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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Sheriff: ‘Paul, keep breathing. Keep fighting.”

February 19, 2014
Sheriff: ‘Paul, keep breathing. Keep fighting.”

LUDINGTON — Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole was at a Victory Township Board of Trustees meeting on the evening of Sept. 9, 2013. Part of the sheriff’s routine is to attend municipal board meetings around the county each month. While at the meeting he heard a siren from a sheriff’s patrol vehicle drive past. He identified the vehicle as being…

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Winter’s not over yet! Freezing rain, thunderstorms for Thursday

February 19, 2014
Winter’s not over yet! Freezing rain, thunderstorms for Thursday

Did you enjoy today’s nice weather? Well, the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a winter weather advisory for Thursday. A wintery mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow with ice will begin about 4 a.m. and continue until around 7 p.m. Rain with locally dense fog is expected Thursday afternoon and there is a chance of thunderstorms…

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Deputies testify in trooper murder trial

February 19, 2014
Deputies testify in trooper murder trial

LUDINGTON — Two deputies from Mason County Sheriff’s Office have testified so far this afternoon in the trial of Eric John Knysz, the 20-year-old Irons resident who is charged with the murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield. Deputy Brandon Romaro, a 4-month rookie of the department, was the first law enforcement officer to arrive on the scene. Romaro…

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Library welcoming new director, farewell to retiring director

February 19, 2014

LUDINGTON — The public is invited to welcome new library director, Eric Smith, to Mason County District Library.  There will be an open house reception Monday, February 24, 4 to 6 p.m. at the West Shore Bank Room of the Ludington branch library.  The public is also invited to farewell retiring director Bob Dickson at an open house reception Wednesday, February 26,…

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Light exhibit begins March 6 at art center

February 19, 2014

LUDINGTON – Ludington Area Center for the Arts opens a new exhibit in its Main Gallery on Thursday, March 6.  Sixteen artists offer nearly 30 works inspired by their interpretation of “Light.”  The pieces range from the traditional play of light and shadow to other less common meanings.  According to Linda Sandow, one of the show’s organizers, “We wanted to…

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First witnesses called

February 19, 2014
First witnesses called

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Three witnesses have been called to the stand so far in the trial of Eric Knysz, the 20-year-old Irons man accused of murdering Trooper Paul Butterfield. Constance Helton, who works at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital (on Sept. 9, 2013 — the day of the shooting — it was known as Memorial Medical Center) was…

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Arguments in murder trial begin

February 19, 2014
Arguments in murder trial begin

LUDINGTON — Deliberation in the trial of the man accused of murdering of a Michigan State Police trooper has begun at the Mason County Courthouse. Irons resident Eric Knysz is standing trial in 51st Circuit Court for the Sept. 9, 2013 murder of Trooper Paul Butterfield. In addition to murder of a police officer, Knysz is charged with felony firearms,…

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Study finds wind turbines in violation of sound ordinance

February 19, 2014
Study finds wind turbines in violation of sound ordinance

By Lisa Enos. MCP Correspondent. SCOTTVILLE — The Lake Winds Energy Park post construction sound survey report is in and it’s not music to anyone’s ears. Some residents are calling for an immediate shut down of the turbines in question. Others want answers. The findings show that at least some, if not all, of the wind turbines produce sound which…

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Engagement: Shelby and Ase

February 19, 2014
Engagement: Shelby and Ase

Shelby Oleniczak and Ase Personette, both of Amber Township, announce their wedding engagement. The two will be married on September 20, 2014 in Free Soil. Shelby is the daughter of Tim and Sherri Oleniczak. She is a 2011 graduate of Mason County Central High School and earned certificates in medical billing/coding and medical office assisting from West Shore Community College.…

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Ludington games rescheduled

February 19, 2014

LUDINGTON — Some Ludington High School basketball events have been rescheduled due to Tuesday’s school closing. The include: – Thursday, Feb. 20: Girls varsity basketball (only) vs. Spring Lake, at home, 6 p.m. – Thursday, Feb. 20: JV boys and girls basketball at Orchard View, JV begins at 5:30 p.m., varsity following. – Monday, Feb. 24: Boys JV and varsity…

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Jury selected for trooper murder trial

February 18, 2014
Jury selected for trooper murder trial

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  LUDINGTON — A jury has now been selected for the trial of Eric John Knysz, the man accused of murdering Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield. Jury selection began at 9 a.m. Tuesday with 85 Mason County residents being called in. A jury was finally selected at 6 p.m. The jury consists of 11 women and…

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Scottville garbage bags on sale this week

February 18, 2014
Scottville garbage bags on sale this week

SCOTTVILLE — Garbage bags will be going on sale this week in the City of Scottville. Beginning March 11 Scottville residents will need to purchase the special bags in order to use the city’s refuse system. Bags can be purchased at City Hall beginning Wednesday and at the Scottville Wesco gas station beginning Thursday. The price will be $6 for…

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Sheriff’s deputies respond to 3 crashes Monday

February 18, 2014
Sheriff’s deputies respond to 3 crashes Monday

The Mason County Sheriff’s Office responded to three vehicle crashes and a larceny complaint Monday, Feb. 17. Details include: 10:27 a.m.: Two vehicle rear-end hit and run crash, no injuries, U.S. 10-31 and Amber Rd., Amber Twp. 11:51 a.m.: Larceny, Mason County Eastern Schools, Village of Custer. 12:45 p.m.: Two vehicle broadside crash, no injuries, Butters and Golf roads, Branch…

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