishing in a premier environment.

Feature Story Party Pal Adopt a Grandparent list

Party Pals fills hearts and balloons during Adopt-a-Grandparent project in the region

For a second year, Party Pals and local partners deliver “Balloon Buddies” to 248 residents of local nursing homes and care facilities as part of a nationwide project to lift spirits.  

Feature Story United Way List Image

Federal money is available for agencies providing emergency food and shelter in Bay County

Bay County agencies that help people find emergency food and shelter have until March 1 to apply for federal funding.

Feature Story RIX Logo

Issue Media Group Launches Rural Innovation eXchange

Issue Media Group is excited to announce the company’s latest online media project – Rural Innovation eXchange (RIX). RIX will focus on the innovation, talent, entrepreneurship, social innovation and community development taking place in rural Michigan and feature the work of rural talent and content creators.   

Development News Wound Care list

Wound care clinic brings new life to an old restaurant site

Two nurses with specialized training opened a medical office to help patients with non-healing wounds  

Development News Excited Goat Coffee Co. list

Location, atmosphere, and a good cup of coffee draw customers to Essexville

Veteran business owners open the Excited Goat Coffee Co. in a strip mall near M-25  

Development News Uptown Bay City Rivers Edge list

If you want to live in Uptown, act fast. The new Rivers Edge Apartments are almost all rented

Just months after finishing on Rivers Edge Apartments, the developers at Uptown are making plans to start constructing a new residential building this spring.  

Feature Story MLK Day List Image

MLK Day of Service Project grows to help everyone from toddlers to seniors in Bay and Arenac

A coalition of agencies, educators, senior citizens, and service clubs came together in January to pull off a service project for more than 200 families.  

Feature Story Jay Handy list

Q&A with Jay Handy, Artist in Residence for March at Studio 23

Artist Jay Handy, who grew up in Bay City and has exhibited his work in galleries around the world, is working on an exhibit featuring local photos.

Feature Story Kinsley Navarro List

Hot cocoa is the bomb for a 10-year-old Cramer Junior High student

Kinsley Navarro, 10, started making hot cocoa bombs for fun in November. Now, she has a business and will be selling her chocolatey concoctions downtown.

Development News Defensive Concepts logo

Gun safety is about more than handling a weapon, according to a Bay City-based firearms instructor

Dave Coppler opened Defensive Concepts Michigan in July to improve literacy about weapons and to encourage safe use of firearms.

Development News Newton Eyecare List image

A new facade draws eyes to Newton Eyecare

Dr. Lee Newton says he upgraded his building to reflect the growth of businesses along the Bangor Township corridor.  

Feature Story Literacy Council list image

Literacy Council of Bay County opens books to open doors

Kathy Rayner, Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Bay County, has spent the last 24 years bolstering literacy skills in the area, with the help of a dedicated team of tutors.  

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