Confession of a killer

February 21, 2014
Confession of a killer

Editor’s note about our legal system. A confession to a police officer is not enough for a person to be convicted of a crime. Every person in this country accused of a crime has a right to a trial.  By Lisa Enos. MCP Correspondent. LUDINGTON — Eric Knyzs waved his miranda rights and spoke to Michigan State Police Detective Gary Green…

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Knysz’s recorded confession played in court

February 21, 2014
Knysz’s recorded confession played in court

LUDINGTON — Eric Knysz’s words were heard for the first time in court today. A recording made by arresting officer Sgt. Gary Green of the Michigan State Police was played to the jury. “I want you to tell your story, I want you to tell me,” Green said to Eric, who was laying in a hospital bed at Munson Medical…

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‘He said he killed a fu*@in’ cop’

February 21, 2014
‘He said he killed a fu*@in’ cop’

  LUDINGTON — Friends of Eric and Sarah Knysz testified this afternoon in 51st Circuit Court. They talked about what Eric Knysz told them when he and Sarah stopped at their Wellston home the evening of Sept. 9, 2013. “He said that he killed a fu#*in cop,” Deborah Harris said. Deborah and Mark Harris both agreed that Eric seemed nervous.…

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Detective links fingerprints to Eric & Sarah Knysz

February 21, 2014
Detective links fingerprints to Eric & Sarah Knysz

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — A Michigan State Police fingerprint examiner identified several pieces of evidence that linked Eric Knysz to the murder weapon used on Trooper Paul Butterfield. He also linked Knysz to at least two of the other charges against the 20-year-old during testimony in 51st Circuit Court this afternoon. In addition to being charged with first…

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WSCC dean’s list

February 21, 2014
WSCC dean’s list

VICTORY TWP. – West Shore Community College has released its Dean’s List for the 2013 Fall Semester.  Full-time students achieving a semester grade point average of 3.75 or above receive high honors and full-time students with a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.749 receive honors. Part-time students are eligible for the Dean’s List when their accumulating grade point averages meet…

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MSP evidence techs testify

February 21, 2014
MSP evidence techs testify

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.   This post contains photographs that were taken of the blood stains at the crime scenes.  LUDINGTON — The third day of testimony in the murder trial of 43-year-old Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield is underway. On trial is Eric John Knysz, 20, of Irons who has been charged with first degree murder of a peace…

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Northbound 31 temporarily closed near Rothbury

February 21, 2014

ROTHBURY — Law enforcement has closed north bound U.S. 31 expressway at Winston Road in Oceana County beginning at 11:35 a.m. for approximately 45 minutes.  North bound traffic will be forced to exit at Winston Road and will be directed east to Rothbury and then north on Oceana Drive.  Motorists should continue north on Oceana Drive to M-20 and turn…

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Please help cover costs of trial coverage

February 21, 2014

Note from the Editor: Day 4 of the murder trial of Trooper Paul Butterfield begins this morning. Covering a trial of this magnitude takes a lot of time and effort — and money. In order to provide you with quality coverage I have taken on the services of Lisa Enos, who helps us out from time to time. Lisa has…

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Wind gusts may reach 55 mph today

February 21, 2014
Wind gusts may reach 55 mph today

A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m. this evening. Drifting snow and icy roads have resulted in school closings for the day (see related). Southwest winds will be 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 50 to 55 mph along the lakeshore and 40 to 45 mph inland. This will cause blowing and drifting snow, especially where…

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Protect yourself from radon

February 21, 2014
Protect yourself from radon

Good Neighbor Tips. A blog by Erin Doan State Farm Insurance Agency. We are pleased to welcome a new contributor and advertiser, Erin Doan State Farm Insurance Agency of Scottville. Erin and his team provide you with weekly Good Neighbor Tips. Mason County Press is able to continue to be a free service to our readers thanks to the support…

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Welcome to the world! Maya, Lane, Austyn, Kasidee

February 21, 2014
Welcome to the world! Maya, Lane, Austyn, Kasidee

Welcome to the world…   Maya Jo Massie, the daughter of Sarah and Steven Massie of Ludington, was born Februrary 7, 2014 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Lane Gregory Landes, the son of Sarah and Russell Landes of Ludington, was born February 14, 2014 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Austyn Ryan Petzak, the son of Niki Petzak and Nick Davis of Ludignton,…

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Closings/cancelations for Friday, Feb. 21, 2014

February 21, 2014

Closed today due to weather: – Mason County Central – Ludington Area Catholic – West Shore ESD Ludington Area Schools and Mason County Eastern were scheduled to be closed for staff professional development. – High School Quiz Bowl at West Shore Community College has been canceled for today. It may be rescheduled for a later date.

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Troopers describe how they apprehended the Knyszs

February 20, 2014
Troopers describe how they apprehended the Knyszs

By Lisa Enos. MCP Correspondent.  LUDINGTON — The Michigan State Police troopers who shot and arrested murder suspect Eric Knysz testified Thursday afternoon in 51st Circuit Court. Knysz, 20, of Irons is suspected of killing MSP Trooper Paul Butterfield. Day two testimony of the first degree murder trial of Eric Knysz, accused of killing Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield…

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Hospital pledges support for new COVE facility

February 20, 2014

LUDINGTON — COVE’s new facility received a major boost today with a $140,000 four-year pledge from Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. A nonprofit organization, Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters (COVE), is currently pursuing a $2.4 million capital campaign to build a new facility just east of downtown Ludington on Ludington Ave. (U.S. 10). It will replace both a- 113 year-old house that…

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Second day of testimony begins

February 20, 2014
Second day of testimony begins

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  LUDINGTON — The second day of testimony in the trial of 20-year-old Eric John Knysz of Irons is underway. Knysz is charged with the murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield. The first witness to testify this morning was MSP Det. Sgt. David Johnson. Johnson was one of the first Michigan State troopers to arrive…

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Health department offering help with insurance enrollment

February 20, 2014

District Health Dept. #10 is offering assistance to those who need to enroll in a health insurance plan. The Affordable Care Act enrollment deadline is March 31. Counselors trained in the healthcare.gov marketplace are available by appointment. Most people who do not have insurance coverage by March 31 will be assessed a tax penalty, although some exceptions do apply. Tax…

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DNR reminds anglers of mandatory ice shanty removal dates

February 20, 2014

The Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that mandatory ice shanty removal dates are approaching and, regardless of date, shanties must be removed as soon as the ice is unable to safely hold them. For counties in the southern Lower Peninsula, shanties must be removed from the ice by midnight on Saturday, March 1. The deadline for removal from waters in the northern…

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Many tears shed during first day of testimony, but not by defendant

February 19, 2014
Many tears shed during first day of testimony, but not by defendant

Story by Lisa Enos. MCP Correspondent.  Photos by Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  LUDINGTON — Eric Knysz, 20, of Irons — the man accused of killing Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield on Sept. 9, 2013 —  sat quietly in the courtroom Wednesday and showed little sign of emotion during the gripping testimony given by those who were first to arrive on…

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