Oasis Bar destroyed by fire

March 21, 2013
Oasis Bar destroyed by fire

Story and photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. VIDEO BELOW. BRANCH — John and Michelle Hare watched helplessly as their business burned to the ground early Thursday morning. Fire departments from Lake and Mason counties fought the fire, but they were unable to save the Oasis Bar, located on the county line at the corner of U.S. 10 and Tyndall Road.…

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A young movement is taking place in Mason County

March 21, 2013

Our View. Megan Payment says she won’t run for Ludington mayor this year (see related stories). But, the effort, led mostly by “younger” area residents was encouraging. There seems to be a movement in the area of these younger business owners and community activists. For many years this area has been known as a place where people come to retire.…

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Ludington superintendent search narrowed to 3

March 20, 2013

LUDINGTON — The Ludington Area Schools board of education has narrowed its superintendent search from six to three. The board wrapped up its interviews Wednesday and will conduct the second round of interviews on Wednesday,, April 17 during a special meeting. Those candidates who have been asked to come back include: Karen Sherwood, superintendent/K-12 administrator of Boyne Falls Public Schools;…

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Payment says she is not running for mayor

March 20, 2013

LUDINGTON — Megan Payment announced in a press release today that she is definitely not going to run for Ludington mayor this year. The question of Payment running for the city’s top elected position became public Saturday when a group of Payment’s friends entered the Ludington St. Patrick’s parade campaigning for the downtown business owner to run for office. “No one…

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Ground Water Association recognizes Franz

March 20, 2013
Ground Water Association recognizes Franz

  State Rep. Ray Franz, second from right, has been named “Legislator of the Year” by the Michigan Ground Water Association and presented the group’s 2012 Political Appreciation Award for his efforts to protect ground water in Michigan. “Representative Franz has been a friend of the Michigan Ground Water Association for many years, working tirelessly on behalf of the association…

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Emily St. house fire extinguished quickly

March 20, 2013
Emily St. house fire extinguished quickly

LUDINGTON — A quick response from Ludington Fire Department saved a house on South Emily Street this afternoon. Kendra McClellan and Brian Mauer were in the living room of their second floor apartment at 603 1/2 S. Emily when Kendra smelled smoke. “It smelled like bacon,” she said. Brian said he went to check into it and saw smoke coming…

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The Mitten Bar, a state of mind

March 20, 2013
The Mitten Bar, a state of mind

By THAD RAY MCP Correspondent LUDINGTON — The Mitten Bar is the new kid on the block when it comes to the bar scene in Ludington. It’s also one of the hottest beer bars in the world according to Draft Magazine, both in 2012, and 2013. Co-Owners Megan Payment and Brian Josefowicz have turned a passion for craft beer and…

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Eagles

March 20, 2013
Eagles

Moonlighting A blog by Judy Cools I was taking our son up to Traverse City the other day. The roads were clear, the sun was shining, and it was good traveling weather. We travel the back roads, saving time and being quietly pleased with ourselves that we know a route which many people don’t. As we went down one particular…

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Bacon turns down plea bargain

March 20, 2013

LUDINGTON — Former Mason County Eastern business manager Robert Bacon turned down a plea bargain Tuesday morning in circuit court. Bacon, who is represented by attorney Ryan Glanville of Ludington, chose not to accept the prosecutor’s plea agreement of serving one year in the Mason County Jail and paying $19,000 in restitution to MCE. Bacon is charged with one count…

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Infertile minds and the art of real estate

March 19, 2013
Infertile minds and the art of real estate

The Kitchen Sink. A blog by Stephanie Wagner. I have been wondering lately if there was a lesson that I missed at some point in another lifetime, and I am being given multiple “opportunities” to learn it this time. Or perhaps, our trajectories are always just repeating patterns of changing events that reflect the same emotions over and over. Someone…

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Consumers Energy Foundation awards grant to arts council

March 19, 2013

LUDINGTON — Ludington Area Arts Council has been awarded a grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation in the amount of $5,000 to support an energy efficiency lighting upgrade project at the Ludington Area Arts Center. This project would enhance both the energy efficiency of the facility as well as the visitor experience. Current lighting throughout the 22,000 square foot South…

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Ludington outdoor dining ordinance sent back to committee

March 19, 2013

By Rob Alway Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON – Comments from downtown business owners caused city council to send its outdoor dining services ordinance back to committee Monday night during the council’s regular meeting. Nate Petersen, owner of Backstage Hobbies & Games (corrected from previous edit) South James Street and Jeff Nixon of Instrumental Music Store both spoke out against the ordinance’s sound…

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Maki is new Scottville mayor; Johnson is pro-tem

March 19, 2013
Maki is new Scottville mayor; Johnson is pro-tem

By Lisa Enos MCP Correspondent SCOTTVILLE — Mayor Richard Maki was sworn in at the regular meeting of the Scottville City Commission at City Hall Monday. Commissioner Dave Johnson is now Mayor Pro Tem. City Manager Amy Williams confirmed to the commission that former Scottville Mayor Joe Baxter turned in his resignation letter Monday morning. Baxter’s position as a commissioner…

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Stearns Park improvements planned

March 19, 2013

By Rob Alway Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON – Some major improvements are planned for Stearns Park. The city council approved a bid for renovation of the restrooms at the north concession stand. The council also passed a resolution asking the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a $300,000 grant to help improve the west end of Ludington Avenue. The grant will help…

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DEQ to clean up contamination below Cox’s

March 19, 2013

By Lisa Enos MCP Correspondent SCOTTVILLE — The Department of Environmental Quality has been looking at some petroleum tanks under Cox’s Sales and Service, located at 142 S. Main, and has found that there is still some contamination.  “They have been testing the ground yearly and are still getting residual amounts of petroleum,” Scottville City Manager Amy Williams said. The…

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Amber appoints new trustee, addresses roads

March 19, 2013

By Thad Ray MCP Correspondent AMBER TWP. — The Amber Township board of Trustees met today. Board members present were Richard Alway, Trustee; Jim Gallie, Supervisor; Connie Anderson, Treasurer; and Brenda Knizacky, Clerk. After a moment of silence honoring Larry Donovan, the former Amber township supervisor who passed away earlier this month, the first item of note was Sheriff Kim…

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Proposed alcohol ordinance takes heat from councilor

March 19, 2013

LUDINGTON – The first reading of a new city ordinance that would allow the sale of mixed drinks in city parks took some heat from a councilor Monday during City Council’s regular meeting. Wally Taranko said he did not agree with the allowance of non pre-packaged mixed drinks being served in city parks. The former police chief said he wasn’t…

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Martial arts at Ludington library

March 19, 2013
Martial arts at Ludington library

LUDINGTON — Children of all ages are invited to Mason County District Library in Ludington Tuesday, March 26 at 1 p.m. for a martial arts demonstration presented by Freedom Martial Arts.  Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult.  All Mason County District Library programs are free.

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