Traffic Alert: Vehicle crash US 10, Custer Township

February 6, 2026

CUSTER TOWNSHIP, 4:02 p.m. — Report of a vehicle crash on US 10 near Tuttle Road. There are no injuries but vehicles involved in the crash are causing a traffic hazard.

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Varsity Wrestling: Orioles finish regular season with win over Oakridge; loss to Montague

February 6, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. MUSKEGON — The Ludington Orioles finished their regular season Wednesday with a win against the Oakridge Eagles, 24-23 and a loss to the Montague Wildcats, 65-21. Key Oriole wins  against Oakridge came…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Feb. 6, 2026

February 6, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – Dwayne Gene Gardner, 21, third-offense domestic violence. Offense date: Jan. 31, 2026. Agency: Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Bail: $5,000/10 percent. Preliminary exam: Feb. 18 at 1:30 p.m. – Geoff Leigh Leverenz, 40, receiving and concealing stolen property and intent to pass false motor vehicle…

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Legal Notice: Michael Nickelson

February 6, 2026

Legal Notice: Michael Nickelson State of Michigan 51st Judicial Court – Family Division, Mason County Case No. 24-73-NA To Michael Nickelson In the matter of Gary Nickelson: A hearing regarding ADJUDICATION AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS will be conducted by the court on Feb. 26, 2026 to Feb. 27, 2026 at 1 p.m. in the Mason County Courthouse, 304 E.…

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Lakeshore Parenting Expo is Feb. 21

February 6, 2026

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP  — The Lakeshore Parenting Expo is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ludington Elementary School, 5771 W. Bryant Rd. The free, family-friendly event is designed to connect parents, caregivers, and expectant families with trusted local resources, services, and educational opportunities all in one place. Mike Jeruzal, keynote speaker, will speak at 9 a.m. followed…

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West Shore Bank employees raise over $13K for United Way

February 6, 2026

LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank’s employees recently raised $13,766.23 for United Way chapters within its service area.  The funds were distributed to the following United Way chapters: United Way of Mason County: $8,005.13 United Way of the Lakeshore: $1,866.00 United Way of Southeastern Michigan: $1,470.10 United Way of Northwest Michigan: $1,278.00 United Way of Manistee County: $1,147.00 “Your generosity made…

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Obituary: Ellen Rae (Durham) Schroeder, 70, of Ludington

February 6, 2026

Ellen Rae (Durham) Schroeder, 70, of Ludington, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026. Ellen was born on June 11, 1955, to the late Murle Durham and Frances (Lessard) Sauers.  For nearly 30 years she worked as a machinist at Whitehall Industries. For five years, she had been an intake coordinator at COVE. Ellen was a beloved mother, known for…

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Ludington building contractor charged with fraud

February 5, 2026

LUDINGTON — A 53-year-old man faces four felony charges in Mason County’s 79th District Court in connection to alleged building contractor fraud. Scot Eric Latimer, owner of Pere Marquette Builders, LLC, 913 S. Washington Ave., is charged with the following offenses in two criminal cases: fraudulent use of a building contract; false sworn statement by a contractor $20,000 or more;…

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Varsity Boys Basketball: LHS shuts out Montague

February 5, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Ludington Orioles had a challenging start in the first quarter and eventually took the lead, defeating the Montague Wildcats 74-41. “Montague hung tough with…

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Varsity Boys Basketball: Baldwin defeats Cardinals

February 5, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. BALDWIN — The Baldwin Panthers kept a strong lead over the Mason County Eastern Cardinals Thursday evening, taking a 68-38 West Michigan D Conference win. “A lot of things went wrong, but…

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Winter weather advisory in effect through Friday afternoon

February 5, 2026

A winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service for several west and central Michigan counties — including Mason and Oceana counties — is in effect until 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. Expect mixed precipitation with total snow accumulation of 2-4 inches and ice accumulation around a light glaze. Plan on slippery road conditions. Slow down and use caution…

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HS Girls Basketball: MCE varsity defeats Walkerville; Wildcats JVs beat Cardinals

February 5, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. Varsity CUSTER — The Cardinals defeated the Wildcats 50-34 Wednesday night. While the two teams are part of the West Michigan D Conference, Wednesday’s game was not part of the conference schedule.…

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Police news, published Feb. 5, 2026

February 5, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is police activity in Mason County Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026: 5:24 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), car/deer crash, no injury, US 31 south of Decker Road, Custer Township. 11:17 a.m., (MCSO), larceny, 100 block of Ivan Drive, Victory Township. The victim…

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Recent death: Ellen Rae (Durham) Schroeder, 70, of Ludington

February 5, 2026

Ellen Rae (Durham) Schroeder, 70, of Ludington, died on Thursday, February 5, 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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Recent births, published Feb. 5, 2026

February 5, 2026

Malcolm Matthew Oboyski, the son of Miranda Browne and Matthew Oboyski of Ludington, was born on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Scottie Marie Jackoviak, the daughter of Hayley and John Jackoviak of Custer, was born on Thursday, Februrary 5, 2026. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.  List of 2026 births List of 2025 births   __________________________________ Please Support Local News…

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Varsity Wrestling: Central defeats North Muskegon

February 4, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. NORTH MUSKEGON — The Mason County Central defeated the North Muskegon Norsemen Wednesday in the Spartans’ last dual match of their regular season. MCC defeated North Muskegon 57-18 in the West Michigan…

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MCC implements districtwide computer science instruction

February 4, 2026

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central School District in partnership with Mason County Press.  SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central Schools has launched its first-ever, districtwide computer science program during the 2025–26 school year. The program introduces structured instruction from all grade levels, kindergarten through 12, as part of a long-term effort to prepare students for a technology-driven…

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We need your help

February 4, 2026

Folks, we really need your help. Before I continue, I want to thank those who have accepted our request and are now subscribing to the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing. We are asking for you to make a small monthly investment in order for us to continue to provide you with local news and sports coverage. Mason County Press and Oceana County…

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Police news, published Feb. 4, 2026

February 4, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent activity of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office: Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 – 8:09 p.m.: Single vehicle rollover crash, no injuries, US 31 freeway south of Ludington rest area, Summit Township. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 – 7:28 a.m.: Car/deer crash, no…

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Varsity Boys Basketball — MCC tops Orchard View

February 4, 2026

MUSKEGON — Mason County Central was victorious over the Orchard View Cardinals Tuesday night, winning 54-38. “It was a tight first half of basketball, with us leading 22–19 at the break,” said MCC Coach Chris VanderHaag. “We struggled at times to find a rhythm offensively in the first half. In the second half, we settled in and started playing our…

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Obituary: Warren Billings, 79, of Ludington

February 4, 2026

Warren Billings, 79, of Ludington, passed away on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Warren, lovingly known as Zeb, was born on November 2, 1945, to the late VeLoid and Lucille (Brickley) Billings. He was a 1964 graduate of Ludington High School. Later, he earned his locksmith diploma. On July 26, 1975, he married Sherry (Carlson) Billings, sharing over 50 years by…

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