WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement after introducing the Health Freedom for Seniors Act, legislation allowing seniors to roll the required minimum distribution from their retirement accounts directly into a health savings account tax free. “Currently, those who reach age 70 1/2 must begin taking a ‘required minimum distribution’ from their IRAs, 401(k)s and other…
GRAND RAPIDS — Stacy Lynn Ahlgren, a former employee of Northwestern Bank in Ludington, was sentenced to federal prison for embezzling nearly $1 million from the bank over nearly six years, Mlive.com has reported. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker on Wednesday, April 17, ordered Ahlgren, 39, to prison for 27 months, followed by supervised release for three years. He also…
LUDINGTON — Robert Crane Bacon, 67, pleaded guilty today in 51st Circuit Court on the charge of embezzlement. Bacon was accused of taking over $96,000 from Mason County Eastern Public Schools while he was employed there as business manager from 2003 to Dec. 31, 2011. “I was employed as a bookkeeper,” Bacon said. “My job was to handle the money…
UPDATED from previous story. LUDINGTON — Ludington resident Dave Kosla has announced that he is going to run for mayor of Ludington. The announcement was made through a Facebook page. Kosla, 32, is a professional musician and works and teaches at Instrumental Music Store in Ludington. “I think some great things have been happening in Ludington the last few years that is…
PM TWP. — Pere Marquette Township firefighters quickly extinguished a dune grass fire Tuesday on Buttersville Peninsula. The fire came close to striking a cottage, Assistant Fire Chief Ross Kissel said. It occurred off a two track off South Lakeshore Drive.
LUDINGTON — Robert Bacon, the former Mason County Eastern Schools business manager, is expected to agree to a plea agreement Wednesday in 51st Circuit Court. On March 20 Bacon turned down a plea agreement from the Mason County prosecutor’s office and was scheduled for trial in May. Bacon is charged with one count of embezzlement, and allegedly stole $96,000 when…
LUDINGTON — Lowell Fetters appeared in 51st Circuit Court today for a final conference in front of Judge Richard Cooper. Instead of a final conference, though, it was determined, at the request of defense attorney David Glancy, that Fetters would seek an independent psychological examination to determine if he can stand trial. Fetters, 65, is being charged with 32 counts…
LUDINGTON — Ludington resident Dave Kosla has announced that he is going to run for mayor of Ludington. The announcement was made through a Facebook page. The page states: “We are proud to announce Dave Kosla’s petition for Mayor of the City of Ludington. As a permanent resident to the City he is excited to bring a fresh young perspective…
LUDINGTON — April Lynn Lange was sentenced today in 51st Circuit Court for tampering with a financial transaction device. Lange is the grandmother of Katherine “Baby Kate” Phillips and mother of Ariel Courtland. The charges against the 38-year-old Ludington resident stemmed from using stolen credit cards to purchase thousands of dollars of items from local retail outlets including Wal-Mart, Meijer…
LUDINGTON — A final court conference will be held this afternoon for Lowell Fetters, the man charged with shooting a Ludington police officer. Fetters, 65, is expected to appear in 51st Circuit Court at 3:45 p.m. During that time his attorney, David Glancy, will meet with the prosecutor to discuss whether Fetters will accept a plea agreement or stand trial.…
SCOTTVILLE — After sitting idle for over eight years the Sweetwater development on the northeast side of town will finally have its first home. City Manager Amy Williams reported to the city commission Monday that the owner of the development has pulled a building permit and plans to begin construction once the weather cooperates. The new house will be a…
SCOTTVILLE – The City of Scottville is looking at taking agreesive steps to clean up blight. The first step will take place tonight at the city commission’s regular meeting. The commission will hold the first reading of its new code of ordinances. “These codes are basically what have already been on the books, except we removed a lot of the…
LUDINGTON — The Literacy Network invites the public to recognize 16 award-winning local students as they read their ‘This I Believe’ essay during the ‘This I Believe’ Celebration to be held on April 25, at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts. The free program starts at 6 p.m. The essays the students will read discuss their personal credo or values for…
Submitted by Coach Tom Richert. HOLLAND — The Mason County Central High School forensics team took home several trophies from Saturday’s Regional Forensics competition. “It was a wonderful day as all MCC students are progressing to state finals. This caps off an amazing season as the team finished with five first place team trophies, two second place team trophies, a third place…
SCOTTVILLE – A hearing for 2013-2014 Scottville city budget will be held Monday during the city commission’s regular meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m. The proposed 2013-2014 City of Scottville budget is balanced, but slim, as it has been for the past few years. City Manager Amy Williams, said the city will be operating at the same millage rate it…
SCOTTVILLE — The City of Scottville will again appoint a new planning commissioner. Lisa Foster is expected to be appointed Monday night during the City Commission’s regular meeting. Foster replaces Marcy Spencer. Spencer was appointed but never served because, instead, she was appointed to the city commission, replacing Joe Baxter, who resigned. City Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. in city…
The Mason and Oceana County Great Start Parent Coalitions will host two Parent Info Nights this month. The first will be held on Monday, April 22nd from 5:30- 7:30 p.m. at Pentwater Elementary School and will feature guest speaker Karen Goodman of West Michigan Community Mental Health with a presentation entitled “Positive Parenting Techniques for Behavioral Change.” The second is…
LUDINGTON — Children of all ages are invited to the Mason County District Library to celebrate Earth Day. On Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Ludington, young environmentalists are invited to learn all about Michigan wildlife. Live frogs, snakes, a great horned owl, and other critters from Wild Things will be available to get acquainted. There will…
LUDINGTON — Children of all ages are invited to the Mason County District Library to celebrate Earth Day. On Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Ludington, young environmentalists are invited to learn all about Michigan wildlife. Live frogs, snakes, a great horned owl, and other critters from Wild Things will be available to get acquainted. There will…
SCOTTVILLE — The Pere Marquette River has flooded parts of Scottville Riverside Park. The river’s water level has steadily increased over the last several days. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a flood warning for the river. At 4 p.m. Friday the stage was 5.3 feet, flood stage is 5.5 feet. The river is expected to rise…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. FREE SOIL – On June 30 of this year, an institution in this northeast MasonCounty village will come to an end. Free Soil School District will end its 100th and final year with the party of the century. The Free Soil Community Schools All Class Reunion Community Celebration will take place on Saturday, June 22. The…
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