Great Lakes Boat Blog: Telling the stories of the ships and people of the Great Lakes

October 23, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Nearly 15 years ago, I launched Mason County Press in an effort to bring another news source to our area. Those of you who regularly follow MCP are probably aware that I have a keen interest in local history, particularly maritime history, as well as the maritime industry itself. Naturally, many of the stories I write…

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Dense fog advisory in effect until 10 a.m. Friday

October 23, 2026

The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a dense fog advisory for Oceana, Mason, Clare and Osceola counties until 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Visibility will be ¼ mile or less in dense fog, making driving conditions hazardous. Slow down, use your low-beam headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you. ______________________________________ Please Support Local News Coverage…

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79th District Court felony arraignments, published Oct. 23, 2026

October 23, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned on felony charges in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Victor Clarence Adamczak, year of birth 1973*, felony firearm and receiving and concealing firearms. Offense date: March 30, 2025. Bail: $5,000. Preliminary exam: Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. Keif Rahkeen Shepard, year of birth 2007, first-degree home invasion and unlawful driving away of an…

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Traffic Alert: Multiple vehicle crash, US 31 and Sugar Grove Rd.

October 23, 2026

SHERMAN TOWNSHIP — 4:50 p.m.: Report of a multi-vehicle crash at US 31 and Sugar Grove Road. US 31 has been closed in that vicinity.  

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Ludington to revisit paid parking at Stearns Park, waterfront lots

October 22, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — In another effort to make up for lost revenue, Ludington City Council is now re-exploring charging non-residents for parking at Stearns Park and several other waterfront locations. A draft proposal prepared for council review is calling for a $15 daily parking fee or a $75 annual pass. Qualifying city property owners and residents would…

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Manistee Harbor Tours to offer final cruises of season with fall color tours

October 22, 2026

  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MANISTEE — Manistee Harbor Tours will wrap up its 2026 sailing season with special fall color cruises aboard the Princess of Manistee this weekend and next weekend, offering passengers an opportunity to view the autumn scenery along Lake Michigan and the Manistee River. The two-hour cruises are scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday and…

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Ludington library to show ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ for teens

October 22, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Mason County District Library will show “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Ludington Library. The movie and lunch will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the library’s teen area. The event is open to students in sixth through 12th grades. All Mason County District Library programs are free. The Ludington Library is located…

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Stojic appointed new Sandcastles Children’s Museum executive director

October 22, 2026

LUDINGTON — Kelli Stojic has been named executive director of Sandcastles Children’s Museum, effective Nov. 1. Stojic has served on the museum’s board of directors since 2019, including leading the fundraising team for Ludington’s Got Talent. She became interim executive director in May, succeeding Brian Sak, who had also served as interim director. “Kelli has stepped into the role of…

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WSCC offers free trial week for community fitness classes

October 22, 2026

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — West Shore Community College will offer a free trial week for its community group fitness classes Oct. 25-31, giving participants an opportunity to try a variety of classes before the next session begins. No registration is required to participate in the free trial week. The college’s second fall fitness session runs Nov. 1 through Dec. 19 and…

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Partnership seeks funding for 24 classroom libraries

October 22, 2026

West Shore School News is presented by West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. LUDINGTON — A partnership among several west Michigan organizations is seeking community support to fund 24 classroom libraries for second-grade students in Mason, Lake and Oceana counties. The Adopt-a-Library program has raised $35,500 toward its $72,000 fundraising goal.…

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Recent birth, published Oct. 22, 2026

October 22, 2026

The following birth has been reported: Lorelai River Vanderpool, the daughter of Haley and Cole Vanderpool of Branch, was born on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital. List of 2026 births List of 2025 births   __________________________________ Please Support Local News Coverage For generations, local newspapers were supported by subscriptions. Today, while Mason County…

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Employment: Bus Drivers

October 22, 2026

Ludington Mass Transit Authority (LMTA) is currently hiring part-time Dial-A-Ride drivers to work 20 to 30 hours per week starting at $20.85 per hour. Must be available to work various shifts, weekends and split days. Applicants must have a clean driving record and be able to obtain a CDL with passenger and air brake endorsements, pass a criminal background check,…

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Employment: KickStart to Career Program Coordinator

October 22, 2026

West Shore Educational Service District has a vacancy for a KickStart to Career Program Coordinator (employed by EduStaff). Bachelor’s degree and or equivalent experience required. To view a complete job posting, please visit our website at www.wsesd.org.  Send cover letter, resume and credentials to:  Human Resources, West Shore ESD, 2130 W. US 10, Ludington, MI 49431 or via email to:…

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Recent death: Carl Wayne Wilson, 47, of Ionia

October 22, 2026

  Carl Wayne Wilson, 47, of Ionia, formerly of Ludington, died on Wednesday, October 21, 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…

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Man, 79, sent to prison for child porn possession

October 21, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 79-year-old man was sentenced to 50 months (four years and two months) to 10 years in prison for a conviction of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Oct. 20. Ernest Jay Bowker pleaded guilty to the charge, Sept. 1, court records show. Bowker has…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Oct. 21, 2026

October 21, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: Arthur Patrick Williams, 58, pleaded guilty Aug. 4 to third-offense operating while intoxicated and was sentenced Oct. 13 to 30 days in jail; three years probation; and $1,133 in fines and costs. Raquel Angela Lopez, 34, pleaded no contest Aug. 11 to methamphetamine/ecstasy possession and lying to…

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Letter: Enough is enough; Ludington must rebuild trust

October 21, 2026

Letters to the editor are opinion editorials submitted by readers. Letters to the editor are a long tradition in American journalism. The views and opinions of the writer do not necessarily reflect those of Mason County Press, its staff or its parent company. For more information, please refer to MCP’s Letter to the Editor Policy. Dear Editor, I stand firmly with…

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Police news, published Oct. 21, 2026

October 21, 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 Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026: 1:36 a.m., car/deer crash, no injury, US 31 freeway south of Chauvez Road, Pere Marquette Township. 3:49 p.m., a 37-year-old Fountain man was arrested for domestic assault following a 911 call,…

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Obituary: Darlene Nielsen, 89, of Ludington

October 21, 2026

Darlene Ann (Fauble) Nielsen, 89, of Ludington, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Darlene was born on July 11, 1937, in Onekama, the daughter of the late Arlie and Marie (Edmondson) Fauble. On April 2, 1987, she married Patrick Nielsen. Darlene cherished spending time with family and friends, it could be a Sunday drive to visit her parents, a…

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Public Notice: Mason County Commission Facility Tour

October 21, 2026

Public Notice: MASON COUNTY NOTICE OF COUNTY COMMISSION FACILITY TOUR WITH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT & STUDY GROUP PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Mason County Board of Commissioners and the Facilities Management & Study Group will conduct a tour of county facilities on Friday, October 23, 2026, beginning at 8 a.m. Starting Location: Mason County Airport, 5300 W.…

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New novel tells ‘Big George’ Wilson’s Scottville story

October 20, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — For George C. Wilson, the story of his father’s remarkable childhood was one he had heard many times. It was a story of family dysfunction, hardship, determination and the people of Scottville who helped a teenage boy find a place to call home. Now, Wilson has brought that story to life in his new…

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