Searching for the masters of Lake Michigan’s railroad steamers

June 15, 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 Over the weekend I ventured out on a whirlwind Great Lakes maritime history tour. The purpose of the trip was to gather information for my Masters of the PM Steamers project, which will tell the…

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Marshall to end tenure as LASD interim superintedent

June 15, 2026

LUDINGTON — Monday’s Ludington Area School District Board of Education meeting will mark the final regular meeting for Interim Superintendent Mary Marshall, who was brought in six months ago to help stabilize the district following the resignation of Superintendent Kyle Corlett. Marshall was hired by the board in December after Corlett resigned effective Dec. 7 amid controversy surrounding a $2.2…

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WSCC trustees commend Ward after annual review

June 15, 2026

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — The West Shore Community College Board of Trustees recently completed its annual evaluation of President Scott Ward, praising his leadership and citing a series of accomplishments that have advanced the college’s mission and strengthened its position across the region. Trustees conducted Ward’s annual performance review June 8, meeting with him to discuss the past year, review his…

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LASD board to consider SRO and personnel contracts, new hires

June 15, 2026

LUDINGTON — Ludington Area School District’s Board of Education is expected to consider a new three-year school resource officer agreement with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office when it meets today, Monday, June 15, along with renewing contracts for dozens of administrative, central office and non-union employees. The proposed school resource officer agreement would continue dedicated law enforcement coverage for the…

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Stage Left Theatre Company awards scholarships to three students

June 15, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Stage Left Theatre Company has announced the recipients of its 2026 Scholarship Program, awarding three $500 scholarships to students pursuing education and training in the performing arts. Scholarship recipients include Ainsley Dragun of Ludington, who will attend the Letha Fulton School of Dance Summer Intensive; Noah Hellewell of New Era, who will focus on the arts at…

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Miss Ludington Area program to host garden party for prospective participants

June 15, 2026

Meet Miss Ludington Area Garden Party planned July 17 LUDINGTON — The Miss Ludington Area Scholarship Program will host a “Meet Miss Ludington Area Garden Party” on Friday, July 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 308 N. Ferry St. The event will introduce current Miss Ludington Area Ashley McPike to community members interested in learning more about competing in…

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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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