Deputies busy with crashes

December 12, 2024

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent Mason County Sheriff’s Office activity:  Monday, Dec. 9, 2024: 5:27 a.m., car/deer crash, no injury, Jebavy Drive north of Johnson Road, Pere Marquette Township. 6:06 p.m., car/deer crash, no injury, Custer Road south of Powers Road, Custer Township. 9:39…

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Recent death: Albert Laaksonen, 86, of Ludington

December 12, 2024

Albert W. Laaksonen, 86, of Ludington, died on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com. 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 daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email…

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Employment: Maintenance Supervisor – Shelby Public Schools

December 12, 2024

Employment: Maintenance Supervisor – Shelby Public Schools This is a paid posting. Posted until Dec. 23, 2024

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Closings, cancellations, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024

December 11, 2024

The following are closings and cancellations for Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. Please check this list for updates. Schools Baldwin Community Schools Covenant Christian School, Scottville Gateway to Success Academy, Scottville Hart Public Schools Ludington Area Catholic School Ludington Area School District Manistee Area Public Schools Mason County Central Schools, including Victory Early Childhood Center Mason County Eastern Schools Pentwater Public…

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Downtown Ludington Ladies’ Night postponed due to weather

December 11, 2024

LUDINGTON — Continuing snow squalls and frigid temperatures have resulted in the decision to postpone the Downtown Ludington Ladies’ Shopping Night. The event was scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 12 and will instead combine it with Men’s Night planned for Wednesday, December 18. The combined shopping event will offer extended hours, 4 to 8 p.m., special holiday deals, promotions, and personalized…

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Photo Feature: Shop with a Cop/Hero 2024

December 11, 2024

Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Around the County is a presentation of Preferred Credit Union, www.preferredcu.org, located locally at 266 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington. AMBER TOWNSHIP — The annual Shop with a Cop/Hero events are underway this week. Children who may not be able to afford Christmas presents are matched with a police officer, firefighter, EMT, or military person to…

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Volunteers sought for New Year’s Eve Ball Drop

December 11, 2024

LUDINGTON — The Ludington Downtown Development Authority is seeking local volunteers for the 15th annual Pure Ludington New Year’s Eve Ball Drop on Dec. 31. Beginning at 9 p.m. on Ludington Avenue, revelers can listen to music. The event will also include a beer tent with commemorative light-up glasses, fireworks and west Michigan’s largest New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. The…

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Convicted sex offender faces additional child sex crime charges

December 11, 2024

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 28-year-old man serving a 25-year minimum prison term for first-degree criminal sexual conduct  — victim under age 13 — faces additional child sex crime charges in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court. Bradley Curtis Drake was sentenced by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski to a mandatory minimum prison term of 25 years to a…

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Man sentenced to 41 years minimum for brutal rape

December 11, 2024

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 64-year-old man was sentenced to a minimum of nearly 42 years in prison in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Dec. 10, for the “brutal rape” of a woman in 2023. Duwayne Simpson was sentenced to 500 months (41 2/3 years) to 75 years for first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC); 290 months…

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Storm causing closings, power outages

December 11, 2024

A winter storm, which began Tuesday evening, has so far dumped over 7 inches of wet, heavy snow on the west side of Mason County causing multiple power outages. Fire departments have been responding to utility wires down since early this morning. The storm has caused all Mason County schools and other facilities to close for the day and many…

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Man sentenced to prison for third-offense domestic violence

December 11, 2024

Arson, aggravated stalking charges pending By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 39-year-old man was sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Dec. 10, to 14 months to five years in prison for third-offense domestic violence. Brandon Joseph LeClair also received a concurrent term of one year and one day to two years in prison for interfering with…

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Local companies awarded training funds through Michigan Works

December 11, 2024

BIG RAPIDS – Michigan Works West Central announced more than $506,700 in training funding is being awarded to 14 local companies to train more than 1,750 employees.  Five Mason County businesses — Hardman Construction, Leta’s Educational Childcare LLC, Pro-Master Cleaning & Restoration, Quick Way of Ludington and Safety Decals Inc. — are among those companies. The funds are being awarded…

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Man sentenced to year in jail for resisting arrest

December 11, 2024

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 50-year-old man was sentenced to one year in jail for a three-count conviction of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Dec. 10. Jeremy Jason Bonneau received credit for 81 days served in jail and was ordered by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski to three years probation. He was prosecuted as…

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Obituary: Wayne Wheaton, 76, of Branch

December 11, 2024

Wayne Bradford Wheaton, 76, of Branch, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at his home.  Wayne was born on December 12, 1947 in Ludington, the son of Gerald C. and Evelyn M. (Yovich) Wheaton. He grew up in the Mason County area before the family moved to Pontiac and Wayne graduated from Pontiac Northern High School.  Following his graduation he began…

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Closings and cancellations, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

The following are closings and cancellations for Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. Please check this list for updates. Schools Covenant Christian School, Ludington Hart Public Schools Gateway to Success Academy, Scottville Ludington Area Catholic School Ludington Area Schools Mason County Central Schools, including Victory Early Childhood Center Mason County Eastern Schools Pentwater Public Schools Shelby Public Schools West Shore Educational School…

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Recent death: Warren O. Reynolds, 79, of Ludington

December 11, 2024

Warren O. Reynolds, 79, of Ludington died on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.  Graveside services will be held fin the spring at Maple Grove Cemetery in Free Soil Township. Funeral arrangements by Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services in Scottville. Listing of 2024 deaths. Listing of 2023 deaths. Listing of 2022 deaths. Listing of 2021 deaths. Listing of 2020 deaths. Listing of…

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Winter storm warning issued

December 10, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Mason, Oceana and Lake counties beginning at 10 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, until 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. Heavy snow is expected with accumulations between 8 to 14 inches with locally higher amounts. Winds are expected to gust as high as 35 mph Wednesday evening, causing blowing…

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Road conditions worsening

December 10, 2024

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Emergency crews are currently on the scene of a vehicle crash on US 31 freeway and are reporting that road conditions are worsening. Roads are becoming ice covered due to freezing rain.

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Second annual Pigs for a Cause Auction will benefit local families for the holidays

December 10, 2024

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Ludington Police Department, West Shore Bank and the Lakeshore Food Club are teaming up again this year for the second annual Pigs for a Cause Auction. Scheduled to be auctioned will be a butchered pig and a quarter of a cow that were purchased by West Shore Bank during the West Michigan Livestock…

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MCC esports teams have successful season

December 10, 2024

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central Schools in partnership with Mason County Press. SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central Spartans esports program fielded not one, but two teams into the Michigan High School Esports League (MHSEL) during its inaugural season.  The Spartans had their varsity Super Smash Brothers squad earn a berth in the 64 team bracket…

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Obituary: Benito Hernandez, Jr., 67, of Ludington

December 10, 2024

Benito Hernandez, Jr., 67, of Ludington, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024. Benito, often referred to as Bones, Junior, or Benny, was born on October 28, 1957, the son of the late Benito, Sr., and Enedina (Guerrero) Hernandez. He attended Ludington High School. On November 1, 1979, he married Virginia (Ramirez) Hernandez. Due to ongoing health issues, he worked…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks