Obituary: Walter Gordon Harthun, 81, of Ludington

May 8, 2025

Walter Gordon Harthun, 81, of Ludington, died Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.  He was born December 10, 1943, in Detroit, the son of Walter and Virginia (Gramza) Harthun. Walt served in the U.S. Marine Corps where he was stationed in Hawaii for four years.  Afterwards he went to work for Packaging Corp of…

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Obituary: Nellie Ann Ardolf, 80, of Ludington

May 8, 2025

Nellie Ann Ardolf, 80, of Ludington, died Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.  She was born October 15, 1944, in Nessen City, the daughter of Ellsworth and Helen (McCarthy) Dillehay. Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel in Ludington.  Interment…

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Funeral service: Randy LaVerne Smith, 67, of Custer

May 8, 2025

A funeral service for Randy LaVerne Smith of Custer, who passed away on February 21, 2025 at the age of 67, will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington. He will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Custer Township. Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of…

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Graveside service: Roselinda Martin, 85, of Branch

May 8, 2025

A graveside service for Roselinda Martin of Branch, who passed away at the age of 85 on January 7, 2025 will be held on Friday, May 16, at 11:30 a.m., at Tallman Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com. Read Ms. Martin’s obituary here.

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MCC Ag Night is Thursday

May 7, 2025

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central School District will host its fourth annual Community Agriculture Night on Thursday, May 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the MCC Upper Elementary. The popular event is open to…

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Shirley Rasmussen honors memories of husband, son with Community Foundation campaign contribution

May 7, 2025

Submitted by the Community Foundation for Mason County Shirley Rasmussen, a member of the Mason County community for nearly a century, has made a recent contribution to the Campaign for Mason County in honor of her late husband, Jack, and her late son, Craig. Rasmussen’s story is part of the vibrant fabric of Ludington’s history, from her childhood days playing…

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Intruder(s) break into home

May 7, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com.  EDEN TOWNSHIP — An intruder or intruders broke into a residence in the 5100 block of South Stella Road and stole items from the home, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The break-in was reported Monday, May 5, at 8:05 p.m. The case…

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Obituary: Scott David Alexander, 63, of Ludington

May 7, 2025

Scott David Alexander, 63, passed away on Monday, April 28, 2025, in Ludington. He was born October 14, 1961, in Midland, Mich., the oldest of three sons of Robert W. Alexander and Valerie Nollar Greiner. Scott graduated from Ludington High School in 1980 and later received heavy equipment operator certification from Superior Training Services in Franklin, Indiana. In 1988, he…

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LHS baseball honors fallen soldier Joe Lancour with new sign, uniform retirement

May 6, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — A re-dedication ceremony, retiring Ludington High School varsity baseball uniform No. 3 was held Tuesday afternoon prior to the beginning of the LHS vs. Montague game at the Don Stokely Diamond at Oriole Field. The uniform number belonged to Joe Lancour, a 2004 LHS graduate who died in combat while serving in the U.S.…

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Man who attempted to disarm officer sent to prison

May 6, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old man with a long criminal history was sentenced to 53 months to 40 years in prison for four convictions Tuesday, May 6, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court. Marshall Jennings Brault pleaded guilty, March 12, to one felony count of attempting to disarm a police officer, two felony counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing…

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Ludington man faces prison term for escaping from police

May 6, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 27-year-old Ludington man who briefly escaped from police custody at the Mason County Courthouse last fall faces a six-year prison term after recently pleading guilty to multiple charges in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court. Jesse Allen Totten pleaded guilty in three files to charges of: escape awaiting trial for a felony, meth…

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MCP Boat Blog: MV Mark W. Barker in Muskegon; Undaunted/PM 41 in Ferrsyburg

May 6, 2025

MCP Boat Blog is a presentation of the Mason County Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, ludingtonmaritimemuseum.org, located at 217 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. Documenting west Michigan’s commercial and recreational maritime industry.  Photography by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Tuesday, May 6 –This morning I travelled down to Muskegon and Ferrysburg where I photographed the MV Mark W. Barker and the…

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Man pleads guilty in child sex case

May 6, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 23-year-old man recently pleaded guilty in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court to four felony counts in connection to a sting operation in which a police officer was posing as a 14-year-old boy. Dustin William Lucht pleaded guilty to child sexually abusive commercial activity, two counts of using a computer to commit a…

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10th Fish On for Freedom veterans fishing tourney is May 30

May 6, 2025

LUDINGTON — The 10th Fish On for Freedom veterans fishing tournament will take place on Lake Michigan, Friday, May 30 beginning at 6 a.m. At 11:45 a.m., boats will begin to assemble just outside the Ludington pier heads, preparing for the Welcome Home Parade to commence at noon. Boats will be led in by the US Coast Guard, including a…

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Man charged with assault with intent to murder for wife’s stabbing

May 6, 2025

LUDINGTON — The 53-year-old Mason County man who allegedly stabbed his wife in the chest Sunday evening, May 4, at a residence in the 3600 block of West Anthony Road in Riverton Township has been charged with assault with intent to murder. Leobardo Alpizar Olivarez was arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court, and his bond was set at $500,000…

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Scottville Optimist Park groundbreaking scheduled for Thursday

May 6, 2025

SCOTTVILLE — A groundbreaking ceremony of the Scottville Optimist Park will take place on Thursday, May 8 at 9:30 a.m. The groundbreaking ceremony will be the beginning of renovations to the park which include repairs and renovations to the Scottville Clown Band Shell and the installment of a sculpture created by Scottville artist and filmmaker Harold David Cronk. _______________________ Please…

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Family Health Care CEO expresses concerns with Medicaid proposals

May 6, 2025

Letters to the editor are opinion editorials submitted by readers. Letters to the editor are a long tradition in American journalism. The views and opinions of the writer do not necessarily reflect those of Mason County Press, its staff or its parent company. For more information, please refer to MCP’s Letter to the Editor Policy. By Julie Tatko, CEO, Family Health…

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Recent births, published May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

The birth announcements are a presentation of West Shore Bank, providing service to Mason, Oceana, Manistee, Muskegon, Benzie, and Grand Traverse counties; www.westshorebank.com.  Mary-Grace Marie Beetz, the daughter of Lacie Schaefer and Ethan Beetz of Ludington, was born on Monday, May 5, 2025. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.  List of 2024 births List of 2023 births  …

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Employment: Custodian/Maintenance

May 6, 2025

Employment: Custodian/Maintenance West Shore Educational Service District has a position vacancy for a Custodian/Maintenance. High School diploma and at least 6 months of custodial experience required. To view a complete job posting, please visit our website at www.wsesd.org.  Send cover letter, resume and credentials to:  Human Resources, West Shore ESD, 2130 W. US 10, Ludington, MI 49431 or via email…

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Sunken boat salvaged from Pere Marquette Lake

May 5, 2025

MCP Boat Blog is a presentation of the Mason County Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, ludingtonmaritimemuseum.org, located at 217 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. This article was updated on May 6. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Salvage crews recovered a sunken commercial fishing boat today in Pere Marquette Lake near Thompson Marina. Ludington Police Department reported the vessel…

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Woman in critical condition after husband allegedly stabs her in the chest

May 5, 2025

RIVERTON TOWNSHIP — A 48-year-old woman is in critical condition after being stabbed in the chest Sunday evening, May 4, at a residence in the 3600 block of West Anthony Road,  The woman’s 53-year-old husband is the suspect, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, who referred to the case as attempted murder. Mason County deputies were called to the residence at…

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