Photo feature: American Patriot cruise ship

August 7, 2026

Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The American Patriot made its debut visit to Ludington Friday. Here are some photographs from the visit. The ship is scheduled to re-visit Ludington on Friday, Aug. 14. At this time the scheduled arrival time is 7:30 a.m.     _____________________ Please Support Local News Coverage For generations, local newspapers were supported by…

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Man pleads to CSC charges on second day of trial

August 7, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 41-year-old man with an extensive criminal history pleaded no contest to multiple charges, including four counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Thursday, Aug. 6, on the second day of his criminal trial. Shawn Ryan Borah also pleaded no contest to one count of domestic violence, one…

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American Patriot arrives early for first Ludington cruise ship visit

August 7, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The American Patriot arrived in the Port of Ludington about three hours ahead of schedule Friday morning, entering the foggy harbor just after the SS Badger arrived from its overnight crossing from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The 243-foot cruise ship docked at the west seawall of Waterfront Park at about 6:45 a.m. It had been scheduled…

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Driver who crashed into barn, sparking fire arrested on meth charges

August 7, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 67-year-old Free Soil man who crashed into a Riverton Township barn, sparking a fire, faces two methamphetamine/ecstasy possession charges. Fred Arthur Christmas was arrested on one count of methamphetamine/ecstasy possession following the July 21 crash. The 11:48 a.m. crash involved a Chevrolet Cruz that was northbound on Stiles Road. Christmas appeared to…

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Man passed out in grass arrested for disorderly conduct

August 7, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. LUDINGTON — A 23-year-old Iowa man passed out in the grass in the area of Loomis and Gaylord streets was arrested by Ludington police officers for disorderly conduct Friday, Aug. 7, around 5 a.m., according to Ludington Police Chief Chris Jones. Police responded…

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Mason-Oceana 911 log, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026

August 7, 2026

The following is activity reported by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Ludington Police Department and Oceana County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. Among the more significant calls in Mason County, Mason County sheriff’s deputies investigated two breaking and entering complaints in Pere Marquette Township and Ludington, responded to a malicious destruction of property complaint in Hamlin Township, handled…

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Recent births, published Aug. 7, 2026

August 7, 2026

The following births have been reported: Jacob Henry Gerbers, the son of Anna and Justin Gerbers of Custer, was born on Thursday, Aug. 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…

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Cruise ship visit validates a vision — now Ludington must build on it

August 6, 2026

Cruise ship arrives in Ludington Friday morning By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief When Mason County Press published the editorial “Great Lakes cruise ships: Is Ludington missing the boat?” on June 7, 2025, the purpose was simple: start a conversation about an opportunity that appeared to be passing Ludington by. That conversation turned into action. On Friday, Aug. 7, the American Patriot…

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Schwass family tradition in farming, education continues at WSCC

August 6, 2026

WSCC News is a presentation of West Shore Community College in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief VICTORY TOWNSHIP — For Makenna Ingle, returning home to lead West Shore Community College’s Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology program is more than a career move. It’s the continuation of a family legacy rooted…

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Great Republic departs Manistee after coal delivery, heads to Port Inland

August 6, 2026

This MCP Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee, and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MANISTEE — The MV Great Republic departed the Morton Salt terminal on Manistee Lake at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, after completing a coal delivery and is bound for Port Inland in northern Schoolcraft…

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Oakview Medical Care Facility to celebrate 60th anniversary

August 6, 2026

LUDINGTON — Oakview Medical Care Facility will celebrate 60 years of serving Mason County with an anniversary open house later this month. The community is invited to attend the celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at the facility, 1001 Diana St. The event is free and open to the public. Oakview opened in 1966 and has provided…

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Our Savior Lutheran Church holding backpack giveway

August 6, 2026

AMBER TOWNSHIP — Families preparing for the start of the school year will have an opportunity to receive free backpacks and school supplies during a giveaway hosted by Our Savior Lutheran Church. The church will hold its Back to School Giveaway from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the church, 765 W. U.S. 10-31. According to the…

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Deputies arrest suspects found passed out behind wheel 

August 6, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Mason County sheriff’s deputies arrested two men on drunk driving charges who were reportedly found passed behind the wheel of their vehicles Tuesday, Aug. 4, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The first arrest occurred just before 4…

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MSU Extension’s Citizen Planner program coming to Mason County this fall

August 6, 2026

HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with Hamlin Township and Mason County, will offer its award-winning Citizen Planner program this fall. Designed for locally appointed and elected planning officials, as well as interested residents, the program provides practical education on planning, zoning and community decision-making. Participants from Mason County and surrounding counties are welcome to attend. The program…

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Obituary: Kenneth Charles Kunkel Jr., 43 of Free Soil, formerly of Scottville

August 6, 2026

Kenneth Charles Kunkel Jr., 43 of Free Soil, formerly of Scottville, passed away on Saturday August 1, 2026. Kenneth, lovingly known as Bud, was born on Oct. 29, 1982, in Ludington, the son of Kenneth C. Kunkel Sr. and Marci (Shoup) Maiville. He graduated from Mason County Central High School in 2001 and attended two years of college. On Oct.…

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Recent birth, published Aug. 6, 2026

August 6, 2026

The following births have been reported: Rosemary Grace Hills, the daughter of Valeria Herevia and Joseph Hills of Baldwin, was born on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 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…

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Employment: 2nd Shift Plant Manager

August 6, 2026

Indian Summer is seeking a qualified 2nd Shift Plant Manager to join our team in Ludington. This is a high-impact leadership position where you’ll directly influence production performance, equipment reliability and team development while partnering with company leadership to improve efficiency, reliability and overall plant performance. Qualifications: • Proven leadership experience working with large-volume food production equipment and maintenance crews.…

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Cole likely to win Republican nomination for 32nd State Senate District

August 5, 2026

Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole appeared headed for victory Tuesday in the Republican primary for Michigan’s 32nd State Senate District, building a commanding lead over challenger Max Riekse with strong support across Mason, Oceana and Muskegon counties. With unofficial results available from three of the district’s five counties, Cole had received 11,911 votes to Riekse’s 3,269. Cole carried Mason County…

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Mason, Oceana voters renew 911 operating millage by overwhelming margin

August 5, 2026

Voters in Mason and Oceana counties overwhelmingly approved the renewal of the Mason-Oceana 911 operating millage Tuesday, extending funding for the region’s emergency dispatch system through 2031. Unofficial election results showed the proposal received a combined 10,657 yes votes and 3,780 no votes across the two counties, easily surpassing the majority required for approval of the bi-county millage. In Mason…

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Voters renew county road patrol services millage by wide margin

August 5, 2026

LUDINGTON — Mason County voters approved the renewal of the county’s road patrol services millage Tuesday, giving continued financial support for additional patrol deputies with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. Unofficial election results show the eight-year renewal passed by a vote of 5,189 to 2,877, or about 64.3% in favor. The proposal renews up to 0.2980 mill for tax years…

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Mason County Central helped shape three local school superintendents

August 5, 2026

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — Three local school superintendents who now lead neighboring districts gathered Tuesday morning at the Mason County Central Business Office to reflect on the careers that brought them together and the administrative team that helped shape them. Mark…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks