News

Badger Friday sailing cancelled

October 10, 2025

LUDINGTON — The S.S. Badger’s Friday, Oct. 10 sailing has been cancelled due to weather conditions on Lake Michigan. Today’s Lake Michigan weather forecast is calling for south-southwest winds 18 to 24 knots (21 to 28 mph) becoming west in the afternoon with gusts reaching as high as 30 knots (34 mph); waves of 7 to 10 feet, occasionally reaching…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Oct. 10, 2025

October 10, 2025

By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Raymond Draper, 51; first-degree criminal sexual conduct (victim under age 13) and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct (victim under age 13); arrested Oct. 1 by Mason County Sheriff’s Office, arraigned Oct. 3; preliminary hearing: Oct. 22; bail: $50,000 cash.…

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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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Police news, published Oct. 9, 2025

October 9, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com.  The following is police activity in Mason County Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025: 4:49 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), alarm activation, Amber Township. 5:40 a.m., (MCSO), car/deer crash, no injury, Fountain Road east of LaSalle Road, Victory Township. 9:10 a.m., (MCSO), car/deer crash, no…

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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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