Suspect nearly hits patrol car head-on while fleeing from police

October 6, 2025

SCOTTVILLE — A 34-year-old Custer man nearly hit a police car head-on during a high-speed chase Thursday morning, Oct. 2, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at 7:50 a.m., Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported domestic violence call at the Thornwild Apartments in the City of Scottville,” stated Sheriff Cole. “The…

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Police report, published Oct. 6, 2025

October 6, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com.  The following is recent police activity in Mason County: Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025: 11:40 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), two-vehicle crash, no injury, US 10 east of Gordon Road, Amber Township. 11:40 a.m., (MCSO), two-vehicle crash, no injury, US 10 east of Gordon…

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Applications open for chamber leadership initiative

October 6, 2025

LUDINGTON — The Chamber Alliance of Mason County is now accepting applications for the next cohort of Leadership Mason County, a six-month professional development program launching in January 2026. This initiative is designed to empower local professionals with the knowledge, skills, and connections to lead effectively in both their workplaces and the broader community. Professionals with a passion for growing…

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Obituary: Herbert Charles Schaner, 89, of Free Soil,

October 6, 2025

Herbert Charles Schaner, 89, of Free Soil, passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Known affectionately as Herb, he was born on May 13, 1936, in Hart, to the late Albert and Edna (Wilde) Schaner. Herb was married to Doris Jean Ohse on May 1, 1957. They shared many memorable years together until her passing on September 5, 2021. Herb…

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Working on the Badger: Keepers of the Legacy, Andy, Chase, and V

October 5, 2025

Part 4 Story by Mark Varenhorst, Contributing Writer Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LAKE MICHIGAN — On Tuesday, Sept. 29 2025, I boarded the S.S. Badger with my editor and friend Rob Alway. We were both covering that trip from different views and also from different crew members we spoke to along the way. In my earlier article I mentioned…

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West Shore Beekeepers to host A Taste of Honey

October 5, 2025

LUDINGTON — The West Shore Beekeepers Association will hold its A Taste of Honey event on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Ludington Senior Center, 308 S. Rowe St. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Event highlights include: Complimentary tastings of honey from regional apiaries A variety of bee products for sale, including honey, beeswax…

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Lumber day at White Pine Village

October 5, 2025

Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Historic White Pine Village celebrated the area’s lumber heritage Saturday, Oct. 4, with special lumber exhibits. The event was part of the weekend’s inaugural Ludington Lumber Days. Historic White Pine Village, which is operated by the Mason County Historical Society, is nearing the end of its season. Its last day will…

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Recent death: Lisa Ann (Schumacher) Scholten-Riley, 61, of Branch

October 5, 2025

  Lisa Ann (Schumacher) Scholten-Riley, 61, of Branch, died on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home. Her funeral service will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home.…

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Working on the Badger: Keepers of the Legacy – AB Max Hockanson

October 4, 2025

Part 3 By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LAKE MICHIGAN — Max Hockanson, 22, has been working on the S.S. Badger since he was 16-years-old. Now in his eighth year at Lake Michigan Carferry, he is an able bodied seaman working in the deck department. His duties even include steering the ship. His career has also expanded beyond working on the Badger…

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Badger’s Sunday sailing cancelled due to weather

October 4, 2025

LUDINGTON — Lake Michigan Carferry has announced the S.S. Badger will not be sailing on Sunday, Oct. 5 due to forecasting gale force winds with waves from 7 to 13 feet. “LMC understands the disappointment and inconvenience this decision causes and apologizes for the impact it has on travel plans,” a post on the company Facebook page stated. “While we…

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Employment: K-2 Instructional Assistants, MCC Schools

October 4, 2025

Employment: K-2 Instructional Assistants, MCC Schools Mason County Central School District is hiring Elementary (kindergarten through grade 2) Instructional Assistants for the current school year, 2025-2026. For details and to apply visit www.mccschools.org Job ID #634 This is a paid posting. Published until Oct. 20, 2025

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Working on the Badger: Keepers of the Legacy, part 2

October 3, 2025

MCP Great Lakes Boat Blog Story by Mark Varenhorst, MCP Contributing Writer Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LAKE MICHIGAN — Ludington is a maritime town.  It has been since its early days of lumber.  From the mid-19th century there have been ships that have worked this port village which became a city in 1873.  Those break-bulk ships evolved into the…

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MCC staff trains to keep students safe

October 3, 2025

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — While Mason County Central School District students had a day off of school, the school’s faculty and staff spent part of the day learning how to keep kids and fellow employees safe. Mason County Sheriff’s Office school…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Oct. 3, 2025

October 3, 2025

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Andrew Leonard Lyewski, 34, pleaded no contest to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon May 21 and received a delayed sentence Sept. 30 of two days in jail with credit for two days served; 11 months probation; and $298 in fines and costs. Charges of assault…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Oct. 3, 2025

October 3, 2025

By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Donald Scott Knowles, 54; possession of a controlled substance — methamphetamine/ecstasy, delivery/manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, two counts of felony firearms, and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person; arrested July 25 by Mason…

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Police news, published Oct. 3, 2025

October 3, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is activity of the Ludington Police Department Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025: 3:06 p.m., a 40-year-old Ludington woman was arrested on two failure to appear warrants, 700 block of Sixth Street, City of Ludington. She was lodged in the Mason County Jail.…

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Recent births, published Oct. 3, 2025

October 3, 2025

The birth announcements are a presentation of West Shore Bank, providing service to Mason, Oceana, Manistee, Muskegon, Benzie, and Grand Traverse counties; www.westshorebank.com.  Jind Kaur Singh, the daughter of Valerie and Navjot Singh of Ludington, was born on Friday, October 3, 3025. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.  List of 2024 births List of 2023 births   __________________________________…

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Police news, published Oct. 2, 2025

October 2, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com.  The following is recent police activity in Mason County: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025: 10:11 a.m., (Ludington Police Department), a 38-year-old Ludington man was arrested on a felony warrant issued by Wexford County’s 84th District Court, 600 block of North Lavinia Street, City of…

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Employment: 7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach

October 2, 2025

Employment: 7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach Mason County Central School District is accepting applications for a 7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach. For details and to apply go to www.mccschools.org. Job ID #631. This is a paid posting. Published until Oct. 18, 2025. 

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Recent death: Herbert Charles Schaner, 89, of Free Soil

October 2, 2025

Herbert Charles Schaner, 89, of Free Soil, died on Thursday, October 2, 2025. A Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be held on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Simon Catholic Church in Ludington with Rev. Wayne B. Wheeler, Jr. presiding. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at the church. Arrangements by Grace Funeral Home…

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Recent births, published Oct. 2, 2025

October 2, 2025

The birth announcements are a presentation of West Shore Bank, providing service to Mason, Oceana, Manistee, Muskegon, Benzie, and Grand Traverse counties; www.westshorebank.com.  Wesley John Simmons, the son of Paige and Dustin Simmons of Manistee, was born on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.  List of 2024 births List of 2023 births   __________________________________…

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