Employment: Middle School Office Assistants

July 29, 2026

Mason County Central School District is hiring two Middle School Office Assistants for the 2026-2027 school year. For details and to apply, go to www.mccschools.org. Job ID#673. Application deadline: Aug. 8, 2026. This is a paid posting. Published until Aug. 8, 2026. 

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Police ID 18-year-old killed in crash

July 28, 2026

GRANT TOWNSHIP — Marlee Jo Alexander, 18, of Manistee has been identified as the woman who died in a single-vehicle crash Monday night, July 27, around 10:30 p.m. on Countyline Road west of Red Apple Road, according to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Marlee’s family and loved ones during this time of tragic loss,”…

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Timothy Klunder, former Scottville city manager, passes away

July 28, 2026

ZEELAND — Timothy R. Klunder, a former Scottville city manager who went on to serve more than two decades as Zeeland’s city manager, died Monday, July 27, at his home. He was 57. Klunder began his municipal management career in Scottville during the mid-1990s, serving as the city’s top administrator in what was his first city manager position. He later…

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18-year-old Manistee woman dies in single-vehicle crash

July 28, 2026

GRANT TOWNSHIP — An 18-year-old Manistee woman died in a single-vehicle crash on Countyline Road west of Red Apple Road Monday, July 27, around 10:30 p.m., said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “Evidence suggests a 2001 Saturn passenger car was traveling westbound on the dirt portion of Countyline Road when the driver lost control, slid sideways, and into the ditch…

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West Shore Civic Band to present Howard Hornung/Tom Thomas Memorial Band Concert Aug. 10

July 28, 2026

LUDINGTON — The West Shore Civic Band will honor the legacies of two longtime Mason County music educators during the annual Howard Hornung/Tom Thomas Memorial Band Concert on Monday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. at Waterfront Park. The concert is free and open to the public, with donations accepted to support the band’s programs. The annual performance pays tribute to…

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Northern Michigan research trip begins in Rogers City

July 28, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief On Sunday and Monday, I headed to northern Michigan for two days of maritime history and genealogy research. My ultimate destination was Sault Ste. Marie, where I wanted to visit and photograph the grave of Capt. John W. Duddleson (1846-1927), one of more than 70 captains I have been researching who commanded vessels that were part…

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Mason County Land Bank offering two affordable homes in Branch Township

July 28, 2026

BRANCH TOWNSHIP — The Mason County Land Bank Authority is accepting applications from income-qualified buyers for two newly constructed homes in Branch Township that are being offered through an affordable homeownership program. The program includes a three-bedroom, two-bath home at 41 S. Stephen Ave. and a two-bedroom, two-bath home at 43 S. Stephen Ave. The homes are intended for purchasers…

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Employment: Teaching Positions

July 28, 2026

Immediate openings in Lake, Manistee and Mason and Newaygo counties. FiveCAP, Inc has positions open for Head Start program Center Directors and Lead Teachers. Candidates must have Early Childhood Education AA or BA and experience teaching. Starting Pay: Center Director, $56,300 and Lead Teacher, $46,900; Other positions are also available! Benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation and holidays, matched…

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Hundreds attend Rhythm & Dunes opener; final concert set for Saturday

July 27, 2026

LUDINGTON — Hundreds of people filled Waterfront Park Saturday evening as West Shore Bank’s 2026 Rhythm & Dunes concert series opened with a performance by Mark Blomsteel & The Motor City Drive, kicking off another summer of free live music while raising money for Mason County high school band programs. Families spread blankets and lawn chairs across the park while…

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Severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 8 p.m.

July 27, 2026

UPDATE: The watch has been cancelled for Mason County MASON COUNTY — The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m. Monday, July 27, for several counties in the western portion of the Lower Peninsula, including Mason and Oceana counties. The storms could produce hail and damaging winds. ___________________________________________ Please Support Local News and Sports Coverage…

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Man lying in middle of road arrested for probation violation

July 27, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. LUDINGTON — A 35-year-old Ludington man was arrested by a Ludington police officer for probation violation in the area of Rath Avenue and Timber Lane Friday, July 24, at 11:37 p.m., following a “report that he was lying in the middle of the…

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Obituary: Max Wells Schipper, 82, of Ludington

July 27, 2026

Max Wells Schipper, 82, unexpectedly passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2026 leaving behind a lifetime of memories and stories that will be shared for years to come. Born on Jan. 4, 1944, Max entered the world during World War II. His parents chose his first name, Max, and his middle name, Wells, to commemorate two friends who had lost…

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Employment: Paraprofessional – CTE: Design, Fabrication and Welding

July 27, 2026

West Shore Educational Service District has a position vacancy for a Design, Fabrication and Welding (DFW) Paraprofessional-CTE. High School diploma and two years experience working with machine tools and/or CNC mills/lathes 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,…

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Employment: Bus Aide

July 27, 2026

West Shore Educational Service District has a position vacancy for a Bus Aide. High School diploma required; 2 years experience working with students preferred. 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 to: humanresources@wsesd.org…

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Recent death: Max Wells Schipper, 82, of Ludington

July 26, 2026

  Max Wells Schipper, 82, of Ludington, died on Saturday, July 25, 2026. Arrangements by Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, www.GraceCremations.com. Listing of 2026 deaths. Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of 2024 deaths. Listing of 2023 deaths. Listing of 2022 deaths. Listing of 2021 deaths. Listing of 2020 deaths. Listing of 2019 deaths __________ Please Support Local News Receive…

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First GeoArt adventure turns into all-day treasure hunt

July 25, 2026

By Joan Young, MCP contributing writer My First GeoArt. Does this sound like a book for elementary school kids? Maybe it could be. Being a geocaching neophyte, I had a lot to learn. In theory, I knew what geocaching was. I’d found a few caches accidentally. I’d been with a couple of friends when they searched for them on purpose.…

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Jury finds man guilty of home invasion

July 25, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A jury found a 34-year-old man guilty of first-degree home invasion following a trial Wednesday and Thursday, July 22 and 23, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court.  Garrett Scott Buck, who is a fourth-offense habitual offender, is scheduled for sentencing, Sept. 29. Deliberations lasted less than two hours, said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published July 25, 2026

July 25, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: Nicole Lynn Kaiser, 37, pleaded guilty June 9 to methamphetamine/ecstasy possession and was sentenced July 21 to two to 40 years in prison with credit for 17 days served; and $198 in fines and costs. Read related story here Douglas Alan-Robert Edens, 36, pleaded guilty May 26…

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Port of Ludington was busy Friday

July 24, 2026

This MCP Boat Blog is presented by Aquastar Cruises, aquastarcruises.com, and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. Story and photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Port of Ludington was a busy place Friday, offering boat watchers nearly continuous maritime activity from early morning through the evening as commercial vessels, dredging equipment and the SS Badger all moved through Pere…

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Family research reshapes one of Lake Michigan’s best-known maritime legends

July 24, 2026

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Sable Points Media.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief AMBER TOWNSHIP — For nearly a century, Andrew Petterson’s account of the three-masted schooner Mary Ellen Cook riding a giant wave over Chicago’s breakwater has been accepted as one of Mason County’s most remarkable maritime stories. First published in…

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Committee to consider $24.5 million bond issue for road commission facility

July 24, 2026

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Mason County commissioners are expected to take another step toward construction of a new Mason County Road Commission headquarters when the Finance, Personnel and Rules Committee considers a resolution Tuesday, July 28, authorizing the issuance of up to $24.5 million in capital improvement bonds for the project. The committee will meet at 9 a.m. in the…

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