We’ve made it through the first month of 2020 and hope this New Year is off to a great start for each and every one of you. Here at Lowell’s First Look, we’ve been busy making plans for the next 12 months as we look for new ways to ensure you have convenient access to information about all the latest community news and events. As always, we appreciate and welcome your feedback and suggestions.
In the meantime, each month, we look back to see which articles resonated most with readers and then share that insider information with you. Our website was viewed 12,830 times in January, and that’s in addition to the 7,009 people our Facebook page has reached in the past 28 days.
Here’s a look at the most-read articles on Lowell’s First Look, based on website views, during January 2020.
5. Scenes from Lowell: Yeiter Learning Center Ribbon Cutting
The former St. Mary School on Amity Street is once again bustling with children. The building was purchased by Lowell Area Schools last year and has been transformed into the Yeiter Learning Center. The Curiosity Corner Preschool program moved into the school in January, but first, there was a ribbon cutting to honor all those who made the new learning center possible. This edition of Scenes from Lowell, with photos from the event, was the fifth most read article last month.
4. Planning Commission Approves Lowell’s First Marijuana Facility Site Plan
Lowell’s first recreational marijuana facility is one step closer to reality thanks to Lowell Planning Commission action last month. Meds Café, which already operates a recreational marijuana retail shop in Rogers City, has purchased the former Family Video building on W. Main Street and plans to turn it into a provisioning center. Now that the Planning Commission has given its ok, the business’s next step is to obtain necessary state and city licenses.
3. Lowell Hemp Co Launches New Year with New Products
Sometimes you build a business and find the rug unexpectedly pulled out from under you. That happened to Michael Lowery. When the market for his products turned sour, rather than throw in the towel, he decided to pivot to a new line of products. Now, he is operating Lowell Hemp Co in the historic downtown and hopes it will be residents’ first choice for CBD products. The story of how he has reinvented his business was the third most-read article on Lowell’s First Look last month.
2. Keeping Lowell Safe: Police Beat for December 2019
The Lowell Police Department is a point of pride for the community so it’s not surprising that last month’s Police Beat was the second most popular article on the site. The December cases included the shooting of a deer, counterfeit bills, an underage ATV driver and a swastika carved into concrete at a city park. Plus, there were the usual drunk driving and drug cases that, unfortunately, make an appearance in seemingly every Police Beat.
1. Loft Apartments Planned for Superior Building
Modern amenities in a historic space seem to be a winning combination for many Lowell residents. Our article on the Superior Lofts project generated plenty of interest and discussion from readers. While some thought the apartments, planned for the second floor of the former Superior Furniture factory, were pricey, others pointed out that the cost is significantly less than what is charged by other apartment communities in town. Given the feedback we’ve heard, we won’t be surprised if these units fill up quickly. If all goes according to plan, the apartments should be move-in ready by the end of the year.
Did your favorite article make the list? Which story did you like best last month? Tell us in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
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