Closings and cancellations, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026

January 22, 2026

The following weather-related closings and cancellations have been reported for Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. This list may be updated. Schools Covenant Christian School, Ludington Gateway to Success Academy, Scottville Hart Public Schools Hart High School evening Snowcoming activities and JV and varsity girls basketball game— will be rescheduled at a later date Ludington Area Catholic School Ludington Area School District;…

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Man arraigned on 8 felony charges in child sex case

January 22, 2026

LUDINGTON — A 53-year-old man faces eight felony counts in Mason County’s 79th District Court in connection to a child sex case. John Edward Engelsman is charged with two counts of child sexually abusive commercial activity, one count of accosting children for immoral purposes, three counts of using a computer to commit a crime, and two counts of felony firearms.…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Jan. 22, 2026

January 22, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced this week in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Jonathon Raymond Witt, 42, pleaded guilty Nov. 18 to third-offense operating while intoxicated and was sentenced Jan. 20 to 30 days in jail with credit for two days served; three years probation; and $833 in fines and costs. One count of open intoxicants was dismissed.…

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Closings and cancellations, Thursday, Jan. 22

January 22, 2026

The following weather-related closings and cancellations have been reported for Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. This list may be updated throughout the day. Mason County Rural Fire Authority board meeting, postponed until Thursday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m., Custer Fire Station   ____________________________ Please Support Local News and Sports Coverage Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts…

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Cold weather advisory issued as arctic blast hits Michigan

January 22, 2026

Most Michigan counties are under a cold air advisory issued by the National Weather Service from 7 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, until 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. “An arctic blast will bring frigid temperatures, gusty winds and dangerous wind chills to the Northern Plains before expanding to the South and East,” states NWS. Extremely cold wind chills as low as…

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Varsity Girls Basketball: Eastern defeats Pentwater

January 22, 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. PENTWATER — The Mason County Eastern Cardinals defeated the Pentwater Falcons 45-31 during West Michigan D play Wednesday, Jan. 21. “We had a slow start tonight and our execution was sloppy in…

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Obituary: Robert ‘Mike’ Brockwell, 57, of Ludington

January 22, 2026

Robert Michael “Mike” Brockwell,  57, passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in Ludington. Born on February 1, 1968, in Lansing, Mike was known for his gregarious, curious nature and was well-liked in his community. Mike graduated from Sexton High School in 1986 and spent many years at Whitehall Industries in Ludington, where he was respected for his work ethic…

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Recent death: Vito “Daniel” Astrowski, 96, of Ludington

January 22, 2026

Vito “Daniel” Astrowski, 96, of Ludington, died on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Arrangements were entrusted to 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…

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Recent death: Kenneth Samuel Hoadley, 64

January 22, 2026

Kenneth Samuel Hoadley, 64, died on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Arrangements were entrusted to 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 daily…

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Recent death: Marjorie Elaine Morang, of Free Soil

January 22, 2026

Marjorie Elaine Morang, of Free Soil, died on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Arrangements were entrusted to 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…

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Employment: School Psychologist

January 22, 2026

Employment: School psychologist West Shore Educational Service District has a position vacancy for a School Psychologist with a current and valid School Psychologist certificate from the Michigan Department of Education required. To view a complete job posting, please visit our website at www.wsesd.org. Send cover letter, resume and credentials to: Human Resources, West Shore ESD, 2130 W. US 10, Ludington,…

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VIDEO: Ice on the lighthouse

January 21, 2026

This video is presented by Preferred Credit Union, www.preferredcu.org, located locally at 266 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington. Video by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Jan. 20, 2026: Ice has formed on the Ludington North Breakwater Lighhouse following a few days of a mid-January gales.   ___________________________________ Please Support Local News and Sports Coverage Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings…

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Varsity Girls Basketball: LHS defeats Manistee

January 21, 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 Orioles defeated rivals Manistee in West Michigan Conference Lakes Division action Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Hawley Gymnasium, 62-34. “This was a really nice conference…

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Varsity Wrestling: Spartans top Orioles in cross-county dual

January 21, 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. SCOTTVILLE — Weather caused two competitors to drop out of a quad meet at Mason County Central Wednesday afternoon, resulting in a cross-county dual. The Spartans were victorious over Ludington 38-28. Whitehall…

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Arsonist sent to prison, ordered to pay nearly $820,000 in restitution 

January 21, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 53-year-old Ludington man was sentenced to 15-50 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $820,000 in restitution for convictions of second-degree arson, third-offense domestic violence and third-degree child abuse in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 20. Patrick Joseph Cybert pleaded guilty to the charges, Nov. 12, after setting fire…

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Ludington firefighters quickly extinguish house fire

January 21, 2026

LUDINGTON — Ludington Fire Department responded to a fire at 206 S. Delia St., at 10:24 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21. Upon the arrival of the first unit, smoke could be seen coming from the eaves and a second floor bedroom window. The occupants of the home safely evacuated and firefighters extinguished the fire quickly. Ludington Fire Chief John Henderson said…

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Winter weather advisory issued

January 21, 2026

MASON COUNTY — Several west Michigan counties — including Mason and Oceana counties — are under a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, through 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22. Total snow accumulation between 2 and 5 inches with locally higher amounts are possible and winds gusting as high as 35…

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Man sentenced to prison for assaulting girlfriend, police

January 21, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old Scottville man was sentenced to concurrent prison terms in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 20, of six to 20 years and two to four years for convictions of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and assaulting/resisting/obstructing police. Brandon Keith Eaton pleaded guilty to the…

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Man sent to prison for third-offense domestic violence

January 21, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old man was sentenced to 20 months to 10 years in prison in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 20, for a conviction of third-offense domestic violence. Austin Grant Mareches pleaded guilty to the charge, Nov. 18. He received credit for 146 days served in jail. Mareches committed the crime Aug.…

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Brrrrewfest will benefit new state park amphitheater

January 21, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Pure Ludington Brrrrewfest will take place on Saturday, Jan. 31. Proceeds raised at the 11th annual event will support the Friends of the Ludington State Park organization which plans to earmark funds to improve the parks’ amphitheater. Brrrrewfest features craft beverage tastings, entertainment, and food. Funds from past events have helped the group purchase a handicapped-accessible playground,…

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Obituary: Amy Jalocha, 43, of Free Soil,

January 21, 2026

Amy Jalocha, 43, of Free Soil, passed away on Monday, January 19, 2026. She was the beloved wife of Jason Jalocha, devoted mother to Jacob and Wyatt, and cherished daughter of Rob and Shirley Williams. Amy graduated from Ludington High School in 2001, a milestone she was always proud of. She later built a successful career as an insurance agent,…

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