Obituary: Maureen “Missy” Ellen (Francis) Keough, 60, of Ludington

April 16, 2026

Maureen “Missy” Ellen (Francis) Keough, 60, of Ludington, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2026. Missy was born on March 17, 1966, in Marquette, to Douglas and Lois (Radtke) Francis. She was a 1985 graduate of Negaunee High School. She later went on to attend Northern Michigan University. On Feb. 17, 1989, she married her beloved, David Keough. Together they…

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Recent death: Mary Louise Ulrich, 83, of Ludington

April 16, 2026

Mary Louise Ulrich, 83, of Ludington, died on Thursday, April 16, 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 daily…

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Couple pleads for justice for their son murdered 7 years ago

April 15, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — April 16, 2026, marks seven years since William and Denita Buchanan’s 32-year-old son, Billy, was murdered, and the man who was accused of killing him remains free. “We’re going into the seventh year, and we’re no further than the day it happened,” said Denita. The murder, assault and weapon charges against Corey Ryan Beekman,…

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Woman traveling to Ludington died on Titanic on April 15, 1912

April 15, 2026

Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union with offices in Manistee, Ludington, East Lake, and Bear Lake and the Mason County Historical Society, which operates the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, Historic White Pine Village and the Rose Hawley Archives in downtown Ludington. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief A small and shiny marker sits at the corner of…

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MCC board to select first round of superintendent candidates next week

April 15, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central Board of Education will take the next step in its search for a new superintendent next week. The board will select its first round of superintendent candidates during a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 23. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the high school community room. During…

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MCC teacher performs at Carnegie Hall, inspires students

April 15, 2026

Spartan News is presented by Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — For Mason County Central Elementary music teacher April Keith, performing at Carnegie Hall was more than a personal milestone — it has become a powerful source of inspiration for her students back home. Keith took the stage April…

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LASD to host meeting for those interested in serving on school board

April 15, 2026

LUDINGTON — Ludington Area School District will host an informational meeting later this month for residents interested in serving on the district’s Board of Education. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 29 in the Central Business Office Board Conference Room, 809 E. Tinkham Ave. It is intended to provide community members with a clearer understanding of the roles,…

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Man sentenced to prison for burning down camper

April 15, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 41-year-old Mason County man was sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski Tuesday, April 14, to 28 months to seven and a half years in prison after burning down a camper trailer. Brandon Joseph LeClair, 41, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree arson, aggravated stalking and second-offense habitual offender,…

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MCC esports team earns fourth straight playoff berth, ranks No. 5 in state

April 15, 2026

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central Schools in partnership with Mason County Pess. SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central High School esports Mario Kart team has qualified for the Michigan High School Esports League state playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. For the 2026 spring season, MCC enters the postseason with its highest-ever state ranking at No.…

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Community Foundation awards more than $200K in spring grants

April 15, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Community Foundation for Mason County and its Youth Advisory Council have awarded more than $200,000 in spring grants to support education, economic development and community initiatives across the county. In total, $200,046 was distributed, including $191,946 through the foundation’s strategic grant cycle and $8,100 through the Youth Advisory Council. The grants align with the foundation’s strategic priorities…

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WSCC event to highlight storytelling at the college

April 15, 2026

WSCC News is a presentation of West Shore Community College in partnership with Mason County Press.  VICTORY TOWNSHIP — West Shore Community College’s HumanKind Series will present “West Shore Stories” on Wednesday, April 22, at 12:30 p.m. in the William M. Anderson Library in the Schoenherr Campus Center. The event serves as the culminating program for this year’s HumanKind theme…

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Obituary: Evelyn Marie (Ursum) Suman, 88, of Ludington

April 15, 2026

Evelyn Marie (Ursum) Suman, 88, of Ludington, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Evelyn was born on November 28, 1937, in Manistee, the daughter of the late Evered and Doris Mae (Shimpke) Ursum. In 1975, she married the late Donald Suman. Evelyn loved crocheting, creating beautiful gifts for family and friends. She also found joy in dirt bike riding,…

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Recent death: Maureen “Missy” Ellen (Francis) Keough, 60, of Ludington

April 15, 2026

Maureen “Missy” Ellen (Francis) Keough, 60, of Ludington, died on Monday, April 13, 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…

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Weather Alert: Tornado watch in effect until 4 a.m.

April 14, 2026

The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a tornado watch, which includes Mason and Oceana counties and surrounding Lake Michigan waters, in effect until 4 a.m. Wednesday. The watch covers the lakeshore from Pentwater to Manistee — placing Mason County directly within the affected area — along with a broad stretch of adjacent nearshore and offshore waters on…

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Please consider helping to sustain local news with a monthly subscription

April 14, 2026

Thank you to those who have accepted our request and are now subscribing to the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing. This really helps to sustain local news coverage. But, we really could use more subscribers. We are asking for a small amount – $10 a month, which is about 33 cents a day. In exchange, you receive an email each day, called…

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Varsity Softball: Hart defeats MCC in doubleheader

April 14, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Smith & Eddy Insurance and Michelle and Andrew Thomas. By Kai Taylor, MCP Sports Writer HART — The Mason County Central Spartans faced off against the Hart Pirates in a two-game West Michigan Conference Rivers Division series Tuesday, dropping both contests in hard-fought battles.…

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Varsity Baseball: MCC rallies past Hart in 8 innings

April 14, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Smith & Eddy Insurance and Michelle and Andrew Thomas. HART — Mason County Central edged Hart 7-6 in eight innings in Game 1 and held a 3-2 lead in a suspended Game 2 of a West Michigan Conference baseball doubleheader Tuesday. In the opener,…

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Fleet in the fog

April 14, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Lake Michigan Carferry sister ships SS Badger and SS Spartan, along with fleet mate LT-805 of Interlake Logistics Solutions, came and went Monday as Pere Marquette Lake experienced intermittent fog. These photographs were captured using a combination of a Nikon Z6 II DSLR camera with a Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 lens from the docks…

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JV Softball: Ludington drops opener to Hesperia; second game halted by weather

April 14, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Smith & Eddy Insurance and Michelle and Andrew Thomas. LUDINGTON — The Ludington junior varsity softball team dropped the opener of a doubleheader to Hesperia Tuesday at Oriole Field, 19-14, before the second game was called in the bottom of the second inning due…

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Fish net installation preparations underway

April 14, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Two vintage tugboats now docked along the Buttersville Peninsula are preparing to assist with the annual installation of the fish barrier net at Consumers Energy’s Ludington Pumped Storage Plant. The John Henry and Julie Dee, both owned by The King Company of Holland, are currently positioned on Pere Marquette Lake as staging…

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Visitors bureau seeks volunteers for downtown center

April 14, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is recruiting volunteers to staff the downtown Ludington Visitors Center. The center serves as an information hub for visitors seeking details on local attractions and travel resources throughout Mason County. “This is a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact in our community, as our volunteers are often the first to…

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