Lonny Alan Wright, 56, of Branch, passed away Friday, October 3, 2025, at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital. He was born June 3, 1969, in Adrian. Lonny was employed as a correctional officer at The Oaks Correctional Facility in Manistee for 26 years until his medical retirement in December 2024. Lonny was very active in fitness and sports, and also enjoyed…
Part 5 Story and photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LAKE MICHIGAN — When Kevin Diedrich was growing up in Manitowoc, Wis. his grandparents lived near the lakeshore. Kevin and his sister had the chore of mowing their grandparents’ lawn. When they were done they would go down by the shore and watch the carferries come and go. “My sister used…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — Toriann Marie Shirey of Oceana County, 16, has been missing since Sunday, Oct. 5, at 1:30 a.m. Local police announced Sunday afternoon that Toriann was a missing runaway, and they are seeking the public’s help to find her. “The investigation revealed that around 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 5 that she was at the…
LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old Custer woman was arrested Saturday, Oct. 4, after leading police on a high-speed chase and striking a police car with the motorcycle she was riding, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “At 1:39 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, the Ludington Police Department started a vehicle pursuit involving a motorcycle,” states Sheriff Cole in a…
SCOTTVILLE — A 34-year-old Custer man nearly hit a police car head-on during a high-speed chase Thursday morning, Oct. 2, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at 7:50 a.m., Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported domestic violence call at the Thornwild Apartments in the City of Scottville,” stated Sheriff Cole. “The…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent police activity in Mason County: Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025: 11:40 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), two-vehicle crash, no injury, US 10 east of Gordon Road, Amber Township. 11:40 a.m., (MCSO), two-vehicle crash, no injury, US 10 east of Gordon…
LUDINGTON — The Chamber Alliance of Mason County is now accepting applications for the next cohort of Leadership Mason County, a six-month professional development program launching in January 2026. This initiative is designed to empower local professionals with the knowledge, skills, and connections to lead effectively in both their workplaces and the broader community. Professionals with a passion for growing…
Herbert Charles Schaner, 89, of Free Soil, passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Known affectionately as Herb, he was born on May 13, 1936, in Hart, to the late Albert and Edna (Wilde) Schaner. Herb was married to Doris Jean Ohse on May 1, 1957. They shared many memorable years together until her passing on September 5, 2021. Herb…
Part 4 Story by Mark Varenhorst, Contributing Writer Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LAKE MICHIGAN — On Tuesday, Sept. 29 2025, I boarded the S.S. Badger with my editor and friend Rob Alway. We were both covering that trip from different views and also from different crew members we spoke to along the way. In my earlier article I mentioned…
LUDINGTON — The West Shore Beekeepers Association will hold its A Taste of Honey event on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Ludington Senior Center, 308 S. Rowe St. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Event highlights include: Complimentary tastings of honey from regional apiaries A variety of bee products for sale, including honey, beeswax…
Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Historic White Pine Village celebrated the area’s lumber heritage Saturday, Oct. 4, with special lumber exhibits. The event was part of the weekend’s inaugural Ludington Lumber Days. Historic White Pine Village, which is operated by the Mason County Historical Society, is nearing the end of its season. Its last day will…
Lisa Ann (Schumacher) Scholten-Riley, 61, of Branch, died on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home. Her funeral service will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home.…
Part 3 By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LAKE MICHIGAN — Max Hockanson, 22, has been working on the S.S. Badger since he was 16-years-old. Now in his eighth year at Lake Michigan Carferry, he is an able bodied seaman working in the deck department. His duties even include steering the ship. His career has also expanded beyond working on the Badger…
LUDINGTON — Lake Michigan Carferry has announced the S.S. Badger will not be sailing on Sunday, Oct. 5 due to forecasting gale force winds with waves from 7 to 13 feet. “LMC understands the disappointment and inconvenience this decision causes and apologizes for the impact it has on travel plans,” a post on the company Facebook page stated. “While we…
Employment: K-2 Instructional Assistants, MCC Schools Mason County Central School District is hiring Elementary (kindergarten through grade 2) Instructional Assistants for the current school year, 2025-2026. For details and to apply visit www.mccschools.org Job ID #634 This is a paid posting. Published until Oct. 20, 2025
MCP Great Lakes Boat Blog Story by Mark Varenhorst, MCP Contributing Writer Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LAKE MICHIGAN — Ludington is a maritime town. It has been since its early days of lumber. From the mid-19th century there have been ships that have worked this port village which became a city in 1873. Those break-bulk ships evolved into the…
Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — While Mason County Central School District students had a day off of school, the school’s faculty and staff spent part of the day learning how to keep kids and fellow employees safe. Mason County Sheriff’s Office school…
LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Andrew Leonard Lyewski, 34, pleaded no contest to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon May 21 and received a delayed sentence Sept. 30 of two days in jail with credit for two days served; 11 months probation; and $298 in fines and costs. Charges of assault…
By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Donald Scott Knowles, 54; possession of a controlled substance — methamphetamine/ecstasy, delivery/manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, two counts of felony firearms, and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person; arrested July 25 by Mason…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is activity of the Ludington Police Department Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025: 3:06 p.m., a 40-year-old Ludington woman was arrested on two failure to appear warrants, 700 block of Sixth Street, City of Ludington. She was lodged in the Mason County Jail.…
The birth announcements are a presentation of West Shore Bank, providing service to Mason, Oceana, Manistee, Muskegon, Benzie, and Grand Traverse counties; www.westshorebank.com. Jind Kaur Singh, the daughter of Valerie and Navjot Singh of Ludington, was born on Friday, October 3, 3025. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital. List of 2024 births List of 2023 births __________________________________…
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