Obituary: Raymond Dale Bates, 72, of Ludington

August 17, 2026

Raymond Dale Bates, 72, of Ludington, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2026,in Scottville. He was born Jan. 26, 1954, in Ludington, the son of Raymond andWauneta (McDonald) Bates. Raymond worked for over 25 years at Metal Works in Ludington until his retirement in 2003. In his spare time he was a passionate gardener who loved being outdoors, collecting coins and…

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Recent death: Virginia May Underwood, 95, of Ludington

August 17, 2026

  Virginia May Underwood, 95, of Ludington, died on Sunday, August 16, 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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Memorial service scheduled for Joan Schwass

August 17, 2026

A memorial service for Joan “Joanie” Edith (Ziemkowski) Schwass, who passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026, will be held on Wednesday Aug. 19, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Ludington. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Read her obituary here. Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home & Cremation Services. www.GraceCremations.com __________ Please Support Local News…

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Coast Guard to enforce Ludington harbor navigation restrictions beginning Tuesday

August 15, 2026

LUDINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard will begin enforcing the regulated navigation area in Ludington Harbor at 4 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, requiring recreational and commercial waterway users to maintain minimum distances from large vessels. The Coast Guard announced Thursday that the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, is activating the regulated navigation area covering all navigable waters of…

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79th District Court felony arraignments, published Aug. 15, 2026

August 15, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently on felony charges in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Donald Scott Knowles, 55, breaking and entering a building with intent and larceny of firearms. Offense date: Nov. 25, 2025. Agency: Michigan State Police (MSP). Bail: $50,000/cash/surety. Preliminary exam: Aug. 26 at 1:30 p.m. Emanuel Lopez. 19, felony charges of using a computer to…

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Gateway to Success Academy to host open house

August 15, 2026

SCOTTVILLE — Gateway to Success Academy will host an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 19, giving prospective students and their families an opportunity to learn more about the school’s educational programs. Gateway to Success, also known as G2S, offers students a hands-on, project-based education in a trauma-informed school environment. The academy focuses on providing an educational experience…

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AndyS celebrates long-awaited opening with ribbon cutting

August 14, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Nearly a year after construction was halted by the City of Ludington, AndyS celebrated its long-awaited arrival in downtown Ludington Friday evening with a ribbon cutting and open house. The restaurant, sports bar and entertainment venue, located at 129 W. Ludington Ave., will officially open to the public Sunday, Aug. 16, at 4 p.m.…

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American Patriot makes second visit to Ludington

August 14, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The American Patriot returned to Ludington Friday morning for its second visit to the city, following a successful inaugural port call last week. The American Cruise Lines vessel entered the Ludington harbor about 7:15 a.m., approximately 30 minutes after the morning arrival of the SS Badger from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The cruise ship is docked…

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AndyS to open Sunday in downtown Ludington

August 14, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — AndyS, the long-awaited downtown restaurant, sports bar and entertainment venue, will officially open to the public Sunday, Aug. 16, at 4 p.m. A ribbon cutting will take place today, Friday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m. The opening comes nearly a year after construction on the approximately $10 million project at 129 W. Ludington Ave.…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Aug. 14, 2026

August 14, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor Trevor Blue Carranza, 36, pleaded guilty June 23 to two counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and fourth-offense habitual offender and was sentenced Aug. 4 to eight months in jail with credit for 71 days served; two years probation; and $666 in fines and…

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Police news, published Aug. 14, 2026

August 14, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent police activity in Mason County: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026: 4:33 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), car/deer crash, no injury, US 10 east of Main Street, Village of Custer. 7:25 a.m., (MCSO), two-vehicle crash, no injury, US 10 and Meyers…

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Brookside Cemetery tour brings Scottville’s pioneers to life

August 14, 2026

SCOTTVILLE — Scottville’s early history came to life Thursday evening as the Mason County Historical Society presented its Pioneers of Scottville tour at Brookside Cemetery. The Aug. 13 walking tour was the final cemetery tour presented by the historical society in 2026 and focused on the pioneers who helped establish and shape the Scottville community. The tour was part of…

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Man extradited from Illinois to face CSC charges

August 13, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 33-year-old Ludington man who missed a court hearing in Mason County last April was extradited from Illinois back to Mason County this week to face two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct — victim under age 13. The Ludington Police Department picked up Jose Elias Chavez at the Cook County Sheriff’s Office…

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Western Michigan Fair continues through Saturday

August 13, 2026

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The 87th annual Western Michigan Fair continued Wednesday, Aug. 12, with Kids’ Day activities, livestock shows, midway rides and an evening of racing at the Mason County Fairgrounds. Wednesday’s events included horse, beef and rabbit shows, along with Kids’ Day on the midway. The afternoon also included a children’s bicycle drawing and activities throughout the barns,…

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Debra Weaver is 2026 Western Michigan Fair Homemaker of the Year

August 13, 2026

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Debra Weaver of Riverton Township was named the 2026 Western Michigan Fair Homemaker of the Year Wednesday afternoon. Amanda Hepworth of Branch Township, who was the 2024 Homemaker of the Year, won second place. Other winners included: Syliva Freeman of Riverton Township, Sarah Machiela of Sherman Township and Jessica Blauwkamp of Hamlin Township. Winning entries are…

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West Shore Bank’s Rhythm & Dunes raises $23,000 for local band programs

August 13, 2026

LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank’s annual Rhythm & Dunes summer concert fundraiser raised $23,000 this year for high school band programs in Mason County. Now in its 14th year, Rhythm & Dunes brings the community together through live music while raising money for music education at Ludington Area Schools, Mason County Central and Mason County Eastern. Funds are generated through…

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Chamber Alliance to honor Mason County’s best at annual awards dinner

August 13, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Chamber Alliance of Mason County has announced finalists for its 2026 Annual Awards, recognizing businesses, organizations and individuals for leadership, innovation and community involvement. Award recipients will be announced during the Annual Awards Dinner at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at The Lake House in Ludington. The awards recognize excellence in four categories: Business of the Year,…

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Rollover crash leads to OWI arrest

August 13, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. VICTORY TOWNSHIP — A 19-year-old Ludington man was arrested by Mason County sheriff’s deputies for second-offense operating while intoxicated following a one-vehicle rollover crash at Fisher and Gordon roads Monday, Aug. 10, shortly before 9 p.m., according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole.…

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Harmful algae bloom detected in Hamlin Lake

August 13, 2026

HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — District Health Department #10 and the Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy have confirmed that an algae bloom in Hamlin Lake is harmful. “A harmful algae bloom (HAB) has been confirmed at Hamlin Lake, Mason County, on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026,” states a press release. “DHD #10 will continue to monitor the HAB and will…

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Chip and fog seal work planned on Mason County roads

August 13, 2026

Mason County motorists can expect intermittent road closures next week as the Mason County Road Commission conducts chip and fog seal work in five townships. Work is scheduled Monday, Aug. 17 through Wednesday, Aug. 19 in Summit, Pere Marquette, Amber, Sheridan and Logan townships. The schedule is weather dependent. On Monday, work is planned on Bass Lake Boulevard from Lattin…

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Recent births, published Aug. 13, 2026

August 13, 2026

The following births have been reported: Logan Dain Levine, the son of Brianna and Skyler Levine of Idlewild, was born on Monday, Aug. 10, 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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