Courts

Man pleads to charge after jury is seated

October 9, 2025

LUDINGTON — A 34-year-old man pleaded no contest to carrying a concealed weapon Wednesday, Oct. 8, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court after the jury for his criminal trial was seated. Richard David Shepherd, III, is scheduled for sentencing Nov. 8 at 9:30 a.m. Shepherd faces a maximum term of five years in prison for the conviction. “Jurors were present…

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Drug dealer sentenced to 13-32 years in prison

October 8, 2025

Dakota Wilber and co-conspirator Levi Richard were operating ‘a portable drug store’ at the time of their arrests. By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 35-year-old Muskegon man convicted of multiple drug felonies was sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Wednesday, Oct. 8, to 13-32 years in prison. Dakota Raymond Wilber was convicted by a jury last June…

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Contractor ordered to pay back homeowners over $42,000

October 7, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 50-year-old Irons man was ordered in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, Oct. 6, to pay back over $42,000 to the homeowners, including his former boss, he defrauded. Jason J. Noordhoek pleaded guilty last May to fraudulent use of building contract funds and was sentenced Monday by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski to…

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Woman accused of leading police on high-speed chase with motorcycle 

October 7, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — Katlin Marie Hammond, 32, of Custer was arraigned on charges of fleeing and eluding police, reckless driving and operating without insurance following a high-speed chase Saturday, Oct. 4, which ended after she reportedly struck a police car with the motorcycle she was riding. Hammond was arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court Monday,…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Oct. 3, 2025

October 3, 2025

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Andrew Leonard Lyewski, 34, pleaded no contest to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon May 21 and received a delayed sentence Sept. 30 of two days in jail with credit for two days served; 11 months probation; and $298 in fines and costs. Charges of assault…

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