Obituary: Marcia Lynn Wheeler, 73, of Ludington

April 20, 2026

Marcia Lynn Wheeler, 73, of Ludington, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, after a courageous four-year battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She was a living miracle—mostly symptom-free throughout her illness and an inspiration to all who knew her, demonstrating how to live with joy, compassion, love, and unwavering faith in Christ. Early Life Marcia was born on…

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Obituary: Dawn Marie Melchert, 61, of Manistee

April 20, 2026

Dawn Marie Melchert, 61, of Manistee, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Dawn was born on Dec. 17, 1964, the daughter of Anthony and MaryEllen (O’Hare) Helminiak. In 1983, she graduated from Mason County Central High School. She married Bradley Melchert on September 15, 2000. A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Oak Grove…

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Recent death: Mary “Kay” Hradel, 84, of Free Soil

April 20, 2026

Mary “Kay” Hradel, 84, of Free Soil, died on Saturday, April 18, 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…

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Employment: Parish Business Manager

April 20, 2026

Employment: Parish Business Manager St. Simon Parish in Ludington and St. Mary Parish in Custer are seeking a full-time business manager to oversee financial, administrative and operational functions in collaboration with the pastor and parish staff. The position is 40 hours per week and includes responsibility for managing parish finances, overseeing office operations, maintaining accurate records and systems, coordinating communications,…

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Employment: Parish secretary

April 20, 2026

Employment: Parish secretary St. Mary Catholic Parish in Custer is seeking a friendly and organized part-time parish secretary. Responsibilities include supporting general office operations and parish activities. Qualified candidates should have a high school diploma (associate degree preferred), prior office experience, strong communication and organizational skills, and the ability to maintain confidentiality while working collaboratively with staff and volunteers. Benefits…

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Employment: Middle School ELA Teacher

April 20, 2026

Employment: Middle School ELA Teacher Mason County Central School District is seeking a Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher for the 2026-27 school year. Applicants can view position details and apply online at www.mccschools.org. Reference Job ID #653. Application deadline is April 30, 2026, at 4 p.m. This is a paid posting. Published until April 30, 2026.

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Three generations of Robertsons commanded carferries

April 19, 2026

Masters of the PM Steamers By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Passengers who rode the SS Badger in the mid-1950s might have been surprised to learn the ship was sometimes steered by a little girl. Audrey Robertson was the daughter of Capt. Bernard “Bunny” Robertson (1906-1992). An only child born later in the captain’s life, Audrey spent many summer days aboard the…

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Heating unit causes smoke at James Street restaurant

April 19, 2026

LUDINGTON — Ludington Fire Department was called to Jamesport Brewing Company, 410 S. James St., Sunday afternoon for a report of smoke filling up in the building. According to Ludington Fire Chief John Henderson the smoke was caused by a heating unit on the roof freezing up, possibly caused by a bad bearing. Henderson said firefighters were able to use…

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Sunday tug traffic in the Port of Ludington

April 19, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Two tugboats departed the Ludington channel Sunday afternoon, with one continuing its voyage while the other briefly exited before returning. The tug-and-barge combination Candice Elise and Robert F. Deegan left the OxyChem dock en route to Johnstown, Ontario, on the St. Lawrence River. The vessel makes frequent calls to OxyChem’s Ludington plant as part…

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Varsity Girls Soccer: Mona Shores tops LHS 2-0, snaps four-game skid

April 19, 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 LUDINGTON — The Orioles hosted the Mona Shores Sailors for a mid-afternoon match Wednesday, falling 2-0. Ludington, fresh off dominant wins over Montague and Whitehall, was unable to get…

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Varsity Girls Tennis: Orioles tie for first in Fruitport invite

April 19, 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 FRUITPORT — Ludington High School’s girls tennis team battled cold, windy conditions Saturday and came away with a share of the top spot at the Fruitport Invitational. The Orioles…

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Varsity Track: MCC boys runner-up, girls third at Fremont Packer Relays

April 18, 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. FREMONT — Mason County Central’s boys and girls track and field teams turned in strong performances Friday at the Fremont Packer Relays. The Spartans boys team finished runner-up with 135 points, just behind Fremont’s 140.…

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Roger Clinton Bailey, 90, of Pentwater

April 18, 2026

Roger Clinton Bailey, 90, of Pentwater, died on Friday, April 17, 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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MEA honors students, educators and community members

April 17, 2026

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — The Michigan Education Association’s 13-B Coordinating Council honored students, educators and community members Wednesday, April 15, during the inaugural 2026 OPIE Awards Banquet at West Shore Community College. The event marked the 30th year of recognizing area students and the second year the council has honored local association members and community supporters for scholarship, leadership, character and…

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Dr. Riemer first in Michigan to use new cataract lens technology

April 17, 2026

LUDINGTON — Ludington eye surgeon, Dr. Andrew Riemer, has performed what is believed to be the first cataract surgery in Michigan using a newly released intraocular lens designed to improve vision at multiple distances. Dr. Riemer of Riemer Eye Center completed the procedure last week using the Tecnis PureSee lens, a next-generation implant intended to provide clearer vision with improved…

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Police news, published April 17, 2026

April 17, 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: Monday, April 13, 2026: 8:34 p.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), car/deer crash, no injury, Free Soil Road west of Larson Road, Meade Township. Tuesday, April 14, 2026: 5:40 p.m., (Ludington Police Department) a 25-year-old…

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Fountain man with 28 grams of meth arrested 

April 17, 2026

AMBER TOWNSHIP — A 52-year-old Fountain man was arrested after he was found to be in possession of over 28 grams of suspected methamphetamine following a traffic stop Thursday, April 16, at 9:55 p.m. on US 10 near Stiles Road, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. He was charged with possession with intent to deliver meth and was lodged in…

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Deputies arrest wanted man walking along US 10 with pistol, fentanyl  

April 17, 2026

AMBER TOWNSHIP — A 31-year-old Scottville man, who was walking along US 10 near the US 31 freeway with a 9 mm pistol in his waistband and suspected fentanyl, was arrested Thursday, April 16, around 1:15 p.m. after Mason County sheriff’s deputies stopped him, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The man, who was wanted on warrants, was charged with…

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Ludington city clerk’s role highlighted as election season approaches

April 17, 2026

Letters to the editor are opinion editorials submitted by readers. Letters to the editor are a long tradition in American journalism. The views and opinions of the writer do not necessarily reflect those of Mason County Press, its staff or its parent company. For more information, please refer to MCP’s Letter to the Editor Policy. Dear Editor, With a city election…

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Recent births, published April 17, 2026

April 17, 2026

The following births have been reported: Isla Mae Joesphine French, the daughter of Nikita Griffin and Matthew French of Ludington, was born on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital. List of 2026 births List of 2025 births   __________________________________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news…

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GOP Lincoln Day Gala scheduled for May 11

April 17, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Mason County Republican Executive Committee will host its annual Lincoln Day Gala on Monday, May 11 at the Stearns Grand Ballroom in Ludington, featuring keynote speaker Susan Kokinda. The event will include a social hour beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m. The program is set to begin at 7 p.m. Kokinda, described by…

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