Corewell Health’s Win with Wellness has served local children for 10 years

December 15, 2024

LUDINGTON — Corewell Health Ludington Hospital’s Win With Wellness Fit Club has been serving schools in Mason and Oceana counties for the last 10 years. The purpose of the program is to encourage healthy lifestyle habits for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The program was started in 2014 by physician assistant Kathy Grierson who had a passion for helping…

Read more »

Freezing rain advisory issued

December 14, 2024

UPDATE: The advisory was extended until 11 a.m. Sunday. MASON COUNTY — The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, through 4 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. Freezing rain is expected with total ice accumulations up to .10 of an inch. The advisory area includes Mason, Oceana, Lake, Newaygo, Muskegon, Montcalm, Gratiot,…

Read more »

Video: United Way Festival of Trees concludes Sunday

December 13, 2024

Video by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — The second annual Festival of Trees at Stix Bar will conclude on Sunday, Dec. 15. The event is a fundraiser for United Way of Mason County. Each decorated tree is sponsored by a local business, group or organization. Supporters vote for their favorite tree by paying for votes. While many of the…

Read more »

Jury finds man guilty of fentanyl delivery

December 13, 2024

LUDINGTON — A jury found a 37-year-old man guilty of fentanyl delivery on Friday, Dec. 13, following a two-day trial in Mason County’s 51st Circuit. Tracy John Straub was found guilty of two counts of delivery of less than 50 grams of fentanyl and one count of maintaining a drug house. The crimes occurred during a time frame of October…

Read more »

WSCC students bring holiday cheer

December 13, 2024

WSCC News is a presentation of West Shore Community College in partnership with Mason County Press.  VICTORY TOWNSHIP — West Shore Community College nursing student Megan Case launched a heartfelt initiative to spread holiday joy to the residents of a local assisted living facility, creating over 120 unique handmade Christmas cards to deliver personal cheer during the holiday season. “During…

Read more »

Libraries announce kids activities during winter break

December 13, 2024

The Mason County District Library will hold Creative Kids activities for children during winter break. Creative Kids will take place on Monday, Dec. 23; Thursday, Dec. 26, Friday, Dec. 27, Monday, Dec. 30, Thursday, Jan. 2, and Friday, Jan. 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. at both libraries: Scottville, 204 E. State St.; Ludington, 217 E. Ludington Ave. The Libraries will…

Read more »

79th District Court arraignments, published Dec. 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Howard Mark Larson, 39; second-degree home invasion, two counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer; unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine/ecstasy); arrested Dec. 7 by Michigan State Police; arraigned Dec. 9; preliminary hearing: Dec. 30;…

Read more »

Obituary: Capt. Al Waldemar Laaksonen, 86, of Ludington

December 13, 2024

“The Finlander,” Captain Al Laaksonen, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.  Anyone who knew Al, knew he was a passionate, and hardworking man.  I’m a “suomalainen poika”, or Finnish son, he would tell his boys, and a visit to his home might include some of the best smoked fish on the planet and…

Read more »

Recent births, published Dec. 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

Oliver James Sulka, the son of Sarah and Benjamin Sulka of Ludington, was born on Friday, December 6, 2024. Willow Jane Vandenheuvel, the daughter of Montana Scott and Jared Vandenheuvel of Mears, was born on Monday, December 9, 2024. David Ever Young, the son of Toby Jo and Philip Young of Ludington, was born on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Everleigh Lois Schultz, the daughter…

Read more »

Obituary: Douglas John Huggard, 74, of Ludington

December 13, 2024

Douglas John Huggard, 74, of Ludington, passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Doug was born on April 25, 1950 in Midland, the son of John Huggard and Dawn Fisher. Doug was a collector of John Deere memorabilia and loved watching television. He especially enjoyed watching John Wayne movies with his family. He always looked forward to spending the holidays…

Read more »

Obituary: Jeremy Alan Hawke, 31, of Ludington

December 13, 2024

Jeremy Alan Hawke, 31, passed away at home, on Thursday, December 12, 2024 in Ludington. Due to wishes, Jeremy will be cremated and a celebration of life for family will be held at a later date. Jeremy was born on May 11, of 1993 in Big Rapids to the late Alice McGinnis and Barry Hawke. He attended Mason County Central…

Read more »

Historical Society dedicates archives in memory of Rose Hawley

December 12, 2024

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — During its annual meeting held Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, the Mason County Historical Society announced that it is formally dedicating its historical collection in the memory of the organization’s matriarch, Rose Hawley. Additionally, the Society has changed the name of its downtown building, 130 E. Ludington Ave., to the Mason County Historical Society. Previously…

Read more »

Obituary: Randal ‘Randy’ Ramirez, 47, of Scottville

December 12, 2024

Randal “Randy” David Ramirez, 47, of Scottville, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024. Randy, lovingly referred to as Bub, was born on April 12, 1977, the son of Linda (MacArthur) Lopez and the late Gonzalo Ramirez. He attended Mason Lake ISD (now West Shore Educational Service District), graduating in 2003. Randy was well known around Mason County. He loved…

Read more »

Deputies busy with crashes

December 12, 2024

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent Mason County Sheriff’s Office activity:  Monday, Dec. 9, 2024: 5:27 a.m., car/deer crash, no injury, Jebavy Drive north of Johnson Road, Pere Marquette Township. 6:06 p.m., car/deer crash, no injury, Custer Road south of Powers Road, Custer Township. 9:39…

Read more »

Recent death: Albert Laaksonen, 86, of Ludington

December 12, 2024

Albert W. Laaksonen, 86, of Ludington, died on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com. Listing of 2024 deaths. Listing of 2023 deaths. Listing of 2022 deaths. Listing of 2021 deaths. Listing of 2020 deaths. Listing of 2019 deaths __________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email…

Read more »

Employment: Maintenance Supervisor – Shelby Public Schools

December 12, 2024

Employment: Maintenance Supervisor – Shelby Public Schools This is a paid posting. Posted until Dec. 23, 2024

Read more »

Closings, cancellations, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024

December 11, 2024

The following are closings and cancellations for Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. Please check this list for updates. Schools Baldwin Community Schools Covenant Christian School, Scottville Gateway to Success Academy, Scottville Hart Public Schools Ludington Area Catholic School Ludington Area School District Manistee Area Public Schools Mason County Central Schools, including Victory Early Childhood Center Mason County Eastern Schools Pentwater Public…

Read more »

Downtown Ludington Ladies’ Night postponed due to weather

December 11, 2024

LUDINGTON — Continuing snow squalls and frigid temperatures have resulted in the decision to postpone the Downtown Ludington Ladies’ Shopping Night. The event was scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 12 and will instead combine it with Men’s Night planned for Wednesday, December 18. The combined shopping event will offer extended hours, 4 to 8 p.m., special holiday deals, promotions, and personalized…

Read more »

Photo Feature: Shop with a Cop/Hero 2024

December 11, 2024

Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Around the County is a presentation of Preferred Credit Union, www.preferredcu.org, located locally at 266 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington. AMBER TOWNSHIP — The annual Shop with a Cop/Hero events are underway this week. Children who may not be able to afford Christmas presents are matched with a police officer, firefighter, EMT, or military person to…

Read more »

Volunteers sought for New Year’s Eve Ball Drop

December 11, 2024

LUDINGTON — The Ludington Downtown Development Authority is seeking local volunteers for the 15th annual Pure Ludington New Year’s Eve Ball Drop on Dec. 31. Beginning at 9 p.m. on Ludington Avenue, revelers can listen to music. The event will also include a beer tent with commemorative light-up glasses, fireworks and west Michigan’s largest New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. The…

Read more »

Convicted sex offender faces additional child sex crime charges

December 11, 2024

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 28-year-old man serving a 25-year minimum prison term for first-degree criminal sexual conduct  — victim under age 13 — faces additional child sex crime charges in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court. Bradley Curtis Drake was sentenced by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski to a mandatory minimum prison term of 25 years to a…

Read more »

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks