Courts

51st Circuit Court sentencings: Home invasion, car theft yield prison term

July 10, 2025

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Rob Roger Smith, 32, pleaded guilty May 6 to unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle/car theft and was sentenced July 1 to five to 40 years in prison with credit for 97 days served and $198 in fines and costs. In a second case, Smith…

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Man ticketed for dumping trash along the road

July 9, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. RIVERTON TOWNSHIP — A 63-year-old Ludington man was cited for illegal dumping after Mason County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of trash scattered alongside Meisenheimer Road near Stiles Road Tuesday, July 8, around 11:30 a.m., said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “A name…

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79th District Court arraignments, published July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Brenda Lee McBride, 53; possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine/ecstasy); arrested April 12 by Michigan State Police; arraigned July 2; preliminary hearing: July 23; bail: $2,500/10 percent. -Michael Thomas Fargo, 48; possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine/ecstasy); arrested June 27 by…

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Man sentenced to 20-80 years in prison for deadly drug deal

July 2, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old Oceana County man was sentenced to 20-80 years in prison in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, July 1, for the fentanyl death of his friend. A jury found Travis Michael Gale guilty, March 24, of delivery of a controlled substance causing death, delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine and delivery/manufacture of cocaine, heroin…

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Police chase yields prison term tops court news

June 27, 2025

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced Tuesday, June 24, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Michael Lee Terryn, 52, pleaded no contest April 29 to a felony of third-degree fleeing and eluding police and misdemeanors of driving while license suspended and open intoxicants and was sentenced June 24 to two to 40 years in prison with credit for 353…

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