Obituary: Alvin R. VanSickle, 76, of Fountain

June 15, 2026

Alvin R. VanSickle, 76, of Fountain, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.  Alvin was born in Ludington on July 14, 1949, the son of Robert L. and Dorothy (Budzynski) VanSickle and graduated from Mason County Eastern High School with the class of 1967. Alvin furthered his education at Ferris State College where he graduated with an A.A.S. degree in HVACR Technology.  On…

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Obituary: Gerald Lewis Kawalec, 70, of Free Soil

June 15, 2026

Gerald Lewis Kawalec, 70, of Free Soil, died Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. Gerald was born on Aug. 20, 1955 in Manistee, the son of the late Lewis and Dorothy (Sowa) Kawalec. He was a graduate of Free Soil High School with class of 1974. Until his retirement, he was employed for over…

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Milford C. Duchenois, 73, of Custer

June 15, 2026

Milford C. Duchenois, 73, of Custer, died on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Funeral arrangements are pending at Wyman Funeral and Cremation Services – Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville. 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…

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Recent death: Debra L. Kranas, 73, of Ludington

June 15, 2026

Debra L. Kranas, 73, of Ludington, died on Friday, June 12, 2026. Funeral arrangements are pending at Wyman Funeral and Cremation Services – Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville. 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…

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Meth dealer sentenced to 51 months to 30 years in prison

June 12, 2026

‘The methamphetamine epidemic can only be lessened if the sources of supply are stopped.’  By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 36-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday, June 9, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court to 51 months to 30 years in prison for a conviction of delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine. Michael Mason Durham pleaded no contest to the charge, April…

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Author to discuss Great Lakes ship designer Frank Kirby aboard City of Milwaukee

June 12, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MANISTEE — Frank E. Kirby designed some of the most influential vessels in Great Lakes history, helping usher in the transition from wooden ships to iron and steel while laying the foundation for the rail car ferry industry that would transform ports such as Ludington and Frankfort. Author Richard Gebhart will discuss Kirby’s legacy on Saturday,…

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MV Sam Laud unloads aggregate cargo in Ludington after overnight delay

June 12, 2026

This MCP Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee. Book your cruise at www.manisteeharbortours.com. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The MV Sam Laud arrived off Ludington about 10 p.m. Thursday but remained at anchor offshore overnight because of storm conditions on Lake Michigan. The 634-foot freighter entered Ludington harbor early Friday morning and…

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Historic USS Silversides to leave Muskegon for $3.5 million preservation project

June 12, 2026

MUSKEGON — USS Silversides, one of the most decorated submarines of World War II, will leave Muskegon next month for a major preservation project that museum officials say is critical to ensuring the vessel’s long-term survival. The USS Silversides Submarine Museum announced this week that the submarine will be towed across Lake Michigan to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where it will…

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Men Who Care of Mason County donates $3,150 to Hand 2 Hand

June 12, 2026

AMBER TOWNSHIP — Men Who Care of Mason County recently donated $3,150 to Hand 2 Hand, a program of Mason County Reformed Church that provides food and supplies to children and families in the Mason County Central and Mason County Eastern school districts. The donation was presented during a check presentation this week after Hand 2 Hand was selected as…

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Harbor Classic horse show returns to Mason County Fairgrounds

June 12, 2026

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The Michigan Quarter Horse Association will return to the Mason County Fairgrounds’ Caswell Horse Park this summer for the MQHA Harbor Classic, a six-day event expected to draw competitors and families from across the region. The Harbor Classic is scheduled for June 30 through July 5 and is one of the association’s largest annual shows, featuring…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published June 12, 2026

June 12, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: Adrian Joseph Pavlick, 27, pleaded guilty April 14, 2026 to assaulting/resisting/obstructing police, malicious destruction of fire or police property and operating while intoxicated and was sentenced June 9, 2026 to two days in jail with credit for two days served; one year probation; and…

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Police news, published June 12, 2026

June 12, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent police activity in Mason County: Wednesday, June 10, 2026: 2:30 p.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), damaged property, 6800 block of Illinois Road, Hamlin Township. A vehicle drove through a lawn, causing damage. 3:45 p.m., (MCSO), one-vehicle crash, no injury,…

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Sharon Rose (Burgess) Ames, 89, of Ludington

June 12, 2026

Sharon Rose (Burgess) Ames, 89, of Ludington, formerly of Greenville, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Sharon was born on May 22, 1937, in Lansing, to the late Philo and Marjorie (Lyons) Burgess. She attended Eastern High School and graduated in 1955. On October 6, 1962, she married Daniel Ames but later went on to divorce in 2006. For…

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Recent death: Stanley Adam Masunas Jr., 80, of Irons

June 12, 2026

  Stanley Adam Masunas Jr., 80, of Irons, died on Wednesday, June 10, 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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Public Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds

June 12, 2026

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS Notice is hereby given that on or about June 24, 2026, Mason County will request the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to release Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, for the Mason County Home Repair…

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New tanker marks shift in OxyChem shipping operations

June 11, 2026

By Rob Alway, Mason County Press LUDINGTON — The Norwegian-flagged tanker Prime arrived in the Port of Ludington again Thursday. The ship has become a frequent visitor here and is expected to make several more visits this shipping season. Its presence marks the beginning of a new chapter in the maritime transportation network that has supported OxyChem’s calcium chloride operation for…

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Foundations fund expansion of elementary esports across Mason, Lake and Oceana counties

June 11, 2026

West Shore School News is a presentation of West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. AMBER TOWNSHIP, Mason County — A regional partnership among three community foundations will fund the expansion of elementary esports programs to public schools throughout Mason, Lake and Oceana counties beginning in the 2026-27 school year. MiSTEM Network…

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MCE’s Shoup testifies at House hearing backing school zone safety bill

June 11, 2026

LANSING — Mason County Eastern Superintendent Paul Shoup and State Rep. Curt VanderWall, R-Ludington, testified before the Michigan House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee this week in support of legislation that would give local school leaders greater flexibility to protect students traveling to and from campus throughout the school day. Under current law, reduced school zone speed limits generally are enforced…

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MCP needs your help

June 11, 2026

MCP needs your help Folks, we need your help. Thank you to those who have accepted our request and are now subscribing to the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing. We are asking MCP and OCP readers to consider making a small monthly investment in order for us to continue to provide you with local news and sports coverage. Mason County Press and…

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Historical Society’s Lakeview Cemetery tour postponed due to weather

June 11, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society’s maritime heritage tour of Lakeview Cemetery, scheduled for tonight, has been postponed until Thursday, June 25, due to forecasted inclement weather. Ticket sales will continue until the day of the tour. The Lakeview Cemetery tour, titled “Masters & Commanders,” is the first in a series of three cemetery tours to be presented by…

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Boat Blog: Scheduled arrivals, published June 11, 2026

June 11, 2026

This MCP Boat Blog is presented by Manistee Harbor Tours, operator of the Princess of Manistee. Book your cruise at www.manisteeharbortours.com. The following vessels are expected to arrive in port: Ludington Vessel: MV Sam Laud, freighter Expected arrival: Thursday, 10 p.m. Destination: Rieth-Riley Construction dock, Pere Marquette Lake Specs: Built by Bay Shipbuilding Co., Sturgeon Bay, Wis., 1975; named after a…

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