County schools nearing end of allowable snow days

January 27, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief West Shore School News is a presentation of West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press.  Mason County secondary and elementary schools are closed again today due to the weather. Higher winds that began Sunday afternoon caused snow to drift on many north-south county roads. Last week, weather shut down the schools Monday…

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Recent death: John Emery Organ, 90, of Ludington

January 27, 2025

John Emery Organ, 90, of Ludington, died on Saturday, January 25, 2025. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Beacon Ministries, 4433 US 31, Scottville (Victory Township), with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. at the church. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com. Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of 2024…

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Closings and cancellations, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025

January 27, 2025

The following are closings and cancellations for Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. Please check this list for updates. Schools Covenant Christian School, Ludington Gateway to Success Academy Ludington Area Catholic School Ludington Area School District Mason County Central, including Victory Early Childhood Center Mason County Eastern Public Schools West Shore Educational Service District, including CTE. Other Caritas Food Pantry, Custer Scottville…

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Weekend police news, published Jan. 27, 2025

January 27, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is police activity in Mason County over the weekend: Friday, Jan. 24, 2025: 3:02 a.m., (Ludington Police Department), a 33-year-old Ludington man was cited for operating without insurance, Washington Street and Ludington Avenue, City of Ludington. 7:09 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s…

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Knizacky retiring as county administrator after 31 years

January 26, 2025

An open house will be held in honor of Fabian Knizacky’s retirement as county administrator at the Mason County Airport terminal, 5300 W. US 10, from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — An era will end in Mason County on Friday, Jan. 31. Fabian Knizacky will end his 31 year…

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Photo feature: Badger on ice

January 25, 2025

Photo by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Ice on Pere Marquette Lake has surrounded the SS Badger while it is docked for the winter. Though the Badger, like the other Ludington carferries, was built to operate year-round, for the past 32 years it has operated as a seasonal ship, transporting passengers and motor vehicles between Ludington and Manitowoc, Wis. The…

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Obituary: Carol Fitch, 90, of Ludington, formerly of Scottville

January 25, 2025

Carol L. Fitch, 90, of Ludington, former longtime resident of Scottville, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.  Carol was born on February 14, 1934 at the family home in Amber Township and was the daughter of Claus and Louise (Omholt) Chilberg. She graduated from Ludington High School with the class of 1952 and shortly after graduation she married her high…

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Obituary: Diane Bennett, 66, of Ludington

January 25, 2025

Diana Marie Bennett (née Makowicki), 66, passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2025, in her hometown of Ludington. Born in Ludington on October 28, 1958, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Patsy Makowicki Csorba. She attended Ludington High School, graduating in 1976, and later earned a nursing degree from West Shore Community College. Diana spent many years…

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Recent death: Bruce M. Claveau, 76 of Ludington, former resident of Scottville

January 25, 2025

Bruce M. Claveau, 76 of Ludington, former resident of Scottville, died on Friday, January 24, 2025. Funeral arrangements by Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services in Scottville.   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 news briefings along…

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LASD to hold additional community open house

January 24, 2025

LUDINGTON — Ludington Area School District will host another open house for the community to see the nearly-completed construction at Ludington High School and O.J. DeJonge Middle School on Thursday, Jan. 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. A ribbon cutting and open house was held last Monday, during blizzard conditions. Parent/teacher conferences are also scheduled…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Jan. 24, 2025

January 24, 2025

By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Jonald Wilson, 19; three counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer; arrested Jan. 18 by Mason County Sheriff’s Office; arraigned Jan. 19; preliminary hearing: Feb. 5; bail: $25,000 cash. -Carman Marie Skocelas, 46; assault with intent to do great bodily harm less…

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79th District Court sentencings, published Jan. 24, 2025

January 24, 2025

By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently sentenced in Mason County’s 79th District Court: -Tristan James Coleson, 20, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of operating while impaired by liquor and was sentenced to 93 days in jail (suspended sentence), must attend alcohol highway safety education, no drugs or alcohol, subject to random PBTs, must attend…

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FiveCAP offering free tax preparation

January 24, 2025

SCOTTVILLE — FiveCAP, Inc. is offering free tax preparing to low income residents of Mason, Manistee, Lake and Newaygo counties. “We want to remind residents that they should file a tax return, even if they don’t have to,” said FiveCAP Executive Director Mary Trucks. “Many people who aren’t required to file will qualify for tax credits and will get money…

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West Shore Bank announces 2025 Rhythm and Dunes lineup

January 23, 2025

LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank has announced the line up for its 2025 Rhythm and Dunes fundraising community concert series taking place on Saturday, July 26, and Saturday, August 2 at Waterfront Park. The headliners are Monsters of Yacht on July 26, a premier tribute to the yacht rock genre performing from coast to coast and Klay N the Mud…

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Survey: Area youth say academic stress is their top concern

January 23, 2025

Academic stress is the top concern of youth in Mason County, based on the results of a survey conducted by the The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) of Mason County. The YAC conducts a needs assessment every three years to determine the top concerns and needs of its local youth. YAC sent a questionnaire to all county high schools last fall,…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Jan. 23, 2025

January 23, 2025

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced this week in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Austin Edward Peterson, 25, pleaded guilty Nov. 12, 2024 to one count of third-degree fleeing a police officer and two counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and was sentenced Jan. 21, 2025 to 30 months to 20 years in prison with credit for one day served in…

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Deputies respond to multiple crashes during winter storm

January 23, 2025

No serious injuries reported The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is activity of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025: 12:23 p.m., two-vehicle crash, no injury, US 10 west of the US 31 on-ramp, Amber Township. 1 p.m., two-vehicle hit-and-run crash, no injury, US 10…

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Recent death: Diana Marie Bennett, 66, of Ludington

January 23, 2025

Diana Marie Bennett, 66, of Ludington, died on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com. 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 __________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news…

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Recent death: Geraldine Alma Rogers, 88, of Manistee

January 23, 2025

Geraldine Alma Rogers, 88, of Manistee, died on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com. 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 __________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news…

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Obituary: Roberto Antonio Torres, 85, of Hart

January 23, 2025

Roberto Antonio Torres, 85, a beloved figure of Hart, sadly left our world on Wednesday, January, 22, 2025, at his home, surrounded by family. Roberto was a kind and loving father, husband, grandpa, great-grandpa, and friend. Those who were fortunate enough to know him knew the kind of man he was; a hard worker, always trying to help when he…

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Recent death: Carol L. Fitch, 90, of Ludington

January 23, 2025

Carol L. Fitch, 90, of Ludington, died on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Funeral arrangements by Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services in Scottville.   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 news briefings along with email news alerts…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks