Courts

Jury finds man guilty of assaulting police officers

June 5, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 42-year-old man was found guilty by a jury Thursday, June 4, of two counts of assaulting/resisting/opposing police following a jury trial that began Wednesday, June 3, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court. Nathanial Carl Tjapkes had been told by the owner of Brite N Clean Laundromat “that he was not welcome on…

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79th District Court felony arraignments, published June 5, 2026

June 5, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned on felony charges in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Richard Lee James, 55, malicious destruction of property $1,000-$20,000. Offense date: Jan. 14, 2026. Agency: Michigan State Police (MSP). Bail: $5,000/personal recognizance (PR). Probable cause hearing: June 17 at 1 p.m. Tasha Lynn Orcutt, 44, organized retail crime. Offense date: Dec. 31, 2025. Agency:…

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Roofer ordered to pay back over $14,000 to elderly woman he scammed

May 28, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 26-year-old man who was hired by an elderly Ludington woman to put a new roof on her house was ordered by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, May 26, to pay back the $14,129 he scammed from her. Brennan Todd Morley received a delayed sentence for a…

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Woman shows up late for court, tests positive for drugs

May 27, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 48-year-old Grand Rapids woman was arrested by Mason County sheriff’s deputies after she reportedly showed up late for a court hearing and tested positive for drugs Tuesday morning, May 26, at the Mason County Courthouse, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. Mara Lee Teran was charged with contempt of court and sentenced…

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Jury finds woman guilty of parental kidnapping

May 21, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A jury found a 38-year-old woman guilty of kidnapping—custodial interference, more commonly known as parental kidnapping, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Thursday, May 21. Amy Lynn Churchill failed to return her 4-year-old son to his father, who is the custodial parent, on Christmas morning in 2023, said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth…

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