County discussing trail improvements

January 4, 2026

By Joan Young, MCP contributing writer A Michigan Department of Natural Resources Grant agreement being considered by the Mason County Board of Commissioners which would bring in $400,000 for improving trail at Mason County Campground. The local match would be $700,000. The item is currently at the committee level, at the Mason County Finance, Personnel and Rules Committee which will…

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Obituary: DeWayne “Bob” Englebrecht, 88, of Ludington

January 4, 2026

DeWayne Robert “Bob” Englebrecht, 88, of Ludington passed, away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.  Bob was born on December 30, 1937, in Scottville, the son of Theodore and Bessie (Smith) Englebrecht and graduated from Scottville High School with the class of 1956.  On February 17, 1962, he wed Doris L. Babbin and they celebrated 62 years together before Doris preceded…

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Winter weather advisory issued

January 4, 2026

MASON COUNTY — Most of the northern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula — including Mason and Oceana counties — is under a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, until 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5. Mixed precipitation is expected with total snow accumulations up to 2 inches and ice accumulations around…

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Co-op Varsity Hockey: Badgers win two in a row, defeat New Boston United

January 4, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  WESTLAND — The Lakeshore Badgers defeated New Boston United 11-3 on Saturday, Jan. 3, providing them with a two-day winning streak (see related story). The Badgers were able to build momentum from their win…

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Varsity Wrestling: LHS’s Katy Gable takes first place at Grand Haven tourney

January 4, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  GRAND HAVEN — The Ludington High School varsity wrestling team competed at the Adam H. Provencal Invitational at Grand Haven High School on Saturday, Jan. 3 and saw Oriole Katy Gable capture first place…

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Varsity Wrestling: MCC runner-up at Ravenna tourney

January 3, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  RAVENNA — The Mason County Central Spartans took second place during the Lloyd Cogswell Memorial Invitational at Ravenna High School on Saturday, Dec. 3. The Montague Wildcats were tourney champions. The Spartans were led…

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Boys Varsity Basketball: Reed City tops MCC

January 3, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  REED CITY — Mason County Central lost to host Reed City today during a winter break tournament. It was the Spartans’ second loss of the weekend. See related story here. Reed City was victorious…

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Varsity Girls Basketball: MCC loses two in a row at Reed City tourney

January 3, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  REED CITY — Mason County Central came home with a couple losses following the weekend Reed City Holiday Shootout Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the Spartans lost to Beal City, 48-23. “We just didn’t…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Jan. 3, 2026

January 3, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – Jerud Edward Baker, 48, methamphetamine/ecstasy possession. Offense date: Dec. 30, 2025. Bail: $5,000/10 percent. Agency: Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Preliminary exam: Jan. 14 at 1:30 p.m. – Graham Joseph Crawford, 43, third-offense operating while intoxicated — with a high blood alcohol content (BAC) and…

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Co-op Varsity Hockey: Badgers victorious against Brother Rice

January 3, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  ROYAL OAK — The Lakeshore Badgers defeated Brother Rice Varsity B 6-3 Saturday, Jan. 2, following a holiday break. After a scoreless first period, the Badgers got goals from senior Lukas Schade (Mason County…

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Boys Varsity Basketball: MCC loses to Beal City in winter break tourney

January 3, 2026

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  REED CITY — The Mason County Central Spartans lost to Beal City, 59-45,  during a winter break tournament at Reed City High School Saturday, Jan. 2. “A slow start and a hot-shooting first half…

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Recent births, published Jan. 2, 2026

January 3, 2026

Arlo Emerson Kopp, the son of Jessica Reum and Erich Kopp of Ludington, was born on Tuesday, January 31, 2025. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.  List of 2024 births List of 2023 births   __________________________________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your contribution…

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Man arrested for OWI after crashing into utility pole

January 2, 2026

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — A 22-year-old Ludington man was arrested for operating while intoxicated after the vehicle he was driving went off the road and struck a utility pole, snapping it off, on Washington Avenue north of Virnetta Drive Thursday, Jan. 1, just before 4:30 a.m., said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. No one was injured. The man was lodged…

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4 injured in 2-vehicle crash

January 2, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. AMBER TOWNSHIP — A 32-year-old Ludington man and his three passengers received “non-life-threatening” injuries after a two-vehicle crash on US 10-31 east of Brye Road Thursday, Jan. 1, around 3:30 p.m., according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The following is other recent…

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MCP/OCP Daily Briefing is 33 cents a day compared to $2 for a newspaper

January 1, 2026

For 33 cents a day you can receive the Mason County Press/Oceana County Press Daily Briefing via email.  The Daily Briefing, sent out each weekday afternoon, includes the day’s headlines with links to the stories. Special breaking news and sports emails are also sent to subscribers. The cost is $10 per month, which is about 33 cents per day —…

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The remarkable career of Capt. Joseph Russell

December 31, 2025

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. Masters of the PM Steamers By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Captain Joseph Russell had a remarkable career that consisted of many historical milestones. The first ship he sailed on was the acclaimed schooner Clipper City. He was the inaugural captain of the first…

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Man who stole vehicle from crash scene arrested after 3 county pursuit

December 31, 2025

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Oceana County  — A 39-year-old South Boardman was arrested Wednesday, Dec. 31, following a vehicle chase, after he allegedly stole a vehicle from a Manistee County crash scene. The chain of events began about 10:39 a.m. on US 31 near Fox Farm Road in Filer Township when three vehicles were involved in a crash. The crash involved a…

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JCI donates to local non-profits

December 31, 2025

LUDINGTON — JCI Ludington (formerly the Ludington Area Jaycees) recently awarded grants to eight local non-profit organizations. The funds were raised through sales at the Ludington Area Jaycees’ Mini Golf located at Stearns Park. Organizations receiving grants included: Custer VFW Gold Post #5096 Auxiliary, $1,000 toward an American with Disabilities Act-compliant restroom renovation. Staircase Youth Services, $1,000 toward conducting family…

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Police news, published Dec. 31, 2025

December 31, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent activity of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office: Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025 – 1:25 a.m.: A 48-year-old Manistee man was cited for driving while license suspended, first offense, following a traffic stop at Hansen and Bean roads, Custer Township. – 2:25…

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Recent births, published Dec. 31, 2025

December 31, 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.  Senna Rose Marins de Oliveira, the daughter of Madison Davis and Halleck Lucas de Oliveira of Shelby, was born on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Bentley Alan Evans, the son of Daisy and Andrew Evans of Bear Lake,…

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Obituary: Charles Frederick Hayes, 90, of Ludington

December 31, 2025

Charles Frederick Hayes, 90, of Ludington, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025. Charlie was born on February 7, 1935, in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Frederick and Marjorie (Tessman) Hayes. He was a 1952 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High. He received his associate degree from Western Michigan University and later was drafted in the United States Army. He…

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