This MCP Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee, and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. Photos and story by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Pere Marquette Lake is hosting an unusually busy week of commercial vessel traffic as three working vessels occupy the OxyChem terminal while a lake freighter is expected to arrive Friday…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 46-year-old Grant Township man was sentenced to a minimum of 10 ½ years in prison for a conviction for delivery of fentanyl causing death in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, July 21, for the March 25, 2023 death of Matthew Day, 41, of Manistee. Michael Thomas Chick II was sentenced by Judge Susan…
LUDINGTON — A 29-year-old man currently incarcerated in the Muskegon Correctional Facility for child sex crimes was sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court to eight to 20 years in prison for another child sex crime case. Kenneth Herrick Spencer Kotarski pleaded guilty, May 12, to felonies of child sexually abusive activity, using a computer to commit a crime…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. Mason County sheriff’s deputies responded to four different traffic crashes in Mason County Wednesday, July 22, including one that caused a minor injury and another crash that resulted in an operating while intoxicated arrest. The following is Mason County Sheriff’s Office activity Wednesday,…
Dorothy Arlene Talsma (née Schulz), 94, of Scottville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, surrounded by love and family, with her pastor sharing God’s word affirming her lifelong faith in her Savior’s victory over death. She was born on September 8, 1931, in Custer, to Emil Carl and Helena (Schultz) Schulz. Dorothy was born and raised in western…
The following births have been reported: Henley Rose Spencer, the daughter of Megan and Hunter Spencer of Fountain, was born on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital. List of 2026 births List of 2025 births __________________________________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts…
AMBER TOWNSHIP — A 59-year-old Ludington man was seriously injured after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle eastbound on US 10 near Wildwood Crossing Tuesday, July 21, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “He was struck by a vehicle, which was pulling out of a private drive, as the bicyclist crossed that drive,” said Sheriff Cole.…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Four people were injured in a two-vehicle crash on Pere Marquette Highway, south of US 10, Tuesday, July 21, around 3:40 p.m., said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. An 81-year-old Belmont, Mich. man, who was a driver, was injured…
The following births have been reported: Kennedy AnDyke, the daughter of Kimberly and Matthew AnDyke of Ludington, was born on Friday, July 17, 2026. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital. List of 2026 births List of 2025 births __________________________________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10…
Maryfrances Bane Phillippi had a simple way of talking about the end of life—she would simply say that one day she’d go “poof.” On Monday, July 6, 2026, she did—peacefully in her sleep, after a remarkable life spent healing others, creating beautiful things, nurturing those she loved, and finding wonder in the natural world. Born on Nov. 22, 1943, in…
It is with unimaginable sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Leslie Point-Sanders, the best mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. On Monday, July 13, Leslie’s brain aneurysm burst, just 17 hours before her life-saving surgery. She fought fiercely with incredible strength until taking her final breath at the stroke of midnight, marking the beginning of Thursday, July 16,…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MUSKEGON — Maritime historian, shipwreck diver, museum exhibit designer and author Valerie van Heest, whose work through her Holland-based firm, Lafferty van Heest & Associates, has helped shape the visitor experience at all three Mason County Historical Society museums, will present a narrated shipwreck cruise aboard the Aquastar excursion boat later this month. Van Heest is…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief RIVERTON TOWNSHIP — A vehicle crash turned into a barn fire Tuesday morning. At 11:48 a.m., emergency personnel were dispatched to 5615 S. Stiles Road for a report of a single vehicle crash with injuries. Moments later, dispatchers from Mason-Oceana 911 changed the status of the emergency to include a structure fire as well. The initial…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — Angela Taylor, one of Mason County Central Schools’ longest-serving administrators, has resigned after 26 years with the district to accept a position as assistant principal at the Manistee Early Childhood Center. Taylor is MCC’s state and federal program director and director of Victory Early Childhood Center. The Mason County Central Board of Education accepted…
The following births have been reported: Evelyn Eden Rose Visger, the daughter of Autumn and Scener Visger of Scottville, was born on Saturday, July. 18, 2026. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital. List of 2026 births List of 2025 births __________________________________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts…
This MCP Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee, and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. Story and photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — One of the Great Lakes’ newest bulk carriers made its first known visit to Ludington Monday morning, delivering aggregate to the Great Lakes Materials terminal on Pere Marquette Lake, operated…
By Kai Taylor, MCP Writer MANISTEE — Summer amateur baseball has been a tradition in Manistee since 1934. What started as a parish team for St. Joseph Catholic Church has evolved into an irreplaceable community staple. The Manistee Saints compete in the Gratiot County Baseball League, which consists of six teams from across Michigan. The GCBL operates under the umbrella…
LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank’s 2026 Rhythm & Dunes summer concert series begins this Saturday, July 25, with a free evening of live music, food and fundraising at Waterfront Park. The first concert will feature Mark Blomsteel & The Motor City Drive, a Michigan-based band that blends country, rock and soul. The Mason County Central High School Jazz Band, under…
Beach hazards statement in effect through Wednesday The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued an air quality alert through Monday, July 20, for elevated levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke. Concentrations in the Lower Peninsula will be unhealthy for sensitive groups. This is a statewide air quality alert. “Another smoke plume has settled…
LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently on felony charges in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Josiah Robert Fenner, 21, first-degree home invasion and a misdemeanor of assault and battery. Offense date: July 3, 2026. Agency: Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Bail: $10,000/10 percent. Preliminary exam: July 29 at 1:30 p.m. Nicholas Gene Helfrich, 36, third-offense operating while intoxicated and…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is police news in Mason County over the weekend: Wednesday, July 15, 2026: 12:50 p.m., (Michigan State Police), a 52-year-old Grand Rapids man was arrested for probation violation and a warrant, US 10 and Stiles Road, Amber Township. He was lodged…
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