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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Eric Knysz’s mother arrested in connection to trooper killing

November 18, 2013

LUDINGTON — Michigan State Police have arrested Tammi Spofford, 50, mother of Eric Knysz, in connection to the murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield. Knysz is accused of murdering Butterfield during a traffic stop on Custer Road in Free Soil Township on Sept. 9. Earlier this month, his wife, Sarah, pleaded guilty of being an accessory to murder…

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Feds shut down Mexican restaurant

November 18, 2013

AMBER TWP. — El Rancho Restaurant, 4743 W. U.S. 10, was raided Monday afternoon by federal agents. The restaurant has been subsequently closed. Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole said that deputies from his office assisted federal officers from the Internal Revenue Service, Homeland Security and “other federal branches.” He did not know the purpose of the raid. We are attempting…

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Weekend sheriff’s report: 25-year-old Ludington man arrested after chase; multiple car/deer crashes

November 18, 2013

The following is the activity of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office between Nov. 15 and 17, 2013. Nov. 15: – 10:50 a.m.: Felony warrant arrest, 4300 block of South Ordway Road, Eden Township; 56-year-old Custer male arrested on charge of delivery/manufacturing marijuana. – 2 p.m.: Two vehicle crash, no injuries, U.S. 10 and Brye Road, Amber Township. Driver cited for…

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Scottville employees to receive pay increases

November 18, 2013

SCOTTVILLE — Scottville city employees will receive their first pay increase in five years if the city commission approves tonight. City Manager Amy Williams said the city employees took a 5% pay reduction in 2008. Since that time, the city has frozen wages. She said the city’s finance committee is recommending a 2% pay increase, effective immediately. The wages will…

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Farm equipment may have gone airborne Sunday night

November 18, 2013
Farm equipment may have gone airborne Sunday night

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. AMBER TWP. — Mason County saw very little damage from Sunday’s high winds. However, a strange thing occurred at one Amber Township residence. James and Liz East awoke this morning to find an animal feeder had appeared in their yard at 830 N. Dennis Road. The only logical place where it could have come from was…

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Scottville residents reminded of parking restrictions

November 18, 2013

SCOTTVILLE — The City of Scottville’s winter parking ordinance is in effect. Parking on any city street between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. is prohibited, to allow for snowplowing. Special parking permits are required for downtown residents to park in the city’s parking lots.

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West Shore Bank, stores team up for Spirit of Giving

November 18, 2013

LUDINGTON – West Shore Bank, along with Shop-N-Save of Ludington, Hansen Foods in Hart, and Oleson’s Foods in Manistee, are teaming up this holiday season and challenging area residents and businesses to show their “Spirit of Giving!” This is West Shore Bank’s fifth year to team up with local food store partners to offer special pricing for the purchase of…

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Big storm, little damage here

November 18, 2013

Mason County was spared much of the damage caused by Sunday’s storm. While areas south saw lots of fallen trees and are currently without electricity, damage seems to have been light here. Fountain and Free Soil/Meade fire departments were called out late Sunday morning for lines down, but no other departments were called out for storm-related issues the rest of…

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Area under severe thunderstorm warning, chance of tornados

November 17, 2013
Area under severe thunderstorm warning, chance of tornados

Mason County and surrounding areas are under a severe thunderstorm warning right now until 2:45 p.m. The area is also under a tornado watch until 8 p.m. There is also a risk of straight line winds, which are characteristic of tornadoes. “Citizens should seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest level of their house,” said Mason County Emergency…

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Area under tornado watch

November 17, 2013

The area is under a tornado watch until 8 p.m. Sunday. The following us from the National Weather Service: Mason High Wind Warning in effect from 4PM EST SUN until 4AM EST MON HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 4 AM EST MONDAY HAZARDOUS WEATHER LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ALONG THE…

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Obit: Beatrice Mae Stibitz Dornbos, 89, Ludington

November 16, 2013
Obit: Beatrice Mae Stibitz Dornbos, 89, Ludington

Beatrice Mae Stibitz Dornbos, aged 89 of Ludington, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2013 at her home.  Bea was born on June 18, 1924 in Fremont, the daughter of Henry and Anna (Bowman) Hinken, and graduated from Fremont High School with the class of 1942.  On April 26, 1946, she married Gerald A. Stibitz. They made their home in Muskegon and…

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Best Choice adds executive chef

November 15, 2013
Best Choice adds executive chef

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Best Choice Market has recently hired a new executive chef. Char Morse has joined the staff of the downtown Ludington market. On Thursday, Morse presented a line of six homemade beer batter dough flatbreads during an unveiling party. And, this writer will confirm, they were all delicious. “I have been cooking for the absolute…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks