Arsonist receives up to 15 years in prison

July 16, 2013
Arsonist receives up to 15 years in prison

LUDINGTON — Travis Malone received two concurrent sentences of 5 to 15 years in prison today for arson. The 18-year-old Ludington resident also received 2 to 5 years in prison for unlawfully driving away a vehicle. Malone, along with Marshall Jennings Brault, 20, burned down an abandoned house on North William Street on Oct. 17, 2012, along with a garage…

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Beck receives up to 20 years in prison for strangulation

July 16, 2013

LUDINGTON — Donald Jacob Beck received a sentence of 34 months to 20 years in prison today for assault/strangulation habitual offender, third offense. The sentence stems from an April 26, 2013 incident against two Ludington women. On June 4, Beck refused a plea agreement from Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. Since that time, however, he chose to accept the agreement.…

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Accused cop shooter will appear in court today

July 16, 2013
Accused cop shooter will appear in court today

LUDINGTON — Lowell Fetters, the man who is accused of shooting Ludington Police Sgt. David Maltbie, is scheduled for a final conference in 51st Circuit Court today. The last time Fetters appeared in court was on April 16. During that conference, his attorney, David Glancy requested that Fetters seek an independent psychological examination to determine if he can stand trial. Fetters,…

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4 properties make Scottville’s top clean-up list

July 16, 2013

SCOTTVILLE — Four properties have reached the highest priority list of homes that need to comply with the city of Scottville’s zoning code. For the past few months the City Commission has been discussing homes that are violation of the city code. A list of about 30 homes was compiled by city employees and commissioners. The majority of the property…

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Great-great nephew trying to set the historical record straight

July 15, 2013
Great-great nephew trying to set the historical record straight

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. SCOTTVILLE — Fred Reader IV is in pursuit of correcting what he says is a historical inaccuracy that leaves out a key figure in Scottville’s history. In 1989, Scottville celebrated its centennial, honoring the year it became a chartered village (in 1907 Scottville was chartered as a city). The town held a year-long celebration with one…

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MCP looking for correspondents

July 15, 2013

Mason County Press is looking for correspondents! We need reliable people who are trustworthy and consistent who have journalism and/or other writing experience. Candidates should be familiar with local government and be able to report the news objectively and factually. They should also be able to meet deadlines and understand the timeliness of online news. Experience in social networking and…

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Scottville parking/pedestrian crossing issues discussed

July 15, 2013

SCOTTVILLE — Scottville City Commission discussed parking in downtown Scottville Monday during its regular meeting. The topic seems to come up about once every few months. City Manager Amy Williams said she wanted to bring the topic up to the commission because she received an email from a downtown merchant who was concerned about over-sized cars parking downtown and was…

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Accident victims taken to GR after separate Sunday crashes

July 15, 2013

Two accidents, occurring on opposite ends of the county, resulted in the transport of two people to Grand Rapids hospitals Sunday. The first incident took place around 1 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. 31 and Hoague Road in Free Soil Township. Bicyclist William Matson, 81, Saginaw was travelling south on U.S. 31 and was attempting to make a left-hand…

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Scottville to address fireworks issues

July 15, 2013

SCOTTVILLE — After receiving numerous complaints from residents, Scottville City Commission will begin talking about regulating fireworks during national holidays during its regular meeting this afternoon. In 2012 the state legislature legalized the sale of most fireworks in Michigan. It also allowed for the usage of fireworks by the general public on the day before, during and after a national…

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Lake Michigan finally at 70 degrees

July 15, 2013
Lake Michigan finally at 70 degrees

Superior Electric Beach/Outdoors Report. Lake Michigan surface water temperatures have finally reached 70 degrees. Here are the current conditions for the Lake Michigan shoreline and Mason County (including Pentwater) as of 10:30 a.m. today. Lake Michigan water temperatures: Ludington Stearns Park: 71 F Ludington State Park (Big Sable Point): 71 F Summit Park: 70 Pentwater: 72 F Afternoon air temperatures:…

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MCC board expected to extend Mount’s contract

July 15, 2013

SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central Board of Education will meet tonight. Following a scheduled closed session job performance review of Superintendent Jeff Mount, the board is expected to extend his contract an additional year. The board’s closed session will also address teacher contract negotiations. The board meets at 7 p.m. at the central business office.

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WSCC to approve summer grads

July 15, 2013

VICTORY TWP. — The West Shore Community College Board of Trustees will meet today for its regular monthly meeting at 4 p.m. on campus. Today’s agenda is light but it includes the list of people who will receive their degrees after completing courses this summer.  

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Stearns Park water temp in upper ’60s today

July 13, 2013
Stearns Park water temp in upper ’60s today

Superior Electric Beach/Outdoors Report. Here are the current conditions for the Lake Michigan shoreline and Mason County (including Pentwater) as of 10:30 a.m. today. Lake Michigan water temperatures: Ludington Stearns Park: 67 F Ludington State Park (Big Sable Point): 64 F Summit Park: 67 Pentwater: 68 F Afternoon air temperatures: Ludington: Sunny with temperatures reaching 80 degrees F; humidity: 52%; wind:…

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4 sentenced in circuit court this week

July 12, 2013

Compiled by Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent.  LUDINGTON — The following was sentenced this week in 51st Circuit Court: –          Donald Allen Chamberlin, 43, of 4705 E. Fisher Rd., Custer, pleaded no contest May 21 to three counts of assault with a weapon and possession of a firearm and he was found guilty of habitual offender, third conviction.  He was sentenced July 9 to three concurrent…

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District court, as of July 11, 2013

July 12, 2013

Compiled by Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent.  LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced this past week in 79th District Court. –          Terre Rashida Green, 17, of 504 S. Emily St., Apt. C, Ludington, was found guilty June 29 of driving while unlicensed/never applied. She was sentenced to 20 hours of community service. Conviction is reportable to the Secretary of State (SOS). –          Rael…

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Arraignments, as of July 11, 2013

July 12, 2013

Compiled by Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned this past week in front of the magistrate in 79th District Court.  Felonies –          Bryan Jacob Carroll, 29, of 589 N. 136th Ave., Hart, was arrested July 7 by MCSO for felonies of fleeing a police officer and third-degree resisting/obstructing a police officer. A preliminary exam is set for July 17…

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Missing Newaygo woman found

July 12, 2013

Kathleen Overzet, the 42-year-old Newaygo woman who was reported missing since July 6, has been in contact with her family, the Michigan State Police Hart post reported. She was reported missing by her family to authorities on July 10. Editor’s Note: Mason County Press, as a general policy, typically only covers news that happens within the boundaries of Mason County,…

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Water temps near 67 at Summit Park

July 12, 2013
Water temps near 67 at Summit Park

Superior Electric Beach/Outdoors Report. Here are the current conditions for the Lake Michigan shoreline and Mason County (including Pentwater) as of 11 a.m. today. Lake Michigan water temperatures: Ludington Stearns Park: 63 F Ludington State Park (Big Sable Point): 64 F Summit Park: 67 Pentwater: 66 F Afternoon air temperatures: Ludington: Sunny with temperatures reaching 76 degrees F; humidity: 55%; wind:…

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