Sixth Street closed

April 7, 2025

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Sixth Street between Pere Marquette Highway and the railroad tracks is currently closed to all traffic due to a force main break. Crews will be working on the repair into the evening until it is fixed, according to a press release from Mason County Road Commission. The street will be closed until at least Tuesday morning.…

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79th District Court arraignments, published April 7, 2025

April 7, 2025

By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Scott David Alexander, 63; third-offense operating a vehicle while under the influence of liquor and driving while license suspended; arrested March 25 by Michigan State Police; arraigned March 26; preliminary hearing: April 16; bail: $50,000 cash. -Jaxon Anthony Battice, 20; carrying…

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Obituary: Raymond Willard Watkins, 85, of Branch

April 7, 2025

Raymond Willard Watkins, 85, of Branch passed away at home on Friday, April 4, 2025. Raymond was born on January 7, 1940 in Huntington, West Virginia, the son of Jesse and Alberta (Payton) Watkins and served his country with the United States Navy. On September 13, 1958 he married Joan Spruell in New York and they have celebrated 66 blessed…

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Judith Marlene Bullion, 72, of Custer, died on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

April 7, 2025

Judith Marlene Bullion, 72, of Custer, died on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Funeral arrangements by Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services in Scottville. 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 __________ Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with…

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Recent death: Gerry Lee Hansen, 80, of Ludington

April 7, 2025

Gerry Lee Hansen, 80, of Ludington, died on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com. 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 daily MCP and OCP news…

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Recent births, published April 7, 2025

April 7, 2025

The birth announcements are a presentation of West Shore Bank, providing service to Mason, Oceana, Manistee, Muskegon, Benzie, and Grand Traverse counties; www.westshorebank.com.  Isla Mae LaPointe, the daughter of Shelbie and Zackary LaPointe of Branch, was born on Friday, April 4, 2025 Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.  List of 2024 births List of 2023 births   __________________________________…

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Jr. Capt. Gabriel’s SS Badger ferry adventure

April 6, 2025

GRIMMS, Wis. — Mary Svacina has had a tradition of taking each of her grandsons on a Round Trip Mini Cruise on the SS Badger ever since they each turned 5 years old. Last summer, she took her youngest grandson, Gabriel. Svacina, 71, lives in Grimms, Wis., located in Manitowoc County, about 15 miles from the Badger’s Manitowoc dock. She said the Lake…

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Obituary: Delores D. Weavers, 88, of Ruby Creek

April 6, 2025

Dolores D. Weavers, 88, of Ruby Creek, passed away Monday, March 24, 2025, at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital. She was born August 28, 1936 in Coopersville, the daughter of Ralph and Annette Bush. Dolores grew up in the Coopersville area, later moving to Grand Haven where she and her husband, Don owned and operated a residential construction company and built…

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Police news, published April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is police activity in Mason County Thursday, April 3, 2025: 6:52 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), car/deer crash, no injury, Chauvez Road east of Benedict Road, Pere Marquette Township. 8:12 a.m., (Ludington Police Department), an 18-year-old Ludington man was arrested for…

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Jacob Michael Janowiak, 28, of Ludington

April 4, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jacob Michael Janowiak, who passed away on April 2, 2025, at the age of 28, after a courageous battle with cancer. Jacob was a beloved son, brother, and friend, whose memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Jacob was born to Pamela and Michael Janowiak…

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Growing the Ludington Petunia Parade flowers

April 3, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SUMMIT TOWNSHIP  — The employees of Gustafson’s Greenhouse, 5053 W. Kistler Rd., have been busy this week planting the 32,400 red, white and blue petunias that will become the Ludington Petunia parade. The Ludington Petunia Parade was started in 1987 by Ellery and Sue Sabin. It is a non-profit organization that is funded by private donations.…

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2025 Badger sailing season offers new food and beverage choices

April 3, 2025

LUDINGTON — The S.S. Badger cross lake ferry features some of the best food and drinks on Lake Michigan. The 2025 sailing season features enhanced culinary and beverage choices. “We have listened to our passengers and are providing some new options to make their cruise an even more enjoyable experience,” said Wesley Paggeot, Lake Michigan Carferry director of hospitality. The…

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Obituary: Janice Aileen Dunham, 69, of Ludington

April 3, 2025

Janice Aileen Dunham, 69, of Ludington, died Saturday March 22, 2025, in Grand Rapids, with her son and honorary daughter by her side. Janice was born June 12, 1955 to Aileen and Gerald Revord. Jan spent the majority of her working years at Oakview Medical Facility as a nurses aide, and Lincoln Hills Golf Club as a cook. In Jan’s…

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Police news, published April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com.  The following is police activity in Mason County Wednesday, April 2, 2025: 2:40 a.m., (Michigan State Police), vehicle slide-off, US 31 and Oceana Drive, Summit Township. 7:35 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), car/deer crash, no injury, Fountain Road east of Dennis Road, Victory…

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Registration open for Ludington Offshore Classic fishing tournament.

April 3, 2025

LUDINGTON — Registration is now open for the 2025 Ludington Offshore Classic, scheduled for July 14-20, on Lake Michigan. The event features competitions for professionals, amateurs, women, and youth, all vying for cash prizes. Ludington is one of the premier salmon fishing ports on the Great Lakes and a popular destination on the Lake Michigan tournament trail. Its vibrant atmosphere…

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AFFEW to host Earth Day celebration April 26

April 3, 2025

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — AFFEW (A Few Friends of the Environment of the World) will hold its Earth Day celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at United Methodist Church of Ludington, 5810 W. Bryant Rd. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Our Power, Our Planet.” Doors open at 10 a.m. The event will include…

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Employment: Church Business Manager

April 3, 2025

Employment: Church Business Manager St. Simon Church Ludington is looking to hire a Business Manager. For a job description and more information how to apply please go to… www.stsimonchurch.com This is a paid posting. Published until April 18, 2025.

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Teen, law enforcement officers help save judge’s life

April 2, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Quick thinking by a teenaged passerby, Michigan State Police officers and a Mason County sheriff’s deputy saved the life of 79th District Court Judge John Middlebrook. MSP Sgt. Michael Cuevas, MSP Trooper Matt Demny and Mason County Sheriff’s Deputy Austin Priese were alerted by Landon Mosqueda, 16, of Ludington that Middlebrook…

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Mason County Road Commission assisting in northern Michigan clean-up

April 2, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Road Commission is responding to northern Michigan to assist with storm damage clean-up. As part of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s declaration of a state of emergency for 10 northern Lower Peninsula counties, 15 road commission crew members and various equipment left Scottville this morning, en-route to Otsego and Cheboygan counties. Accumulating ice…

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Cemetery shooting ruled suicide; victim connected to fires

April 2, 2025

GRANT TOWNSHIP — A shooting death in the Grant Township Cemetery Tuesday evening, April 1, was determined to be a suicide, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The death investigation followed a house fire ‎at 10944 N. Darr Rd. in Free Soil Township Tuesday evening. It has also been determined that the home destroyed in the fire belonged to…

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Man arrested on eight warrants, sixth suspended driving offense

April 2, 2025

AMBER TOWNSHIP — A motorist who was pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt by Michigan State Police Sgt. Michael Cuevas on US 10-31 Tuesday, April 1, at 12:30 p.m. was arrested on eight outstanding warrants and cited for sixth-offense driving while license suspended. Charges of methamphetamine possession and felon in possession of ammunition are pending review by the Mason…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks