Police news, published Jan. 6, 2026

January 6, 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: Monday, Jan. 5, 2026: 12:54 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), vehicle slide-off, no damage or injury, US 31 freeway at the 160 mile marker, Summit Township. 4:45 a.m., (MCSO), car/deer crash, no injury, Custer…

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Varsity Bowling: LHS teams lose to Ravenna

January 6, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. MUSKEGON — Both Ludington High School bowling teams had a tough night against the Ravenna Bulldogs. The boys team lost 27.5-2.5 and the girls team lost 29-1. Competition Monday, Jan. 5 was…

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Recent births, published Jan. 6, 2026: First baby of the New Year

January 6, 2026

Collin Bradley Cox, the son of Erin and Christopher Cox of Scottville, was born on Friday, January 2, 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 $10 a month. Your contribution will…

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Closings and cancellations, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026

January 6, 2026

The following are closed on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026: Schools Baldwin Community School Covenant Christian School, Ludington Gateway to Success Academy, Scottville Flipstar Gymnastics Fountain Child Development Center Ludington Area Catholic School Ludington Area School District Mason County Central School District, including Victory Early Childhood Center Mason County Eastern School District West Shore Educational Service District Development Center and Summit…

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Obituary: Joyce Ellen Stong, 81, of Ludington

January 6, 2026

Joyce Ellen Stong, 81, of Ludington, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025. Joyce, affectionally known as Moma, was born on September 28, 1944, the daughter of the late, Milo and Beulah (Boldry) Echlin. Before her 40th birthday, she went back to school and obtained her diploma in 1984 from Mason County Central, something she was very proud of. On…

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Obituary: Otto Heimann, 70, of Hart and Ludington

January 6, 2026

Otto Kurt Heimann, affectionately known as Kurt and nicknamed “Buster,” passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at his farm. Kurt was the son of Otto and Laverne Heimann. He was born on Nov. 10, 1955, at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, Ill. His parents raised him in Palatine, Ill, along with his only sister, Barb. It was there…

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Recent death: Kay Beth Dwyer, 73, of Ludington

January 6, 2026

Kay Beth Dwyer, 73, of Ludington, died on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.  She was born June 22, 1952, in Ludington, the daughter of Homer and Hazel (Herkimer) Bennett. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, January 9, 2026, at Living Word Church, 301 N. Jebavy Drive, Ludington (Pere Marquette Township)…

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Deputies seize over 12 grams of cocaine during traffic stop

January 5, 2026

AMBER TOWNSHIP — Mason County sheriff’s deputies seized over 12 grams of suspected cocaine, along with methamphetamine, during a traffic stop on US 10-31 near Gordon Road Friday, Jan. 2, around 7:30 p.m., said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. Two Manistee men, ages 35 and 44, were arrested and lodged in the Mason County Jail. ____________________ Please Support Local News…

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Suspected cocaine found on woman arrested in 911 center parking lot 

January 5, 2026

WEARE TOWNSHIP (Oceana County) — A 47-year-old Thompsonville, Mich. woman was arrested after Mason County deputies assisted Oceana County deputies on a reported  suspicious vehicle that had pulled into the parking lot of the Mason-Oceana 911 dispatch center Sunday, Jan. 4, shortly before 5:30 a.m. “It was reported the vehicle kept turning its headlights off and on, and the occupants…

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Competitive cheer: MCC teams participate in Comstock Park invite

January 5, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  COMSTOCK PARK — Mason County Central’s varsity and middle school competitive cheer teams participated in the Comstock Park Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 3 at Comstock Park High School. The varsity team took sixth place…

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Freezing rain forecast prompts winter weather advisory

January 5, 2026

MASON COUNTY — Several northern Michigan counties, including Mason County, are under a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service beginning at 11 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, through 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6. Total ice accumulations around .10 of an inch are expected. ____________________ Please Support Local News and Sports coverage Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings…

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Weekend police news, published Jan. 5, 2026

January 5, 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 over weekend: Friday, Jan. 2, 2026: 6 p.m., car/deer crash, no injury, Jagger Road west of Jebavy Drive, Hamlin Township. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026: 8 a.m., car/deer crash, no injury, US 31 south of Hoague…

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Obituary: Alan David Janowiak, 77, of Free Soil

January 5, 2026

Alan David Janowiak, 77, of Free Soil, died on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. He was born on August 28, 1948 in Manistee and was the son of the late Alvin F. and Leona M. (Shack) Janowiak. He grew up with a competitive spirit and quiet determination that carried him through life. Through his high-school years at Manistee Catholic Central High…

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Obituary: James Carl Kulk, 75, of Ludington

January 5, 2026

James “Jim” Carl Kuk, of Ludington, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, at the age of 75. His love of adventure and travel led him to explorations around the country and globe, from the towering mountains of New Zealand to the sunny islands of the Caribbean to the blazing depths of the Grand Canyon. However, he was most at…

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Employment: Utility Maintenance Operator II

January 5, 2026

Employment: Utility Maintenance Operator II The City of Ludington is accepting applications for a Utility Maintenance Operator II Position. Requires a CDL License (Class A with a tanker endorsement) and residency within twenty (20) miles of the city boundaries within six (6) months of hire date. Must obtain a MI S-4 Water Distribution License within three (3) years of hire…

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Employment: Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

January 5, 2026

The City of Ludington is accepting applications for an Operator III position at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Residency requirement: must live within 20 miles of City boundaries within six months of hire date. Starting wage $24.24 per hour, depending on qualifications, plus benefits. Strong knowledge of math, chemistry and biology is required. A written entrance exam may be part of…

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County discussing trail improvements

January 4, 2026

By Joan Young, MCP contributing writer A Michigan Department of Natural Resources Grant agreement being considered by the Mason County Board of Commissioners which would bring in $400,000 for improving trail at Mason County Campground. The local match would be $700,000. The item is currently at the committee level, at the Mason County Finance, Personnel and Rules Committee which will…

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Obituary: DeWayne “Bob” Englebrecht, 88, of Ludington

January 4, 2026

DeWayne Robert “Bob” Englebrecht, 88, of Ludington passed, away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.  Bob was born on December 30, 1937, in Scottville, the son of Theodore and Bessie (Smith) Englebrecht and graduated from Scottville High School with the class of 1956.  On February 17, 1962, he wed Doris L. Babbin and they celebrated 62 years together before Doris preceded…

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Winter weather advisory issued

January 4, 2026

MASON COUNTY — Most of the northern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula — including Mason and Oceana counties — is under a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, until 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5. Mixed precipitation is expected with total snow accumulations up to 2 inches and ice accumulations around…

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Co-op Varsity Hockey: Badgers win two in a row, defeat New Boston United

January 4, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  WESTLAND — The Lakeshore Badgers defeated New Boston United 11-3 on Saturday, Jan. 3, providing them with a two-day winning streak (see related story). The Badgers were able to build momentum from their win…

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Varsity Wrestling: LHS’s Katy Gable takes first place at Grand Haven tourney

January 4, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  GRAND HAVEN — The Ludington High School varsity wrestling team competed at the Adam H. Provencal Invitational at Grand Haven High School on Saturday, Jan. 3 and saw Oriole Katy Gable capture first place…

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