This is a map and timeline of the events that took place on and around Sept. 9, 2013, the night Trooper Paul Butterfield was killed. #TrooperMurderTrial.
LUDINGTON — Today is expected to be the final day of the 51st Circuit Court trial against Eric John Knysz, the 20-year-old Irons resident who is accused of murdering Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield on Sept. 9, 2013 in Free Soil Township. Knysz is charged with first degree murder of a peace officer, carrying a concealed weapon, felony firearms…
A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 1 p.m. today. Snow flurries and snow showers are expected with around an inch of accumulation. Today’s high is expected to be 17 degrees F with winds west-northwest at 15 to 25 mph. Tonight’s low temperature will be 6 degree with variable clouds and snow showers. Winds, northwest at 15 to 25…
Note from the Editor: Day 6 of the murder trial of Trooper Paul Butterfield begins this morning. Covering a trial of this magnitude takes a lot of time and effort — and money. In order to provide you with quality coverage I have taken on the services of Lisa Enos, who helps us out from time to time. Lisa has…
Story by Lisa Enos. MCP Correspondent. Photographs by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Detective Sgt. Gary Green of Michigan State Police Mt. Pleasant post arrived around midnight Sept. 9, 2013 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City while Eric Knysz was being treated for the gunshot wound he sustained while apprehended by police in Manistee County earlier that…
SCOTTVILLE — Voters in the Mason County Central School district will go to the polls Tuesday to vote on two operating millage renewals for non-homestead properties. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Below is the ballot language for the renewals: I. OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL This proposal will allow the school district to continue…
LUDINGTON — Mason County Right to Life recently held a speech contest at the Ludington branch of the Mason County District Library. Five area high school students participated with about 50 people in attendance. Hannah McBride, a junior, won the $100 first prize and will represent Mason County Right to Life at the state level on May 17. “What caught…
Many readers following the trial against Eric John Knysz have asked why there needs to be a trial since Knysz confessed his crime to the police. We asked attorney Ryan Glanville of Thompson, Thompson and Glanville Attorneys at Law of Ludington to explain this. Glanville is not associated with the case in any way, however he often serves as a…
The following are excerpts of the transcript, provided by the Mason County Prosecutors Office, from an interview with Eric Knysz conducted by Michigan State Police Det. Sgt. Gary Green on Sept. 12, 2013 while Knysz was still in the hospital. This was the second interview Green had conducted with Knysz, the earlier being on Sept. 10, 2013. Eric Knysz had…
LUDINGTON — Sarah Knysz, the 21-year-old wife of Eric Knysz appeared in 51st Circuit Court this morning where she testified against her 20-year-old husband, Eric John Knysz. Eric Knysz is on trial for the Sept. 9, 2013 murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield in Free Soil Township. In November 2013 Sarah pleaded guilty to accessory to murder of…
SCOTTVILLE — The City of Scottville is issuing a Let Water Run Order for residents of the City of Scottville. Due to the extremely cold temperatures, we are asking residents to run a constant stream of water that is slightly larger than the size of a pencil lead. If you do not let your water run, your pipes may freeze…
Deputies from Mason County Sheriff’s Office arrested several people over the weekend. The following is the activity of the sheriff’s office road patrol from Feb. 21 to Feb. 23, 2014: Feb. 21: 9:29 a.m.: Two vehicle sideswipe crash, no injuries, Tuttle and Decker roads, Sherman Twp. 3:52 p.m.: A 22-year-old Allendale man was arrested on an outstanding Mason County Friend…
VICTORY TWP. – The Zonta Club of Ludington Area along with West Shore Community College Performing Arts is offering the “Zonta Sneak Peek,” of classes Moliere comedy “The Schemings of Scapin.” The discounted presentation will be held during the final dress rehearsal performance of the play on Wednesday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Center Stage Theater at West Shore Community College. …
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — The fifth day of the trial against Eric John Knysz, the 20-year-old Irons man accused of murdering Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield in Free Soil Township, continues this morning. The trial began last Tuesday with a nearly 9-hour jury selection process. The first three witnesses called on Wednesday were the first people to…
SCOTTVILLE – On Saturday, March 1, a comprehensive full-scale disaster exercise will be held in Mason County in cooperation with the National Weather Service Office in Grand Rapids and Verizon Wireless. In addition to all of the traditional emergency response agencies, Oakview Medical Care Facility staff will also be participating in the field level response component of this exercise. The…
LUDINGTON — Jamesport Brewing Company will be offering tours of its brewery Wednesday afternoon during the monthly Ludington and Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. This month’s event is hosted by the Rotary Club of Ludington and Jamesport Brewing Company. Admission is $5 for chamber members and $10 for all others. Business After Hours is from 5 to…
Colder than normal temperatures are expected again this week. Today’s forecast calls for a 50% chance of occasional snow showers with 1 to 3 inches likely. High temperature of 15 degrees F. Winds, west-northwest at 10 to 20 mph. Tonight, cloudy skies with late night snow showers. Low temperature of 13 F. Winds, west-northwest at 10 to 15 mph. Chance…
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. When I was a teen back in the 1980s, I developed an interest in local history. I would spend many afternoons at the Mason County Library in Scottville going through old newspaper clippings and books. Learning how to do research helped me develop a career as a journalist. Always there to help me was Bob Dickson,…
Blogger Craig Convissor has been finding himself this winter, travelling out West. Here are some of his notes from the road. Off Broadway. A blog by Craig Convissor. Organ Pipe National Monument Near the border of Mexico, just outside the Tohono O’odham Nation, and once undoubtedly a part of it, is this beautiful and very unusual expanse of the Sonoran…
By Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned this past week in front of Mason Coutny Magistrate Patricia Baker in 79th District Court: Felonies – William Dale Polston, 46, of 109 E. Foster, Apt. 1, Ludington, was arrested Feb. 17 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for a felony of controlled substance possession. A preliminary exam is set…
By Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent. LUDINGTON – The following defendants were sentenced in front of Judge Peter Wadel this past week in 79th District Court: – Ryan Scott Kallioinen, 31, of 1160 W US-10, Scottville, was found guilty Feb. 18 of driving while license suspended (DWLS) and sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day served; 93 days…