Courts

Appeals court overturns Rotta lawsuit against Ludington charter vote

February 22, 2024

Appeals court overturns Rotta lawsuit against Ludington charter vote By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief GRAND RAPIDS — After two years of court battles, the City of Ludington can move forward with its charter revision commission. A three-judge Michigan Court of Appeals panel overturned a 51st Circuit Court ruling that favored Ludington resident Tom Rotta, who had claimed election fraud against the…

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Man found guilty of stalking probation officer

February 20, 2024

Man found guilty of stalking probation officer By Allison Scarbrough, Editor LUDINGTON — A 49-year-old man was found guilty of aggravated stalking and using a computer to commit a crime following a bench trial last week in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court. Lance Craig Eichler, who stalked a female probation agent, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, according…

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51st Circuit Court sentencings, posted Feb. 19, 2024

February 19, 2024

51st Circuit Court sentencings, posted Feb. 19, 2024   LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Douglas Paul Horacek, 43, pleaded “no contest” Oct. 4, 2023 to assault with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced Feb. 13, 2024 to six months in jail with credit for three days served; three years probation; and…

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79th District Court arraignments, posted Feb. 19, 2024

February 19, 2024

79th District Court arraignments, posted Feb. 19, 2024 By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Misdemeanors -Rachael Jean Hansen, 30, truancy; arrested Sept. 12 by Mason County Sheriff’s Office; arraigned Feb. 8; pretrial: Feb. 26; bail: $250 cash. -Ruth Rebecca Rees Ziemkoski, 54; improper license plates; arrested Jan. 5…

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Woman pleads guilty to stealing mother’s jewelry

February 16, 2024

Woman pleads guilty to stealing mother’s jewelry LUDINGTON — A 43-year-old woman pleaded guilty in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Feb. 13, to two counts of  larceny in a building and one count of larceny $1,000-$20,000 for stealing jewelry from her mother’s Ludington home. Cristina Viola Sotomayor admitted to Judge Susan K. Sniegowski that she stole the jewelry during…

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