TRAVERSE CITY — No charges will be filed against two brawlers who crashed through a downtown antique store's front display window, a decision not sitting well with store vendors.
"This is the third time it's happened to us," said Jane Strauser, manager at Wilson's Antiques store along Union Street. "If you drink too much and get into fights ... you should pay for your behavior."
Grand Traverse County prosecutor Alan Schneider said there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute the two men who broke out the window while pummeling each other in the early morning hours of Aug. 2. The fight rekindled ongoing concerns about violence and boozed behavior in the 100 block of Union Street.
"Each participant claimed self-defense, and the investigation did not provide sufficient evidence to disprove either claim, which is our obligation," Schneider said. "There was obviously no specific intent to damage the window, and thus an essential element (for) malicious destruction of property is lacking."
Traverse City police said a 27-year-old man from Kingsley and a 24-year-old man from Kalkaska were fighting when they fell through the store's plate glass window during the fight. Strauser estimates the damage at $4,000, including the cost of the window and damage to a vendor's display.
The incident happened during the Traverse City Film Festival, which Strauser said is an important time for Wilson's given increased foot traffic in the downtown district. The store covered the broken out window with sheets of plywood. She said the store's insurance carrier will pursue civil litigation against the fighters to recoup the cost of the damage.
"There's no reason why we have to put up with this time after time," Strauser said. "The culpable people are the bars that serve them too much."
Store owners in the 100 block of Union Street said they regularly deal with property damage, urine and vomit on sidewalks from drunks rolling out of the bars at closing time.
"We assigned two officers on overtime last Friday night to that area, and we had no issues," Traverse City police Capt. Steve Morgan said.
Region
No charges for brawlers
Not enough evidence to charge men who crashed through store window
-
-
Property owners sue over flooding
A group of Boardman River property owners filed a lawsuit over removal of the Brown Bridge Dam, saying their property values dropped when the river’s water levels rose.
Continued ... -
TCL&P may spend $15K on land it doesn't want
The city’s electric utility will spend up to $15,000 on a piece of property it hopes to never own — just in case public opposition foils its preferred location for an electrical substation.
Continued ... -
Teens admit to lewd elevator act
Traverse City police are investigating a report of sexual contact between two teens in a Traverse City Central High School elevator.
Continued ... -
Fired Munson clinic employee settles lawsuit
A former Munson Medical Center worker recently settled a lawsuit that alleged her civil rights were violated when she was fired from her job at an HIV-AIDS clinic.
Continued ... -
Free yard waste drop-off offered in Garfield
Garfield Township residents can dispose of yard waste for free starting later this month. No-charge waste passes will be available at Garfield Township Hall starting today through June 4.
Continued ... -
Forecast: More storms followed by cool temps
Meteorologists say to expect more severe thunderstorms coming through the Grand Traverse region.
Continued ... -
TC resident wins $5K Art Van Award of Hope
Cecilia Chesney, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, received $5,000 for her organization and was given the chance to compete for an additional $25,000 through the Art Van Charity Challenge.
Continued ... - Monday, May 20, 2013
-
Family of woman killed by drunk driver: 'It's just not fair'
Paul Shafer had questions for the drunk driver who killed his wife and mother of his three children. Did he know what it's like to take his children to a graveyard on Mother's Day? Did he know what it's like to have a young daughter ask, "'I don't have a mommy anymore?'"
Continued ... -
Severe weather possible this afternoon
The spring’s first severe weather could hit the Grand Traverse region today.
Continued ... -
Sewer rates likely to rise for city residents
City homeowners can expect their base sewer charge to jump over 6 percent beginning in July under a budget proposal before the city commission.
Continued ... -
Great weather draws thousands to NMC Barbecue
Mother Nature dished up a glorious day for the Northwestern Michigan College Barbecue, the college's annual fundraiser that attracts thousands to its wooded campus.
Continued ... -
A chance to learn about Peace Ranch
The Senior Center Network and Peace Ranch are partnering for a Spring Hoedown, with square dancing and live entertainment.
Continued ... -
Leelanau center upgrades old building
The Leelanau Community Cultural Center is keeping stride with modern technology while maintaining the original vintage charm of its Old Art Building.
Continued ... -
Northern Notes: Visitor seeks car ferry photos for DVD
Frequent northern Michigan vacationer Ted Hayes has put his love for the area into poetry and song and is moving forward with his second DVD featuring the area.
Continued ... - Sunday, May 19, 2013
-
New TC manager earned his gray along the way
Jered Ottenwess described himself during his interview for Traverse City manager as soft-spoken, lacking years of experience and perhaps not the most charismatic person.
Continued ... -
Ex-oil exec sees perilous energy future for U.S.
America is headed for an energy crisis filled with power blackouts and gasoline shortages, making today’s gas prices something to fear for in coming years.
Continued ... -
Townships settle 12-year-old lawsuit with Cherryland
Three holdout local townships finally settled a drawn-out tax dispute with Cherryland Electric Cooperative prior to a full hearing before the Michigan Supreme Court.
Continued ... -
Antrim officials make headway with meth convictions
Antrim County authorities answered a spike in methamphetamine activity with a series of arrests and convictions that they believe should send a message to meth producers and users.
Continued ... -
Benzie drug death leads to heroin charges
Authorities filed drug-dealing charges against a suburban Detroit man after a suspected heroin overdose death in Benzie County.
Continued ... -
Students recognized for math club performance
Thirty math-hungry East Middle School students recently made history. The group of seventh- and eighth-graders was the first at the school to achieve national gold level status for a club called MathCounts.
Continued ... -
Northbound Woodmere closed for two days
The city will shut down the northbound lanes of Woodmere Avenue from Eighth Street to Hannah Street for two days for maintenance of a city water line.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 18, 2013
-
Powerball ticket buyers hopeful as jackpot swells
Garrick Opie hasn’t purchased a Powerball ticket in more than a decade. But a jackpot that swelled to $600 million — the world’s second largest lottery prize — by Friday afternoon convinced Opie to throw in $20 toward the $2 tickets at the 7-Eleven store on 14th Street.
Continued ... -
Co-worker of fired tribal employees: ‘They should have known better’
A co-worker of the six tribal employees who shot a .22 rifle off their office building deck alleged they endangered a nearby residence, potentially polluted Lake Michigan with lead bullets, and violated human resources policy.
Continued ... -
Jury: Local attorney committed fraud
A jury ruled a local attorney committed fraud and malpractice in a case of a business deal gone bad.
Continued ... -
Man facing sex charges
A Traverse City man who faces child abuse and criminal sexual conduct charges also is accused of attempting to assault authorities who tried to arrest him.
Continued ...
-
Property owners sue over flooding
