Nickelsons’ tree farm earns honor as conservation district’s 100th environmentally verified farm.

December 21, 2017

Nickelsons’ tree farm earns honor as conservation district’s 100th environmentally verified farm. AMBER TOWNSHIP — Needlefast Evergreens, 4075 W. Hansen Road, recently helped the Mason-Lake Conservation District reach a new milestone; the 100th verification for Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) in Mason, Lake and Manistee counties. The local tree seedling nursery, also operating Jim Nickelson’s Christmas Trees, is one of…

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WSCC winter semester registration underway.

December 21, 2017

WSCC winter semester registration underway. VICTORY TOWNSHIP — Registration for winter semester classes that begin Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, at West Shore Community College is open to both returning and new students. “Students who register early for classes have the best selection of courses, as well as day and time offerings available to them,” said WSCC Director of Enrollment and Student Engagement…

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Obituary: Rod Beckman, 69, Ludington.

December 20, 2017

Obituary: Rod Beckman, 69, Ludington. Rod (Rodger) Gregory Beckman September 18, 1948 – December 20, 2017 Rod Beckman was a loving husband, brother, uncle, son-in-law and friend. The beloved local disc jockey and sports announcer, age 69, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. Rod will be greatly missed by the love of his life, Traci (nee: Bowne); his…

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New state park playground equipment arrives; funds still needed.

December 20, 2017

New state park playground equipment arrives; funds still needed. HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — Santa’s helpers arrived at Ludington State Park Tuesday morning in the form of a semi-trailer loaded with playground equipment. The equipment is for a new highly-accessible playground planned for construction in June, 2018. First, Friends of Ludington State Park must raise approximately $70,000 in funds more for surfacing and installation…

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Amber Twp. fishery owner sent to prison for illegal fish deals.

December 20, 2017

Amber Twp. fishery owner sent to prison for illegal fish deals. #MasonCountyCrime. GRAND RAPIDS — An Amber Township man was sentenced Tuesday, Dec. 19, to four months in prison for illegally buying and selling Lake Michigan lake trout from a tribal fisherman. George Eugene Schrink, 55, owner of Walters Gold Coast Fisheries, 4728 W. Sixth St., pleaded guilty in U.S.…

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Shop with a Cop, helping create a special Christmas.

December 20, 2017

Shop with a Cop, helping create a special Christmas. #ShopWithACop. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The annual Shop with a Cop event took place Tuesday night at the Ludington Walmart. The event partnered 50 local children with police officers representing Ludington Police Department, Michigan State Police, Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Scottville Police Department, and U.S. Coast Guard.…

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51st Circuit Court sentencings, posted Dec. 20, 2017.

December 20, 2017

51st Circuit Court sentencings, posted Dec. 20, 2017. #MasonCountyCrime. By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer. LUDINGTON — The following were recently sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: -Nicholas David Wroble, 29, address listed as Mason County Jail, pleaded guilty October 24 to breaking and entering a building and was sentenced to 365 days in jail with credit for 99 days…

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Angel Program up and running at Hart post.

December 20, 2017

Angel Program up and running at Hart post. #MichiganStatePolice HART — In an attempt to assist people struggling with addiction and reduce drug demand, the Hart post of Michigan State Police (MSP) has now joined almost 200 police departments nation-wide in the Angel Program, a pre-arrest diversion program. The Angel Program allows someone with a drug addiction to walk into…

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79th District Court sentencings and dismissals, posted Dec. 20, 2017.

December 20, 2017

79th District Court sentencings and dismissals, posted Dec. 20, 2017. #MasonCountyCrime. By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer. LUDINGTON — The following were recently sentenced in Mason County’s 79th District Court: -Roy Daniel Purple, 62, of 463 E. US 10, Custer Township, pleaded guilty December 13 to attempted assault/resisting/obstructing police and was sentenced to 21 days in jail with credit for 21…

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79th District Court arraignments include breaking and entering.

December 20, 2017

79th District Court arraignments include breaking and entering. #MasonCountyCrime. By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Kevin Andrew Spoelma, 36, of 1039 Dunham St. NE, Grand Rapids, was arrested December 13 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) on felony charges of stealing/retaining a financial transaction device and…

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Prescription drug theft, car/deer crashes top police activity.

December 20, 2017

Prescription drug theft, car/deer crashes top police activity. #MasonCountyCrime BRANCH TOWNSHIP — The Hart post of the Michigan State Police investigated a larceny of prescription medication in the 800 block of East Decker Road Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 9:44 p.m., according to Sgt. Charles Hockanson. Other recent police activity in Mason County includes: Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017: – 7:23 a.m.,…

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Man avoids prison with dismissal of attempted murder charge.

December 19, 2017

Man avoids prison with dismissal of attempted murder charge. #MasonCountyCrime By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. LUDINGTON — A 27-year-old Sheridan Township man has avoided a prison sentence following the dismissal of attempted murder and first-degree home invasion charges in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Dec. 19. Marvin Lee Brault III, of 2273 N. Tallman Lake Rd., faces one year in jail after…

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Man faces prison for multi-township police chase. 

December 19, 2017

Man faces prison for multi-township police chase.  #MasonCountyCrime By Allison Scarbrough. Editor. LUDINGTON — A 40-year-old Victory Township man faces serving a minimum term of up to three years in prison after pleading guilty in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Dec. 19, to third-degree fleeing and eluding police. Michael Thomas Fargo, of 694 W. Sugar Grove Rd., led police on a…

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Homeless man faces jail for stealing phone charger, drug possession.

December 19, 2017
Homeless man faces jail for stealing phone charger, drug possession.

Homeless man faces jail for stealing phone charger, drug possession. #MasonCountyCrime By Allison Scarbrough. Editor. LUDINGTON — A 34-year-old homeless man faces serving one year in jail after pleading guilty to larceny in a building, marijuana possession and fourth-offense habitual offender in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Dec. 19. Fremont Kerricks, whose address is listed as “homeless” in his court file,…

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2 vehicle crash at US 10-31, Quarterline.

December 19, 2017

2 vehicle crash at US 10-31, Quarterline. #MasonCountyNews. AMBER TOWNSHIP — Three people appeared to be injured following a two vehicle crash today at the intersection of US 10-31 and Quarterline Road. The crash involved a Ford Focus and a GMC Safari minivan. According to a witness, the Focus pulled out of Quarterline Road into the path of the Safari.…

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Truck fire tops police activity.

December 19, 2017

Truck fire tops police activity. #MasonCountyCrime BRANCH TOWNSHIP — Michigan State Police troopers responded to a truck fire Monday, Dec. 18, shortly after 1 p.m. on US 10 near Budzynski Road. “One of the brakes caught on fire, but they were able to extinguish it,” said Sgt. Charles Hockanson. Custer and Branch fire departments responded to the call. Other police…

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Radiant Church to host Christmas Eve. community dinner.

December 19, 2017

Radiant Church to host Christmas Eve. community dinner. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.  LUDINGTON — Radiant Church, 409 S. Washington Ave., is hosting its third annual Christmas Eve Community Dinner this coming Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. The free dinner is open to anyone. “This is a way for our church to show the love of Christ,” Pastor Jerry Theis…

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Letter to the editor: In opposition of repealing net neutrality.

December 19, 2017

Letter to the editor: In opposition of repealing net neutrality. By Shayla Leonard and Roxy Jeffries, Scottville  The Federal Communications Commission has decided to repeal net neutrality, and I want to do something about it. Repealing net neutrality is going to leave a negative effect on both the economy and the people. I have a point to prove, and I…

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