Suspected cocaine found on woman arrested in 911 center parking lot 

January 5, 2026

WEARE TOWNSHIP (Oceana County) — A 47-year-old Thompsonville, Mich. woman was arrested after Mason County deputies assisted Oceana County deputies on a reported  suspicious vehicle that had pulled into the parking lot of the Mason-Oceana 911 dispatch center Sunday, Jan. 4, shortly before 5:30 a.m. “It was reported the vehicle kept turning its headlights off and on, and the occupants…

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Competitive cheer: MCC teams participate in Comstock Park invite

January 5, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  COMSTOCK PARK — Mason County Central’s varsity and middle school competitive cheer teams participated in the Comstock Park Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 3 at Comstock Park High School. The varsity team took sixth place…

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Freezing rain forecast prompts winter weather advisory

January 5, 2026

MASON COUNTY — Several northern Michigan counties, including Mason County, are under a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service beginning at 11 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, through 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6. Total ice accumulations around .10 of an inch are expected. ____________________ Please Support Local News and Sports coverage Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings…

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Weekend police news, published Jan. 5, 2026

January 5, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is Mason County Sheriff’s Office activity over weekend: Friday, Jan. 2, 2026: 6 p.m., car/deer crash, no injury, Jagger Road west of Jebavy Drive, Hamlin Township. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026: 8 a.m., car/deer crash, no injury, US 31 south of Hoague…

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Obituary: Alan David Janowiak, 77, of Free Soil

January 5, 2026

Alan David Janowiak, 77, of Free Soil, died on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. He was born on August 28, 1948 in Manistee and was the son of the late Alvin F. and Leona M. (Shack) Janowiak. He grew up with a competitive spirit and quiet determination that carried him through life. Through his high-school years at Manistee Catholic Central High…

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Obituary: James Carl Kulk, 75, of Ludington

January 5, 2026

James “Jim” Carl Kuk, of Ludington, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, at the age of 75. His love of adventure and travel led him to explorations around the country and globe, from the towering mountains of New Zealand to the sunny islands of the Caribbean to the blazing depths of the Grand Canyon. However, he was most at…

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Employment: Utility Maintenance Operator II

January 5, 2026

Employment: Utility Maintenance Operator II The City of Ludington is accepting applications for a Utility Maintenance Operator II Position. Requires a CDL License (Class A with a tanker endorsement) and residency within twenty (20) miles of the city boundaries within six (6) months of hire date. Must obtain a MI S-4 Water Distribution License within three (3) years of hire…

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Employment: Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

January 5, 2026

The City of Ludington is accepting applications for an Operator III position at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Residency requirement: must live within 20 miles of City boundaries within six months of hire date. Starting wage $24.24 per hour, depending on qualifications, plus benefits. Strong knowledge of math, chemistry and biology is required. A written entrance exam may be part of…

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County discussing trail improvements

January 4, 2026

By Joan Young, MCP contributing writer A Michigan Department of Natural Resources Grant agreement being considered by the Mason County Board of Commissioners which would bring in $400,000 for improving trail at Mason County Campground. The local match would be $700,000. The item is currently at the committee level, at the Mason County Finance, Personnel and Rules Committee which will…

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Obituary: DeWayne “Bob” Englebrecht, 88, of Ludington

January 4, 2026

DeWayne Robert “Bob” Englebrecht, 88, of Ludington passed, away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.  Bob was born on December 30, 1937, in Scottville, the son of Theodore and Bessie (Smith) Englebrecht and graduated from Scottville High School with the class of 1956.  On February 17, 1962, he wed Doris L. Babbin and they celebrated 62 years together before Doris preceded…

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Winter weather advisory issued

January 4, 2026

MASON COUNTY — Most of the northern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula — including Mason and Oceana counties — is under a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, until 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5. Mixed precipitation is expected with total snow accumulations up to 2 inches and ice accumulations around…

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Co-op Varsity Hockey: Badgers win two in a row, defeat New Boston United

January 4, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  WESTLAND — The Lakeshore Badgers defeated New Boston United 11-3 on Saturday, Jan. 3, providing them with a two-day winning streak (see related story). The Badgers were able to build momentum from their win…

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Varsity Wrestling: LHS’s Katy Gable takes first place at Grand Haven tourney

January 4, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  GRAND HAVEN — The Ludington High School varsity wrestling team competed at the Adam H. Provencal Invitational at Grand Haven High School on Saturday, Jan. 3 and saw Oriole Katy Gable capture first place…

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Varsity Wrestling: MCC runner-up at Ravenna tourney

January 3, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  RAVENNA — The Mason County Central Spartans took second place during the Lloyd Cogswell Memorial Invitational at Ravenna High School on Saturday, Dec. 3. The Montague Wildcats were tourney champions. The Spartans were led…

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Boys Varsity Basketball: Reed City tops MCC

January 3, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  REED CITY — Mason County Central lost to host Reed City today during a winter break tournament. It was the Spartans’ second loss of the weekend. See related story here. Reed City was victorious…

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Varsity Girls Basketball: MCC loses two in a row at Reed City tourney

January 3, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  REED CITY — Mason County Central came home with a couple losses following the weekend Reed City Holiday Shootout Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the Spartans lost to Beal City, 48-23. “We just didn’t…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Jan. 3, 2026

January 3, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – Jerud Edward Baker, 48, methamphetamine/ecstasy possession. Offense date: Dec. 30, 2025. Bail: $5,000/10 percent. Agency: Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Preliminary exam: Jan. 14 at 1:30 p.m. – Graham Joseph Crawford, 43, third-offense operating while intoxicated — with a high blood alcohol content (BAC) and…

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Co-op Varsity Hockey: Badgers victorious against Brother Rice

January 3, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  ROYAL OAK — The Lakeshore Badgers defeated Brother Rice Varsity B 6-3 Saturday, Jan. 2, following a holiday break. After a scoreless first period, the Badgers got goals from senior Lukas Schade (Mason County…

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Boys Varsity Basketball: MCC loses to Beal City in winter break tourney

January 3, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  REED CITY — The Mason County Central Spartans lost to Beal City, 59-45,  during a winter break tournament at Reed City High School Saturday, Jan. 2. “A slow start and a hot-shooting first half…

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Recent births, published Jan. 2, 2026

January 3, 2026

Arlo Emerson Kopp, the son of Jessica Reum and Erich Kopp of Ludington, was born on Tuesday, January 31, 2025. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.  List of 2024 births List of 2023 births   __________________________________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your contribution…

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Man arrested for OWI after crashing into utility pole

January 2, 2026

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — A 22-year-old Ludington man was arrested for operating while intoxicated after the vehicle he was driving went off the road and struck a utility pole, snapping it off, on Washington Avenue north of Virnetta Drive Thursday, Jan. 1, just before 4:30 a.m., said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. No one was injured. The man was lodged…

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