911 director leaving

December 19, 2012
911 director leaving

PENTWATER — Rich Feole, director of Mason-Oceana 911 has announced he has accepted a position as deputy director of Calhoun County 911. Feole has worked for Mason-Oceana 911 for 17 years, starting as one of the service’s original dispatchers. He has been director for 7 years. “It is with mixed emotions that I announce my last day at Mason-Oceana 911…

Read more »

County officials sworn into office

December 19, 2012
County officials sworn into office

Video of sheriff below. LUDINGTON — Six elected county officials were sworn into office this morning at the Mason County Courthouse. Circuit Court Judge Richard Cooper and Probate Court Judge Mark Raven performed the ceremony. The officials were Prosecutor Paul Spaniola, Register of Deeds Diane Stark, Surveyor John Schulke, Drain Commissioner David Hasenbank, Treasurer Shirley Smith and Sheriff Kim Cole.…

Read more »

Badger’s exemption permit expires today, company says it can still sail

December 19, 2012
Badger’s exemption permit expires today, company says it can still sail

Lake Michigan Carferry’s permit to discharge coal ash into Lake Michigan ends today. But, the company has stated that it plans to operate the 60-year-old SS Badger next year. In May LMC applied for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System individual permit. The permit was accepted by the Environmental Protection Agency in August. The permit would allow the Badger to…

Read more »

New sheriff

December 19, 2012
New sheriff

Kim Cole poses with several sheriff’s office personnel after being sworn in by Judge Mark Raven as the new Mason County sheriff Thursday morning.

Read more »

Prosecutor sworn in

December 19, 2012
Prosecutor sworn in

Judge Richard Cooper swears in Prosecutor Paul Spaniola this morning.

Read more »

Prosecutor calls murders one of the most senseless he’s seen

December 18, 2012
Prosecutor calls murders one of the most senseless he’s seen

Bentley and Whipple receive over 60 years in prison. LUDINGTON — Patrick Bentley and Lashawn Marie Whipple both received sentences today for the Jan. 27 murder of Fernando Ramirez and Lacey Bentley. Patrick Bentley, 21, received a sentence of 46 to 65 years in prison for second degree murder while Whipple, 19, received a sentence of 30 to 60 years…

Read more »

Free 5 day classifieds listing

December 18, 2012

Mason County Press is now offering classifieds. To help get things going, we are offering free 5 day classifieds from now until Jan. 10, 2013.

Read more »

Alarming

December 18, 2012
Alarming

Moonlighting: A blog by Judy Cools “Alarm Clock” Did you ever stop to think about that term? You’re cozied in bed where it’s warm, soft, dark, dry, quiet, and comfortable. You’ve been off in dreamland. Your body’s been shut down for restoration and repairs. The new day is upon you. Gently and automatically, your body and brain have been gearing…

Read more »

The library staff’s top 10

December 18, 2012
The library staff’s top 10

Chris’ Library World, a blog by Chris Bacon. A few weeks ago I offered up some resolutions I thought library patrons could do to help make their (mine) library visit more enjoyable for them (me). Well, to be fair I am now serving up some resolutions for the library staff to put forth and attempt to accomplish to make your…

Read more »

Part of Nichols building to become Michigan specialty store

December 18, 2012

SCOTTVILLE — Part of the former Nichols Drug Store building may have a new business in it sometime in the next year. Scottville Main Street Manager Heather Landis said the business would specialize in Michigan products. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission has approved the transfer of the liquor license to a Comstock Park resident. City Manager Amy Williams said the…

Read more »

Ludington, Scottville renew police operating agreement

December 17, 2012
Ludington, Scottville renew police operating agreement

 Ludington and Scottville will again have a joint operating agreement between police departments. Beginning Jan. 1 of this year, the Ludington Police Department oversaw administration of the Scottville Police Department. Both the Scottville City Commission and the Ludington City Council approved a second year of the agreement at their meetings tonight. Under the current agreement, Scottville pays Ludington $20,000 a…

Read more »

Scottville approves purchase of new police car

December 17, 2012

SCOTTVILLE — Scottville be will be purchasing a new police car thanks in part to an $11,000 U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Development grant. The city commission approved the purchase at tonight’s city commission meeting. The new car will be replacing the blue 2007 Dodge Charger. City Manager Amy Williams said the vehicle currently has 80,000 on it and replacing…

Read more »

Grant will help Scottville buy new police car

December 17, 2012

SCOTTVILLE — A U.S. Department of Agriculture grant will allow the city of Scottville to purchase a new police car at a $11,000 savings. The city commission is expected to act on the grant and the purchase of the new car during its regular meeting today. The city has been approved for an $11,000 grant for a vehicle with a total…

Read more »

A Christmas miracle

December 16, 2012
A Christmas miracle

Our journey of infertility and God’s amazing promises By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief On Sunday my wife, Becky, and I posted a photograph on Facebook announcing Becky’s pregnancy. We also shared this news with our church family at Prayer and Praise Assembly of God. We normally don’t make our personal life very public, but believe this story of God fulfilling his…

Read more »

Ludington and Scottville may renew police agreement

December 16, 2012

The Scottville City Commission and the Ludington City Council are both expected to take action on the joint administrative agreement with the Scottville Police Department Monday night. Since January 1, Ludington’s police chief and captain have overseen administration of Scottville Police Department. The agreement has allowed greater police coverage in Scottville because the two full-time officers and the part-time officers…

Read more »

Ludington to act on police and trash contracts

December 16, 2012

LUDINGTON — Ludington City Council is expected to approve a new contract with its police union Monday night. There are some changes to health insurance and the use of part-time officers and other issues (see attachment for download). Ludington is also expected to approve a new waste management agreement. The city council meets at 6:30 p.m. Download agenda below: Ludington…

Read more »

Scottville holiday trash pickup will be Wednesday, city hall closed

December 16, 2012

SCOTTVILLE — Trash and recycling pick-up in Scottville will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 26 and Wednesday, Jan. 2 due to Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on a Tuesday. City Hall will be closed on Monday, Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Monday, Dec. 31 and Tuesday, Jan. 1  in observance of the Christmas & New Year’s Holidays.  

Read more »

Santa train makes its way through Mason County

December 15, 2012
Santa train makes its way through Mason County

Video below. The Marquette Rail Santa Train made its way through Mason County Saturday. The train made stops in Scottville, Ludington, Fountain and Free Soil.

Read more »

Santa Train in Ludington

December 15, 2012
Santa Train in Ludington

The Marquette Rail Santa Train visits Ludington. Coverage sponsored by House of Flavors restaurants.

Read more »

Santa Train in Scottville

December 15, 2012
Santa Train in Scottville

Read more »

Arraignments for week of Dec. 10

December 15, 2012

LUDINGTON – The following arraignments took place in 79th District Court the week of December 10, 2013: Joseph Welsy Baxter, 62, 411 S. Elm St., Scottville, was arrested on Dec. 13 by Michigan State Police, for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. Bail: $2,500. Pre-trial: Jan. 21, 10 a.m. Elizabeth Orlinda Lump, 40, 416 E. State St., Scottville, was arrested on…

Read more »

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks