Knysz is on life support after suicide attempt

April 14, 2014
Knysz is on life support after suicide attempt

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. JACKSON — Eric Knysz, the man who killed Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, has attempted to commit suicide, a Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman has confirmed. Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Judge Richard Cooper sentenced the 20-year-old Irons resident last week to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the Sept. 9, 2013…

Read more »

Eric Knysz reported to have attempted suicide

April 14, 2014
Eric Knysz reported to have attempted suicide

Eric Knysz, the man who killed Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, has reportedly attempted to commit suicide, Fox 17 TV in Grand Rapids has reported. Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Judge Richard Cooper sentenced the 20-year-old Irons resident last week to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the Sept. 9, 2013 killing of Michigan State Police…

Read more »

Citizens, agencies honored for trying to save Trooper Butterfield

April 14, 2014
Citizens, agencies honored for trying to save Trooper Butterfield

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — A special recognition ceremony honoring those who were part of the emergency response to the Sept. 9, 2013 murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield was held this afternoon at the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce/Mason County Airport complex. Connie Helton along with Chuck and Shannon Comstock were the…

Read more »

Road closures throughout the county

April 14, 2014

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. Heavy wind and rain Saturday night along with heavy rain Sunday night have created hazardous road conditions in parts of Mason County. Emergency and road crews have been out throughout the day assessing damage to area roads. “We have numerous reports of roads covered with several inches of water and some starting to washout,” said Mason…

Read more »

Deputies kept busy over weekend

April 14, 2014

Deputies from Mason County Sheriff’s Office were kept busy over the weekend. Much of their time was spent working on the damage caused by Saturday night’s storm in southwestern Mason County. They also made several arrests. Here’s the activity report of the MCSO from April 11 to April 13, 2014:   April 11, 2014. 3:19 a.m.: Disturbance/warrant arrest, 500 block…

Read more »

1 inch of snow possible today

April 14, 2014
1 inch of snow possible today

The outdoor report for Mason County is sponsored by Superior Electric of Ludington: 231-845-0126; www.supelectric.com. Monday, April 14, 2014. The Pere Marquette River at Scottville Riverside Park remains under a flood warning until later this afternoon. Windy conditions and snow showers. Cold. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds NNW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of snow…

Read more »

Mom 2 Mom sale

April 14, 2014

PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) of Ludington will hold its sixth annual Mom 2 Mom Sale at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 121 Nelson Rd. from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 26, 2014. Admission is $2 per person and kids under 12 are free.  This popular annual event will offer 45 tables of gently used baby and kids clothing (size infant to 16 years),…

Read more »

Welcome to the world! Lexi, MaKendria, Margo, Dezmishe, Colton

April 14, 2014
Welcome to the world! Lexi, MaKendria, Margo, Dezmishe, Colton

Birth announcements are sponsored by ABC Kidz/Purple Monkey, 123 E. Ludington Ave. Check them out here on Facebook.  Welcome to the world! Lexi Analiah Zapata, the daughter of Rebecca and Amador Zapata of Hart, was born April 2, 2014 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. MaKendria Anelique Michelle Myers, the daughter of Milisa Myers of Branch, was born March 28, 2014 at Spectrum…

Read more »

Updated roads list

April 14, 2014

Road conditions effected by the weekend storm continue to change. The following list is of road conditions as of 5 p.m., Monday, April 14. Road Damage/Impacts as of  4-14-14 Closed – Water Issues/Water Over Roadway: Amber Rd. South of Decker Rd. Angling Rd. between Jebavy and Beaune Rd Appleton Rd. South of Meisenheimer Rd. Beyer Rd. West of Custer Rd.…

Read more »

Storm was a rare micro downburst, weather service says; witnesses saw funnel clouds

April 13, 2014
Storm was a rare micro downburst, weather service says; witnesses saw funnel clouds

Vandenheuvel By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. SUMMIT TWP. — Saturday night’s destruction was caused by a rare micro downburst, according to the National Weather Service. However, some eyewitnesses claim they saw what looked like funnel clouds moments before the heavy winds hit southwestern Mason County. Sally Weisner looked out her window Saturday night around 8:15 p.m. and saw what she described…

Read more »

List of roads closed or impassable

April 13, 2014

The following Mason County roads are currently closed or impassable due to Saturday night’s storm: Closed due to water issues: Schoener Road between Dewey and Millerton roads, Sherman Twp. Fisher Road east of Jebavy Drive, Hamlin Twp. Darr Road between Hawley and Meisenheimer roads, Riverton Twp. Major Road between Tuttle and Custer roads, Eden Twp. Closed due to wash out:…

Read more »

Emergency crews monitoring storm

April 13, 2014
Emergency crews monitoring storm

  Story and photo by Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. RIVERTON TWP. — Lightning zaps across the early morning sky, lighting up a couple wind turbines, on Hawley Road. Saturday night’s storm caused severe damage in southern Mason County and a large portion of Oceana County. Over 1,000 Consumers Energy customers were without power in southern Mason County after strong winds whipped…

Read more »

Damage in southern Mason County

April 13, 2014
Damage in southern Mason County

The above map shows where the majority of Saturday night’s storm hit. Unofficial reports have indicated that wind gusts of 70 mph came through the area around 8:15 p.m. Major tree and electric wire damage was reported in the Bass Lake area. The red dots show where damage was reported. As of 1 a.m. the following roads were closed: –…

Read more »

Strong winds hit south county

April 12, 2014
Strong winds hit south county

RIVERTON TWP. — Straight line winds or tornado? Either way, strong winds caused severe damage in a path through Riverton Township around 8:30 p.m. A path north to south between Stiles Road and Lakeshore Drive appears to have been impacted. Riverton Fire Chief Joe Cooper said he was at his house on Morton Road south of Hawley Road when he…

Read more »

New brewery brings out the true artist in Andrew Thomas

April 12, 2014
New brewery brings out the true artist in Andrew Thomas

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  AMBER TWP. — It actually seems like a natural transition for artist extraordinaire Andrew Thomas to open a brewery. Andrew, 33, is always evolving as an artist and this newest venture is just another step in his artistic growth. The setting for the brewery — a tree-lined narrow Stiles Road south of U.S. 10-31 — is…

Read more »

Pere Marquette River under flood warning

April 12, 2014
Pere Marquette River under flood warning

The outdoor report for Mason County is sponsored by Superior Electric of Ludington: 231-845-0126; www.supelectric.com. Friday, April 11, 2014. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville Riverside Park. At 10 a.m. Saturday the river stage was at 3.7 feet. Flood stage is 5.5 feet. Minor flooding is expected. Tonight, rain likely with a…

Read more »

79th District Court arraignments, as of April 9, 2014

April 11, 2014
79th District Court arraignments, as of April 9, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.  LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned this past week in front of the Mason County Magistrate in 79th District Court: Felonies –          Koddy Christian Gaut, 25, of 1218 S. Madison Ave., Apt. 5, Ludington, was arrested April 4 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for a felony of second-offense possession of marijuana. A preliminary exam…

Read more »

Mason County court sentencings as of April 9, 2014

April 11, 2014
Mason County court sentencings as of April 9, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. 1 sentenced in 51st Circuit Court LUDINGTON – Megan Nicole Nellett, 23, of 713 9th St., Bay City, was sentenced in 51st Circuit Court, April 7. She was found guilty Nov. 22, 2013 of receiving and concealing stolen property $1,000-$20,000 and probation violation. She was sentenced to one year in jail with credit for 270 days served (must serve…

Read more »

Tea party leader wants to take Lt. Governor’s seat

April 11, 2014
Tea party leader wants to take Lt. Governor’s seat

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  AMBER TWP. — Wes Nakagiri believes that Gov. Rick Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley have gone too far in support of Democratic-led legislation and have compromised too many times to pass left-leaning programs such as Medicaid expansion and Common Core educational curriculum. Nakagiri spoke at the Mason County Tea Party meeting at Gospel Light Baptist…

Read more »

Obit: Arthur Sniegowski, 84, Ludington

April 11, 2014
Obit: Arthur Sniegowski, 84, Ludington

  Arthur (Art) Sniegowski age 84 of Ludington passed away peacefully on April 10, 2014, at Ludington Woods Living Center surrounded by his family.  Art was born on January 22, 1930 to Mr.  & Mrs. Stanley (Clara) Sniegowski.  Art and Jerry (Geraldine Cartier) who were high-school sweethearts   graduated from St. Simon High School in 1948.  The couple married on May…

Read more »

Corrections deputies put themselves in danger everyday

April 11, 2014

A letter to the editor. In the past three years, Mason County has had more than its share of high profile crimes with the Baby Kate case, the wounding of Ludington Police Department Sgt. David Maltbie and the cold-blooded murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield II. These cases have affected the people of Ludington, Mason County and the…

Read more »

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks