Riemer suing Ludington over construction stop order

October 13, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — A lawsuit filed against the City of Ludington on behalf of Dr. Andrew Riemer’s real estate company, ASR Real Estate, LLC, was filed today in 51st Circuit Court. The case is in response to the city’s stop order of AndyS Restaurant, 129 W. Ludington Ave. at the intersection of Ludington and Rath avenues. In…

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The shipwrecks of 1929: Sinking of Milwaukee was worst car ferry disaster

October 13, 2025

Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union with offices in Manistee, Ludington, East Lake, and Bear Lake and the Mason County Historical Society, which operates the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, Historic White Pine Village and the Rose Hawley Archives in downtown Ludington. Part 2: S.S. Milwaukee By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The last four months of 1929…

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Man arrested for OWI after allegedly running over passenger who fell out of car

October 13, 2025

BRANCH TOWNSHIP — A 49-year-old Custer man was arrested for operating while intoxicated after allegedly running over a 62-year-old man’s leg Sunday night, Oct. 12, at Walhalla and Reid roads, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “According to a witness, the driver was driving recklessly, and the passenger somehow fell out of the car and then the car ran…

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LES students pledge to stop bullying

October 13, 2025

LUDINGTON — Last week Kevin Kimes of Lock Out USA presented an anti-bullying assembly, Not in My School, to Ludington Elementary School. Kimes created the program while serving as Mason County Central Upper Elementary Principal for 19 years. During the assembly, Kimes talked to the students about how to deal with a bully and what examples of bullying are. A…

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13-year-old apprehended by police after crashing vehicle

October 13, 2025

CUSTER TOWNSHIP — A 13-year-old boy was apprehended by troopers from the Michigan State Police Hart post Saturday, Oct. 11, around noon after he allegedly “operated a vehicle that resulted in a slide-off crash without injury,” said MSP Sgt. Michael Cuevas. The crash occurred on Sippy Road near Deer Cove Road, said Sgt. Cuevas. The boy was turned over to…

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Recent death: Ida Verda (Case) Ramsey, 83, of Ludington

October 13, 2025

  Ida Verda (Case) Ramsey, 83, of Ludington, died on Sunday October 12, 2025. Arrangements by Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, formerly Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.GraceCremations.com. 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…

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Obituary: Deborah Diane Kaminski, 72, of Fountain

October 13, 2025

Deborah Diane (Shoup) Kaminski, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the age of 72. Born on February 27, 1953, she lived a life full of love, laughter, and unfaltering strength. Deb shared a beautiful 54-year marriage with her husband, Floyd, filled with love, laughter, and unwavering devotion. She was known for her kindness,…

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Recent death: Steven Scott Thorne, 63, of Ludington

October 13, 2025

  Steven Scott Thorne, 63, of Ludington, died on Saturday, October 11, 2025. Arrangements by Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, formerly Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.GraceCremations.com. 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…

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Runaway girl found in Port Austin and is back home

October 12, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART —  A 16-year-old Oceana County girl who ran away from home and had been missing for nearly a week has been found and is back home, according to Michigan State Police Sgt. Michael Cuevas. Toriann Marie Shirey is back home safe, said Sgt. Cuevas Sunday morning, Oct. 12. Toriann was found at a home…

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Working on the Badger: Keepers of the Legacy, Capt. Ed Wiltse, ship’s master

October 11, 2025

Part 6 By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Bernard “Bunny” Robertson, Bjoruin “Lindy” Johnson, Ernest Barth, John Bissell, Bruce Masse, Gregg Anderson, Dean Hobbs, Kevin Fitch. Those are just some of the men who have been the masters of the S.S. Badger, the last of a long line of car ferries based out of Ludington. In 2023, another captain joined…

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VIDEO: MCC Marching Band has successful week of competition

October 11, 2025

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press. SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central Marching Band has had a successful week of competition earning high ratings. On Wednesday, Oct. 8, the band performed at the Michigan Band and Orchestra Association district marching band competition at Big Rapids High School, earning a…

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Senior centers receive grant for digital tablets

October 11, 2025

SCOTTVILLE — Mason County’s four senior activities centers now have digital tablets available for seniors to use for internet access and other online activities. The new tablets are courtesy of a grant from the Ludington Rotary Club. Seniors will be able to use the devices at the senior centers. The local Rotary club provided a grant of up to $5,000,…

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Recent death: Judy Louise Amador, 65, of Houston, Texas, formerly of Ludington

October 11, 2025

Judy Louise Amador, 65, of Houston, Texas, formerly of Ludington, died on Thursday, September 11, 2025. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at noon at Grace Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 11am at the funeral home. Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, www.GraceCremations.com.   Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of 2024…

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MCC homecoming court

October 10, 2025

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press.   SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central School District will celebrate its homecoming spirit week Oct. 13 to 18. Throughout the week, the schools will hold special spirit week activities. The Mason County Central 2025 homecoming court includes front, from left: Avery Miller, freshman…

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97-year-old historic tug visits Ludington

October 10, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Boat watchers were in for a treat Friday as the historic tug Olive L. Moore and its paired barge, Menominee visited the Port of Ludington to deliver road aggregate to the Rieth-Riley Construction dock. The Olive L. Moore was built as the John F. Cushing in 1928 by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co. in Manitowoc,…

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Badger Friday sailing cancelled

October 10, 2025

LUDINGTON — The S.S. Badger’s Friday, Oct. 10 sailing has been cancelled due to weather conditions on Lake Michigan. Today’s Lake Michigan weather forecast is calling for south-southwest winds 18 to 24 knots (21 to 28 mph) becoming west in the afternoon with gusts reaching as high as 30 knots (34 mph); waves of 7 to 10 feet, occasionally reaching…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Oct. 10, 2025

October 10, 2025

By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Raymond Draper, 51; first-degree criminal sexual conduct (victim under age 13) and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct (victim under age 13); arrested Oct. 1 by Mason County Sheriff’s Office, arraigned Oct. 3; preliminary hearing: Oct. 22; bail: $50,000 cash.…

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Man pleads to charge after jury is seated

October 9, 2025

LUDINGTON — A 34-year-old man pleaded no contest to carrying a concealed weapon Wednesday, Oct. 8, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court after the jury for his criminal trial was seated. Richard David Shepherd, III, is scheduled for sentencing Nov. 8 at 9:30 a.m. Shepherd faces a maximum term of five years in prison for the conviction. “Jurors were present…

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Police news, published Oct. 9, 2025

October 9, 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 Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025: 4:49 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), alarm activation, Amber Township. 5:40 a.m., (MCSO), car/deer crash, no injury, Fountain Road east of LaSalle Road, Victory Township. 9:10 a.m., (MCSO), car/deer crash, no…

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Drug dealer sentenced to 13-32 years in prison

October 8, 2025

Dakota Wilber and co-conspirator Levi Richard were operating ‘a portable drug store’ at the time of their arrests. By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 35-year-old Muskegon man convicted of multiple drug felonies was sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Wednesday, Oct. 8, to 13-32 years in prison. Dakota Raymond Wilber was convicted by a jury last June…

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Scottville sculpture to be unveiled Oct. 18

October 8, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — The unveiling of the latest addition to the Mason County Sculpture Trail will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18 at noon when the unveiling of “The Big Noise” sculpture takes place at the recently renovated Scottville Optimist Park, located adjacent to the former Scottville Optimist Building. The sculpture and park renovations are projects led…

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