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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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Linda Marlene (Boals) Olson, 86, of Ludington, died on Friday, March 6, 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 News Receive…
Barbara Mary Bailey, 81, of Scottville, died on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at home. She was born February 17, 1945, in Hart, the daughter of Elten Eugene and Julia (Kequom) Bailey. Barbara was a tribal member of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. Cremation has taken place and Barbara will interred in Mears Cemetery with her parents in the…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief EAST LANSING — Avery Crawford of Custer has been accepted into the Honors College at Michigan State University. Crawford, a 2025 graduate of Mason County Eastern High School and the daughter of Miranda and Darrell Crawford, is currently a freshman at MSU. She is majoring in biology on a pre-health track through the university’s MSU College…
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HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — The Ludington Area School District’s Oriole Foundation will hold its annual Dancing with the Local Stars on Saturday, April 18 at Lincoln Hills Golf Club. The event will raise money for the foundation and the district’s band and choir programs. “We are incredibly grateful to these generous and courageous community members who are taking to the dance…
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. OTSEGO — Ludington Sophomore Sawyer Bishop qualified for the Michigan High School Athletic Association state finals with a fifth place finish at the Regional 9 diving competition on Thursday, March 6, 2026…
