This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Sable Points Media. Masters of the Ludington Steamers Stories of Ludington’s cross-lake rail fleet captains and other port mariners By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The final order Capt. John C. Ackerman gave aboard Pere Marquette 18 (II) was an ordinary one. The carferry was entering Ludington harbor…
LUDINGTON — A 62-year-old Custer man accused of pointing a rifle at a farmer along a property line was arraigned Thursday, Sept. 10, in 79th District Court at the Mason County Courthouse. Scott Aldon Martinchek was charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, also known as felonious assault. According to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, Martinchek was…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Students from O.J. DeJonge Middle School gathered at Oriole Field Friday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, joining members of the Ludington Fire Department, Ludington Police Department and Life EMS for a day centered on remembrance, service and community. The event was organized by O.J. DeJonge Health and…
CUSTER TOWNSHIP — A 62-year-old Custer man was arrested by Mason County sheriff’s deputies after he reportedly pointed a rifle at another man who was operating a farm tractor along a property line, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The incident occurred Wednesday, Sept. 9, around 4:30 p.m. in the 3700 block of East US 10. The suspect, who is…
GRANT TOWNSHIP — A 23-year-old Kingsley man was arrested on charges of assault by strangulation, interfering with a telecommunications device and domestic violence following a 911 call reporting an assault Thursday, Sept. 10, at 9:15 a.m. at a Green Road campsite in the Manistee National Forest, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The suspect was lodged in the Mason County…
VICTORY TOWNSHIP — West Shore Community College will host a closing event for its current exhibition, “Go, Color. Go!,” featuring works by Jamey Barnard. The event will take place Thursday, Sept. 17, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Manierre Dawson Gallery. The event will include a pasta bar and is free and open to the public. The exhibition presents…
LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society will celebrate local history and the work of its museums during its annual gala Sept. 26 at the Stearns Hotel Ballroom, 212 E. Ludington Ave. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the event, which will include dinner, Mason County trivia, a silent auction, cultural experience auction items, a historical costume contest, games,…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — A 19-year-old Ludington man received minor injuries after the passenger side door of the vehicle he was riding in was struck by a vehicle which failed to yield and then fled the scene on US 10 near Pere Marquette…
LUDINGTON — UAW Local 1464 and the Great Lakes Castings Veterans Committee will hold the End of Summer Toy Run Sunday, Sept. 20, to benefit Toys for Tots. The rain-or-shine event will begin at the Great Lakes Castings foundry parking lot, 800 N. Washington Ave. Registration will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. The event is open to motorcycles,…
Richard L. Skinner, 75 of Branch, formerly of Clio, passed away in the comfort of his home on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. Richard, lovingly known as Rick, was born on Dec. 10, 1950, in Flint, the son of Percy J. and Donna Jean (Curtis) Skinner. He graduated from Clio High School, Class of 1969. On April 18, 1970, he married…
WALHALLA — 1:59 p.m.: Emergency crews have been dispatched to the intersection of US 10 and Walhalla Road for a two vehicle crash with injuries.
Patricia Ann Ferwerda, 69, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, at Ludington Woods Assisted Living. She was born Jan. 8, 1957, in Grand Haven, the daughter of Joseph and Edith (Rose) Ferwerda. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, 2370 N. 72nd Avenue, Hart. Interment will be…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central School District officials contacted law enforcement Thursday after two school buses experienced mechanical problems during afternoon routes. Superintendent Jeff Tuka notified the school community Thursday evening about the incidents. “Late this afternoon, two buses in our fleet incurred mechanical problems on the afternoon route,” Tuka said. “We cannot speculate on the…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief CUSTER — The Mason County Road Commission broke ground Thursday afternoon on a new headquarters and maintenance facility on its 90-acre property in the village of Custer, beginning the next phase of a move from its longtime Scottville location. The ceremonial groundbreaking took place at the Road Commission property at 2055 E. US 10 and included…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief FREE SOIL TOWNSHIP — Thirteen years ago Wednesday, on Sept. 9, 2013, Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterfield II, 43, was killed in the line of duty after he was shot during a routine traffic stop on Custer Road north of Townline Road. Butterfield, a Grant Township resident assigned to the Michigan State Police Hart…
LUDINGTON — Two Ludington High School seniors have been named semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. Gabriel Grierson and Steele Stowe were among 535 Michigan students recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Semifinalists represent approximately the top 1% of high school seniors nationwide. Gabriel is the son of Dr. Joe and Kathy Grierson and Steele is the…
LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: Kayla Jean Johnson, 34, pleaded guilty June 30 to methamphetamine/ecstasy possession and controlled substance possession—cocaine, heroin or another narcotic and was sentenced Sept. 1 to one year in jail with credit for 122 days served in jail; three years probation; and $266 in fines and costs. In…
Outdoors Story and photos by Joan Young, MCP contributor Just north of Holland, in Ottawa County, and only a short hop from the freeway is a natural area comprised of Hemlock Crossing and Pine Bend Parks with miles of hiking trails, access to the Pigeon River, a Nature Center, and a public Observatory. The parks connect for a combination of…
SUMMIT TOWNSHIP — District Health Department #10 and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy have confirmed that a reported algae bloom in Bass Lake is harmful. This is the second time this summer that a harmful algae bloom was detected on Bass Lake. The algae bloom was confirmed in Bass Lake, Wednesday, Sept. 9. “DHD#10 will continue to…
Brian Handy, 86, after living a full life, has gone to be with the Lord on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. Brian was a very hard worker his entire life. He will be remembered for his kindness, and willingness to help whenever he could and helping work with anyone on extra jobs. He loved to reminisce about people that he knew…
Nancy L. (Thompson) Stever, 81, of Ludington, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. Born on July 26, 1945, in Ludington, Nancy was the daughter of the late Freeman and Arlene (Huizenga) Thompson. She graduated from high school in 1963. Nancy lived a life marked by joy, friendship, and a deep love for the outdoors. She married James B. Stever…
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