Employment: Middle School Interventionalist Instructional Assistant This is a paid posting. Published until Dec. 17, 2025

Maria Teresa Balderas, 76, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025, in Grand Rapids. Born on February 10, 1949, in San Manuel, Texas, Maria grew up enveloped in the warmth of a close-knit family which deeply influenced her own values as a family-oriented, loving, and independent woman. Maria is survived by her devoted husband, Francisco “Paco” Balderas, and her children…

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — A drone helped pinpoint the location of a suspect who fled from Mason County sheriff’s deputies, leading to his arrest, in the 3500 block of West Fisher Road Sunday, Dec. 7, around 10 a.m., according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. A 52-year-old Ludington man was arrested on charges of fleeing and eluding police and assaulting/resisting/obstructing police.…

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, and Baker Ford Ludington. VICTORY TOWNSHIP — The West Shore Wolves 12U Hockey Team has skated their way to the top, earning the title of Fenstermacher’s Cup Tournament Champions after a weekend of strong, high-intensity competition at the West Shore Community…

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is police activity over the weekend in Mason County: Friday, Dec. 5, 2025: 6:42 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), car/deer crash, no injury, US 10 west of Stephens Road, Custer Township. 7:16 a.m., (MCSO), car/deer crash, no injury, Stiles Road north of…
VICTORY TOWNSHIP — The West Shore Wolves youth hockey league is holding a charity hockey game on Sunday, Dec. 21 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the West Shore Community Ice Arena located on the campus of West Shore Community College. The free event will include local talents, former hot shots, and seasoned beer-league champs. The fundraiser will also include…

Jerome Raymond Miller, 85, of Custer passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 6, 2025 with his family by his side. Jerome was born on August 22, 1940 in Ludington, the son of Raymond and Pauline (Zukas) Stakenas. Tragically his father Raymond died when Jerome was 1 year old and his mother married Daniel Miller – who became the father who would shape…

MASON COUNTY — Mason, Manistee, Benzie and Leelanau counties are under a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service beginning at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, until 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. Total snow accumulation between 3 and 6 inches is expected. “Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will lead to blowing and drifting snow this evening…
Maria Teresa Balderas, 76 of Walkerville, died on Friday December 5, 2025. A funeral service for Maria will be held on Thursday December 11, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 4 p.m. Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, www.GraceCremations.com. Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of 2024 deaths. Listing of…
PUBLIC BID NOTICE: Restroom cleaning, City of Ludington 2026 Annual Contract The City of Ludington will be accepting bids for the following 2026 annual contract: Restroom Cleaning Bids will be accepted until Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 2 p.m. Please submit bid in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the service contract you are bidding on and turn in to the…

Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union with offices in Manistee, Ludington, East Lake, and Bear Lake and the Mason County Historical Society, which operates the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, Historic White Pine Village and the Rose Hawley Archives in downtown Ludington. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief On Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, at 7:51 a.m., the planes…
MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central High School wrestlers won third place and Ludington High School won fifth place at the Scottville Optimist Harold Merrill Memorial Invitational Saturday, Dec. 6 at MCC High School. The Spartans had a 3-2 record in…

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. LUDINGTON — The Ludington Varsity Swim and Dive team kicked off its season with some fast swimming at the Ludington Relay meet Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 at Donald C. Baldwin Community Pool. Junior Jaden Vronko achieved a state qualifying time…

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. MIDDLEVILLE — The Ludington girls wrestling team turned in a strong showing at the Middleville Thornapple Kellogg Girls-Only Invitational on Friday, Dec. 5. Competing against some of the top talent in west Michigan, the Lady Orioles delivered an impressive night…

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. GULL LAKE — The Lakeshore Badgers played the Kalamazoo Eagles (Richland Gull Lake) on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Wings Event Center, earning a hard fought overtime win with a final score of 3-2. Both teams were tentative and traded a…

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. HESPERIA — The Ludington High School Wrestling Team was defeated in both matches of the Hesperia-hosted tri-meet Wednesday, Dec. 3. Ludington vs. Hesperia The Orioles fell to Hesperia, 60–22, but delivered several strong individual performances. Julian Boerema (132 lbs)…
MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. HUDSONVILLE — The Lakeshore Badgers varsity hockey team defeated the Jenison Wildcats 4-2 on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Griff’s Georgtown rink in Hudsonville. We got off to a decent start in the first period, taking the lead about 8…
MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. MUSKEGON — The Ludington Orioles Boys’ Junior Varsity basketball team defeated Orchard View Friday, Dec. 5, 62-32. “OV is a very athletic and hard working team that challenges their opponents ability to rebound and play help defense,” said LHS Coach…

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — The City of Scottville is on the upswing of its debt issues. Since 2021, the city saw a growing deficit in its general fund that amounted to $473,379 by the end of fiscal year 2023/2024. Because of a debt reduction plan created by City Manager Clarence Goodlein, the city now is showing a fund…

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 51-year-old woman was sentenced to 72 months (six years) to 40 years in prison for a conviction of delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Dec. 2. April Lynn Somsel, who was on parole at the time of the offense, pleaded guilty to the charge, Oct. 22. Her sentence…

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court this week: – Bryan Rojalio Escareno, 45, pleaded guilty Oct. 14 to possession of methamphetamine/ecstasy and third-offense habitual offender and was sentenced Dec. 2 to 15 months to 20 years in prison with credit for 99 days served and $198 in fines and costs. One count of felony…