Monona Drive closure planned for sewer repairs

September 18, 2026

LUDINGTON — A portion of Monona Drive will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 22, while City of Ludington crews perform repairs to sewer utility structures near Bryant Road. The city’s Utility Maintenance Department is scheduled to begin work at 8 a.m. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the day. Work will primarily take place on Monona…

Read more »

Employment: Finance Director, City of Ludington

September 18, 2026

The City of Ludington is seeking an experienced Finance Director to oversee the City’s financial operations, including budgeting, accounting, reporting, payroll, and compliance. For the complete job description and application information, visit www.ludington.mi.us. Apply by October 09, 2026. This is a paid posting. published until Oct. 2, 2026. 

Read more »

Ruby Creek WWII POW Lyle Taylor to be honored at POW/MIA ceremony

September 17, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief More than 82 years after Staff Sgt. Lyle A. Taylor parachuted from a burning B-24 Liberator over Yugoslavia, members of his family will gather Saturday in Mt. Pleasant as the Mason County World War II veteran is posthumously honored for his service and sacrifice. Taylor, who grew up in the Ruby Creek area and later spent…

Read more »

Ambrose, Moolenaar outline priorities in 2nd Congressional District race

September 17, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor Democrat Benjamin Ambrose and Republican U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar will face each other in the Nov. 3 general election for Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District. The district includes all of Barry, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella, Lake, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties, along with portions of Eaton, Kent, Midland, Muskegon, Ottawa and…

Read more »

MCC to host public forum on strategic planning analysis

September 17, 2026

SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central School District will host a public forum Tuesday, Sept. 22, to discuss the results of a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis conducted this summer as part of the district’s strategic planning process. The forum will begin at 6 p.m. in A.O. Carlson Gymnasium at MCC High School. Superintendent Jeff Tuka and members of the…

Read more »

Chamber honors businesses, organizations at annual awards celebration

September 17, 2026

LUDINGTON — Business leaders and community organizations were recognized Wednesday during the Chamber Alliance of Mason County’s annual awards celebration at The Lake House Venue. The evening’s top business honor went to UACJ Automotive Whitehall Industries, which was named the Chamber’s 2026 Business of the Year. UACJ was recognized for converting its Madison Street facility in Ludington into a full-scale…

Read more »

51st Circuit Court sentences, published Sept. 17, 2026

September 17, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: Christopher Lee Gasparas, 45, pleaded guilty July 7 for third-offense domestic violence and was sentenced Sept. 15 to 24-90 months (two to seven and a half years) in prison with credit for 201 days served and $198 in fines and costs. Joseph Wade Conrad, 31, pleaded guilty…

Read more »

Public Notice: Mason County Rural Fire Authority to hold public hearing on 2027 budget

September 17, 2026

PUBLIC NOTICE Mason County Rural Fire Authority Public hearing on proposed 2027 budget The Mason County Rural Fire Authority Board of Directors will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at the Custer Fire Station, 2549 E. U.S. 10, Custer. The purpose of the hearing is to consider the authority’s proposed 2027 budget. The board may…

Read more »

Recent death: Dorian J. Seldon, 76, of Free Soil

September 17, 2026

Dorian J. Seldon, 76, of Free Soil, died on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 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…

Read more »

Recent death: Michelle Spinner, 59, of Fountain

September 17, 2026

Michelle Spinner, 59, of Fountain, died on Sunday, Sept. 13, 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 __________…

Read more »

Capt. Crawford’s rise to Pere Marquette flagship ended in suicide

September 16, 2026

This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Sable Points Media.  Masters of the PM Steamers Stories of Ludington’s cross-lake rail fleet captains and other port mariners By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief On Monday, July 28, 1919, Capt. John Goodrich Crawford came home from the Pere Marquette Railway carferry fleet in an agitated state. He…

Read more »

105-foot sailing yacht Whitehawk stops in Ludington during Lake Michigan gale

September 16, 2026

This MCP Boat Blog is presented by the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — One of the largest and most distinctive sailing yachts on the Great Lakes was docked at Harbor View Marina Tuesday as gale-force winds and large waves moved across Lake Michigan. The 105-foot ketch Whitehawk, recognizable by its towering wooden masts, clipper…

Read more »

U-Win donates $1,975 toward MCE book vending machines

September 16, 2026

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief AMBER TOWNSHIP — U-Win Motorsports recently donated $1,975 toward Mason County Eastern Schools’ book vending machine project as part of the business’s yearlong 25th-anniversary community-giving campaign. MCE Superintendent Paul Shoup said the book vending machines will serve students at all grade levels. Students will earn opportunities to use the machines through various school incentives and will…

Read more »

Research vessel Arcticus takes refuge in Ludington as Lake Michigan gale builds

September 16, 2026

This MCP Boat Blog is presented by the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The U.S. Geological Survey research vessel Arcticus entered Ludington harbor Monday evening as a powerful Lake Michigan gale began building across the lake. While the reason for the port call has not been confirmed by the vessel’s operators, Arcticus’ arrival came…

Read more »

Employment: 1st and 3rd shifts, Indian Summer

September 16, 2026

Indian Summer is hiring! We have 1st and 3rd shifts available. Apply today at 3958 W. Chauvez Rd. Ludington, MI 49431. Jobs available: First shift: Juice Line, Chauvez Road plant Third shift: Sanitation, South Pere Marquette Highway plant This is a paid posting. Published until Oct. 1, 2026  

Read more »

Thief/thieves cut cash box lock, steal money

September 16, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. CUSTER TOWNSHIP — The Mason County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a larceny theft at the Custer River Bridge that was reported Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 6:18 p.m.  “The complainant reported someone had cut the lock of a cash box used for day permits…

Read more »

Public Notice: Mason County Rural Fire Authority seeks at-large board member

September 16, 2026

The Mason County Rural Fire Authority is accepting letters of interest for an at-large position on its board. The member will represent all 16 jurisdictions served by the authority. The three-year term begins Jan. 1, 2027. Applicants must live in the city of Scottville; the villages of Custer, Fountain or Free Soil; or Amber, Branch, Custer, Eden, Free Soil, Grant,…

Read more »

Public Notice: Mason County Rural Fire Authority: Free Soil, Grant, Meade, Victory representative

September 16, 2026

The Mason County Rural Fire Authority is accepting letters of interest for a position on its board representing the village of Free Soil and Free Soil, Grant, Meade and Victory townships. The three-year term begins Jan. 1, 2027. Applicants must live in the village of Free Soil or Free Soil, Grant, Meade or Victory townships. Interested applicants should submit a…

Read more »

American Legion Auxiliary seeks vendors for fall market

September 16, 2026

LUDINGTON — American Legion Auxiliary Unit 76 is seeking crafters and vendors for its Fall Craft and Vendor Market scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at American Legion Post 76, 318 N. James St. Tables are available for crafters and direct sales representatives. Only one vendor from each direct sales…

Read more »

Recent births, published Sept. 16, 2026

September 16, 2026

The following birth has been reported: Walker Jones Vandenheuvel, the son of Montana Scott and Jared Vandenheuvel of Hart, was born on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. Romina Dove Brody, the daughter of Miranda and Jacob Brody of Ludington, was born on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital. List of 2026 births List of 2025…

Read more »

1,004-foot Barker makes twilight passage off Ludington

September 15, 2026

  This MCP Boat Blog is presented by the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, www.masoncountymihistory.org. Photo by Vans Stevenson, MCP Contributor; Story by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief EPWORTH HEIGHTS — One of the largest ships on the Great Lakes passed the Ludington shoreline Tuesday evening just after sunset. Mason County Press contributor Vans Stevenson photographed the M/V James R. Barker from the…

Read more »

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks