News Archives - Page 2 of 5 - The Morenci Advocate

City of Morenci working on 20-year plan for trees

October 12, 2025 by Erik Gable

Arborist Steve Lane measures the diameter of a tree in Morenci’s Oak Grove Cemetery on Sept. 17. Lane has been hired by the city for a grant-funded project to put together a comprehensive inventory of the city’s trees along with a 20-year plan for future management.

MORENCI — If you noticed somebody walking down your street one day in September and taking careful note of all the trees, that was Steve Lane.

Lane, an urban forestry consultant, has been engaged by the city of Morenci to work on a 20-year plan for managing all of the trees on public property on the city. The grant-funded project aims to help the city be proactive, rather than reactive, about managing its tree population, and it includes a comprehensive inventory of all the trees on public land in Morenci — about 1,350 in total.

Adams chosen as police chief

October 12, 2025 by Advocate staff

The Morenci City Council on Aug. 11 approved moving Officer Nathan Adams to full-time status. — Nathan Adams has been hired as Morenci’s next police chief.

MORENCI — The Morenci City Council voted on Sept. 15 to approve the hiring of Nathan Adams as the city’s next police chief.

Michael Cresswell is retiring from that position and will move into the part-time role of deputy chief at the end of the year.

City continues to seek input on master plan

October 12, 2025 by Advocate staff

The city is seeking community input on future priorities with a survey that runs through Nov. 1.

MORENCI — The city of Morenci is still seeking community input as it moves forward with the update of its Master Plan.

A Master Plan is a community-driven policy document that helps guide local decisions about land use, housing, infrastructure, and economic development. State law requires Michigan communities to review their plans every five years to determine whether they reflect current priorities and conditions.

DPW’s fall leaf pickup will begin Oct. 13

October 9, 2025 by Advocate staff

MORENCI — The Morenci Department of Public Works (DPW) has scheduled leaf pickup to begin in October.

Leaf pickup will start on Monday, Oct. 13, and continue until Friday, Dec. 12. Brush pickup is ongoing.

Education foundation to recognize Hutchisons for service to community

October 10, 2025October 9, 2025 by Gayle Hazelbaker

Ivy and Ted Hutchison will be recognized at the 2025 Morenci Education Foundation Dinner and Auction on Oct. 11. (Photo by Gayle Hazelbaker)

MORENCI — The 2025 annual Morenci Education Foundation Dinner and Auction is dedicated to Ted and Ivy Hutchison, two devoted alumni who have given a lot to Morenci.

Community input sought on city’s master plan

September 16, 2025 by Advocate staff

A community survey is being conducted to aid in developing the city of Morenci's master plan. — A community survey is being conducted to aid in developing the city of Morenci’s master plan.

MORENCI — The city of Morenci is seeking community input as it moves forward with the update of its master plan.

A master plan is a community-driven policy document that helps guide local decisions about land use, housing, infrastructure, and economic development. State law requires Michigan communities to review their plans every five years to determine whether they reflect current priorities and conditions. Morenci’s existing plan, adopted in 2016, is being updated to capture new opportunities, address evolving community needs, and guide the city’s long-term vision.

Hart descendants mark 50 years of annual reunions

September 16, 2025 by Erik Gable

Descendants of Harold and Caroline Hart and their families gathered for the annual Hart family reunion on Aug. 9 in Wakefield Park. Standing, from left to right, are Alice Stiekes, Cody Hudgins, Megan Hudgins, Roy Henricks, Kathy Henricks, Ryan Henricks, Chris Cady, Dave Siegel, Linda Siegel, Mike Potts, Jackie Carpenter, Jerry Potts, Cheryl Godfrey, Esther Gilbert, Tom Gilbert, Mary Maxwell, Paul Maxwell, and Dan Hart. Seated: Kathy Godfrey, Donna Halleck, Tom Halleck, Allen Orner, Dale Seldal, Gayle Seldal, Tom Rowett, Carol Rowett, and Hope Potts. (Photo by Erik Gable)

MORENCI — Harold and Caroline Hart raised 11 children in their home at 220 W. Locust St. in Morenci. And it was just a few blocks away that their descendants gathered for the 50th anniversary of the annual Hart family reunion on Aug. 9.

The reunion was started in 1975 by Hazel Bear, their oldest daughter, and has been going ever since.

New speed signs to be installed soon

September 16, 2025 by Erik Gable

One of the city's old speed display signs. — One of the city’s old speed display signs.

MORENCI — New signs that tell drivers their current speed are due to be installed soon in Morenci.

Last month, the Morenci City Council approved the purchase of two solar-powered speed monitoring signs to be placed on both ends of Main Street. City clerk and superintendent Jeff Bell said they should be in place by the end of September.

City of Morenci seeks residents’ input on trees

September 8, 2025 by Advocate staff

Part of the tree canopy at Oak Grove Cemetery.

MORENCI — The city of Morenci is developing a long-term Urban Forestry Management Plan and is seeking input from residents to help shape it.

Council approves additional full-time police officer position

September 7, 2025 by Erik Gable

MORENCI — A fourth full-time position has been approved for the Morenci Police Department. At their Aug. 11 meeting, council members agreed to move one of the city’s part-time officers, Nathan Adams, to full-time status.