Obituary: Gerry Lee Gribble, 92, of Pentwater and Rensselaer, Ind.

January 26, 2026

Gerry Lee Gribble, 92, of Pentwater and Rensselaer, Ind. was born May 21, 1933, in Sioux City, Iowa and passed away on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Ludington Woods in Ludington. He was the only son of Vernon and Kathleen (Engle) Gribble and raised in Muncie, Ind. On June 13, 1954, he married Barbara Ann Carson, and their cherished marriage…

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Obituary: Daniel Vito Astrowski, 96, of Ludington

January 26, 2026

Daniel Vito Astrowski, 96, of Ludington, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Daniel was born on March 14, 1929, in Chicago, the son of the late Jospeh and Lillian Astrowski. He attended Kelly High School in Chicago. Daniel married Doris “Dori” Shafer on June 25, 1954, at the Scottville United Methodist Church. Daniel worked at C&O Railway for 20…

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Obituary: Kenneth Samuel Hoadley, 64, of Free Soil

January 26, 2026

Kenneth Samuel Hoadley, 64, passed away early in the morning on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at his home in Free Soil. Born April 4, 1961 in Manistee to Samuel and Bernadette Hoadley, Ken was the brother of Mary (Rick) Tyler, Roseann Sanders, and Daniel Hoadley. He also leaves behind nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and numerous friends. Kenneth was preceded…

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Recent death: Lorree Kay (Hammond) Keating, 70, of Ludington

January 26, 2026

Lorree Kay (Hammond) Keating, 70, of Ludington, died on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Arrangements were entrusted to 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…

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Employment: Financial Aid Support Specialist

January 26, 2026

Employment: Financial Aid Support Specialist West Shore Community College (WSCC) seeks a positive and outcome-focused professional to join our Financial Aid team. This team member must enjoy a fast-paced work environment, have strong interpersonal and communication skills, be skillful in empathizing, understanding, and practicing compassion for others, and be able to multi-task with accuracy. WSCC offers a full benefits package…

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We need your help

January 25, 2026

Folks, we really need your help. We are asking for you to make a small monthly investment in order for us to continue to provide you with local news and sports coverage. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are news services that operate with only two full time staff members. Two people cover the news and local sports of…

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Obituary: Marjorie Elaine Morang of Free Soil

January 25, 2026

Marjorie Elaine Morang, known affectionately as Margie, passed away on January 20, 2026, at her home in Free Soil. Born in Manistee, she lived a rich and fulfilling life characterized by her roles as a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and a strong-willed individual. Margie attended Manistee High School and began her career as a seamstress at Glen of Michigan and…

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Today in Mason County’s History: Jan. 24, 1906

January 24, 2026

In celebration of the semiquincentennial of the United States, Mason County Press and the Mason County Historical Society present a new weekly series: This Week in Mason County History. This series will feature historic headlines and stories from a select newspaper that is in the historical society’s Rose Hawley Archives. Compiled by Rob Alway, Mason County Press Editor-in-Chief The following…

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Co-op Hockey: Badgers defeat Cheboygan

January 24, 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. CHEBOYGAN — Sub-zero temperatures didn’t stop the Lakeshore Badgers hockey team from heading north this weekend. The Lakeshore Badgers took on the Cheboygan Chiefs Saturday, winning 7-4.  \ The game was fairly…

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Varsity Boys Basketball: LHS defeats Elk Rapids at Cadillac weekend showcase

January 24, 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. CADILLAC — Ludington participated in Jeff McDonald Memorial Showcase at Cadillac High School on Saturday. The Orioles defeated Elk Rapids 65-55. Kyle Himes kept the Orioles in the game knocking down three…

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Varsity Boys Basketball: Bear Lake tops Eastern

January 24, 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. BEAR LAKE — Bear Lake handed a tough loss to Mason County Eastern Saturday, 76-41. “It took us too long to wake up,” said MCE Coach Auston Boundy. “The Lakers started with…

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Repeat offender arraigned on multiple drug charges

January 23, 2026

LUDINGTON — Allen Mallison, 37, of Ludington was arraigned today in 79th District Court on multiple drug charges in relation to an arrest that occurred at a local hotel. Mallison was arrested by Mason County sheriff’s deputies Friday morning, Jan. 23, after they followed up on a tip related to possible drug activity at a local hotel on US 10,…

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Nearly 200 students participate in 41st Math Counts competition

January 23, 2026

West Shore School News is a presentation of West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief VICTORY TOWNSHIP — The 41st Math Counts competition was held Thursday, Jan. 22 at West Shore Community College. The event included 197 middle school students from 14 schools. The event is coordinated by…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Jan. 23, 2026

January 23, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – Kayla Jean Johnson, 33, two counts of methamphetamine/ecstasy possession and two counts of possession of a narcotic or cocaine less than 25 grams. Offense dates: Aug. 10, 2025 and Dec. 1, 2025. Agency: Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Bail: $10,000/10 percent. Preliminary exam: Feb. 4…

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Traffic Alert: US 31 freeway closed due to crash

January 23, 2026

SUMMIT TOWNSHIP — 1:15 p.m: The southbound lane of US 31 freeway in Mason County is currently closed due to a vehicle crash.

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Traffic Alert: Vehicle crash, US 31 and Hoague Road

January 23, 2026

GRANT TOWNSHIP, 1:33 p.m.: Report of an additional two vehicle crash on North US 31, at Hoague Road. US 31 at that intersection is blocked off. Emergency personnel are on scene on a vehicle crash on US 31 at Free Soil Road as well. ______________________________________ Please Support Local News and Sports Coverage Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along…

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Traffic alert: two-vehicle crash on US 31

January 23, 2026

GRANT TOWNSHIP — Emergency crews responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 31 near Free Soil Road Friday, Jan. 23, shortly before 1 p.m. ___________________ Please Support Local News and Sports coverage Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your contribution will help us to continue to provide you with free…

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Man arrested carrying 40 grams of meth, fentanyl, cocaine in backpack

January 23, 2026

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — A 37-year-old Mason County man was arrested by Mason County sheriff’s deputies Friday morning, Jan. 23, after they followed up on a tip related to possible drug activity at a local hotel on US 10, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. At 1:30 a.m., a deputy spotted a “subject of interest” walking quickly away. “When approaching…

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Community foundation accepting grant applications

January 23, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Community Foundation for Mason County and the Youth Advisory Council are accepting applications for two spring grant opportunities. Through its Campaign for Mason County and community supporters, the Community Foundation has more than $120,000 in grant funding available for this cycle. “We are deeply grateful to the generous donors whose vision and support allow us to address…

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Reek Road closed due to flooding

January 23, 2026

CUSTER TOWNSHIP — The Mason County Road Commission has advised that Reek Road at Indian Bridge, between First Street and East Conrad Road is currently closed to all traffic due to flooding of the Pere Marquette River. ____________________ Please Support Local News and Sports Coverage Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a…

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WSCC asking students, staff to re-register CodeRED for emergency alerts

January 23, 2026
WSCC asking students, staff to re-register CodeRED for emergency alerts

WSCC News is a presentation of West Shore Community College in partnership with Mason County Press.  VICTORY TOWNSHIP — West Shore Community College uses CodeRED, an emergency notification system that has recently been updated and rebranded. As a result of this update, all faculty, staff, students and community members must re-enroll to continue receiving emergency alerts from the college. CodeRED allows WSCC to…

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