Probation violation leads to prison; boot camp likely.

March 22, 2016
Probation violation leads to prison; boot camp likely.

By Allison Scarbrough. Courts/Police Editor. LUDINGTON — A 24-year-old Ludington man was sentenced to concurrent prison terms of 21-360 months and 16-48 months for probation violation Tuesday, March 22, in 51st Circuit Court. Dustin Michael Jewett, of 814 E. Filer St., received credit for 167 days served in jail in the first file and 372 days served in jail in…

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Fugitive arrest among police activity.

March 22, 2016
Fugitive arrest among police activity.

The following is recent activity in Mason County of the Michigan State Police, Hart post, Monday, March 21, 2016: – 4 a.m., car/deer crash, US 31 and Townline Rd., Grant Township. – 2:45 p.m., malicious destruction of property, 1000 block of Independence Dr., Amber Township. – 6:44 p.m., a 34-year-old Ludington man was arrested on a fugitive warrant, Ludington Ave.…

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Recent death, reported March 22, 2016.

March 22, 2016

Dorothy M. Merkey, 81, of Ludington, passed away March 21, 2016.  Arrangements by King Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Ludington. See full list of 2016 deaths here. 

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Changes to Social Security could impact retirement benefits

March 22, 2016

LUDINGTON – West Shore Bank is recommending that people between the ages of 62 and 66 years of age evaluate their retirement strategies due to the possible impact caused by the Bipartisan Budget Act, approved by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015. As a result of the Bipartisan Budget Act, certain filing strategies will no longer be available to…

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New Michigan Works position to help area businesses.

March 21, 2016
New Michigan Works position to help area businesses.

SHELBY – Michigan Works! West Central is pleased to announce the appointment of Merri Bennett in the newly-created role of business services specialist. In her role, Bennett will represent Michigan Works! West Central in partnering with area economic development, education, and training organizations to help better serve businesses in Mason and Oceana counties. “We are very excited to add this…

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Break-ins, shoplifting arrests among police activity.

March 21, 2016
Break-ins, shoplifting arrests among police activity.

The following is local law enforcement activity over the weekend: Friday, March 18, 2016: – 5:55 p.m., (Ludington Police Department), criminal sexual conduct (CSC), 300 block of N. Rath Ave., City of Ludington. – 3 p.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), breaking and entering, an undisclosed amount of cash reportedly stolen, 900 block of West Hansen Road, Amber Township. – 6…

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Ludington man dies after US 31 crash.

March 19, 2016

WEARE TOWNSHIP (Oceana County) — A 34-year-old Ludington man died Saturday following a two vehicle crash at US 31 and Oceana Drive. A preliminary investigation by Michigan State Police Hart Post indicates that William Charles Sielski was in the process of making a left turn from the top of the north bound US 31 exit ramp at Oceana Drive when…

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Life Circles: This woman’s work.

March 19, 2016
Life Circles: This woman’s work.

Life Circles by Stephanie Wagner.   Since my intro article ran last weekend, I have been diligently seeking out women willing to be interviewed. Almost all of them have agreed, and all of them reluctantly. “I don’t really have a story.” Or “I’m just not that interesting….” Lisa Cooper was no exception. Lisa and I have known each other for…

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Crash victim and boyfriend had been in verbal disagreement prior to crash. Speed was factor, MSP says.

March 18, 2016
Crash victim and boyfriend had been in verbal disagreement prior to crash. Speed was factor, MSP says.

By Rob Alway and Allison Scarbrough of MCP staff. HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — More details have come out about a crash on M-116 (North Lakeshore Drive) that occurred Wednesday night and caused serious injury to a 20-year-old woman. Michigan State Police issued a press release today stating that the investigators have determined that Shelby Sowle and her 22-year-old boyfriend had been…

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79th District Court arraignments include assaulting officers, delivering drugs.

March 18, 2016
79th District Court arraignments include assaulting officers, delivering drugs.

The court news is sponsored by Emelander Law Firm, PC, serving Oceana, Mason and Newaygo counties. Office: 231.303.5005; Cell: 231.303.0905. www.emelanderlaw.com. By Allison Scarbrough. Courts/Police Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies – David Darrell Duquette, 60, of 1000 E. Tinkham Ave., Ludington, was arrested March 13 by the Mason…

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79th District Court sentencings.

March 18, 2016
79th District Court sentencings.

The court news is sponsored by Emelander Law Firm, PC, serving Oceana, Mason and Newaygo counties. Office: 231.303.5005; Cell: 231.303.0905. www.emelanderlaw.com. By Allison Scarbrough. Courts/Police Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Shelly Renee Lawton, 55, of 2522 N. Sherman Road, Hamlin Township, was found guilty March 8 of embezzlement $200-$1,000 and sentenced to…

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51st Circuit Court sentencings include tether tampering, gun crimes.

March 18, 2016
51st Circuit Court sentencings include tether tampering, gun crimes.

The court news is sponsored by Emelander Law Firm, PC, serving Oceana, Mason and Newaygo counties. Office: 231.303.5005; Cell: 231.303.0905. www.emelanderlaw.com. By Allison Scarbrough. Courts/Police Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 51st Circuit Court: – Eric Zelek Hoggs, 40, of 724 E. Filer St., Ludington, was found guilty Feb. 3 of interfering with an electronic monitoring device…

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Ludington mortician faces additional charges after more cremains found at Whitehall funeral home.

March 18, 2016
Ludington mortician faces additional charges after more cremains found at Whitehall funeral home.

WHITEHALL — A Ludington funeral home owner is being investigated by law enforcement to determine if he made a business mistake or defrauded an area family, according to a report by our partners at WZZM-TV 13 of Grand Rapids. Thomas Clock III, continues to be the subject of an on-going investigation by the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office. Clock owns Clock Funeral Home…

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Fugitive arrest among police activity.

March 18, 2016
Fugitive arrest among police activity.

The following is local law enforcement activity Thursday, March 17, 2016: – 8:30 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), car/deer crash, no injuries, Fountain and Stephens roads, Sherman Township. – Noon, (Michigan State Police, Hart post), fugitive arrest, 500 block of W. Maple St., City of Scottville.  – 12:30 p.m., (MCSO), missing person, unfounded, 3600 block of N. Taylor Road, Sheridan…

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MCE presents “The Fall of Lizzie Borden” tonight, Saturday.

March 18, 2016
MCE presents “The Fall of Lizzie Borden” tonight, Saturday.

FOUNTAIN — The Mason County Eastern Drama Club will perform “The Fall of Lizzie Borden” tonight and Saturday at Sherman Town Hall. Tickets are $5 per person. Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. The play is based on Lizzie Borden, who was an American woman who was tried and acquitted for the 1892 axe murders of her father and her stepmother…

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Consumers Energy donation helps maritime museum project move forward.

March 18, 2016
Consumers Energy donation helps maritime museum project move forward.

LUDINGTON — The Consumers Energy Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to Mason County Historical Society’s new Port of Ludington Maritime Museum Thursday, March 17, 2016. The grant was awarded to recognize the organization’s contribution in enhancing the area’s cultural and historic development. “This generous grant from The Consumer Energy Foundation will help to hasten our opening and ensure that the…

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Welcome to the world! Births reported March 18, 2016.

March 18, 2016

Recent births are brought to you by Shelby Gem Factory. See more information about these fine businesses below.  Births took place at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, unless indicated otherwise.  Jaxxon William James Kirk Andrews-Taylor, the son of Katie Wicks and Lucas Andrews-Taylor, was born March 14, 2016. Chase Porter Britz, the son of Natalie Britz of Ludington, was born March 14, 2016. Amelia…

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Recent deaths, reported March 18, 2016.

March 18, 2016

Irene (Clara) Graczyk, 76, of Ludington passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Ludington Woods Living Center of Ludington. Arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Ludington. Doris Papes, 90, of Ludington, passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2016. Arrangements by King Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Ludington. See full list of 2016 deaths here. 

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Mom 2 Mom Sale, April 16.

March 18, 2016

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and MOMSnext of Ludington is gearing up for the 10th Mom 2 Mom Sale to be held at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 121 Nelson Rd. in Ludington from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 16, 2016.  Admission is a $2 per person donation; kids under 12 are free and strollers are welcome. The event is a specialized, high quality group yard and bake sale, it is…

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A look at diversifying your investment portfolio.

March 18, 2016
A look at diversifying your investment portfolio.

The Financial Minute is sponsored by SSB Financial Services located at Shelby State Bank, with offices in Shelby, Hart, Pentwater, Ludington, Manistee, Hesperia, North Muskegon and Fruitport. www.ssbfinancialservices.com Ancient Chinese merchants are said to have developed a unique way to reduce their risk. They would divide their shipments among several different vessels. That way, if one ship were to sink…

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Mary Alway announces candidacy for County Clerk.

March 17, 2016
Mary Alway announces candidacy for County Clerk.

AMBER TOWNSHIP — Mary B Alway has announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for Mason County Clerk. Alway and her husband, Thomas, have lived in Mason County all their lives. They have three adult daughters. She was raised on her family’s farm, Berndt Hillside Farm, on the corner of Fountain Road and US 31 in Sherman Township. Alway graduated…

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