March is in like a cold lion

March 3, 2014
March is in like a cold lion

March has been coming in like a very cold lion, hopefully it will leave like a warm wooly lamb. Today, expect party cloudy skies with a high temperature of 12 degrees F. Winds will be light and variable. Tonight, there is a 50% chance of snow with a low of 7 F. Wind, south-southwest at 7 mph. Tuesday, there is…

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Hospital renovation is ‘night and day’

March 2, 2014
Hospital renovation is ‘night and day’

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — The next phase of construction and renovation at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital is nearly complete. Highlights of this phase include a fifth operating room, a new ambulatory surgery department and a new cardiopulmonary area. The fifth OR offers 50 percent more space than the largest of any of the other four ORs. Kelly Larr,…

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Chimney fire

March 2, 2014
Chimney fire

AMBER TWP. — Scottville Fire Dept. responded to a chimney fire today at a home at 2455 W. Conrad Rd., just west of Stiles Road. Fire Chief Dale Larr said the chimney was clogged up and was a challenge to clean out. The house has a single occupant. Larr said it is owned by Jim Jabrocki.

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Serious injuries after U.S. 10 crash

March 2, 2014
Serious injuries after U.S. 10 crash

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. AMBER TWP. — Two people received serious injuries during a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 10-31 east of Brye Road Sunday morning. The crash occurred just before 7:44 a.m. when a Chevrolet Malibu car, driven by a 21-year-old Ludington man, attempted to drive south from the Meijer parking lot to the Staples plaza parking lot. The Malibu…

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Obit: Julian Pleiness, 86, Custer

February 28, 2014
Obit: Julian Pleiness, 86, Custer

Julian Pleiness age 86 of Custer, Mi died Thursday, February 27, 2014 at home surrounded by her loving family. Julian was born on February 16, 1928 in Detroit, MI to the late Peter and Frances (Kobosh) Kriscunas. She married Harlan E. Pleiness on November 22, 1952 in Riverton, MI. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Scottville,…

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Welcome to the World! Bria, Carson, Dominic

February 28, 2014
Welcome to the World! Bria, Carson, Dominic

Welcome to the world… Bria Lynn Howe, the daughter of Mary and Jeremy Howe of Manistee, was born Februrary 27, 2014 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Carson Lamontt Lee James, the son of Noelle Plasterer and Tony James Jr. of Ludington, was born February 27, 2014 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Dominic Alebert Leonardo, the son of Elizabeth King and George…

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79th District Court arraignments, as of Feb. 26, 2014

February 28, 2014
79th District Court arraignments, as of Feb. 26, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent.  LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned this past week in front of Mason County Magistrate Patricia Baker in 79th District Court: Felonies –         Gabriel Isaiah Austin, 40, of 510 N. Emily St., Apt. K, Ludington, was arrested Feb. 23 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for a felony of assault by strangulation and domestic violence.…

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79th District Court sentences, as of Feb. 26, 2014

February 28, 2014
79th District Court sentences, as of Feb. 26, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent.  LUDINGTON – The following defendants were sentenced this past week in 79th District Court: –         Amy Lucinda Phillips, 35, of 237 6th Ave., Apt. 427, Manistee, was found guilty Feb. 6 of improper registration, failure to transfer and sentenced to fines and costs of $175. –         Richard Grant Sanders, 26, of 209 W. First St.,…

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A word on IRAs

February 28, 2014
A word on IRAs

Good Neighbor Tips. A blog by Erin Doan State Farm Insurance Agency. We are pleased to welcome a new contributor and advertiser, Erin Doan State Farm Insurance Agency of Scottville. Erin and his team provide you with weekly Good Neighbor Tips. Mason County Press is able to continue to be a free service to our readers thanks to the support…

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Ludington man arrested for intoxicated driving

February 28, 2014
Ludington man arrested for intoxicated driving

PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 65-year-old Ludington man was arrested Thursday for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The arrest occurred following a 9:38 p.m. traffic stop at U.S. 10 and Jackson Rd. Other activity of MCSO for Wednesday, Feb. 26 and Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, included: Feb. 26 – 2:30 p.m.: Two-vehicle crash, no injuries,…

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Wind chill advisory until 11 a.m.

February 28, 2014
Wind chill advisory until 11 a.m.

A wind chill advisory remains in effect until 11 a.m. today. Wind chill readings were expected to reach 10 to 25 below zero overnight. Frostbite is very likely for exposed skin. Expect scattered snow showers this morning then partly cloudy for the afternoon. Wind chills could continue to remain -20 degrees F with a high normal temperature of 18 F.…

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Introducing the OCP

February 27, 2014
Introducing the OCP

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.  HART — Over the past two years Mason County Press has seen tremendous growth. Last year we ended our year with over 1 million page views for 2013. Late in the year we launched Manistee County Press. Now, it’s time to bring free online news to our friends and neighbors to the south. Introducing Oceana County…

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Stakenas Farms receives Conservationist of the Year award

February 27, 2014
Stakenas Farms receives Conservationist of the Year award

Warren Larsen, Laverne Morton receive Legacy Award. Special recognition given to RuthAnn Berndt. By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. AMBER TWP. — Stakenas Farms of Free Soil was awarded the 2014 Conservationist of the Year Thursday night at the 72nd annual meeting/election of the Mason-Lake Conservation District, held at the Mason County Reformed Church. Brothers Bill and Carl Stakenas are the third…

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Electrical likely cause of Scottville fire

February 27, 2014
Electrical likely cause of Scottville fire

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. SCOTTVILLE — The cause of the fire that destroyed a Scottville home Wednesday night was most likely electrical. Fire Chief Dale Larr said resident Kendra Smith said some of the lighting on the second floor was having issues when she went down to check the electrical panel in the basement. Upon returning, there was smoke upstairs.…

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Fantasia Ballet Folklorico to Perform at LACA March 1

February 27, 2014
Fantasia Ballet Folklorico to Perform at LACA March 1

LUDINGTON – Next up in the Main Stage Series at Ludington Area Center for the Arts is Fantasia Ballet Folklorico on Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the LACA Performance Hall. Fantasia Ballet Folklorico is a group based in Lansing made up of as many as 30 dancers who present traditional folk dances from different regions of Mexico in…

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19th annual CommUnity Auction is Saturday

February 27, 2014
19th annual CommUnity Auction is Saturday

SCOTTVILLE — The 19th annual Scottville CommUnity Auction will be held this Saturday, March 1, at the Scottville Optimist Community Center. Proceeds from the event will support the Mason County Central Educational Foundation and Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce. This year’s theme is “Hat’s Off to You.” Doors will open at 6 p.m. Admission is $19 per person,…

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Fire victims in need of items

February 27, 2014
Fire victims in need of items

SCOTTVILLE — A family that lost its house fire Wednesday night is in need of help from the community. Fire destroyed the home of John VanLopik and Kendra Smith at 303 N. Reinberg Ave. See related story.  VanLopik is a Michigan State Police Trooper from the Hart Post. Today, the post issued a list of items the family is need…

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Update: Firefighters called back to fire scene

February 27, 2014
Update: Firefighters called back to fire scene

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  UPDATE: SCOTTVILLE — A Michigan State Police trooper and his family lost their home to fire Wednesday night. Scottville and Custer fire departments were called to 303 N. Reinberg Ave. around 8:30 p.m. for what was reported as a fire in the attic. The last fire unit cleared the scene around 3:30 a.m. only to be…

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Closings, cancelations for Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014

February 27, 2014

The following closings, cancelations have been made for today: – Ludington Area Schools – Mason County Central – Mason County Eastern – Ludington Area Catholic – Covenant Christian – West Shore ESD – West Shore Comm. College – Men C.A.N. Meeting scheduled tonight has been postponed due to the weather. It will be rescheduled for Thursday, March 27. – Mason…

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WSCC to host high school art competition

February 27, 2014
WSCC to host high school art competition

VICTORY TWP. – The West Shore Community College Art Department will host the 16th annual Regional High School Art Competition and Exhibit beginning March 4, in the college’s Manierre Dawson Gallery. An artist reception will be held on Sun., March 16, from 2-3:30 p.m.  Student artwork will be displayed throughMarch 27. Sponsored by the West Shore Community College Foundation and the WSCC Art Department, ribbons…

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Trooper and family lose house to fire, all escape unharmed

February 26, 2014
Trooper and family lose house to fire, all escape unharmed

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  SCOTTVILLE — A Michigan State Police trooper and his family lost their home to fire Wednesday night. Scottville and Custer fire departments were called to 303 N. Reinberg Ave. around 8:30 p.m. for what was reported as a fire in the attic. Kendra Smith, her four children, her mother and the family dog were able to…

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