Obituary: Esther Joan (Conine) Johnson, 88, of Ludington

April 28, 2026

Esther Joan (Conine) Johnson, 88, of Ludington, formerly of Walhalla, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Esther was born on August 28, 1937, in Howell, the daughter of the late Milton and Margaret (Hazelman) Conine. She was a 1955 graduate of Howell High School. On February 22, 1958, she married Herbert Allen Johnson. Together with her husband, they owned…

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Obituary: Robert Lee Gwilliams, 92, of Walhalla

April 28, 2026

Robert Lee Gwilliams, 92, of Walhalla, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital. He was born March 30, 1934, in Otsego, the son of Earl and Elizabeth (Gaunt) Gwilliams. Robert was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Army. Afterwards he worked for several years as a logger and then spent…

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Obituary: Thomas Wallace Marmon, 94,

April 28, 2026

Thomas Wallace Marmon, 94, celebrated the culmination of his life of living and giving to his family and friends by entering the house of God on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Thomas was born to Herbert William Walker and Gayle Gilroy on October 11, 1931, in Newark, NJ. He was later adopted by Earl Leroy Marmon and graduated from Ludington High…

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Obituary: Kelly Jo Duggan, 54, of Irons

April 28, 2026

Kelly Jo (Abrahamson) Duggan, 54 of Irons, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026, in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family. Born May 4, 1971, in Ludington, Kelly was the daughter of Steven Abrahamson and Penny (Olson) Russell. She graduated from Harper Creek High School in 1989 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting…

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Obituary: Kimberly S. Sanders Hathaway, 67, of Scottville

April 28, 2026

Kimberly S. Sanders Hathaway, 67, of Scottville, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Kim was born on May 2, 1958, to Roger and Darlene Sanders. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Ray Hathaway, her children, Roger Carlson, Chad Hathaway and Tessey Hathaway; her six grandchildren, Johnathen, Rusty, Rayanne Lee, Karly, Kody and…

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Employment: Upper Elementary Special Education Teacher

April 28, 2026

Employment: Upper Elementary Special Education Teacher Mason County Central School District is seeking a qualified candidate for an Upper Elementary Special Education Teacher position for the 2026–2027 academic year. Apply online: www.mccschools.orgApplication deadline: May 12, 2026Job ID: 652 This is a paid posting. Published until May 12, 2026

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Employment: Middle School Science Teacher

April 28, 2026

Employment: Middle School Science Teacher Mason County Central School District is seeking a qualified candidate for a Middle School Science Teacher position for the 2026–2027 academic year. Apply online: www.mccschools.orgApplication deadline: May 11, 2026Job ID: 655 This is a paid posting. Published until May 11, 2026

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Harvilla withdraws from MCC superintendent search after accepting Arizona position

April 27, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — One of the five candidates selected to interview for the Mason County Central superintendent position has withdrawn from consideration. Shannon Harvilla has informed Mason County Press that he has removed his application after being offered and accepting a position with a school district in Arizona. Harvilla had been scheduled to interview May 4. The…

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Mason County prosecutor loves her work

April 27, 2026

By Mark Varenhorst, MCP Feature Columnist  LUDINGTON — Mason County has a long history of prosecuting attorneys dating back many years. In recent memory, I think of names like Cris Van Oosterum, Susan Kasley Sniegowski, Paul Spanolia, and Lauren Kreinbrink. Earlier in my life, I often remember reading cases Van Oosterum was working on. His name became well known and…

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MCC Forensics team earns top finishes at EMU tournament

April 27, 2026

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press.  YPSILANTI — Three members of the Mason County Central High School forensics team traded prom for competition and returned home with strong finishes at a tournament held last weekend at Eastern Michigan University. Richard Bowen led the team with a second-place finish in…

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WSCC report highlights economic impact as millage renewal heads to May 5 ballot

April 27, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief VICTORY TOWNSHIP — West Shore Community College has released its 2025-26 annual report, highlighting its continued role in student success, workforce development and regional economic impact across Mason, Manistee and Oceana counties — while voters also prepare to decide a key funding question for the college on May 5. The report emphasizes the college’s direct connection…

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Prime departs Ludington

April 27, 2026

Photos and story by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The MV Prime departed the Port of Ludington Monday morning. The ship entered port early Sunday morning and docked at the OxyChem Ludington plant, which produces calcium chloride. Its next destination is Loyalist Cove, which is located near Bath, Ontario, Canada along Lake Ontario, about 20 miles west of Kingston, Ontario.…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published April 27, 2026

April 27, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, April 21, 2026: Shawn Roy-Gert Sluyter, 51, pleaded no contest Feb. 17 to third-offense domestic violence and was sentenced April 21 to 15 months in prison with credit for 227 days served; no contact with the victim; and $198 in fines and costs. The court did not…

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Wind advisory in effect until 8 p.m.

April 27, 2026

A large portion of the western half of the Lower Peninsula, including Mason and Oceana counties, is under a wind advisory issued by the National Weather Service until 8 p.m. Monday, April 27. Southeast winds 15-25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph are expected. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down, and a…

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OWI, drug possession arrests top weekend police activity

April 27, 2026

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, April 24, 2026: 12:35 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), a 47-year-old Three Rivers, Mich. man was arrested for methamphetamine possession following a traffic stop, Sixth Street west of Pere Marquette Highway,…

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Obituary: Robert Lee Flint, 81, of Fountain,

April 27, 2026

Robert Lee Flint, 81, of Fountain, passed away on April 20, 2026. He was born on May 6, 1944 in Cadillac, to Murle and Mary Flint. Robert was raised in a large family and carried strong values of hard work, resilience, and dedication throughout his life. Robert spent many years working in road construction, welding, and painting. He was known…

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Obituary: Rebecca Jean (Knudsen) Fellows, 35, of Manistee

April 27, 2026

It is with very broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful Rebecca Jean (Knudsen) Fellows, age 35 of Manistee, who died unexpectedly on Monday, April 20, 2026 at her home. She was born on Aug. 9, 1990 in Ludington, the daughter of Jeannie (Gutowski) Carver and Randy Knudsen. She was a graduate of Manistee High School with…

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Robin Lynn Oliver, 67, of Scottville

April 27, 2026

  Robin Lynn Oliver, 67, of Scottville, died on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Arrangements by Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, www.GraceCremations.com. 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 __________ Please Support Local News Receive…

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Norwegian-flagged tanker first ship to visit Ludington this season

April 26, 2026

Story and photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Norwegian-flagged tanker MV Prime is the first ship to visit the Port of Ludinton this season. The vessel arrived late Saturday night but anchored offhosre west of the mouth of the Lincoln River overnight. The ship entered the harbor just after sunrise Sunday morning, destined for the OxyChem Ludington plant dock…

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MCP needs your help

April 26, 2026

MCP needs your help Folks, we need your help. Thank you to those who have accepted our request and are now subscribing to the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing. We are asking MCP and OCP readers to consider making a small monthly investment in order for us to continue to provide you with local news and sports coverage. Mason County Press and…

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Varsity Softball: Ludington rebounds to split at Holland Invitational, finishes 2-1

April 26, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Smith & Eddy Insurance and Michelle and Andrew Thomas. HOLLAND — Ludington’s varsity softball team rebounded from a lopsided opening loss to win its final two games and finish 2-1 at the Holland Invitational on Saturday. The Orioles dropped their first game to Grosse…

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