News Archives - The Morenci Advocate

Morenci won’t increase number of marijuana retail licenses

July 20, 2026 by Erik Gable

Members of the Morenci City Council are pictured during their July 13 meeting.

MORENCI — The Morenci City Council decided unanimously not to change the number of marijuana retail licenses available in the city.

“I personally have not spoken to anybody who’s in favor of adding another license,” said councilor Tess Stiver. She said that’s been the case regardless of where people stand on marijuana use.

At the same time, a proposal to add new types of licensing in the city — specifically, designated consumption establishment licenses and temporary marijuana event licenses — failed to advance.

Teen killed in Medina Township crash

July 4, 2026 by Advocate staff

MEDINA TWP. — Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded on the morning of July 4 to a crash at the intersection of Morey Hwy (M-156) and Medina Road in Medina Township.

New veterans’ monument to be dedicated July 4

July 2, 2026 by The Morenci Advocate

Pictured with the new monument at Morenci’s Oak Grove Cemetery are Kent Deatrick, Paul Roerig of Fackler Monument, Adam Vereecke, and cemetery sexton Eric Emmons.

MORENCI — More than 80 years ago, Staff Sgt. Robert Deatrick was fighting in the Battle of the Bulge during the final months of World War II.

Soon, his name will be the first to be inscribed on a new veterans’ monument at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Morenci High School celebrates its 190th graduating class

July 2, 2026June 1, 2026 by Erik Gable

Members of the Morenci High School class of 2026 line up to greet their teachers following graduation on May 17 at Henry Geisler Field. (Photos by Erik Gable)

MORENCI — On a breezy spring day at Henry Geisler Field, Morenci’s 190th graduating class said farewell to their high school years and embarked on the next chapter of their lives.

Morenci fifth-graders earn first place at Science Olympiad

April 4, 2026 by Advocate staff

Members of Morenci’s fifth-grade Science Olympiad team were recognized at the March 16 school board meeting. Standing are volunteer coach Rebecca Cox, Madelyn Timberman, Paisley McMunn, Owen Apger, Benjamin Schell, Jaxson Johnson, and coach Andi Rorick. In front are Honor Erskin, Audrey Klinger, and Jerome Bussell Jr. (Photo courtesy of Morenci Area Schools)

ADRIAN — Morenci Area Schools’ fifth-grade Science Olympiad team captured first place overall out of 12 schools at the Tri-County Science Olympiad on March 3, showcasing their knowledge, creativity, and engineering skills.

City invites public input on forestry plan

March 14, 2026 by Advocate staff

The city of Morenci is seeking public input on the process of developing a long-term forestry management plan. — The city of Morenci is seeking public input on the long-term management plan for trees on public land.

MORENCI — The city of Morenci has released the third draft of its Urban Forestry Management Plan and is inviting community members to review the document and share feedback before it is finalized.

State grant will improve downtown’s landscape

March 3, 2026March 1, 2026 by Erik Gable

A state grant will assist in the renovation of the former hardware store at 148 W. Main St. in downtown Morenci. (Photo by Erik Gable)

MORENCI — A long-vacant building in downtown Morenci is about to get a new lease on life.

A grant from the state of Michigan’s Revitalization and Placemaking program has been awarded to help rehabilitate and renovate the former hardware store at 148 W. Main St.

Generations of service

March 3, 2026February 27, 2026 by Arlene Bachanov

Pictured at Roth Fabricating Inc. are Joel Swett, Lauren Wilson, Jason Wilson, Jim Roth, Jeanie Sarnac, and Shane Sarnac. Roth is holding a photo of himself and his late wife Rita. (Photo by Arlene Bachanov)

MORENCI — A humble blacksmith shop in the 1920s provided the roots for a family-run business that has been part of Morenci’s fabric for some 45 years now.

That blacksmith shop’s offshoot opened the door in the 1970s to WR Production Welding, which was owned by Wendell Glaser and operated by James Roth. When that company went bankrupt in 1979, some of its customers asked Roth and his late wife, Rita, if they would open their own related business.

Past-due water bills on city’s list for 2026

March 3, 2026February 24, 2026 by Erik Gable

MORENCI — Out of 916 total water accounts with the city of Morenci, 177 are at least six months past due and 56 are at least 12 months past due. Addressing that problem rose to the top of the city council’s priority list for 2026 during a planning session on Dec. 16.

Cleghorn, Christle, Speiser win Morenci City Council election

November 5, 2025 by Advocate staff

MORENCI — Voters elected Gail Cleghorn to the Morenci City Council and returned incumbents Kori Christle and Kandi Speiser to their seats in the Nov. 4 election.

There were five candidates for three seats. The returns reported by the Lenawee County Clerk’s office were:

Gail Cleghorn — 242
Kori Christle — 164
Kandi Speiser — 162
Brad Lonis — 147
Gary Pfund — 142

Mayor Tracy Schell, was unopposed for re-election and received 283 votes, with eight write-ins.

With 329 ballots cast, turnout in the city of Morenci was just over 17%.

Vote totals are unofficial until reviewed by the Lenawee County Board of Canvassers.