'I Haven't Stopped Smiling:' Mature Trees Spared in Empire
By Art Bukowski | Oct. 28, 2026
Ten mature trees along Lake Street in Empire were spared from the felling saw after a last-minute citizen rally.
The trees, mostly maples, were scheduled to come down as soon as this week as part of a street reconstruction project that includes improved drainage infrastructure along the corridor. Lake Street has long been prone to floods during heavy rains, and drainage upgrades there have been eyed for years.
A petition launched late last week by Sleeping Bear Surf owner Ella Skrocki to save the trees gathered nearly 300 signatures, and several people on Monday went out to protest the tree removal and speak to Team Elmer's workers that were preparing …
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