The Capitol Report. By Rep. Ray Franz, R-Onekama. This is the Capitol Report for the week of April 14-18. The introduction of several bills to provide additional road funding, based on the House’s “Build Better Michigan Roads” proposal, were a main focus this week. The plan provides more efficiency, better quality and improved fairness as a way to start increasing…
Birth announcements are sponsored by ABC Kidz/Purple Monkey, 123 E. Ludington Ave. Check them out here on Facebook. Welcome to the world! Mackenzie Elizabeth Grace Merrill, the daughter of Steven and Susan Merrill of Lowell, was born on April 9, 2014, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. Maternal grandparents are Dick and Kathy Lyon of Ludington; paternal grandparents are Rod and…
The Department of Natural Resources’ Fisheries Division recently released data from its 2013 state-licensed commercial fishing season. Combined, the state-licensed commercial fishery caught more than 3.6 million pounds of fish with an estimated wholesale dockside value of roughly $5.53 million prior to processing, marketing and retail sales. The state’s total harvest was about 150,000 pounds less than in 2012 due to lower reported catches…
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON – The following were sentenced this past week in 51st Circuit Court: – Eric John Knysz, 20, of 1844 10 Mile Rd., Luther, was found guilty by a jury, Feb. 25, of homicide/murder of a peace officer; felony firearms; carrying concealed weapons; and unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle. He was sentenced April 8 to life in prison…
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON – The following were arraigned this past week in front of the Mason County Magistrate in 79th District Court: Felonies – Kyle Alan Burchart, 22, of 416 E. Johnson St., Hart, was arrested April 13 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for a felony of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police. A preliminary exam is set for April 23 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $3,500/10…
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON – The following were sentenced this past week in 79th District Court: – Dean Alan Drake, 52, of 105 E. Tinkham Ave., Ludington, was found guilty April 11 of larceny less than $200 and sentenced to 93 days discretionary jail for one year and $580 in fines and costs or 58 hours of community service. – Georgia Rae…
The Mason County District Library announces the following craft activities: LUDINGTON — On Tuesday, May 6 at 6 p.m., crafters are invited to the West Shore Bank Room at the Ludington library to create paper crafts. This activity is open to adults only. There is a limit of 20 participants. Supplies are provided at no charge, but donations are appreciated.…
A letter to the editor: By now all reading this know that Eric Knysz hung himself in prison. Eric Knysz admitted to murdering Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield II out of fear of going to prison. In so many words, he said he made his decision to kill the Trooper when he observed him turn around to stop him.…
LUDINGTON — Lake County Prosecuting Attorney Craig Cooper hopes to takes his father’s place as the 51st Circuit Court judge. Cooper is the third area attorney to announce his candidacy for the position, which is being vacated by Richard Cooper, who retires the end of this year. Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Spaniola and former Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Susan…
Good Neighbor Tips. A blog by Erin Doan State Farm Insurance Agency. Brakes are a vital safety feature of any vehicle, and getting acquainted with your brake system should be a priority. “The braking system on your vehicle is critical in keeping you and your passengers alive and well and your vehicle out of the body shop,” says James Solomon,…
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief . LUDINGTON — Paul Spaniola, Mason County’s prosecuting attorney, has announced his candidacy for 51st Circuit Court judge, to succeed Circuit Judge Richard I. Cooper who is subject to mandatory retirement at the end of 2014. “I am very excited about the prospect of running for circuit judge and serving in that role,” Spaniola said. “Judge…
District Health Department #10 advises residents to take precautions for personal safety to prevent waterborne infections that may result from contact with contaminated flood waters. Flooding and power outages can threaten water quality due to well water pump failures and overflowing septic systems. The Health Department recommends the following safety precautions: Avoid any body contact with floodwaters. Wear protective…
For the Love of Fishing. A blog by Sean McDonald is brought to you by Frontier Communications. High speed Internet starting at $19.99 a month. www.frontier.com; 1-888-770-6869. The 4 inches plus of rain has changed the river fishing and now all of our rivers are not fishable until at least the weekend from a boat. The rivers now are very angry.…
LANSING — Eric Knysz, the 20-year-old Irons resident who killed Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, is dead. According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, Knysz was removed from life support at 10:30 a.m. while housed at Allegiance Health Hospital in Jackson. Knysz hung himself with a bed sheet Monday at the Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in…
LUDINGTON — Brian Keith Blackburn, 24, of Ludington was charged with several counts in connection to the hit and run crash that caused serious injury to Mason County Central teacher Scott Dumas. Blackburn was arraigned by Mason County Magistrate Patricia Baker in 79th District Court and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury, a 5-year-maximum felony; failure…
BRANCH TWP. — Two people were injured following a two-vehicle rear-end crash on East U.S. 10 and Benson Road Thursday afternoon. The crash occurred around 12:20 p.m. after a Chrysler Town & Country mini driven driven by a 26-year-old Ludington man rear-ended an Oldsmobile Alero driven by a 27-year-old Branch man. The driver of the Alero and his 21-year-old female…
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Mason County Central Middle School teacher Scott Dumas is reported as being in stable condition at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. The 50-year-old Amber Township resident was walking through the Shop-N-Save parking lot in Pere Marquette Township Wednesday when he was struck by a vehicle driven by an alleged drunk driver. Dumas was eventually transported…
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. HAMLIN TWP. — Four people and their dog were able to safely get out of their house during a fire this morning. Hamlin Township and Pere Marquette Township fire departments were called to the Janice Hansen residence at 2486 N. Jebavy Drive around 8 a.m. A deputy from Mason County Sheriff’s Office was the first to…
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. UPDATED. PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — Mason County Central Middle School teacher and local businessman Scott Dumas was the victim of Wednesday afternoon’s hit and run crash. The 50-year-old Amber Township resident was walking through the Shop-N-Save parking lot around 4 p.m. when he was struck by a car driven by a Ludington man. The driver left…
LUDINGTON — The man whose body was found washed up on the far north end of Ludington State Park was Allen Townsend, 48, of Sheboygan, Wisc. Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole said authorities from Sheboygan contacted his department this afternoon and stated that Townsend had been missing since November 2013. The identification was based on the race and tattoo of…
The name of the victim is not being released until family can be notified. By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. UPDATED. PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — A 50-year-old Amber Township resident was struck by a vehicle while he was walking in the Shop-N-Save parking lot around 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. The driver of the vehicle left the scene. The male victim was taken…
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