News

Volunteers still being sought for Petunia Parade planting, weeding

May 12, 2026

Planting takes place on Saturday By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The 39th annual planting of the Ludington Petunia Parade will take place Saturday, May 16, beginning at 8 a.m. Organizers continue to seek volunteers and block captains to help with Saturday’s planting and weeding throughout the summer. On Saturday, approximately 32,000 red, white and blue petunias will be planted…

Read more »

Coast Guard to deploy autonomous sail drones on Great Lakes this summer

May 12, 2026

CLEVELAND — The U.S. Coast Guard plans to deploy a new fleet of autonomous “sail drones” across the Great Lakes this summer, expanding the agency’s use of high-tech surveillance and emergency monitoring tools on one of the world’s largest freshwater systems. The wind- and solar-powered vessels are expected to operate from May through October as part of an effort to…

Read more »

Mason County sheriff’s marine patrol to move operations to Coast Guard station

May 11, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Mason County Sheriff’s Office has taken recent steps to improve its marine patrol response times on Lake Michigan and Pere Marquette Lake. The sheriff’s office recently entered into a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Coast Guard to use office space at the station and eventually use its lift station along the Ludington…

Read more »

Flipstar gymnasts showcase skills at Spring Fling Fun Meet

May 11, 2026

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Flipstar Gymnastics welcomed athletes, families and community members Saturday, May 2, for its annual Spring Fling Fun Meet and “Show-Off Your Skills” event at Flipstar Gymnastics. The event gave lower-level competitive team members an opportunity to participate in the final fun meet of the season, while recreational class students demonstrated skills they have been practicing throughout…

Read more »

MCE greenhouse project grows fresh produce, sustainability education

May 11, 2026

CUSTER — Mason County Eastern Schools students are harvesting more than vegetables from the school’s newly revitalized greenhouse — they are cultivating sustainability, environmental awareness and hands-on science education. The MCE School Greenhouse project transformed an unused campus greenhouse into a student-led sustainability and food-production program through partnerships involving Mason County Eastern science classes, the district’s food service department, Michigan…

Read more »

Area Churches