Category: News

Site announcements of changes that affect the Thumbwind website are highlighted.

News and events of Michigan’s Upper Thumb that are worth knowing in the region.

Here are some of the top stories.

The History of Durand Michigan - Railroad Town USA

The History of Durand Michigan – Railroad City, USA (1890-1940)

Posted on April 5, 2026May 17, 2026 by Michael Hardy

The history of Durand Michigan is the story of the railroad. Unlike many Michigan towns that grew around lumber, mining,

The History of Park Island Michigan – When Lake Orion Offered the Thrill of Coney Island in Michigan (1901-1933)

Posted on April 4, 2026May 17, 2026 by Michael Hardy

There was a time when thousands of people came to Lake Orion every summer, not by car, but by boat.

Charlevoix itching to promote native plants

Posted on April 1, 2026April 1, 2026 by Michael Hardy

The town continues its ice storm recovery efforts through beautification projects, including replanting efforts to replace destroyed vegetation. Per best

Raccoons are trained to pick up trash in Port Austin.

Posted on April 1, 2026April 1, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Port Austin‘s animal control department has announced a new program to reduce litter on public beaches and parks. Dozens of

Huron County Nature Center Summer Intern Position Opens With a Rare Paid Chance for Students in Michigan’s Thumb

Posted on March 24, 2026March 24, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Huron County Nature Center summer intern applications are open for a paid seasonal job near Port Austin, offering hands-on public-facing

Ice Storm Preparation – What Homeowners Can Still Do Before the Weekend – Download this 38 point checklist

Posted on January 23, 2026January 23, 2026 by Michael Hardy

Ice storms bring power outages, frozen pipes, and blocked roads. This guide breaks down last-minute ice storm preparation steps homeowners can take now, plus the supplies needed to get through three to four days safely.

Michigan college rankings – 10 standout campuses in WalletHub’s 2026 report

Posted on November 13, 2025November 13, 2025 by Michael Hardy

WalletHub’s 2026 Michigan college rankings put the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo College and Hope College at the top, giving families new data on cost, outcomes and campus safety.

Michigan Mental Health System Faces Overhaul as Whitmer Puts Local Services Out for Competitive Bid

Posted on August 27, 2025August 27, 2025 by Michael Hardy

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s move to put Michigan’s public mental health system out for competitive bid has sparked backlash from local providers warning of service cuts.

U of M Study – Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Tied To 28% Spike in Air Pollution – Map

Posted on August 14, 2025August 14, 2025 by Michael Hardy

A University of Michigan mapping study finds that large cattle and hog feeding operations raise PM2.5 pollution levels and disproportionately affect uninsured and Latino communities.

Grindstone City’s Historic Grindstones Drying Yard

Posted on August 13, 2025August 13, 2025 by Michael Hardy

A rare historic photo captures the drying yard of Grindstone City, Michigan, where freshly cut Berea sandstone grindstones awaited shipment to markets around the world. This scene reflects the height of the Thumb’s once-thriving stone-cutting industry.