The Gun Lake Protective Association along with the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe) (Tribe) and several local townships Tuesday morning celebrated the “Sounding of the Siren.”

This was the first time residents and businesses on and around Gun Lake heard a tornado siren that will signal severe weather in the future.

This brand new weather alert/tornado warning Siren is located in Yankee Springs State Park on the shores of Gun Lake.  When the siren sounds it will be heard for more than 1.5 miles in all directions, which will alert local residents and businesses that severe weather is nearby and shelter should be taken.

The Gun Lake Tribe provided a leadership gift to help the Gun Lake Protective Association receive support from local townships in funding this project.

“We knew this would be a big project for us and we reached out to gain the support of partners,” said GLPA President Rob Heethuis. “We sought to raise the money for this $30,000 project and we were delighted that the Gun Lake Tribe came through with a commitment.”

Soon after the Tribe’s commitment, each of the townships bordering Gun Lake – Yankee Springs, Orangeville, Martin and Wayland – came through with contributions of their own, which made the project possible.

PHOTO: Acting Tribe Chairman Ed Pigeon (front row, third from right) is shown with representatives of the four surrounding townships, the Protective Association and area law enforcement agencies.