A celebration of life for Capt. Richard “Rich” Laaksonen will be held Saturday, June 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Pere Pointe Clubhouse, 90 W. Second St., Ludington. Rich Laaksonen, 59, of Ludington, a legendary figure of the Michigan charter fishing community and a true outdoorsman, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Read Rich’s obituary here.
Joseph Sherman Frame, 36, of Terra Haute Ind., died on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Arrangements by Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, www.GraceCremations.com. Listing of 2026 deaths. Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of 2024 deaths. Listing of 2023 deaths. Listing of 2022 deaths. Listing of 2021 deaths. Listing of 2020 deaths. Listing of 2019 deaths __________ Please Support Local…
PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Historic White Pine Village will celebrate its 50th anniversary on July 3 with free admission, special ceremonies, historical demonstrations and the unveiling of newly renovated exhibits. Admission for the day has been made free through a sponsorship from West Shore Bank, allowing visitors to take part in the anniversary celebration at no cost. The event commemorates…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 34-year-old woman was sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court to five to 50 years in prison for an armed robbery conviction Tuesday, June 23. Tresa Brianna Anderson was also sentenced by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski to concurrent terms of two years for felony firearm; three to 50 years for conspiracy to…
LUDINGTON — Emergency sanitary sewer repairs will close or restrict traffic on a portion of East Ludington Avenue beginning Sunday night, June 28, and continuing into Monday, June 29, according to the City of Ludington. The work will take place on East Ludington Avenue between Harrison and Delia streets. Motorists and nearby residents should expect temporary lane closures, road closures…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is Ludington Police Department activity Wednesday, June 24, 2026: 7:46 a.m., a 46-year-old Ludington woman was cited for driving without insurance, North Lakeshore Drive and Tinkham Avenue, City of Ludington. 5:45 p.m., a 45-year-old Ludington man was cited for driving without…
Edson Lyle “Ed” Swinehart passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at the age of 79. Ed was born on Dec. 25, 1946 in Big Rapids to Lyle and Florence (Carr) Swinehart. At the age of 10, he and his family moved to Mason County, where Ed would live for the rest of his life. He…
West Shore Community College is seeking an experienced nursing professional to serve as Allied Health and LPN Apprenticeship Program Coordinator. This position provides leadership and coordination for Allied Health and LPN Apprenticeship programs, working closely with students, faculty, healthcare employers, clinical partners and workforce organizations to support program operations, student success, compliance, accreditation, clinical partnerships, recruitment and workforce development initiatives.…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central Board of Education ratified a two-year contract Monday, June 22, for incoming Superintendent Jeff Tuka that will pay him a higher base salary than retiring Superintendent Jeff Mount while largely maintaining the benefits associated with the district’s top administrative position. The contract takes effect July 1, 2026, and runs through…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. AMBER TOWNSHIP — A traffic stop in the Home Depot parking lot on US 10 led to a pair of methamphetamine possession arrests Tuesday, June 23, at 12:25 p.m., according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The driver, a 41-year-old Holton man, was…
SHELBY — Shelby State Bank has added four professionals to its lending and wealth advisory teams, including a senior commercial lender, two mortgage lenders and a financial advisor associate. Kenneth Sommerdyke joined the bank as executive vice president and senior lender. He brings experience in commercial lending, customer relations and lending team development. Kevin Dooley joined the bank as a…
Mason County Press is selling tickets for two adults (or four children ages 12 and under) for a regular cruise onboard the Princess of Manistee. To purchase the tickets, please email editor@mediagroup31.com. To learn more about the Princess, visit www.manisteeharbortours.com.
Marjorie Jean Lokovich, affectionately known as Marge, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the age of 96 in her hometown of Ludington. Born on March 19, 1930, in Ludington, Marge was the daughter of the late Eric and Anna (Grassa-Grundeman) Johnson. She graduated from Ludington High School, class of 1948. On May 26, 1951, she married William Edward…
Edson Lyle Swinehart, 79, of Scottville, passed away in the comfort of his home on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Arrangements by Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, www.GraceCremations.com. Listing of 2026 deaths. Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of 2024 deaths. Listing of 2023 deaths. Listing of 2022 deaths. Listing of 2021 deaths. Listing of 2020 deaths. Listing of 2019…
Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — After 27 years serving Mason County Central Schools, including the past 20 as superintendent, Jeff Mount is preparing to close a career defined not by personal accomplishments, but by a commitment to community, students and perseverance. Mount’s…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The City of Ludington has replaced traffic cones with concrete barricades along the west side of the 100 block of South Rath Avenue adjacent to the future AndyS Restaurant, citing public safety concerns tied to an ongoing legal dispute over the building’s structural support columns. The concrete barricades, which extend into the roadway and…
PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — No one was injured when a boat overturned along the Lake Michigan shoreline near Epworth Heights Monday afternoon, June 22, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. Mason-Oceana 911 central dispatch reported that a sailboat overturned at 2:45 p.m. after receiving a 911 call. At that time, witnesses had seen a person near the boat, then reported…
MASON COUNTY — The Mason County Promise Zone will mark two milestones in 2027: 10 years of offering the Mason County Promise to local graduates and its first major expansion to additional postsecondary institutions. Beginning with the Class of 2027, eligible Promise Scholars will be able to choose between two scholarship pathways: the Promise Community Scholarship Path and the Promise…
HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — Ludington State Park’s summer nature and recreation series continues Sunday, June 21, through Saturday, July 4, with free programs highlighting wildlife, natural history, outdoor skills, live music and hands-on learning opportunities for visitors of all ages. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has released the next two weeks of programming, featuring daily activities at locations throughout the…
The City of Ludington is accepting applications for an Operator III position at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Residency requirement: must live within 20 miles of city boundaries within six months of hire date. Starting wage $24.24 per hour, depending on qualifications, plus benefits. Strong knowledge of math, chemistry and biology is required. A written entrance exam may be part of…
This MCP Boat Blog is presented by the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. Photos and story by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MUSKEGON — Father’s Day was a good day for this boat nerd and history geek. My family treated me to a Father’s Day history cruise aboard the Aquastar on Muskegon Lake. The outing turned into something even more special…
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