Manistee tops MCC in Spartan boys basketball opener

December 2, 2025

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals.  SCOTTVILLE — The Manistee Mariners defeated the Mason County Central Spartans in the opening game of the season of boys varsity basketball 45-42 Tuesday, Dec. 2 at Mason County Central High School. “We came out with a strong first quarter,”…

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Police find over 100 used meth/fentanyl needles in home

December 2, 2025

SCOTTVILLE — Over 100 used needles were found by police during the warrant arrest of a 33-year-old Scottville woman at Thornwild Apartments Monday, Dec. 1 at 5:40 p.m. The woman, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant issued by the Fruitport Police Department, was also charged with possession of meth/fentanyl, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “Deputies had responded to…

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Closings and cancellations, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025

December 2, 2025

The following are closings and cancellations have been reported to MCP/OCP for Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. Please check the list for updates. Schools Baldwin Community Schools Covenant Christian School, Ludington Fountain Child Development Center Hart Public Schools Ludington Area Catholic School Ludington Area Schools Manistee Area Public Schools Mason County Central Schools including Victory Early Childhood Center Mason County Eastern…

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Obituary: Richard ‘Richie’ Papes, 68, of Free Soil

December 2, 2025

Richard “Richie” George Papes, 68, of Free Soil, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 28, 2025, surrounded by the family he cherished above all else. Born on July 28, 1957, in Manistee to James and Marie (Fend) Papes, Richie was raised on the family farm where he learned early that life’s deepest lessons come from hard work, possessing a humble…

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Marine Toys for Tots seeking donations

December 2, 2025

LUDINGTON — The Marine Toys for Tots is seeking donations. The group is seeking new toy donations or monetary donations. It is in need of toys for children ages up to 2 years old and between 9 and 17 years old. Toys can be dropped off at area businesses where the boxes with the red train logo or at our…

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Homeless man threatens to shoot deputies at laundromat

December 1, 2025

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — A 41-year-old homeless man was arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot and spit on Mason County sheriff’s deputies at the Brite N Clean Laundromat on Jackson Road Friday, Nov. 28, around 9:30 p.m., according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The man had been banned from the business the previous day, said Sheriff Cole. “The day…

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County board may consider proposal to increase senior services

December 1, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — A proposal is being brought to the Mason County Board of Commissioners to expand the county’s senior services department. The commissions’ Finance, Personnel, and Rules Committee will review the proposal by Mason County Senior Services Coordinator when it meets Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. at the Mason County Courthouse. The proposal addresses a…

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Stray bullet enters bedroom

December 1, 2025

EDEN TOWNSHIP — A stray bullet entered a home Friday, Nov. 28, in the 1000 block of East Kinney Road, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “The complainant reported hearing a ‘pop’ sound earlier in the day,” said Sheriff Cole. “Upon entering the bedroom shortly before midnight, the property owner found a bullet had passed through a wall above a…

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Mason County Mutts raising funds for stockings

December 1, 2025

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Mason County Mutts is currently raising funds for its annual stocking project. For the past 10 years, the locally-based charitable non-profit organization purchases stockings for the dogs and cats housed at the Mason County Animal Control shelter. The stockings, hung in the shelter’s lobby, are filled with animal-friendly treats, toys, and blankets. When an animal gets…

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Winter storm warning issued in Mason County

December 1, 2025

Mason, Oceana and Muskegon counties are under a winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids. The warning is in effect from noon Monday, Dec. 1, until 7 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2. Heavy snow is forecasted with total snow accumulations of 4-8 inches expected for Mason County and 6-12 inches for Oceana and Muskegon counties. “Travel…

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Snowy weather causes vehicle crashes, slide-offs

December 1, 2025

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, Nov. 26, 2025: 10:02 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), alarm activation, Amber Township. 10:41 a.m., (Ludington Police Department), a 32-year-old Ludington man was arrested on a failure to appear warrant issued by Mason…

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Mason-Lake Conservation District seeks board candidates

December 1, 2025

SCOTTVILLE — The Mason-Lake Conservation District is seeking candidates for its board of directors. The district’s board of directors consists of locally-elected individuals, charged with oversight of the operations of the district, strategic planning and ensuring the long-term viability of the district. Directors also often volunteer at events put on by the conservation district throughout the year. Some of these…

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Wind storm causes several vehicle vs. tree crashes

December 1, 2025

Gusts up to 56 mph from the wind storm, Nov. 26 and 27, caused five vehicle vs. tree crashes in Mason County, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. A 28-year-old Snellville, Ga. man received minor injuries “after the semi truck he was driving was blown off the road, due to high winds, and into several trees,” said Sheriff Cole.…

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WSCC presents ‘Healing through Story and the Science of Sharing’ Thursday

December 1, 2025

WSCC News is a presentation of West Shore Community College in partnership with Mason County Press.  LUDINGTON — West Shore Community College’s HumanKind Series will present “Healing through Story and the Science of Sharing” on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Mason County District Library Ludington, 217 E. Ludington Ave. The free program invites community members to explore…

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Obituary: Katie (Murphy) Copenhaver, 44, of Muskegon, formerly of Ludington

December 1, 2025

Katie Lynn (Murphy) Copenhaver, 44, of Muskegon, formerly of Ludington, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday. November 27, 2025, due to complications from blood clots following a recent foot surgery. Her passing leaves an immeasurable void in the hearts of all who loved her. Born on April 23, 1981, in Ludington, Katie was the first daughter of Thomas and Beverly Murphy.…

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Obituary: Joan Frances Edwards, 84, of Custer

December 1, 2025

Joan Frances Edwards, 84, of Custer passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, November 29, 2025 with her family by her side.  Joan was born on September 29, 1941 in Ludington, the daughter of Harry and Mary (Wing) Whitaker and graduated from Mason County Eastern High School with the class of 1959.  On July 11, 1959 she married the love of…

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Corewell Health volunteers to hold Merry Market holiday sale

December 1, 2025

LUDINGTON — The Corewell Health Ludington Hospital Volunteer Board is hosting its second annual Merry Market sale on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Medical Office Building lobby at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital. The sale will include holiday and hostess gifts and decor, children’s gifts, boxed chocolates and candy and many other items. Proceeds of…

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Winter weather advisory issued

November 30, 2025

Several lakeshore counties, including Oceana and Mason, are under a winter weather advisory until 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. Periods of snow showers with additional snow accumulations of 1-4 inches with locally higher amounts are expected. “Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous,” states the National Weather Service. “During lake effect snow, the weather can…

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Nov. 1966 storm killed 28 crew members of the Daniel J. Morrell; grounded the City of Midland

November 29, 2025

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 On Tuesday, Nov. 29, 1966, a storm struck the Great…

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Office Gallihugh: Coach Cop

November 29, 2025

By Mark Varenhorst, MCP Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — To date, this series has featured the five deputies from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office who serve as school resource officers. Today, we will feature Ludington Police Officer Conor Gallihugh who serves as the school resource officer for Ludington High School and OJ DeJonge Middle School. Finishing this series with a feature…

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Mason Co. Sports of Hall of Fame announces 2026 inductees

November 29, 2025

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals.  LUDINGTON — The Mason County Sports Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026 inductees. The 2026 class of inductees are individuals Kathy Calabretta, Steve Klemm and David Stubbs as well as the 1971 Free Soil boys’ varsity basketball…

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