A place of their own: New robotics practice facility opens

October 1, 2025

West Shore School News is a presentation of West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Local high school robotics team celebrated Tuesday when they officially opened up a place of their own. The UACJ First Robotics Practice Facility, 801 S. Madison St., opened with a grand…

Read more »

MCP/OCP, Synergy Media offering one-stop shopping advertising

October 1, 2025

Do you own a business and looking for ways to promote it? Media Group 31, owner of Mason County Press and Oceana County Press, along with Synergy Media, owner of 94 K-Rock, Big Dog Country, Super Hits 1450 AM and 106.3 FM, News 97 and 98 and 96.3 KLA, have teamed up to offer a joint marketing package, at a…

Read more »

Man’s stalking conviction overturned by court of appeals

October 1, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 50-year-old man who was convicted by a bench verdict in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court of aggravated stalking and using a computer to commit a crime‎ February 14, 2024 had his conviction overturned by the State of Michigan Court of Appeals Monday, Sept. 29. Lance Craig Eichler, who was convicted of stalking…

Read more »

Historian to discuss Ludington lumber days

October 1, 2025

Professor Nagle makes History “Ax”cessible for Ludington Lumbering Days LUDINGTON — The Mason County District Library will host West Shore Community College Professor of History Mike Nagle for an exploration of Ludington’s logging luminaries. on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Ludington library, 217 E. Ludington Ave. Nagle, who has written books on Mason County lumber era legends…

Read more »

Woman airlifted after falling out of moving vehicle; reckless driving charge sought against driver

September 30, 2025

SCOTTVILLE — A 45-year-old Custer woman reportedly fell out of a moving vehicle that was driven by a 25-year-old Fountain man Monday, Sept. 29, shortly after 10:30 a.m. The incident occurred in the 200 block of North Main Street “during a verbal argument,” said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The woman suffered serious injuries and was flown via Aeromed to…

Read more »

Moolenaar introduces legislation to freeze farm workers’ wage

September 30, 2025

LANSING — Congressman John Moolenaar (R-Midland) recently introduced the “Freeze AEWR and Restore Monetary Sense (FARMS) Act “to provide certainty to Michigan farmers struggling to make ends meet,” states press release from his office.  “The bill comes as the Department of Labor is currently unable to properly calculate the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for 2026, which dictates the wages of…

Read more »

Police news, published Sept. 30, 2025

September 30, 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, Sept. 24, 2025: 4:09 p.m., (Michigan State Police), a woman was transported to Corewell Health Ludington Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries following a single-vehicle rollover crash, 2200 block of Stiles Road, Victory Township. 7:41…

Read more »

Bid Notice: MDOT Maintenance Project, US 31, Oceana County

September 30, 2025

MDOT Maintenance project Southbound US-31 over Oceana Drive (S01 of 64014) bridge rehabilitation, in Grant Township, Oceana County, Michigan. DESCRIPTION OF WORK Bridge rehabilitation including replacement of expansion joint devices at the south abutment, cleaning and sealing construction joints, minor deck patching, silane treatment on deck surface, concrete bridge barrier, abutments, wingwalls, and backwalls, and maintaining traffic. All work shall…

Read more »

Recent births, published Sept. 30, 2025

September 30, 2025

The birth announcements are a presentation of West Shore Bank, providing service to Mason, Oceana, Manistee, Muskegon, Benzie, and Grand Traverse counties; www.westshorebank.com.  Demari Deon Lanier Jr., the son of Ryana Roberts and Demari Lanier of Ludington, was born on Monday, September 29, 2025. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.  List of 2024 births List of 2023 births…

Read more »

Obituary: Robert Ray Byer, 55, of Baldwin

September 30, 2025

Robert “Rob” Ray Byer crossed the final finish line on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the age of 55, in Baldwin. He leaves behind a legacy as vibrant as his passion for racing. He was born in Detroit, on December 1, 1969. After waving the checkered flag on his high school years at Cadillac High in 1988, Rob revved up…

Read more »

History of the three Amber Township cemeteries

September 28, 2025

This MCP Great Lakes History Blog is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Mason County Historical Society.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief AMBER TOWNSHIP — Amber Township maintains two cemeteries, Rickey Cemetery, located on Conrad Road, and Towns Cemetery, located on Johnson Road. Before either of those cemeteries were developed, the township owned a cemetery known as the Evans Cemetery,…

Read more »

Muskegon museum ship Coast Guard Cutter McLane to be scrapped

September 28, 2025

Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MUSKEGON — Earlier this month, the USS Silversides Submarine Museum announced that its board and staff have made the decision to de-accession the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter McLane, due to the boat’s state of disrepair. Commissioned in 1927, the McLane served with distinction through multiple eras of Coast Guard history. During World War II, the…

Read more »

Prairie Potholes vs. Great Lakes

September 28, 2025

By Joan Young, Contributing Writer Just a few weeks ago, I returned from visiting, once again, the western terminus of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT). There the NCT meets the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail where the Missouri River splits the landscape between rolling prairie and badlands. The river follows the leading edge of the Wisconsin Glacier-…

Read more »

Employment: On-Site Manufacturing Engineering Manager

September 28, 2025

Employment: On-Site Manufacturing Engineering Manager Business Focus: Aluminum Value Stream Job Description: This role leads a dynamic team of engineers and maintenance professionals in a fast-paced, innovation-driven manufacturing environment. It combines strategic process optimization, capital planning, and cost-saving initiatives with hands-on technical expertise in aluminum manufacturing. Through strong leadership and project execution, you’ll drive long-term operational success while shaping the future of…

Read more »

Photo Feature: MCC PTC Color Run

September 26, 2025

Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central Elementary PTC held its annual fun run/color run Friday evening. The event is a major fundraiser for the organization which helps fund field trips, playground equipment, and many other services for MCC elementary students. ____________________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email…

Read more »

Spartan Food Club helps reduce food insecurities at MCC

September 26, 2025

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — The Lakeshore Food Club recently opened its second in-school club with the debut of the Spartan Food Club. Located at Mason County Central Middle School, and operated in partnership with MCC, the Spartan Food Club services MCC…

Read more »

MV Great Republic delivers coal in Manistee

September 26, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MANISTEE — The MV Great Republic delivered coal to Morton Salt along Manistee Lake Friday, Sept. 26. The ship arrived about 5 a.m. and unloaded until past 6 p.m. The Great Republic is operated by Great Lakes Fleet, Inc. of Duluth, Minn. and is managed by Key Lakes, Inc. It was built by Bay Shipbuilding Co.…

Read more »

Trick or Treat in the Village is Oct. 18

September 26, 2025

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Historic White Pine Village will host its annual Trick or Treat in the Village event on Saturday, Oct. 18. This year’s presenting sponsor is Filer Credit Union. Candy will be handed out from 2 to 5 p.m., or until supplies run out. Admission is $8.50 per adult; $6.50 for children ages 4-13 (children ages 3 and…

Read more »

West Shore Family Support to host Pumpkins in the Park, carving events

September 26, 2025

LUDINGTON — West Shore Family Support will host its annual Pumpkins in the Park glow walk fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Cartier Park. During the one-mile luminary-lit walk, there will be giveaways, treat stations and a pumpkin path, featuring hand-carved pumpkins created by local community members. West Shore Family Support is a non-profit organization…

Read more »

Bicyclist stopped by police arrested for meth possession

September 26, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com.  LUDINGTON — A 38-year-old Thompsonville man was stopped by Ludington police officers for traffic violations while riding a bicycle Friday, Sept. 26, at 1:20 a.m. at Tinkham and Washington avenues, according to Ludington Police Chief Chris Jones. The suspect was arrested for methamphetamine…

Read more »

Obituary: Bryan Wendell Griffin, 67, of Ludington

September 26, 2025

Bryan Wendell Griffin, 67, of Ludington, passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at home.  He was born November 10, 1957, in Shelby, the son of George and Fern (Fessendon) Griffin. Bryan served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years.  He retired in 2022 from Whitehall Industries where he had been employed for over 10 years.  In his spare time,…

Read more »