By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Visitors attending Historic White Pine Village’s 50th anniversary celebration on Friday, July 3, will be the first to experience two new permanent exhibits and a new Heritage Trail, representing the largest investment in visitor interpretation at the village in decades. The celebration marks the opening of Historic White Pine Village on…
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Twelve Flipstar Gymnastics athletes brought home 41 national medals, including 12 top-three podium finishes, one national championship, five national runner-up titles and three Junior Olympic Games qualifiers while competing at the 2026 AAU National Championships. The championships, held June 18-21 at the Knoxville Convention Center, attracted more than 3,500 gymnasts from across the United States. Leading the…
LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society launched its 2026 America 250 cemetery tour series Thursday evening with the “Masters & Commanders” tour at Lakeview Cemetery, where participants explored the lives of Ludington’s maritime leaders and the stories of the people, ships and events that helped shape the community’s Great Lakes heritage. Led by Mason County Historical Society board member…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Scottville Clown Band kicked off the 2026 Pure Ludington Sunset Beach Bonfire Series Thursday evening, entertaining a crowd of hundreds gathered at Stearns Park Beach for the season’s first bonfire. The performance marked the first time in the Scottville Clown Band’s 123-year history that the organization had performed on Ludington’s beach. As the…
WSCC News is a presentation of West Shore Community College in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. VICTORY TOWNSHIP — West Shore Community College has released its Dean’s List for the 2025-2026 Winter Semester, recognizing students for their academic achievement during the winter term. Full-time students who earned a semester grade point average of 3.75 or higher…
Betty R. Vanderlaan, 92, of Scottville entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Thursday, June 25, 2026 with her family by her side. Betty was born on Aug. 15, 1933 in the Reeman community of Newaygo County, the youngest of 13 children born to Jan and Marthalena (VanBruggen) Guikema and graduated with honors from Fremont High School with…
A celebration of life for Capt. Richard “Rich” Laaksonen will be held Saturday, June 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Pere Pointe Clubhouse, 90 W. Second St., Ludington. Rich Laaksonen, 59, of Ludington, a legendary figure of the Michigan charter fishing community and a true outdoorsman, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Read Rich’s obituary here.
Joseph Sherman Frame, 36, of Terra Haute Ind., died on Saturday, June 20, 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…
PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Historic White Pine Village will celebrate its 50th anniversary on July 3 with free admission, special ceremonies, historical demonstrations and the unveiling of newly renovated exhibits. Admission for the day has been made free through a sponsorship from West Shore Bank, allowing visitors to take part in the anniversary celebration at no cost. The event commemorates…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 34-year-old woman was sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court to five to 50 years in prison for an armed robbery conviction Tuesday, June 23. Tresa Brianna Anderson was also sentenced by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski to concurrent terms of two years for felony firearm; three to 50 years for conspiracy to…
LUDINGTON — Emergency sanitary sewer repairs will close or restrict traffic on a portion of East Ludington Avenue beginning Sunday night, June 28, and continuing into Monday, June 29, according to the City of Ludington. The work will take place on East Ludington Avenue between Harrison and Delia streets. Motorists and nearby residents should expect temporary lane closures, road closures…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is Ludington Police Department activity Wednesday, June 24, 2026: 7:46 a.m., a 46-year-old Ludington woman was cited for driving without insurance, North Lakeshore Drive and Tinkham Avenue, City of Ludington. 5:45 p.m., a 45-year-old Ludington man was cited for driving without…
Edson Lyle “Ed” Swinehart passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at the age of 79. Ed was born on Dec. 25, 1946 in Big Rapids to Lyle and Florence (Carr) Swinehart. At the age of 10, he and his family moved to Mason County, where Ed would live for the rest of his life. He…
West Shore Community College is seeking an experienced nursing professional to serve as Allied Health and LPN Apprenticeship Program Coordinator. This position provides leadership and coordination for Allied Health and LPN Apprenticeship programs, working closely with students, faculty, healthcare employers, clinical partners and workforce organizations to support program operations, student success, compliance, accreditation, clinical partnerships, recruitment and workforce development initiatives.…
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central Board of Education ratified a two-year contract Monday, June 22, for incoming Superintendent Jeff Tuka that will pay him a higher base salary than retiring Superintendent Jeff Mount while largely maintaining the benefits associated with the district’s top administrative position. The contract takes effect July 1, 2026, and runs through…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. AMBER TOWNSHIP — A traffic stop in the Home Depot parking lot on US 10 led to a pair of methamphetamine possession arrests Tuesday, June 23, at 12:25 p.m., according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The driver, a 41-year-old Holton man, was…
SHELBY — Shelby State Bank has added four professionals to its lending and wealth advisory teams, including a senior commercial lender, two mortgage lenders and a financial advisor associate. Kenneth Sommerdyke joined the bank as executive vice president and senior lender. He brings experience in commercial lending, customer relations and lending team development. Kevin Dooley joined the bank as a…
Mason County Press is selling tickets for two adults (or four children ages 12 and under) for a regular cruise onboard the Princess of Manistee. To purchase the tickets, please email editor@mediagroup31.com. To learn more about the Princess, visit www.manisteeharbortours.com.
Marjorie Jean Lokovich, affectionately known as Marge, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the age of 96 in her hometown of Ludington. Born on March 19, 1930, in Ludington, Marge was the daughter of the late Eric and Anna (Grassa-Grundeman) Johnson. She graduated from Ludington High School, class of 1948. On May 26, 1951, she married William Edward…
Edson Lyle Swinehart, 79, of Scottville, passed away in the comfort of his home on Wednesday, June 24, 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…
Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — After 27 years serving Mason County Central Schools, including the past 20 as superintendent, Jeff Mount is preparing to close a career defined not by personal accomplishments, but by a commitment to community, students and perseverance. Mount’s…
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