By Mark Varenhorst, MCP Writer LAKE MICHIGAN — The Fourth of July found me in Manistee. Wally Laaksonen, owner of Manistee Harbor Tours, had invited me to join the inaugural Princess fireworks cruise to Ludington. I wasn’t about to miss that. Over the years, I have watched the Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival fireworks from the beach, from open fields around…
Mason County voters will decide whether to renew the county’s additional road patrol services millage during the Tuesday, Aug. 4, primary election. The proposal asks voters to renew up to 0.2980 mill, or about 29.8 cents for every $1,000 of taxable value, for eight years, from 2026 through 2033. The millage provides funding for additional road patrol services through the…
LUDINGTON — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin maintenance dredging of Ludington Harbor on Thursday, July 9. The project is expected to continue through Aug. 17, weather permitting. The annual dredging operation is intended to maintain safe navigational depths within the harbor and support commercial and recreational marine traffic. The work will take place from the…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. LUDINGTON — A 46-year-old Fountain man was arrested after “he was alleged to have caused a disturbance at the Mason County Courthouse” Tuesday, July 7, at 11 a.m., said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “He was found to be intoxicated, which was a…
Voters in Mason and Oceana counties will decide the future of the Mason-Oceana 911 operating millage during the Tuesday, Aug. 4, primary election. The proposal asks voters to renew the existing operating millage that funds the Mason-Oceana 911 emergency dispatch system. Because it is a bi-county millage, the proposal requires a majority of the combined votes cast in both Mason…
LUDINGTON — The Rotary Club of Ludington has donated $10,000 to the Ludington Petunia Parade’s Watering Truck Capital Campaign, helping the organization move closer to its goal of purchasing a newer, more reliable watering truck. Rotary Club President Bob Vipond presented the check July 2 to Petunia Parade board members Cathy Webster, Mary Lou Ohnsman and Sarah Genson. The funds…
BALDWIN — The Lake County Modelers & Flyers Association’s summer flying season continues this weekend with the West Michigan RC Expo, Thursday, July 9 through Saturday, July 11, at the club’s flying field near Baldwin. The expo will feature continuous flying demonstrations featuring RC jets, propeller aircraft and helicopters. In addition to flight demonstrations, visitors can try RC flight simulators…
Dean Devoie Lasley, 83, of Ludington, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital following a brief illness. For more than 50 years, Dean was a respected fixture in the Ludington community as the owner of Dean’s Auto Body. Known for his exceptional craftsmanship, honesty, and willingness to help others, he repaired thousands of vehicles over…
David LeRoy Lilleberg, 90, of Custer, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 in his home with his wife, Edith, by his side. David was born to the late Naomi (Courser) and Clarence Lilleberg. He was raised by his grandmother, Eunice Carlson, who all preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brothers Jack, Daniel…
By Mark Varenhorst, MCP writer LUDINGTON — Having worked on several articles about the Mason County Sheriff’s Office over the past year, I found myself thinking that I needed to do one on the Ludington Fire Department. Public service has been a part of my life for many years in one form or another. My earliest memories are of joining…
This MCP Boat Blog is presented by the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Norwegian-flagged tanker Prime returned to the Port of Ludington Tuesday, July 7, delivering another shipment of calcium chloride to the OxyChem plant on Pere Marquette Lake. The vessel arrived at about 8 a.m., escorted by the tug Sarah Andrie, and…
LUDINGTON — Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians should expect a temporary road closure on South Rath Avenue today, Tuesday, July 7, as a private contractor performs work in the area. According to the City of Ludington, South Rath Avenue between Ludington Avenue and Loomis Street will be closed to through traffic from approximately 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the project.…
LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned on felony charges in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Tyler Jo Fink, 30, interfering with electronic communications. Offense date: June 8, 2026. Agency: Michigan State Police (MSP). Bail: $5,000/cash/surety. Preliminary exam: July 8 at 1:30 p.m. Donquez Lamon Haynes, 41, delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine. Offense date: June 21, 2026. Agency: Ludington Police Department (LPD).…
A 90th birthday celebration will be held of Dale Sutton on Saturday, July 11, 1-4 p.m. at his home, 2207 S. Tuttle Road, Scottville (Custer Township). Friends, neighbors, and former students are all welcome for cherry pie and fun. Dale Sutton is a professor emeritus of West Shore Community College. This is a paid posting.
SHERMAN TOWNSHIP — The Fin & Feather Club of Mason County will host a concealed pistol license (CPL) class and a Michigan Department of Natural Resources hunter safety class during August at the club, 3276 N. Darr Rd. The CPL class will be held Friday and Saturday, Aug. 7-8. The Friday session will take place from 6 to 9 p.m.,…
LUDINGTON — The Mason County District Library Ludington branch will host the CogNition Mobile Planetarium for one day on Monday, July 13, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the stars and planets through an immersive educational experience. Three planetarium shows will be offered at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Each presentation will last about 30 minutes and will be followed…
Pat McCarthy, 57, of Ludington, died on Thursday, July 2, 2026. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at noon, at Grace Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements by Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, www.GraceCremations.com. Listing of 2026 deaths. Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of 2024…
Dean Devoie Lasley, 83, of Ludington, died on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, 309 S. Washington Avenue, Ludington followed by a funeral service beginning at 1 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held following the funeral…
The following births have been reported: Teller James Campbell, the son of Courtney and Kevin Campbell of Scottville, was born on Monday, July 6, 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…
This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — One of the most rewarding parts of serving as a director of the Mason County Historical Society is sharing Mason County’s history with people who have a personal connection to it. A couple weeks ago, I…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor BRANCH TOWNSHIP — The Michigan State Police Sixth District Bomb Squad safely removed a homemade pipe bomb from a home in the 600 block of Benson Road Friday afternoon, July 3, said MSP Sgt. Michael Cuevas. “It was taken off the scene and disposed of in a safe location,” said Sgt. Cuevas. “It was explosives…
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