Legal Notice: To Nikita Nickelson in the Matter of Gary Nickelson

March 20, 2026

State of Michigan 51st Judicial Court – Family Division, Mason County Case No. 24-73-NA To Nikita Nickelson In the matter of Gary Nickelson: A hearing regarding ADJUDICATION AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS will be conducted by the court on March 26, 2026 at 9 a.m. in the Mason County Courthouse Board of Commissioner’s Room, 304 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington, MI…

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Legal Notice: To Michael Nickelson in the Matter of Gary Nickelson

March 20, 2026

State of Michigan 51st Judicial Court – Family Division, Mason County Case No. 24-73-NA To Michael Nickelson In the matter of Gary Nickelson: A hearing regarding ADJUDICATION AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS will be conducted by the court on March 26, 2026 at 9 a.m. in the Mason County Courthouse Board of Commissioner’s Room, 304 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington, MI…

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Recent death: Elma Jean Heuschele, 84, of Baldwin

March 20, 2026

Elma Jean Heuschele, 84, of Baldwin died on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Funeral arrangements by Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services in Scottville. Listing of 2026 deaths Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of 2024 deaths. Listing of 2023 deaths. Listing of 2022 deaths. Listing of 2021 deaths. Listing of 2020 deaths. Listing of 2019 deaths __________ Receive daily MCP and OCP…

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PM 41 begins 85th season; began March 12, 1941 as City of Midland

March 19, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The articulated tug-barge (ATB) Undaunted/Pere Marquette 41 set sail for the first time this season Thursday evening out of its home port of Ludington, beginning the 85th season on the Great Lakes for the barge that was once the SS City of Midland 41 carferry. The vessel is owned and operated by Interlake Logistics…

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Ludington school board narrows superintendent search to two candidates

March 19, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Ludington Area School District Board of Education spent the last two evenings interviewing three candidates who are vying for the position of the district’s next superintendent. On Wednesday, the board interviewed Frank Marietta and Travis Walker. On Thursday, the board interviewed Jonathon Wennstrom. Following the interview Thursday, the board selected two finalists, Walker…

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Ludington mayor issues state of the city report

March 19, 2026

2026 STATE OF THE CITY I have lived and worked in Ludington for over 25 years.  In that time city residents, private business owners and employees, health care workers, public safety workers, educators, public service and utility workers, skilled tradesmen, factory workers and many others, have faced a variety of blessings and challenges in our city.  I have witnessed a…

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No injuries in 4-vehicle crash

March 19, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. SUMMIT TOWNSHIP — No one was injured in a four-vehicle crash Wednesday, March 18, shortly after 6 a.m. on Pere Marquette Highway south of Birch Lane, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The following is other activity of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office…

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Library holding Declaration of Independence essay competition

March 19, 2026

LUDINGTON — In honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Mason County District Library is sponsoring an essay and art contest, answering the question: If the Declaration of Independence could talk, what story would it tell? Writers and artists in grades 5-12, and adults may pick up an entry form and information packet…

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Obituary: Margaret Anne (Sjoholm) Hayes, 85, of Ludington

March 19, 2026

Margaret Anne (Sjoholm) Hayes, 85, of Ludington, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Margaret was born on August 5, 1940, in Ludington to the late Frans and Anne (Stuart) Sjoholm. She was a 1958 graduate of Ludington High Schol. In 1962, she graduated from Albion College, earning her bachelor’s degree in math and physics. She truly was a woman…

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Obituary: Lyle Harry Griffith,  92, of Custer

March 19, 2026

Lyle Harry Griffith,  92, of Custer passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.  Lyle was born on October 17, 1933 in Tallman, the youngest of nine children born to Harry A. and Mary J. (Warner) Griffith.  On August 16, 1952 he married Fayetta Dawn Cormany at Fountain Methodist Church and they celebrated 71 years by each other’s side until Fayetta preceded him…

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Obituary: Christopher Lloyd Barnes, 52, of Ludington

March 19, 2026

Christopher Lloyd Barnes, 52, of Ludington, died Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Corewell Health Butterworth Campus. He was born September 18, 1973, in Muskegon, the son of Clarence and Diane (Wagner) Barnes. Chris worked for several years as a certified nursing assistant. In his spare time he was an avid fisherman. Chris also loved rescuing animals, especially cats. Chris is…

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Judge lifts stop-work order on AndyS development project

March 18, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — A judge has lifted the city of Ludington’s stop-work order on the development of AndyS restaurant building, allowing construction to resume while the underlying lawsuit continues. In a March 16 opinion, Judge Eric R. Fox granted a preliminary injunction in favor of ASR Real Estate LLC, concluding the stop-work order issued by the city…

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Petitions taken out to recall two Hamlin Township board members

March 18, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — Recall petitions have been filed against two Hamlin Township officials, Treasurer Susan Ptaszenski and Trustee Johnaine Gurzynski. The petition language, written verbatim, against Ptaszenski states: “Susan Ptaszenski in April 30, 2022 thur March 31, 2025. She provided false + financial report to the board MCL 750.489.” The petition language, written verbatim, against Gurzynski…

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MCC student success specialist Tim Danielson nominated for favorite teacher contest

March 18, 2026

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press.  SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central student success specialist and coach Tim Danielson is in the running for Reader’s Digest’s “America’s Favorite Teacher” contest. The annual competition will award one educator a grand prize that includes $25,000, a trip to Hawaii and a school…

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Over 3,000 attend Family AfFAIR

March 18, 2026

SCOTTVILLE — The 34th annual Family AfFAIR was held last Saturday at Mason County Central High School. The free event drew more than 3,010 people, who visited 74 booths. This year’s theme was “Sharing S’More Kindness Builds Strong Families and Communities.” Activities included photo booths, arts and crafts, obstacle courses, bounce houses, balloon animals, carnival games, structure building, a free…

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Teens arrested for break-in

March 18, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. LUDINGTON — A 17-year-old Ludington male suspect and a 19-year-old Ludington female suspect were arrested by Ludington police officers following a reported breaking and entering in the 600 block of East Dowland Street Tuesday, March 17, around 4:20 p.m., according to the Ludington…

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Obituary: Darlene Kay Dodson, 78 of Fountain

March 18, 2026

Darlene Kay Dodson, 78 of Fountain, passed away unexpectedly early Sunday morning, March 15, 2026. Born May 14, 1947, in Ludington, Darlene was the daughter of the late Felix Charles and Eunice May (Genson) Mickevich. She graduated from Mason County Central and went on to attend West Shore Community College where she received her associate degree as a licensed practical…

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Obituary: Nellie May Anderson, 102, of Ludington

March 18, 2026

Nellie May Anderson, 102, of Ludington, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2026. Nellie was born on April 16, 1923, in Riverton Township to Robert and Emma (Kiefer) Bedker.  She attended East Riverton School and graduated from Scottville High School with the class of 1941 as the salutatorian. On March 28, 1943, she married Melvin Anderson in Newaygo. Nellie was preceded…

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Obituary: John ‘Jack’ David Courtland, 97, of Muskegon

March 18, 2026

John “Jack” David Courtland, 97, of Muskegon, formerly of Mason County, died on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. He was born on November 30, 1928, in Scottville, the seventh child of nine to the late Ernest and Lettie (Gulembo) Courtland. His younger years were spent in Mason County where he helped work on the family farm taking care of cattle and…

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History Talk to explore Mason County school consolidation

March 17, 2026

SCOTTVILLE — The 20th century brought major changes to education in the United States, and Mason County was no exception. At the beginning of the century, Mason County had 69 public school districts. By the late 1960s, that number had been reduced to four and eventually to three today. On Thursday, March 19, Rob Alway will discuss the history of…

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WSCC board of trustees meeting rescheduled to March 23

March 17, 2026

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — The regular meeting of the West Shore Community College Board of Trustees scheduled for Monday, March 16 has been rescheduled for Monday, March 23. The regularly scheduled meeting was postponed due to weather. The Board of Trustees will consider a new tuition policy for Michigan public institutions, review financial reports and vote on a long-term lease with…

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