Obituary: Hollyn Marie Tompkins, 73, of Ludington

July 9, 2025

In Loving Memory of Hollyn Marie Tompkins Formerly Hollyn Marie Prince August 25, 1951 – July 4,2025 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Hollyn Marie Tompkins, 73. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and adopted by John and Lillian Prince in 1952, Hollyn lived a life filled with love, compassion, and devotion to her family and…

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Employment: Bus Driver

July 9, 2025

Employment: Bus Driver West Shore Educational Service District has a position vacancy for a full-time Bus Driver. Must meet school bus driver state certification requirements. To view a complete job posting, visit our website at www.wsesd.org  Send cover letter, resume and credentials to: Human Resources, West Shore ESD, 2130 West US 10, Ludington, MI 49431 or via email to: humanresources@wsesd.org…

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Efforts to reduce US 10 speed in Custer continue

July 8, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief CUSTER — A push to reduce the speed of traffic on State Street (US 10) in Custer continues. Custer officials, residents and state legislators Sen. Jon Bumstead and Rep. Curt VanderWall met Monday, July 7, at Mason County Eastern High School. The legislators were presented letters from Mason County municipalities and agencies requesting the speed limit…

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Ludington awarded outstanding planning award

July 8, 2025

LUDINGTON — The City of Ludington has been awarded the Outstanding Best Practice Planning Excellence Award by the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP), the state chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). The award recognizes Ludington’s forward-thinking and community-centered approach to zoning reform, which was recently adopted after a nearly three-year process of research, collaboration, and public engagement. According to a press release from…

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Police news, posted July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com.  The following is police activity in Mason County Monday, July 7, 2025: 7:32 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), car/deer crash, no injury, Sugar Grove Road east of US 31, Sherman Township. 8:30 a.m., (MCSO), car/deer crash, no injury, Lincoln Road north of Decker…

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Obituary: Richard R. Brezinski, 96, of Ludington

July 8, 2025

Richard R. Brezinski, 96, passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Ludington Woods Assisted Living and Memory Care. He is survived by his son Daniel R. (Cheryl) Brezinski of Branch,; daughter Beth A. Brezinski of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and grandson Bryan D. Brezinski of East Lansing. Richard was born in Indiana in 1928 and the family moved to Michigan in…

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Recent births, published July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The birth announcements are a presentation of West Shore Bank, providing service to Mason, Oceana, Manistee, Muskegon, Benzie, and Grand Traverse counties; www.westshorebank.com.  Evelyn Rose Hill, the daughter of Haleigh and Stephen Hill Jr. of Branch, was born on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Ervin Joseph Del Tour, the son of Nicole Merten and Austin Del Tour of Fremont, was born on Friday,…

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Workshop to highlight inland lakes native and invasive species

July 8, 2025

LAKE COUNTY — The Mason-Lake Conservation District, Michigan State University Extension, and the Bass Lakes Area Environmental Partnership for an educational event focused on aquatic plant identification and lake management strategies. The program will teach participants how to identify both native and invasive aquatic vegetation found in Michigan’s inland lakes. A diver assisted suction harvest boat demonstration will also be…

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Candice Elise/Robert F. Deegan visit Ludington

July 7, 2025

This Great Lakes Boat Blog is presented by Filer Credit Union.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Monday, July 7, 2025 LUDINGTON — The tug/barge Candice Elise/Robert F. Deegan arrived at Ludington Harbor Monday, moments before the evening departure of the SS Badger. The tug/barge combo was heading to the Occidental Chemical (OxyChem) slip on Pere Marquette Lake. The duo makes frequent…

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Mason County man killed after shootout with Border Patrol in Texas

July 7, 2025

McALLEN, Texas — A 27-year-old Pere Marquette Township man was shot dead by U.S. Border Patrol agents after opening fire with an assault rifle on a U.S. Border Patrol station in the southern Texas city of McAllen early this morning, Monday, July 7, according to news reports. Ryan Louis Mosqueda fired dozens of rounds at the entrance of the facility…

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Sports Hall of Fame raffle winners

July 7, 2025

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The winners of the Mason County Sports Hall of Fame $500 raffle were recently presented checks at the Mason County Historical Society’s Historic White Pine Village. The drawing was held on Saturday, June 28 at Lincoln Hills Golf Club as part of the Class of 2025 Induction Banquet. The Mason County Sports Hall of Fame is…

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Man injured in dirt bike crash

July 7, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. GRANT TOWNSHIP —  A 26-year-old Muskegon man received “non-life-threatening injuries” after he crashed a dirt bike in the federal forest Friday, July 4, shortly before 1:30 p.m., said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The crash occurred on Federal Forest Road #8040, said the…

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Tinkham Avenue road work taking place this week

July 7, 2025

LUDINGTON — Road work will take place this week on Tinkham Avenue. Beginning Tuesday, July 8, Reith-Riley and its sub-contractor, Hallack Contracting of Hart, will begin milling and fill paving the street between Washington Avenue and Monona Drive. The road will be closed to traffic during construction but will be opened at the end of each work day. The project…

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Obituary: Lois Irene Haus, 98, of Ludington, formerly of Pentwater

July 7, 2025

Lois Irene (Pratt) Haus, 98, of Ludington, formerly of Pentwater, passed away on Thursday July 3, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Born March 12, 1927, in Scottville, Lois was the daughter of the late Ward and Hazel (Davis) Pratt. She graduated from Scottville High School, class of 1945, then went on to Central Michigan University where she received her master’s…

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Obituary: Thomas James Bentz, 30, of Scottville

July 7, 2025

Thomas James Bentz, 30, of Scottville, affectionately known as Tom, Tommy, Tbone and Bigbird, passed away on Monday, June 30, 2025 in Grand Rapids after a lifelong battle with congenital heart disease. He was born August 16, 1994, in Ludington. Tom lived a passionate life filled with generosity and a zest for simple pleasures. He was a 2012 graduate of Mason…

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Obituary: Jo Dereske, 77, of Ludington

July 7, 2025

Jo Dereske died on Saturday, July 5, 2025. She was born in Ludington on October 1, 1947, to John and June (Zemke) Dereske. She graduated from Mason County Central High School in Scottville in 1965, and received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Western Michigan University. Jo worked mainly as an academic librarian, but her true profession was writing.…

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Introducing the Great Lakes Boat Blog video and podcast channels

July 6, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief I am stepping outside of my comfort zone. While I began my career in radio in 1988, as a news stringer and board operator at WKZC radio, I quickly moved into newspaper. But, this week, as a way to share my interest in maritime history, I have introduced the Great Lakes Boat Blog video and podcast…

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Sheriff: Brake failure causes jet to overshoot runway

July 6, 2025

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — A jet ran off a runway this morning while landing at the Mason County Airport Sunday, July 6, around 10: 30 a.m. There were no injuries. The Embraer Phenom 300 twin jet, was landing on runway 26 at when it apparently overshot the runway. Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole said the jet was traveling from Chicago…

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Employment: Fork Lift Drivers

July 6, 2025

Employment: Fork Lift Drivers Indian Summer is hiring first and second shift Fork Lift Drivers for cherry season. First shift starting pay: $16 per hour Second shift starting pay: $17 per hour. Apply in person at Indian Summer 3958 W Chauvez Rd. Ludington. This is a paid posting. Published until July 22, 2025.

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Video: Celebrating 249 years of independence

July 5, 2025

Around the County is a presentation of Preferred Credit Union, www.preferredcu.org, located locally at 266 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington. Video by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Thousands of people attended the Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival fireworks Friday evening, the grand finale for Ludington’s Independence Day celebration, observing the 249th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.   _______________________…

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For 2 years, a car ferry operated between Ludington and the UP

July 5, 2025

This MCP Maritime History Blog is presented by Filer Credit Union and Mason County Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The Pere Marquette Railway car ferries, later the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad ferries, traveled to three Wisconsin ports, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, and Kewaunee, throughout most of their existence. However, there was a short time when rail…

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