It is with unimaginable sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Leslie Point-Sanders, the best mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. On Monday, July 13, Leslie’s brain aneurysm burst, just 17 hours before her life-saving surgery. She fought fiercely with incredible strength until taking her final breath at the stroke of midnight, marking the beginning of Thursday, July 16,…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MUSKEGON — Maritime historian, shipwreck diver, museum exhibit designer and author Valerie van Heest, whose work through her Holland-based firm, Lafferty van Heest & Associates, has helped shape the visitor experience at all three Mason County Historical Society museums, will present a narrated shipwreck cruise aboard the Aquastar excursion boat later this month. Van Heest is…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief RIVERTON TOWNSHIP — A vehicle crash turned into a barn fire Tuesday morning. At 11:48 a.m., emergency personnel were dispatched to 5615 S. Stiles Road for a report of a single vehicle crash with injuries. Moments later, dispatchers from Mason-Oceana 911 changed the status of the emergency to include a structure fire as well. The initial…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — Angela Taylor, one of Mason County Central Schools’ longest-serving administrators, has resigned after 26 years with the district to accept a position as assistant principal at the Manistee Early Childhood Center. Taylor is MCC’s state and federal program director and director of Victory Early Childhood Center. The Mason County Central Board of Education accepted…
The following births have been reported: Evelyn Eden Rose Visger, the daughter of Autumn and Scener Visger of Scottville, was born on Saturday, July. 18, 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…
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. Story and photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — One of the Great Lakes’ newest bulk carriers made its first known visit to Ludington Monday morning, delivering aggregate to the Great Lakes Materials terminal on Pere Marquette Lake, operated…
By Kai Taylor, MCP Writer MANISTEE — Summer amateur baseball has been a tradition in Manistee since 1934. What started as a parish team for St. Joseph Catholic Church has evolved into an irreplaceable community staple. The Manistee Saints compete in the Gratiot County Baseball League, which consists of six teams from across Michigan. The GCBL operates under the umbrella…
LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank’s 2026 Rhythm & Dunes summer concert series begins this Saturday, July 25, with a free evening of live music, food and fundraising at Waterfront Park. The first concert will feature Mark Blomsteel & The Motor City Drive, a Michigan-based band that blends country, rock and soul. The Mason County Central High School Jazz Band, under…
Beach hazards statement in effect through Wednesday The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued an air quality alert through Monday, July 20, for elevated levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke. Concentrations in the Lower Peninsula will be unhealthy for sensitive groups. This is a statewide air quality alert. “Another smoke plume has settled…
LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently on felony charges in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Josiah Robert Fenner, 21, first-degree home invasion and a misdemeanor of assault and battery. Offense date: July 3, 2026. Agency: Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Bail: $10,000/10 percent. Preliminary exam: July 29 at 1:30 p.m. Nicholas Gene Helfrich, 36, third-offense operating while intoxicated and…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is police news in Mason County over the weekend: Wednesday, July 15, 2026: 12:50 p.m., (Michigan State Police), a 52-year-old Grand Rapids man was arrested for probation violation and a warrant, US 10 and Stiles Road, Amber Township. He was lodged…
Parish Administrative Assistant Position Description Reports to: Pastor Employment Type: Part-Time / 24 hrs. (Not to exceed 30 hours per week) Office Hours: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday Benefits: 24 hours of accumulated PTO, Paid Federal Holidays Position Summary: The Parish Administrative Assistant provides administrative and clerical support to the Pastor, staff, council, volunteers, and congregation. This…
West Shore ESD has a position vacancy for a Special Education Paraprofessional. High School diploma required; 2 years experience preferred. 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: humanresources@wsesd.org until filled. The West…
Support local journalism. Stay informed every day. Since 2012, Mason County Press and, since 2014, Oceana County Press have been committed to providing timely, accurate and free local news to our communities. Our mission has always been to keep readers informed without placing our stories behind a paywall. Producing quality local journalism, however, requires resources. While our advertisers remain an…
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) issued an air quality alert for Sunday, July 19, for elevated levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke. Concentrations will range from USG (unhealthy for sensitive groups) across the lower peninsula to unhealthy in the Upper Peninsula. It is a statewide air quality alert. Smoke improved across the southern…
SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Historical Society will present its Pioneers of Scottville tour of Brookside Cemetery on Thursday, Aug. 13. Led by Rob Alway, a Mason County Historical Society director and editor-in-chief of Mason County Press, the tour will feature the gravesites of Scottville pioneers, including Ruth and David Falconer, Emma Bishop Loomis, J.C. Mustard, John and Catherine Mack,…
Masters of the PM Steamers This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Sable Points Media. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Every September, the sinking of Pere Marquette 18 is remembered as one of the greatest maritime disasters in the history of Lake Michigan. The Sept. 9, 1910 tragedy claimed 30…
LUDINGTON — Lake Michigan Carferry will hold two hiring events later this month as it continues recruiting seasonal employees for the 2026 sailing season. The company is seeking applicants for customer service, housekeeping and auto attendant positions aboard the S.S. Badger. The first hiring event will be held Wednesday, July 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Michigan…
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will treat portions of the Pere Marquette River later this month to control invasive sea lamprey larvae that threaten the Great Lakes fishery. The treatments are scheduled between July 28 and Aug. 6 on the Pere Marquette River in Mason and Lake counties. The agency said the application dates are tentative and may change…
With heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires continuing to choke the air, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) extended an air quality alert through Saturday, July 18, “for elevated levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke.” According to the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, concentrations on Friday will range from “very unhealthy” in southern areas…
VICTORY TOWNSHIP — West Shore Community College’s Board of Trustees is expected to extend President Scott Ward’s contract by one year and approve a 5.131% salary increase during its regular meeting Monday, July 20. The board will meet at 4 p.m. in the John M. Eaton Board Room on the college’s main campus. Consideration of Ward’s contract is listed under…
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