Zonta Club offers sneak peak of WSCC play

February 24, 2014

VICTORY TWP. – The Zonta Club of Ludington Area along with West Shore Community College Performing Arts is offering the “Zonta Sneak Peek,” of classes Moliere comedy “The Schemings of Scapin.” The discounted presentation will be held during the final dress rehearsal performance of the play on Wednesday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Center Stage Theater at West Shore Community College. …

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Wife of murder suspect expected to testify today

February 24, 2014
Wife of murder suspect expected to testify today

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — The fifth day of the trial against Eric John Knysz, the 20-year-old Irons man accused of murdering Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield in Free Soil Township, continues this morning. The trial began last Tuesday with a nearly 9-hour jury selection process. The first three witnesses called on Wednesday were the first people to…

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County will hold disaster drill Saturday

February 24, 2014

SCOTTVILLE – On Saturday, March 1, a comprehensive full-scale disaster exercise will be held in Mason County in cooperation with the National Weather Service Office in Grand Rapids and Verizon Wireless. In addition to all of the traditional emergency response agencies, Oakview Medical Care Facility staff will also be participating in the field level response component of this exercise. The…

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Brewery tour offered at business after hours

February 24, 2014

LUDINGTON — Jamesport Brewing Company will be offering tours of its brewery Wednesday afternoon during the monthly Ludington and Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. This month’s event is hosted by the Rotary Club of Ludington and Jamesport Brewing Company. Admission is $5 for chamber members and $10 for all others. Business After Hours is from 5 to…

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Colder than normal temperatures this week

February 24, 2014
Colder than normal temperatures this week

Colder than normal temperatures are expected again this week. Today’s forecast calls for a 50% chance of occasional snow showers with 1 to 3 inches likely. High temperature of 15 degrees F. Winds, west-northwest at 10 to 20 mph. Tonight, cloudy skies with late night snow showers. Low temperature of 13 F. Winds, west-northwest at 10 to 15 mph. Chance…

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Librarian retiring after 38 years of service in Mason County

February 23, 2014
Librarian retiring after 38 years of service in Mason County

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  When I was a teen back in the 1980s, I developed an interest in local history. I would spend many afternoons at the Mason County Library in Scottville going through old newspaper clippings and books. Learning how to do research helped me develop a career as a journalist. Always there to help me was Bob Dickson,…

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Visiting the Sonoran Desert

February 22, 2014
Visiting the Sonoran Desert

Blogger Craig Convissor has been finding himself this winter, travelling out West. Here are some of his notes from the road. Off Broadway. A blog by Craig Convissor. Organ Pipe National Monument Near the border of Mexico, just outside the Tohono O’odham Nation, and once undoubtedly a part of it, is this beautiful and very unusual expanse of the Sonoran…

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4 arraigned this week in 79th District Court

February 22, 2014
4 arraigned this week in 79th District Court

By Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned this past week in front of Mason Coutny Magistrate Patricia Baker in 79th District Court:  Felonies –         William Dale Polston, 46, of 109 E. Foster, Apt. 1, Ludington, was arrested Feb. 17 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for a felony of controlled substance possession. A preliminary exam is set…

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79th District Court sentences as of Feb. 19, 2014

February 22, 2014
79th District Court sentences as of Feb. 19, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent.    LUDINGTON – The following defendants were sentenced in front of Judge Peter Wadel this past week in 79th District Court: –         Ryan Scott Kallioinen, 31, of 1160 W US-10, Scottville, was found guilty Feb. 18 of driving while license suspended (DWLS) and sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day served; 93 days…

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Sunny today but windy

February 22, 2014
Sunny today but windy

Parts of Mason County are reporting sunshine today. Clouds are in the forecast, decreasing with a high of 21 degrees F. Wind, west at 15 mph gusting to 23 mph. Snow flurries and snow showers are possible today, 30% chance. Tonight, low of 14 F with few snow showers and wind west at 20 mph. Sunday, morning snow showers with…

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Confession of a killer

February 21, 2014
Confession of a killer

Editor’s note about our legal system. A confession to a police officer is not enough for a person to be convicted of a crime. Every person in this country accused of a crime has a right to a trial.  By Lisa Enos. MCP Correspondent. LUDINGTON — Eric Knyzs waved his miranda rights and spoke to Michigan State Police Detective Gary Green…

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Knysz’s recorded confession played in court

February 21, 2014
Knysz’s recorded confession played in court

LUDINGTON — Eric Knysz’s words were heard for the first time in court today. A recording made by arresting officer Sgt. Gary Green of the Michigan State Police was played to the jury. “I want you to tell your story, I want you to tell me,” Green said to Eric, who was laying in a hospital bed at Munson Medical…

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‘He said he killed a fu*@in’ cop’

February 21, 2014
‘He said he killed a fu*@in’ cop’

  LUDINGTON — Friends of Eric and Sarah Knysz testified this afternoon in 51st Circuit Court. They talked about what Eric Knysz told them when he and Sarah stopped at their Wellston home the evening of Sept. 9, 2013. “He said that he killed a fu#*in cop,” Deborah Harris said. Deborah and Mark Harris both agreed that Eric seemed nervous.…

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Detective links fingerprints to Eric & Sarah Knysz

February 21, 2014
Detective links fingerprints to Eric & Sarah Knysz

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — A Michigan State Police fingerprint examiner identified several pieces of evidence that linked Eric Knysz to the murder weapon used on Trooper Paul Butterfield. He also linked Knysz to at least two of the other charges against the 20-year-old during testimony in 51st Circuit Court this afternoon. In addition to being charged with first…

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WSCC dean’s list

February 21, 2014
WSCC dean’s list

VICTORY TWP. – West Shore Community College has released its Dean’s List for the 2013 Fall Semester.  Full-time students achieving a semester grade point average of 3.75 or above receive high honors and full-time students with a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.749 receive honors. Part-time students are eligible for the Dean’s List when their accumulating grade point averages meet…

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MSP evidence techs testify

February 21, 2014
MSP evidence techs testify

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.   This post contains photographs that were taken of the blood stains at the crime scenes.  LUDINGTON — The third day of testimony in the murder trial of 43-year-old Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield is underway. On trial is Eric John Knysz, 20, of Irons who has been charged with first degree murder of a peace…

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Northbound 31 temporarily closed near Rothbury

February 21, 2014

ROTHBURY — Law enforcement has closed north bound U.S. 31 expressway at Winston Road in Oceana County beginning at 11:35 a.m. for approximately 45 minutes.  North bound traffic will be forced to exit at Winston Road and will be directed east to Rothbury and then north on Oceana Drive.  Motorists should continue north on Oceana Drive to M-20 and turn…

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Please help cover costs of trial coverage

February 21, 2014

Note from the Editor: Day 4 of the murder trial of Trooper Paul Butterfield begins this morning. Covering a trial of this magnitude takes a lot of time and effort — and money. In order to provide you with quality coverage I have taken on the services of Lisa Enos, who helps us out from time to time. Lisa has…

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Wind gusts may reach 55 mph today

February 21, 2014
Wind gusts may reach 55 mph today

A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m. this evening. Drifting snow and icy roads have resulted in school closings for the day (see related). Southwest winds will be 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 50 to 55 mph along the lakeshore and 40 to 45 mph inland. This will cause blowing and drifting snow, especially where…

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Protect yourself from radon

February 21, 2014
Protect yourself from radon

Good Neighbor Tips. A blog by Erin Doan State Farm Insurance Agency. We are pleased to welcome a new contributor and advertiser, Erin Doan State Farm Insurance Agency of Scottville. Erin and his team provide you with weekly Good Neighbor Tips. Mason County Press is able to continue to be a free service to our readers thanks to the support…

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Welcome to the world! Maya, Lane, Austyn, Kasidee

February 21, 2014
Welcome to the world! Maya, Lane, Austyn, Kasidee

Welcome to the world…   Maya Jo Massie, the daughter of Sarah and Steven Massie of Ludington, was born Februrary 7, 2014 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Lane Gregory Landes, the son of Sarah and Russell Landes of Ludington, was born February 14, 2014 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Austyn Ryan Petzak, the son of Niki Petzak and Nick Davis of Ludignton,…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks