3/24/2026

ONTONAGON COUNTY – A Citizen Journalist in Ontonagon County wanting more transparency from local government started recording and posting meetings online, but is getting some pushback. A man from Carp Lake in Ontonagon County is gaining attention for his grassroots effort to record and publish local government meetings online to promote greater public transparency. “Willie” began recording township meetings and uploading them to YouTube because accessible information was lacking. While his efforts increased engagement, they also have caused tension. Bergland Township officials recently adopted restrictive recording rules after Willie started filming their meetings, which Willie claims violated Michigan’s Open Meetings Act. Advocates see Willie’s work as citizen journalism filling a void left by declining traditional media.