Blog Archives

Jury deliberates in sexual assault trial

June 4, 2015
Jury deliberates in sexual assault trial

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The trial against a 34-year-old Ludington man accused of five counts of criminal sexual conduct (CSC) involving a female victim who was at 8 and 9 years old at the time of the alleged incidents ended shortly before 5 p.m. today, and the jury is currently deliberating. The prosecution and the defense each…

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Police respond to alarms, crashes

June 4, 2015
Police respond to alarms, crashes

The police news is sponsored by Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart),www.springsteadlaw.com. The following is local law enforcement activity June 3, 2015: – 6:08 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), alarm activation, 500 block of S. Pere Marquette Hwy., PM Twp. – 8:30 a.m., (Ludington Police Department), alarm activation, 5900 block of W. Sixth St. –…

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Victim testifies in sexual assault trial

June 3, 2015
Victim testifies in sexual assault trial

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The victim in a criminal sexual conduct case provided graphic testimony Wednesday, June 3, in 51st Circuit Court. The defendant, Benjamin Michael Bentz, 33, of Ludington is accused of five counts of criminal sexual conduct (CSC) involving a victim under 13 years old. “The jury was seated in the early afternoon,” stated Mason…

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Police handle assaults, disputes

June 3, 2015
Police handle assaults, disputes

The police news is sponsored by Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart),www.springsteadlaw.com. The following is local law enforcement activity June 2, 2015: – 1:10 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), unwanted person call, 1500 block of W. Countyline, Grant Twp., services rendered. – 12:06 p.m., (Michigan State Police, Hart post), family civil dispute over property, 6000…

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Hart woman is no-show for sentencing, believed to be jailed in another county

June 2, 2015
Hart woman is no-show for sentencing, believed to be jailed in another county

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 31-year-old Hart woman who was scheduled for sentencing in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, June 2, did not appear, and a bench warrant has been issued for her arrest. However, Judge Susan Sniegowski said Melinda Ann VanDerZanden is believed to be incarcerated in jail in another county. VanDerZanden pleaded guilty to first-degree retail…

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