6 sentenced in Circuit Court this week

September 13, 2013
6 sentenced in Circuit Court this week

By Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent.  LUDINGTON – The following defendants were sentenced this past week in 51st Circuit Court: –         Robert Emerson Swift, 62, of 1495 Palmer Ave., Muskegon, was found guilty June 17 of second-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) assault and habitual offender, third conviction. He was sentenced Sept. 10 to a minimum of two years, 10 months to a maximum of 10…

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District Court, as of Sept. 11, 2013

September 13, 2013

By Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent.  LUDINGTON – The following defendants were sentenced this past week in 79th District Court: –         Lori Ann Holden, 35, of 309 N. Washington Ave., Apt. 1, Ludington, was found guilty Sept. 10 of third-degree retail fraud. She was sentenced to 93 days discretionary jail for one year; must attend Economic Crime Program; and $588.67 in fines, costs…

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Arraignments, as of Sept. 11, 2013

September 13, 2013

By Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent.  LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned this past week in 79th District Court. Felonies –         Sarah Renee Knyse, 20, of 1844 10 Mile Rd., Luther, was arrested Sept. 9 by Michigan State Police for felonies of accessory after the fact and unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle. A pretrial is set for Sept. 25 at 1…

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Emergency personnel will hold funeral procession from Ludington to Manistee

September 13, 2013

LUDINGTON — Law enforcement and fire/rescue agencies from Mason County and neighboring counties will hold a procession Saturday morning, en-route to the funeral of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield in Manistee. Sheriff Kim Cole said personnel will meet at the Mason County Sheriff’s Office at 9:30 a.m. for a uniform inspection. The procession will then travel to the Home…

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In 158 years, 4 law enforcement officers have died on duty in Mason Co

September 13, 2013
In 158 years, 4 law enforcement officers have died on duty in Mason Co

Mason County has been in existence since 1855. In that time, four law enforcement officers have died while on duty in the county. They include Ludington Police Officer Arlo Slagle, Mason County Sheriff’s Deputy Max Leonard Altman, Manistee County Sheriff’s Deputy Robin Ann Arnold and, just this week, Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield. – Patrolman Slagle was shot and…

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Welcome to the world, Joseph Thiel

September 13, 2013
Welcome to the world, Joseph Thiel

We would like to welcome Joseph Alexander Thiel, who was born Sept. 12, 2013 at Memorial Medical Center. He is the son of Alice Jean and Aaron Eric Thiel of Ludington. Birth announcements are brought to you by ABC Kidz/Purple Monkey, 123 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington. Check out their Facebook page here.  We are happy to share your newborn pictures as…

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Governor will attend trooper’s funeral

September 13, 2013

MANISTEE — Governor Rick Snyder will attend the funeral of Michigan State Police trooper Paul Butterfield, who was murdered Monday during a traffic stop. Mlive.com reported Press Secretary Sara Wurfel confirmed Snyder will be in attendance. “The Governor is honored to be able to help recognize the service and sacrifice of Trooper Butterfield and pay respects to his family and…

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Investigators have narrowed search area of Baby Kate

September 13, 2013
Investigators have narrowed search area of Baby Kate

GRANT TWP. – Interlochen Public Radio has reported that investigators in the case of missing Katherine “Baby Kate” Phillips have narrowed down their search area for the remains of the child to within one square mile. In a recent story, the radio station made reference that the “lead detective in the case hopes plant evidence will continue to narrow the…

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Dostal named hospital vice president of operations

September 13, 2013
Dostal named hospital vice president of operations

LUDINGTON — Drew H. Dostal has been named the new vice president of operations at Memorial Medical Center in Ludington, hospital CEO Mark Vipperman announced. Dostal, of Scottville, was promoted from senior director of surgical & ambulatory services. Vipperman noted that Dostal has earned a series of promotions since joining MMC as a staff nurse in 2007. He advanced to…

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Birth announcement: Varenhorst

September 13, 2013
Birth announcement: Varenhorst

Birth announcements are brought to you by ABC Kidz/Purple Monkey, 123 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington. Check out their Facebook page here.  Melanie M. Flood-Varenhorst and Matthew J. Varenhorst announce the birth of a daughter, Callista Renee Varenhorst, born Sept. 11, 2013 at Memorial Medical Center.  

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WSCC gallery presents Science in Art

September 13, 2013
WSCC gallery presents Science in Art

VICTORY TWP. – The Manierre Dawson Gallery on the campus of West Shore Community College is hosting a new exhibit, Science in Art, until October 25. The four artists included in the exhibit were inspired by the natural world or the abstract world of mathematics and physics. In the photographs of John Poindexter and the ceramic sculpture of Nathan Grubich, the…

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Children’s calendar art contest at libraries

September 13, 2013

The Mason County District Library is holding a children’s calender art contest. Children of all ages are invited to create a seasonal drawing to decorate a calendar page.  Winning designs will be printed and sold at the Mason County district libraries in Ludington and Scottville.  Winners will receive one of the calendars they helped to create.  Artists must use the back of…

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Library scarecrow making

September 13, 2013
Library scarecrow making

LUDINGTON — Mason County District Library will host Scarecrow Creating Thursday, September 19, beginning at 4 p.m. and continuing through the weekend (while supplies last) at the Ludington Library.  Young artists are invited to create a scarecrow.  All supplies and materials for scarecrows will be provided by the library.  Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult.  All Mason…

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Fire at Carrom

September 12, 2013
Fire at Carrom

LUDINGTON — Ludington Fire Department was called to Carrom Co. on East Dowland Street around 2:20 p.m. today for a fire on the roof. Police said the cause appeared to be an air vent that was full of sawdust. Firefighters used the department’s ladder truck to investigate. No major damage occurred.

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Alleged shooter of trooper having surgery; arraignment delayed

September 12, 2013
Alleged shooter of trooper having surgery; arraignment delayed

LUDINGTON — Eric John Knysz, 19, the man who will be charged for the murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, is having additional surgery today, according to Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. For that reason, Knysz will not be arraigned, as originally planned. Knysz is accused of murdering the trooper during a routine traffic stop Monday on North…

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Congressmen honor fallen trooper

September 12, 2013
Congressmen honor fallen trooper

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressmen Bill Huizenga and Dan Benishek honored Trooper Paul Butterfield during a session of the House of Representatives Wednesday. Below is the YouTube video and also a transcript of what they said, honoring the fallen state trooper in front of our nation’s top representatives.   Congressman Huizenga: Earlier this week Michigan lost a true hero.  Trooper Paul…

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Harvest Festival begins

September 12, 2013
Harvest Festival begins

SCOTTVILLE — The 2013 Scottville Harvest Festival has officially kicked off. Its reigning queen, crowned Tuesday, is Kayela Wallace, a Ludington High School junior. Tonight’s events include the free ox roast and a free movie, among many other events. See full schedule here. The carnival on South Main Street opens at 3 p.m. and will remain open until 10 p.m.…

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Air temperatures in 70s today, cool tonight

September 12, 2013
Air temperatures in 70s today, cool tonight

Superior Electric Beach/Outdoors Report. Below are the Lake Michigan surface water temperatures and the weather conditions for Mason County and surrounding areas as of 9:30 a.m. today. The area is currently under a beach hazard, which means conditions may be too dangerous for swimming. High wave action and dangerous swimming conditions are expected. Strong structural and longshore currents are also expected.…

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A new dog

September 12, 2013
A new dog

Moonlighting. A blog by Judy Cools.  Some of you have already read about our new dog. We added a rescue dog to our household, so now we have two. Now…. we’ve had a lot of dogs over the years. Six or eight of them, I’d say, and each one was a rescue from one situation or another. We’re familiar with…

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UPDATE: First suspect arraigned, husband faces charges

September 11, 2013
UPDATE: First suspect arraigned, husband faces charges

UPDATED: LUDINGTON — Sarah Renee Knysz, 20, of 1844 10 Mile Road, Luther, was arraigned today before 79th District Court Magistrate Patricia Baker on a two count felony complaint, in relation to Monday’s murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield. Count 1 is accessory after the fact to Butterfield’s murder, a felony punishable by up to five years confinement…

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One suspect charged so far in trooper shooting

September 11, 2013
One suspect charged so far in trooper shooting

LUDINGTON — Sarah Knysz, 21, of Irons has been arraigned in 79th District Court on the charges of accessory after the fact (felony) and unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle in connection with the murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield. Bond has been set at $250,000. Sarah Knysz’s husband, Eric Knysz, 20, remains at Munson Medical Center in…

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