Aboard the Wilfred Sykes: Part 5. Chef Greene keeps the Sykes crew fed… and happy

October 13, 2026

The MCP Boat Blog is presented by the Mason County Historical Society and its Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. By Rob Alway Editor’s note: For the past several years, I have made it a personal mission to tell the stories of the Great Lakes maritime industry and, especially, the people who work aboard its vessels. As someone who has spent…

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Scottville city finances have rebounded from deficits

October 13, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — Two years after facing a financial crisis that threatened the city’s ability to provide essential services, the City of Scottville is projecting a positive general fund balance of approximately $220,000, with that amount expected to grow to about $325,000 by the end of the current fiscal year. City Manager Clarence Goodlein said the city’s…

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Police news, published Oct. 13, 2026

October 13, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following activity was reported by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, Oct. 12, 2026: 7:24 a.m., car/deer crash, no injuries, Sugar Grove Road west of US 31, Victory Township. 8:19 a.m., car/dog crash, no injuries, US 10 west of Dennis Road,…

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Obituary: Dorothy Mae Manley, 98, of Ludington

October 13, 2026

Dorothy Mae Manley, 98, of Ludington, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2026.  Dorothy was born on September 9, 1928 in Fountain, the daughter of Charles “Bill” and Ada (Goff) Williams and attended Fountain schools before graduating from Scottville High School with the class of 1947.  Because there was no bus service in those days, Dorothy lived with Carl and…

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Obituary: Wayne Basil Wheeler, 97, of Ludington

October 13, 2026

Wayne Basil Wheeler, 97, known by many locally as “Papa Wayne,” died Saturday, October 10, 2026. He was born on July 19, 1929, the youngest of 11 children born to Leonard Wheeler and Ethel Zoe Stringham. Wayne grew up with little, learning early the value of hard work, determination, and perseverance. He left high school to help support himself and…

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Recent death: Robert Lewis Schultz, 79, of Pentwater

October 13, 2026

Robert Lewis Schultz, 79, of Pentwater, died on Sunday, October 11, 2026. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026, at noon, at Grace Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements by Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, www.GraceCremations.com.     Listing of 2026 deaths. Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of…

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Aboard the Sykes: Part 4. Capt. Crafcraft follows grandpa Bruce Masse’s footsteps

October 12, 2026

The MCP Boat Blog is presented by the Mason County Historical Society and its Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Editor’s note: For the past several years, I have made it a personal mission to tell the stories of the Great Lakes maritime industry and, especially, the people who work aboard its vessels. As someone who has…

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Open house to honor retiring Sheriff Cole Friday

October 12, 2026

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The Mason County Sheriff’s Office and Mason County Board of Commissioners will host a public open house Friday, Oct. 16, to honor retiring Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. in the conference room at Mason County Airport. The public is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be…

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Big Rapids man arrested for assaulting haunted prison volunteers

October 12, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. FREE SOIL TOWNSHIP — A 51-year-old Big Rapids man was arrested Saturday, Oct. 10, after he allegedly assaulted two staff members at Cages of Carnage Haunted Prison, operated by the Free Soil/Meade Fire Department. According to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded…

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Manitowoc returns to Ludington for second visit of shipping season

October 12, 2026

The MCP Boat Blog is presented by the Mason County Historical Society and its Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The 630-foot MV Manitowoc arrived at the Port of Ludington about noon Monday, Oct. 12, making its second visit to the port during the 2026 Great Lakes shipping season. The self-unloading freighter proceeded to the…

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American Legion launches 2026 wreaths campaign

October 12, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Sons of the American Legion Squadron 76 is launching its 2026 Wreaths Across Mason County campaign with a goal of placing 2,200 wreaths on veterans’ graves throughout Mason County during the upcoming holiday season. The organization, affiliated with Edwin H. Ewing American Legion Post 76 in Ludington, hopes to raise approximately $55,000 to purchase wreaths and stakes…

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MCC seniors paint parking spots to kick off homecoming week

October 12, 2026

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press. SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central High School seniors added a little color to the school parking lot Sunday afternoon, Oct. 11, as 24 members of the Class of 2027 painted their parking spots in advance of homecoming spirit week. The activity was initiated…

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College Month highlights scholarship, tuition assistance opportunities

October 12, 2026

October is College Month, a time for students, families and adults across Michigan to explore opportunities for education and career training beyond high school. With several programs helping eligible students reduce or eliminate tuition costs, college may be more accessible than many people realize. Across Michigan, College Access Networks (CANs) are working to help more people earn a postsecondary credential…

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LHS, MCC volleyball teams to face off in breast cancer awareness match

October 12, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Ludington High School and Mason County Central High School volleyball teams will face off Tuesday, Oct. 20, in a special breast cancer awareness event at Ludington High School’s Hawley Gym. The event, called “Block Out Breast Cancer,” will feature junior varsity and varsity matches between the Orioles and Spartans. The junior varsity match will begin at 5:30…

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Badger concludes 2026 season, one of its best in recent years

October 11, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The SS Badger concluded its 2026 sailing season Sunday, Oct. 11, wrapping up what Lake Michigan Carferry officials have described as one of the historic steamship’s best seasons in recent years. According to Lake Michigan Carferry spokesman Thom Hawley, the 2026 season was among the most successful in recent years for the 73-year-old vessel,…

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Aboard the Wilfred Sykes: Part 3. A ship is its crew

October 11, 2026

The MCP Boat Blog is presented by the Mason County Historical Society and its Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Editor’s note: For the past several years, I have made it a personal mission to tell the stories of the Great Lakes maritime industry and, especially, the people who work aboard its vessels. As someone who has…

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Aboard the Wilfred Sykes: Part 2. Life aboard a working freighter

October 10, 2026

The MCP Boat Blog is presented by the Mason County Historical Society and its Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Editor’s note: For the past several years, I have made it a personal mission to tell the stories of the Great Lakes maritime industry and, especially, the people who work aboard its vessels. As someone who has…

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Not in our school! Scottville Elementary students learn lessons about bullying

October 10, 2026

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central Schools in partnership with Mason County Press.  SCOTTVILLE — Students at Mason County Central’s Scottville Elementary School learned valuable lessons Wednesday, Oct. 7, about how to recognize, prevent and deal with bullying. Kevin Kimes, a retired MCC principal and speaker for Lock Out USA, presented his “Not In Our School” program,…

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Ludington to consider development changes amid ongoing budget concerns

October 10, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Ludington City Council will meet Monday, Oct. 12, as the city continues working to address its projected 2027 budget deficit following the withdrawal of controversial special assessments that would have helped fund public safety and street lighting. The council will meet at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Ludington Municipal Building, 400 S. Harrison St. Although…

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Aboard the Wilfred Sykes: Part 1. The journey to Port Dolomite

October 9, 2026

The MCP Boat Blog is presented by the Mason County Historical Society and its Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Editor’s note: For the past several years, I have made it a personal mission to tell the stories of the Great Lakes maritime industry and, especially, the people who work aboard its vessels. As someone who has…

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County commission to consider 2027 budget, senior millage allocations

October 9, 2026

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The Mason County Board of Commissioners is expected to consider approval of the county’s 2027 budget and more than $883,000 in senior millage funding allocations during its regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 13. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the conference room of the Mason County Airport Terminal, 5300 W. US 10. The proposed 2027…

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