Obituary: Charlotte Marie Betka, 95, of Ludington

February 8, 2026

Charlotte Marie Betka, 95, of Ludington, died Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Grace Valley Assisted Living in Kalamazoo.  She was born March 2, 1930, in Ludington. Charlotte grew up in Ludington and graduated from St. Simon High School.  She then attended Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, followed by Wayne State University where she earned her bachelor of…

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Co-op HS Hockey: Badgers have busy weekend with 1 loss, 1 win

February 8, 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. The Lakeshore Badgers played two games over the weekend, going up against the Capital City Caps in East Lansing on Friday and on home ice against the Kalamazoo Eagles on Saturday. The…

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Rev. John will be topic of next segment of historical society’s speaker series

February 7, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society will present the next installment of its 2026 speaker series on Wednesday, Feb. 11, telling the story of Reverend John Christensen. Historical society president and local historian James Jensen will tell the story about Reverend John Christensen, known simply as “Reverend John”, is featured on one of the Ludington Murals. Born in Denmark, Rev.…

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Recent death: Scott Jerome Russell, 86, of Custer

February 7, 2026

Scott Jerome Russell, 86, of Custer, died on Saturday, February 7, 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 daily…

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Varsity Wrestling: Spartan wrestlers have key victories at WMC meet

February 7, 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. MONTAGUE — Mason County Central wrestlers had some big wins Friday during the West Michigan Conference tournament hosted by Montague High School. Sophomore Wyatt Herwig defeated Whitehall’s Isaac O’Boyle 4-2 to win…

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Girls Varsity Basketball: MCC falls to Covenant Christian

February 7, 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. SCOTTVILLE — The Spartans gave it their all but couldn’t compete against Covenant Christian of Walker, falling Saturday 63-19. “Today we played a legitimate state title contender,” said MCC Coach Brent Lyon.…

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Gable and Rice are first Oriole female wrestlers to win conference titles

February 7, 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. MONTAGUE — The Ludington wrestling team turned in a historic and hard-fought performance at the West Michigan Conference wrestling tournament, highlighted by standout individual finishes and two unprecedented titles on the girls’…

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Varsity Boys Basketball: MCE falls to WM Lutheran

February 6, 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. Story and photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief CUSTER — Mason County Eastern fell to West Michigan Lutheran of Wyoming Friday 73-65. The Cardinals came out strong in the first quarter for their…

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School bus involved in early morning crash

February 6, 2026

AMBER TOWNSHIP — A school bus was severely damaged early Friday morning when it was involved in a crash with a pickup truck on US 10-31. The crash occurred about 5:40 a.m. in front of the West Shore Educational Service District’s Development Center, 2130 W. US 10-31. According to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, a West Shore ESD bus was…

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Varsity Girls Basketball: Orioles top Montague

February 6, 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. LUDINGTON — The Ludington Orioles defeated Montague Friday 54-25. “We had a great team win tonight against Montague,” said LHS Coach Warren Stowe. “The past two days of practice have been great and…

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Driver faces felony after passenger falls out of pickup truck

February 6, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 26-year-old man faces a felony charge of reckless driving causing serious impairment after a female passenger fell out of the pickup truck he was driving in Scottville last fall. Garrett Allen Michels was charged with the crime, Jan. 28, 2026, and turned himself in to authorities, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole.…

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Man incarcerated in prison for child sex crimes faces additional charges in Mason County

February 6, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 28-year-old man currently incarcerated in the Muskegon Correctional Facility for child sex crimes faces additional criminal charges in Mason County’s 79th District Court. Kenneth Herrick Spencer Kotarski is charged in Mason County with felonies of child sexually abusive commercial activity, using a computer to commit a crime (two counts) and accosting children…

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WSCC library displaying participatory studio book project

February 6, 2026

WSCC News is a presentation of West Shore Community College in partnership with Mason County Press.  VICTORY TOWNSHIP — West Shore Community College is displaying “Feminist Seed Bank Herbarium: A Participatory Studio Book Project” at the William M. Anderson Library. Curated by WSCC Professor of Visual Arts Eden Ünlüata-Foley, the exhibition features an 8-foot-long sculptural artist’s book created through a…

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Boys Varsity Swimming: LHS defeats Fremont

February 6, 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. FREMONT — Ludington Boys Swim team defeated Fremont on Thursday by a score of 57-37.  The Orioles won every individual event and two of the three relays. Event winners were the medley…

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Traffic Alert: Vehicle crash US 10, Custer Township

February 6, 2026

CUSTER TOWNSHIP, 4:02 p.m. — Report of a vehicle crash on US 10 near Tuttle Road. There are no injuries but vehicles involved in the crash are causing a traffic hazard.

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Varsity Wrestling: Orioles finish regular season with win over Oakridge; loss to Montague

February 6, 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. MUSKEGON — The Ludington Orioles finished their regular season Wednesday with a win against the Oakridge Eagles, 24-23 and a loss to the Montague Wildcats, 65-21. Key Oriole wins  against Oakridge came…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Feb. 6, 2026

February 6, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – Dwayne Gene Gardner, 21, third-offense domestic violence. Offense date: Jan. 31, 2026. Agency: Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Bail: $5,000/10 percent. Preliminary exam: Feb. 18 at 1:30 p.m. – Geoff Leigh Leverenz, 40, receiving and concealing stolen property and intent to pass false motor vehicle…

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Legal Notice: Michael Nickelson

February 6, 2026

Legal Notice: Michael Nickelson State of Michigan 51st Judicial Court – Family Division, Mason County Case No. 24-73-NA To Michael Nickelson In the matter of Gary Nickelson: A hearing regarding ADJUDICATION AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS will be conducted by the court on Feb. 26, 2026 to Feb. 27, 2026 at 1 p.m. in the Mason County Courthouse, 304 E.…

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Lakeshore Parenting Expo is Feb. 21

February 6, 2026

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP  — The Lakeshore Parenting Expo is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ludington Elementary School, 5771 W. Bryant Rd. The free, family-friendly event is designed to connect parents, caregivers, and expectant families with trusted local resources, services, and educational opportunities all in one place. Mike Jeruzal, keynote speaker, will speak at 9 a.m. followed…

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West Shore Bank employees raise over $13K for United Way

February 6, 2026

LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank’s employees recently raised $13,766.23 for United Way chapters within its service area.  The funds were distributed to the following United Way chapters: United Way of Mason County: $8,005.13 United Way of the Lakeshore: $1,866.00 United Way of Southeastern Michigan: $1,470.10 United Way of Northwest Michigan: $1,278.00 United Way of Manistee County: $1,147.00 “Your generosity made…

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Obituary: Ellen Rae (Durham) Schroeder, 70, of Ludington

February 6, 2026

Ellen Rae (Durham) Schroeder, 70, of Ludington, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026. Ellen was born on June 11, 1955, to the late Murle Durham and Frances (Lessard) Sauers.  For nearly 30 years she worked as a machinist at Whitehall Industries. For five years, she had been an intake coordinator at COVE. Ellen was a beloved mother, known for…

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