Military flare found on beach

June 16, 2013

GRANT TWP. — A military flare shell washed up on a northern Mason County beach was discovered earlier today resulted in the Michigan State Police bomb squad responding, along with fire and police personnel. Grant Twp. Fire Chief Ron Melchert described the shell as 4- or 6-inches. His department was dispatched around noon after a resident found the shell and…

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Free Soil reunion organizers will not serve alcohol, but aren’t banning it

June 14, 2013

FREE SOIL – Several MCP readers have commented on a recent story regarding the all school reunion scheduled for Saturday, June 22 at the old Free Soil school complex (see story here). The comments center around whether drinking will be allowed on the school grounds. A reader warned that if drinking was to take place during the gathering that people…

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Meet Scottville’s newest family: Eric, Michelle and Owen

June 14, 2013
Meet Scottville’s newest family: Eric, Michelle and Owen

Story by Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON – Something really good happened Thursday at the Mason County Courthouse. Do you know how nice it is to write that? It seems that so often when I go to the courthouse all I witness are people who have done harm to society. It was such a joy to experience something different there today.…

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Sunny all day today

June 14, 2013
Sunny all day today

Superior Electric Beach/Outdoors Report. Here are the current conditions for the Lake Michigan shoreline and Mason County (including Pentwater) as of 9 a.m. Lake Michigan water temperatures: Ludington Stearns Park: 43 F Ludington State Park (Big Sable Point): 44 F Summit Park: 40 F Pentwater: 48 F   Afternoon air temperatures: Ludington and Pentwater: Sunny and 57 degrees F rising to…

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Ludington settles lawsuit with Rotta

June 14, 2013

LUDINGTON — The Ludington City Council has approved the settlement of a lawsuit filed by Tom Rotta against the city and City Manager John Shay. The lawsuit alleged the city and Shay violated Rotta’s constitutional rights related to the city’s workplace safety policy. The suit arose from the issuance of a letter of trespass against Rotta, which prevented him from…

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6 sentenced in circuit court

June 14, 2013
6 sentenced in circuit court

Compiled by Allison Scarbrough. MCP correspondent.  LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced this week in 51st Circuit Court: –         Mark Allan McCallum, 53, 5839 Barnhart, Ludington, c/o Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSCO), was found guilty May 14 of embezzlement agent $20,000 or more; embezzlement agent $1,000-$20,000; and third-offense habitual offender. He was sentenced June 4 to six to 20 years with the…

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District court, as of June 12

June 14, 2013

Compiled by Allison Scarbrough. MCP correspondent.  LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced this week in 79th District Court: –         Adam Michael Howell, 23, of 5525 W. Johnson Rd., Ludington was found guilty June 4 of OWI. He was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; Alcohol Highway Safety Education (AHSE); $1,1445 in fines and costs; 93 days…

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Arraignments, as of June 12

June 14, 2013
Arraignments, as of June 12

Compiled by Allison Scarbrough. MCP correspondent.  The following were arraigned this past week in front of the magistrate in 79th District Court: Felonies: –         Matthew David Weber, 22, of 1092 Brandy Lane, Lot 56, Ludington, was arrested June 8 by MCSO for a felony of second-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC). A preliminary exam is set for June 19 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $10,000/cash/surety.…

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Jury questionnaires sent

June 14, 2013

The annual Mason County jury questionnaires were mailed June 10. A jury “pool” has to be established to accommodate circuit, district and probate courts for Sept. 1, 2013 through Aug. 31, 2014. The law requires the questionnaire be filled out and returned. If this is not done, a reminder will be sent. Failure to respond can result in a contempt…

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Ludington school board budget hearing

June 14, 2013

LUDINGTON — The Ludington Area Schools Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Monday, June 17, 2013, at 6 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to hold a public hearing for the proposed 2013-2014 budget. The meeting will take place at the Central Business Office, 809 East Ave. The board may not adopt its proposed budget until…

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Helo ops

June 13, 2013
Helo ops

Dustin Kunkel captured these great images of the Coast Guard practicing helicopter operations Thursday night over Pere Marquette Lake.

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Deputies receive medal of honor

June 13, 2013
Deputies receive medal of honor

Two Mason County sheriff’s deputies have been rewarded the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association Medal of Honor for their involvement with a police shooting last year. Sgt. Oscar Davila and Deputy Derrick Wilson received the association’s top honor last week during a ceremony at Shanty Creek Resort. The award stemmed from the deputies’ involvement in the June 27 incident that took place…

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Wind causes captain to steer Badger into PM Lake

June 13, 2013
Wind causes captain to steer Badger into PM Lake

LUDINGTON — The actions of a skilled captain and crew prevented what could have been a serious situation for the S.S. Badger. As the Badger was leaving dock, a wind gust caused it to go off course. Instead of taking the ship on its usual course through the harbor channel, Capt. Jeff Curtiss compensated by heading south into Pere Marquette…

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Comedy returns to SMT

June 12, 2013
Comedy returns to SMT

SCOTTVILLE — South Main Tavern in downtown Scottville is presenting two comedy acts on June 29. Owner Brad Hackert said the comedy show in May was sold out and he heard great feedback about it. “We are trying to do some different things and provide great entertainment for people,” Hackert said. “The comedy shows are fresh and the acts are…

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Father’s Day strawberry social

June 12, 2013

LUDINGTON — The Ludington Optimist Club will hold its annual Father’s Day Strawberry Social Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Kiwanis Band Shell in Ludington City Park. Price is $4 for adults and $2 for kids. All proceeds help support programs for area youth.

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Man arrested for sexual conduct with 5-year-old

June 12, 2013
Man arrested for sexual conduct with 5-year-old

LUDINGTON — A 22-year-old Ludington man has been charged with criminal sexual conduct second degree in connection with an incident with a 5-year-old female. The Mason County Sheriff’s Office arrested Matthew Weber Tuesday for the alleged event that took place June 8. The sheriff’s office reports the victim is a relative of Weber. He was arrested and arraigned and is…

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Clown Band scholarship concert Wednesday

June 12, 2013

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — The Scottville Clown Band annual scholarship concert is at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Ludington Waterfront Park pavilion. I always enjoy this concert because it’s great to see all the young people who are in the early parts of the musical journeys. As the treasurer of the Scottville Clown Band one of the most…

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7 Ludington teachers lose jobs

June 11, 2013

LUDINGTON — Ludington Area Schools board of education has chosen to lay off seven teachers for the upcoming school year. The board met in a special meeting this morning. The layoffs are part of the district’s need to cut $900,000 from its 2013-2014 budget. The layoffs involve three elementary school teachers with one-year contracts, that just ended. The rest of…

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