News

Woman sentenced to 6-40 years in prison for dealing meth

December 5, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 51-year-old woman was sentenced to 72 months (six years) to 40 years in prison for a conviction of delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Dec. 2. April Lynn Somsel, who was on parole at the time of the offense, pleaded guilty to the charge, Oct. 22. Her sentence…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Dec. 5, 2025

December 5, 2025

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court this week: – Bryan Rojalio Escareno, 45, pleaded guilty Oct. 14 to possession of methamphetamine/ecstasy and third-offense habitual offender and was sentenced Dec. 2 to 15 months to 20 years in prison with credit for 99 days served and $198 in fines and costs. One count of felony…

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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.…

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Police news, published Dec. 5, 2025

December 5, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is Mason County Sheriff’s Office activity Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025: 1:16 a.m., car/deer crash, no injury, US 10 east of Poplar Road, Custer Township. 6:40 a.m., car/deer crash, no injury, US 31 freeway north of Pere Marquette Highway off-ramp, Pere Marquette…

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Lighthouse keepers announce Big Sable Point Lighthouse restoration campaign

December 4, 2025

HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — A $450,000 fundraising campaign has started to preserve the brick exterior of the keeper’s dwelling at Big Sable Point Lighthouse located in Ludington State Park. The initiative will remove the decades-old layers of exterior paint using a chemical process to avoid further degradation, address the organic growth that has formed between the paint and brick, restore the…

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