🌱 Meet Traverse City’s new fire chief and see what changes are coming.
Hi Traverse City! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Meet Traverse City’s new fire chief and see what changes are coming.
- Need to dump spring yard waste? Here’s when Keystone Road is open.
- How this week’s flooding is disrupting daily life across Traverse City
Also on today's calendar: COMEDY RUMBLE live in Traverse City! and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Warmer with clouds and sun, with a high of 73 and low of 46 degrees.
- Saturday: Rain and a thunderstorm, temps: high: 53, low: 33.
- Sunday: A rain or snow shower; colder, with a high of 39 and low of 26 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. City Announces New Fire Chief (traverseticker.com) — Traverse City has hired seasoned fire services leader Aaron Bunyea as the city’s new fire chief, succeeding retiring Chief Jim Tuller later this month. A detailed transition plan is in place to maintain coverage until Bunyea starts May 13, and residents are invited to meet him at a May 28 open house at the West Front Street station. 
2. Community in Brief: 04/16/2026 (record-eagle.com) — Traverse City residents can now use the Grand Traverse County Brush Drop-Off Site on Keystone Road for yard waste, with specific hours Tuesday through Saturday and per-yard or per-bag fees. Separate leaves and grass from branches, empty plastic bags on-site, and check RecycleSmart’s website or hotline for full details before you load your trailer.
3. Traverse City flash flood swamps FishPass construction site (mlive.com) — Flash flooding has swamped Traverse City’s FishPass construction site on the Boardman River, though officials say damage looks limited and no injuries were reported. The same high water has triggered a local state of emergency, flooded homes, closed the South YMCA, and shut key roads like South Airport Road at Logan’s Landing, disrupting travel across Grand Traverse County.
4. MI Man Hit With Ax In Road Rage Incident: Report (patch.com) — Police say a 74-year-old man was struck in the arm with an ax during a road rage confrontation Tuesday at Woodmere and Hannah in Traverse City, then drove himself to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A 70-year-old suspect was later arrested at home and faces an assault charge for allegedly following the victim into a nearby library parking lot.
5. Small Towns in America for Remote Executive Living (valiantceo.com) — Remote workers considering a move will find Traverse City highlighted as a standout small town that blends strong professional networks with a vacation-like atmosphere. The piece notes reliable internet, solid infrastructure, and even a $5,000 housing support offer for qualifying new leases or mortgages, positioning the city as an appealing base for executives, consultants, and entrepreneurs.
📸 Around Traverse City
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Traverse City
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Roy Wood Jr.
City Opera House, 106 E Front St, Traverse City
8:00 pm
Friday April 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
102nd U.S. Colored Troops Company C Outdoor Living History Display
Traverse Area District Library , 610 Woodmere Ave. , Traverse City
11:00 am -
Schoolhouse Rock Singalong
Traverse Area District Library , 610 Woodmere Ave. , Traverse City
11:00 am -
OpenSpot Theatre: Six Week Theatre Class
Traverse Area District Library , 213 S Brownson Ave. , Kingsley
11:00 am -
D&D For Teens Group 2
Traverse Area District Library , 610 Woodmere Ave. , Traverse City
1:00 pm -
The 1st Michigan Colored Regiment presentation by Maurice Imhoff
Traverse Area District Library , 610 Woodmere Ave. , Traverse City
4:00 pm -
COMEDY RUMBLE live in Traverse City!
City Opera House , 106 E Front St , Traverse City
5:00 pm -
The Dirtier Show
The Little Fleet , 448 E Front St , Traverse City
9:30 pm
Saturday April 18
📣 Traverse City Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
Full-Tilt Improv
The Alluvion , 414 E Eighth St , Traverse City
4:30 pm -
The Comedy Rumble
City Opera House , 106 E Front St , Traverse City
1:00 pm -
Pints North Great Lakes Trivia at Farm CLub
Farm Club: Restaurant, Farm Market & Brewery , 10051 Lake Leelanau Dr , Traverse City
7:00 pm -
Hickory Hills Advisory Committee
Lodge at Hickory Hills , 2000 Randolph St , Traverse City
9:00 am
Friday April 17
Saturday April 18
Monday April 20
Thursday April 23
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Traverse City PatchAM possible:
- Compaan Garage Doors — (231) 943-1111
New Traverse City, MI Location Now Open
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Please keep an urgent eye out for Tom—he’s been missing for a full week now, and this is deeply concerning.
He was last seen on his e-bike, but there have been no leads or confirmed sightings since. This is very out of character for him, and given his… (Nextdoor Grand Traverse Mall) - A rocky road ahead for Traverse City residents, can also be seen as a challenge by others…it’s all how you look at it.
Today look at the fog as a beautiful sight and try to reflect on how to proceed with positivity during your day. We are Traverse City Strong. We will… (Nextdoor Old Mission)
- The 2026 State of the District video is now live! Stay up to date with TCAPS’ initiatives and see how we are educating, engaging, and supporting all... (X: TCAPSNews)
- Flood watches and rain continue Wednesday in northern Michigan. Plus, a man is rushed to a hospital after being stabbed in Traverse City. (X: upnorthlive)
- Traverse City Pit Spitters posted a job opening for Traverse City Pit Spitters: Gameday Stocker in Traverse City. Apply here.
- Britten, Inc. posted a job opening for Welder in Traverse City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Traverse City here.
Ok Traverse City! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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