Courts

79th District Court arraignments, published Dec. 5, 2025

December 5, 2025

LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – James Shanklin, Jr., 62, a felony of possession of a narcotic or cocaine less than 25 grams and misdemeanors of operating an unregistered vehicle and open intoxicants in a vehicle. Offense date: Nov. 20, 2025. Agency: Mason County Sheriff’s Office. Bail: $5,000/personal. Preliminary exam: Dec.…

Read more »

Appeals court upholds woman’s embezzlement conviction

November 24, 2025

LANSING – The Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Jessica Englebrecht, 38, formerly of Scottville, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in a press release. Englebrecht was appointed as a guardian and/or conservator for multiple adults from 2017 to 2019.  During that time, she embezzled more than $20,000 from 10 vulnerable adults she was appointed to protect and…

Read more »

Man sentenced to 25-40 years in prison for fentanyl death

November 19, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 62-year-old Mason County man will spend the next 24 years in prison for delivering fentanyl to a man, causing his death. David James Monroe was sentenced to 25 to 40 years in prison for a conviction of delivery of fentanyl causing death for the death of William Willoughby, 52, of Ludington.  Monroe…

Read more »

Judge hands down prison terms in three drug cases

November 19, 2025

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced this week by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Orry Nicholas Fedewa, 31, pleaded guilty Sept. 16 to methamphetamine/ecstasy possession and two counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and was sentenced Nov. 18 to 23 months to 20 years in prison with credit for 437 days served and $334 in fines…

Read more »

Jury finds man guilty of police assault for spitting on officer 

November 18, 2025

David Southern was found not guilty of third-offense domestic violence By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 46-year-old man was found guilty by a jury of a felony charge of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police following a three-day trial in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Friday, Nov. 14. The jury, however, acquitted David Robert Southern with a not guilty verdict on a…

Read more »

Area Churches