51st Circuit Court sentences, published March 11, 2026

March 11, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced Tuesday, March, 10, in  Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: Cora Jean Libby, 57, pleaded guilty Jan. 13 to methamphetamine/ecstasy possession and and third-offense habitual offender was sentenced March 10 to one year in jail with credit for seven days served; three years probation; and $398 in fines and costs. She was found guilty of…

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Obituary: Nancy Joanne Anderson, 82, of Ludington

March 11, 2026

Nancy Joanne Anderson, 82, of Ludington, left this world unexpectedly but peacefully in the comfort of her home to enter into the presence of the Lord on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Born on September 15, 1943, in Ludington, Nancy lived a life marked by grace and kindness and a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ. Her walk with the Lord shaped…

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Obituary: Linda Marlene (Boals) Olson, 86, of Ludington

March 11, 2026

Linda Marlene (Boals) Olson, 86, of Ludington, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026. Linda was born on November 22, 1939, in Ludington, to the late Marlen Boals and Lavona (Hof) Granger. She graduated from Ludington High School in 1957. On August 22, 1958, she married Willard Olson. Together they shared over 30 memorable years together until his passing in…

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Boys Varsity Basketball: Orioles fall to Freeland in quarterfinals

March 10, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. MT. PLEASANT — The Ludington Orioles fell to the Freeland Falcons 69-53 Tuesday evening in the Michigan High School Athetlic Association’s Division 2 boys basketball quarterfinals hosted at Mt. Pleasant High School.…

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Employment: Sports Reporter

March 10, 2026

Employment: Sports Reporter Mason County Press/Oceana County Press is seeking a part-time sports reporter. Time commitment for this position will begin up to 10 hours per week. Duties Receive information provided by area coaches and create written reports based on that information. Typically two to three paragraphs and statistics. Post articles on Mason County Press and Oceana County Press websites.…

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“Growing” trees at the Scottville library

March 10, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — Progress is being made on updates to the children’s area of the Mason County District Library’s Scottville branch. Today, artist Matt Mroz, Bob Dickson, library director emeritus, and Carol Dickson, measured out a new tree sculpture that will be a center-piece of the space. The updates at the library are the result of a…

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32 participate in Try Hockey for Free event

March 10, 2026

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — Thirty-two young athletes took their first strides on the ice during the Try Hockey for Free event held Saturday, March 7 at West Shore Community Ice Arena on the campus of West Shore Community College. The event welcomed 32 new skaters, including 15 girls, giving local youth the opportunity to experience hockey for the first time in…

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13 Flipstar Gymnastics athletes perform at ‘world’s laregest meet’

March 10, 2026

TAMPA — Thirteen gymnasts from Flipstar Gymnastics participated in the Gasparilla Classic meet last weekend in Florida. Dubbed “the world’s largest gymnastics meet,” over 6,000 athletes competed. “These girls did amazing,” said Flipstar Coach Amy Goff. “They brought home 41 medals with 24 of them being podium medals. Five Flipstar gymnasts even brought home All-Around trophies for their top podium finishes.…

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Obituary: Daniel ‘Dan’ Blackstone, 75, of Walhalla

March 10, 2026

Daniel “Dan” Blackstone, 75, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Walhalla. Born on July 21, 1951, in Westbrook, Maine, to Arnold and Shirley (Palsa) Blackstone, Dan grew up in an environment that fostered his outgoing and helpful nature. A proud graduate of Pennfield High School, class of 1968, Dan furthered his education by earning a master’s degree. His…

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Investigation into tugboat worker’s death turned over to coast guard, OSHA

March 9, 2026

LUDINGTON — The investigation into the death of a maintenance worker following an industrial accident on a docked tugboat, March 2, has been turned over to the U.S. Coast Guard and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Mark Allen died at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital following the accident on the articulated tug/barge Undaunted/Pere Marquette 41 while it was docked at…

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Enter a photo of Orioles’ quarterfinal game and you might win a meal at House of Flavors

March 9, 2026

Mason County Press and House of Flavors Restaurant are looking for your best pictures of the Orioles’ run to the finals! Submit up to three photos from Tuesday’s quarterfinal game. MCP’s staff will select the winning photo to be used as the cover shot of the game story — and the winner will get a $50 gift certificate, compliments of…

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MCC forensics team earns second place in Houghton Lake invite

March 9, 2026

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press. HOUGHTON LAKE — The Mason County Central High School Forensics Team won second place last weekend at the Bobcat Invitational hosted by Houghton Lake Junior/Senior High School. The following Spartans placed in finals: Darnell Hunter, first, poetry Richard Bowen, first, oratory Bella Snell…

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Man sentenced to prison for threatening deputies with hatchet, knives

March 9, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 31-year-old former Mason County man was sentenced to 14 months to four years in prison for a conviction of assault with a dangerous weapon in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, March 9. Cody Morgan Denton threatened two Oceana County sheriff’s deputies with a hatchet and two knives, said Oceana County Prosecuting…

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Robotics facility holds inaugural event

March 9, 2026

West Shore School News is a presentation of West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press. LUDINGTON – Ten high school robotics teams participated in a “friendly competition” scrimmage event last weekend at the UACJ Whitehall Industries First Robotics Practice Facility, located on South Madison Street. The event was a warm-up event for the upcoming First Robotics…

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Historical Society presentation will discuss Revolutionary War

March 9, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society will present the next installment of its 2026 speaker series on Wednesday, March 11, telling stories of the American Revolutionary War. Presented by the Military History Academy, the presentation will examine how battlefield realities shaped strategy and outcomes. The Speaker Series is one of many events planned by the Mason County Historical Society…

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Search warrant yields meth delivery charge

March 9, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. LUDINGTON — A 40-year-old Ludington man was arrested on a felony charge of possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine Friday, March 6, shortly after 2 p.m. in the 900 block of East Tinkham Avenue after a search warrant was conducted at his…

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Obituary: Mary Jane (Slicker) Rhodes, 75, of Ludington

March 9, 2026

Mary Jane (Slicker) Rhodes, 75, of Ludington, drifted away on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 surrounded by her daughters ending her journey with Alzheimer’s disease. Mary Jane was born the youngest of three daughters to Dorthy Inez Johnson Slicker and Norman Slicker in Massillon, Ohio on Sept 3, 1950. She was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters, Sheila Brannon…

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Badger’s Chief Engineer Diedrich retiring after 24 years

March 8, 2026

Story and photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Last week Lake Michigan Carferry announced the retirement of Chief Engineer Kevin Diedrich after 24 years with the company. Diedrich worked every position in the ship’s engineering department during his tenure. A 1979 graduate of Lincoln High School in Manitowoc, Diedrich, 65, began his career as a production machinist. In 1982…

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Outdoors: The Great Falls in the Big Woods

March 8, 2026

By Joan Young, contributing writer I am in the East this week, traveling through my home territory of the Finger Lakes in New York. Although it’s not in Michigan, I really have to share a very special place. Yes, it’s special to me, but it’s pretty significant in the grander scheme of things as well. Taughannock Falls (say tuh-GAN-uck) near…

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Mason, Manistee United Way organizations merge into one entity

March 8, 2026

LUDINGTON — The merger between United Way of Mason County and United Way of Manistee County is now final, creating a new regional organization called United Way of the West Shore. The merger was originally announced last June but discussions began in 2024, according to a press release issued in June 2025. According to a press release recently issued, the newly combined entity strengthens services…

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Fin & Feather Club offering pistol classes

March 8, 2026

SHERMAN TOWNSHIP — The Fin & Feather Club of Mason County will be hosting a basic pistol class on Saturday, March 21. The basic pistol class will be held all day with shooting pistols taking place at the end of the class. The cost is $20. Register by calling Jim Glover at 231-907-8330. CPL class The Fin & Feather Club…

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