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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Jury selection continues

February 18, 2014
Jury selection continues

LUDINGTON — Jury selection in the case of Eric John Knysz, the man accused of killing Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, continues this afternoon. Out of an initial pool of 85 Mason County residents, several jurors have been dismissed for various reasons. A 12-person jury, with two alternates, has been randomly seated and lawyers on both sides are not…

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Enhance your success potential through education

February 18, 2014
Enhance your success potential through education

“The Business Plan” is a partnership between the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce and Mason County Press. By Matt Larson. Business Development Consultant. Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce. Ongoing education is one of the keys to maximizing small businesses start-up potential, profitability, and productivity.  You can only learn so much from books, the internet, school, your parents and…

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Sunshine today!

February 18, 2014
Sunshine today!

Cloudy skies are expected early today with peeks of sunshine expected late. High temperature of 37 degrees F with winds south at 10 to 20 mph. There is a 20% chance of snow. Tonight, 40% chance of snow showers expected with a low of 28 F. Wednesday, partly cloudy skies with a high of 35 F and winds, west-southwest at…

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Trial of man accused of killing state police trooper begins

February 18, 2014
Trial of man accused of killing state police trooper begins

LUDINGTON — The trial of Eric John Knysz, the man accused of killing Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, has begun. Eighty-five Mason County residents have been randomly selected for the trial. Officials expect jury selection to last throughout the day. See related story here. Frequent updates will be made at our Facebook and Twitter sites: www.Facebook.com/MasonCountyPress or www.twitter.com/MasonCoPress. #trooperslaying.

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Closings, cancelations for Feb. 18, 2014

February 18, 2014

The following closings and/or cancelations have been reported for Feb. 18, 2014: Mason County Central Schools, Mason County Eastern Schools, Ludington Area Schools, Ludington Area Catholic, Covenant Christian, West Shore ESD.

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