Willard pleads guilty to raping child

November 21, 2013
Willard pleads guilty to raping child

Editor’s Note: The following story discusses a trial involving criminal sexual conduct against a child. As a policy, we do not post names of the victim of sexual crimes nor will we post the names of family members. This story may contain graphic elements that some readers are not comfortable with. If you are not comfortable with such subject matter…

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Sheriff’s report from Nov. 20, 2013

November 21, 2013

The following is the activity of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office from Nov. 20, 2013: 6:32 a.m.: Car/deer crash, no injuries, U.S. 10 west of U.S. 31, Amber Township. 11:30 a.m.: Found property, Meijer Store, U.S. 10-31, Amber Township. 3:54 p.m.: Retail fraud arrest, Wal-Mart, U.S. 10, Pere Marquette Township; 35-year-old Hart female charged with retail fraud. Subject is lodged…

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The Verve Pipe will hit Ludington with rock, family-style.

November 21, 2013
The Verve Pipe will hit Ludington with rock, family-style.

By Carrie Klemm. MCP Correspondent LUDINGTON- Local music lovers will be in for a rocking good time Friday night as the Verve Pipe performs at L.F. Peterson Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The concert is part of West Shore Community College’s Performing Arts series. The band hails from East Lansing. Formed in 1992, it began as an alternative rock group, suiting…

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PM River under flood advisory

November 21, 2013
PM River under flood advisory

The outdoor report for Mason County is sponsored by Superior Electric of Ludington: 231-845-0126; www.supelectric.com. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a flood advisory for the Pere Marquette River near Scottville until Friday afternoon. At 5 a.m. Thursday, the stage was 4 feet, bank full stage is 4 feet. Flood stage is 5.5 feet. The river is expected…

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Welcome to the world… Matthew and William

November 21, 2013
Welcome to the world… Matthew and William

Welcome to the world… Matthew Gordon Michalik, the son of Arin and John Michalik of Ludington, was born November 14, 2013 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. William Jonathan Robert Buss, the son of KD Maxwell and Robert Buss of Shelby, was born November 19, 2013 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Birth announcements are brought to you by ABC Kidz/Purple Monkey, 123 E.…

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Prosecutor: Willard lured 9-year-old victim

November 20, 2013
Prosecutor: Willard lured 9-year-old victim

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. Editor’s note: The following story is about a rape trial involving a 9-year-old victim and a 19-year-old defendant. The information in this story may be graphic. Mason County Press does not identify the victims of sexual crimes, especially children. We further will not identify family members involved in this case. We will identify the geographical area,…

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Floracraft to host Santa workshop

November 20, 2013
Floracraft to host Santa workshop

LUDINGTON — FloraCraft will host its second annual Santa’s Workshop for Charity on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will take place at FloraCraft headquarters, 1 Longfellow Place, Ludington; use the Harrison Street entrance. The event will include pictures with Santa, Christmas crafting, story time with Mrs. Claus, fun and festive games, letters to Santa,…

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Sheriff’s report from Nov. 19, 2013

November 20, 2013

The following was the activity of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office from Tuesday, November 19, 2013: – 3:55 a.m.: Assist to Ludington Police Department, traffic stop on Ludington Avenue, City of Ludington. – 6 a.m.: Car/deer crash, no injuries, Main Street and First Street, Village of Custer. – 2:46 p.m.: Assist to Ludington Police Department, traffic crash with injuries. Ludington…

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United Way reaches 32% of its goal

November 20, 2013

LUDINGTON — United Way of Mason County has reached 32% of its $355,013.00 goal, with pledges totaling $113,944.96 after 5 weeks of a 9-week campaign. The dollars raised from this year’s campaign will be awarded to local programs that are helping children to achieve their potential, working with adults and families to be financially stable and independent or improving people’s…

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Trial begins Wednesday of man accused of raping, kidnaping child

November 19, 2013
Trial begins Wednesday of man accused of raping, kidnaping child

LUDINGTON — The trial of a 19-year-old Manistee man accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy begins Wednesday. Dalton Willard will go on trial for criminal sexual conduct first degree and kidnapping a minor in 51st Circuit Court. The alleged incident took place in late June in Grant Township. Since that time, Willard has been lodged in the Mason County…

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Amber man’s sobbing causing hearing to be postponed for CSC plea

November 19, 2013
Amber man’s sobbing causing hearing to be postponed for CSC plea

LUDINGTON — An Amber Township man became too emotional to have his day in court today. Wayne Charles Lyle, 71, of 151 S. Wildwood Run, Apt. 7, appeared in 51st Circuit Court this afternoon. He is being charged with criminal sexual conduct first degree and CSC second degree. The first count is punishable by 25 years to life in prison…

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Ludington woman pleads to cocaine delivery

November 19, 2013

LUDINGTON — A 25-year-old Ludington woman pleaded guilty to delivery of cocaine today in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court. Nicole Lynn Kaiser, 214 E. Danaher St., sold cocaine to an undercover police officer in March of this year. She also pleaded guilty to two counts of delivery of morphine during the same month. Kaiser told the court the transactions took…

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Mother faces charges of accessory to Trooper Butterfield’s murder

November 19, 2013
Mother faces charges of accessory to Trooper Butterfield’s murder

LUDINGTON — Tammi Spofford, 50, of 8124 W. Eight Mile Road, Irons, mother of Eric Knysz, formally charged this morning. She faces a count of accessory after the fact to the murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield and unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle. The first charge is punishable by up to five years in confinement and/or a…

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El Rancho raid part of statewide sting

November 19, 2013

AMBER TWP. — Federal agents raided El Rancho Mexican restaurant, 4743 W. U.S. 10, Monday, in a state-wide sting of several restaurants. According to information from the Department of Homeland Security, search warrants were executed at nine restaurants across the state along with a residence in a joint operation with the Internal Revenue Service. Two people were arrested at other locations.…

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Ludington’s last Gettysburg veteran

November 19, 2013
Ludington’s last Gettysburg veteran

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. I posted this story back in September. Though it was a few months after the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, I still thought it was noteworthy. Those who know me know that I am interested in history, especially local history and family history. Since today is the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address,…

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Small business success begins before the business plan

November 19, 2013

“The Business Plan” is a partnership between the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce and Mason County Press. By Matt Larson. Business Development Consultant. Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce.   What’s the first thing to do when considering starting a small business? Ask more questions. That may seem like a rather flip response, but it’s true. Success in small…

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Scottville to receive water quality grant

November 19, 2013

SCOTTVILLE — Scottville may be a step closer to solving the mystery of where some of its water has been going the last several years. On Monday, the city commission approved receiving a Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. “This program will pay for 90% of Asset Management Plans, Stormwater Management Plans, and other…

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Resident granted permission to raise chickens in Scottville

November 19, 2013

SCOTTVILLE — The Scottville City Commission is allowing a resident to raise chickens at his home. During its regular meeting Monday night, the commission followed the recommendation of the planning commission and granted permission to Ben Trute of East Second Street, to raise up to eight chickens on the property he rents. Trute lives near the gulley, which is where…

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Scottville police activity

November 19, 2013

SCOTTVILLE — The following is an activity report from the Scottville Police Department from Nov. 14 to Nov. 19:   – Nov. 13: Aggravated assault, 219 E. Fifth St. – Nov. 14: General, non-criminal, 400 Third Street – Nov. 14: Abuse/neglect, non-violent, 401 W. Third St. – Nov. 15: Health and safety check, 406 N. Gay St. – Nov. 16:…

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Sheriff’s report from Nov. 18, 2013

November 19, 2013

The following is the activity report of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, November 18, 2013: – 12:42 a.m.: Phone harassment, Nelson Road, Pere Marquette Township. – 4:10 a.m.: Alarm activation, 1600 S. Pere Marquette Highway, PM Township. – 8 a.m.: Assault, warrant requested, Michigan Avenue, Village of Free Soil. – 10:55 a.m.: Assist to IRS/Homeland Security on search…

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Sunny today

November 19, 2013
Sunny today

The outdoor report for Mason County is sponsored by Superior Electric of Ludington: 231-845-0126; www.supelectric.com. Today: Sunny with high temperature of 41 degrees F; low tonight of 34 degrees with cloudy skies. Humidity: 55%; wind: northwest at 5 mph changing to west-northwest at 3 mph. Sunset: 5:16 p.m. Moonrise: 7:48 a.m.; moonset: 10:12 a.m. tomorrow.  Wednesday: Cloudy and windy with high temperature…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks