Courts

Hart couple charged for felonious retail fraud, among arraignments.

December 7, 2014
Hart couple charged for felonious retail fraud, among arraignments.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies – Melinda Ann VanDerZanden, 30, of 475 E. Lever Rd., Hart, was arrested Dec. 1 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for a felony of first-degree retail fraud. A preliminary exam is set for Dec. 10 at 11:15…

Read more »

79th District Court sentencings

December 7, 2014
79th District Court sentencings

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Carl Martin Sali, 65, of 7792 N. 186th Ave., Walkerville, was found guilty Nov. 4 of operating while impaired. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail with credit for two days served; outpatient treatment; 93 days discretionary jail for two years; must…

Read more »

51st Circuit Court sentencings.

December 6, 2014
51st Circuit Court sentencings.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced Tuesday, Dec. 2, in 51st Circuit Court by Judge Richard I. Cooper: – Brent James Hansen, 47, of 71 S. Campbell Rd., Fountain, was found guilty Oct. 15 of operating under the influence of liquor (OUIL), third offense. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail with credit for…

Read more »

Phillips bound over to circuit court; Judge Cooper overturns Judge Wadel’s ruling.

December 5, 2014
Phillips bound over to circuit court; Judge Cooper overturns Judge Wadel’s ruling.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — The open murder case against Sean Michael Phillips will be bound over to circuit court. Judge Richard Cooper, 51st Circuit Court Judge, ruled in favor of an appeal, overturning 79th District Court Judge Pete Wadel’s earlier decision not to bind the case over. Phillips is charged with the 2011 death of his 4-month-old daughter…

Read more »

Prosecutor must prove Judge Wadel made wrong decision in Baby Kate murder case.

December 5, 2014
Prosecutor must prove Judge Wadel made wrong decision in Baby Kate murder case.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Arguments are being held right now in the 51st Circuit Court appeal case on the dismissed open murder charges against Sean Michael Phillips. In Oct. 2013, the Michigan attorney general’s office filed the charges against Phillips in relation to the June 29, 2012 disappearance of Phillips’ 4-month-old daughter, Katherine Phillips, also known as “Baby…

Read more »

Eats