Snowmobiler goes through the ice on South Lake Leelanau

Remaining calm in a life-threatening situation probably saved the life of a 41 year-old Traverse City man who went through the ice.  Michael S. Mihalic was riding his snowmobile north on South Lake Leelanau with another snowmobiler, Bruce Mercer, 55, of Traverse City.  Mihalic's sled broke through thin ice north of Lingaur Road in Leland Township at 9:45 pm Tuesday.  Mercer was able to power through the water and made it to shore where he called Leelanau Dispatch.

Mihalic was in chest deep water about 40-50 yards off of the west shore and was unable to pull himself onto the ice.  Realizing he couldn't get out of the water himself, he remained calm, did not panic and waited for rescue personnel to arrive.  Leland Fire and Rescue and Suttons Bay Fire and Rescue responded along with Leelanau County Sheriff's officers.

Leland Rescue member Kyle Dunklow went onto the ice and was able to assist Mihalic back onto the ice.   Other rescue personnel then pulled the victim to shore using a rope that Dunklow attached to him.  He was transported to Munson Medical Center where he was treated for exposure and is expected to make a full recovery.

Sheriff Mike Borkovich credits Mihalic's ability to remain calm and not expend energy thrashing in the water with possibly saving his life.  Mihalic, a Michigan State Trooper, was in the water at least 25 minutes and later said he thought he could have only held on for 5 more minutes when rescue workers pulled him from the water.  Alcohol was not involved in the incident and the snowmobile will be removed from the lake at a later date.

Citizens are reminded that as spring approaches and the temperatures rise, the ice on county lakes will thin and become unsafe.  For ice safety tips from the Michigan Department of Resources go to
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_39488_39489-160657--,00.html.

Troopers arrest man wanted since 2005

State Troopers arrested Trevor M. Bishop, 32, of Beulah, Tuesday in Benzie County on outstanding Leelanau County warrants. 

Bishop was convicted of operating under the influence of intoxicants after an unreported March 2005 crash.  His blood alcohol content three hours after the crash was .18%.  He violated his probation by failing to appear for a court ordered drug screen in June 2005.

The second warrant was for failing to pay fines and costs resulting from a 1998 conviction for aggravated assault.  Bishop, then 18, pleaded guilty to assaulting a 16 year-old Brookfield Illinois youth along Front Street in Empire.  The victim’s required surgery to repair his broken jaw.  Bishop failed to appear at a show cause hearing in July 2006 involving unpaid fines, costs and restitution.  He still owes $1,861.60.

Bishop remains held in the Leelanau County jail without bond pending a District Court appearance Friday.