
COVID-19 tag on MCP posts. MCP now features a “COVID-19” menu item under its masthead (logo) on top of the website. All COVID-19 related stories posted on MCP feature the COVID-19 2020 tag to make the stories archivable.
Governor announces new programs to expand unemployment. LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Monday, March 30, 2020, announced new programs for workers affected by COVID-19. The governor, under the federal CARES Act, signed an agreement between Michigan and the U.S. Dept. of Labor to implement Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Compensation programs that grant benefits to workers who do not already qualify…

Emergency Management helping to make sure local workers are safe. A lot goes on behind the scenes of a local emergency on the scale of the current COVID-19 crisis. So far, as of Tuesday morning, March 31, 2020, Mason County is one of the few counties in the State of Michigan that has not had any confirmed cases. Even with…

Firefighter asking community to help send meals to frontline COVID-19 workers. Donations can be made through PayPal here. FREE SOIL — Firefighter Broc Cameron had an idea. He wanted to send over meals to the people working the frontlines on the COVID-19 crisis — hospital personnel, nursing homes, firefighters, EMS and law enforcement, among others. Cameron sent out a Facebook…

Governor calls for statewide water reconnections. LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took steps today to ensure at-risk households have access to clean water for hand washing and sanitation through an executive order requiring the reconnection of service to residences that have had water service shut off. A $2-million Water Restart Grant Program will help communities comply with the order. “This is…

Former undersheriff running for county commission. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — Jody Hartley retired from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office in May 2018. He spent his last six years of his 32-year law enforcement serving as the undersheriff. Now, he’s ready for a new role, county commissioner. Hartley recently filed paperwork with the Mason County Clerk’s office to…

Man accidentally shoots his hand while cleaning gun. Michigan State Police troopers from the Hart post were dispatched to Spectrum Ludington Hospital Saturday, March 28, around 11 p.m. after a 38-year-old Scottville man accidentally shot himself in the hand with a handgun while he was cleaning it, said Sgt. Dan Thomas. “It was a self-inflicted cleaning accident,” Thomas said. The…

Obituary: Pauline ‘Polly’ Egeler, 82, Victory Township. Pauline (Polly) Egeler, 82, of Victory Township left her earthly home on Friday, March 27, 2020 at home surrounded by her family. Polly Irish was born on October 7, 1937, in Williamsburg, Michigan to Frank and Geneva Irish. On August 10, 1957 she married the love of her life, Ralph Egeler. In 1964…

Recent births, posted March 30, 2020. The birth announcements are a presentation of Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. The following births have been reported: (Unless indicated otherwise, births took place at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital). Scarlett Lorraine Veeneman, the daughter of Ashley Pianto and Philip Veeneman of Ludington, was born Friday, March 27, 2020. Avery Grace Kies, the daughter of Claudia and Christopher…

Obituary: Jack Lawrence Flynn, 89, Ludington. Jack Lawrence Flynn, 89, of Ludington, passed away on March 26, 2020. Jack was born on April 27, 1930 in Denver, Colorado, the son of Clarence and Katherine (Rath) Flynn. He married Arloa Odean Glamzi in Grand Rapids and celebrated 50 years together before her passing in 2015. Jack spent his early years in…

Home Tips: Selling your property to a family member. A presentation of Century 21 Bayshore Real Estate. If you’re thinking of selling your home to a family member, that could be a win-win for all involved. However, you should know there are legal ramifications that go beyond familial (and emotional) attachments. “The sale of a home is a complex business…

Weekend police report. #MasonCountyCrime The police news is a presentation of Lenz-Balder Insurance, offering Nationwide Insurance, 201 E. Court St., Ludington, 231-845-6279, www.lenzbalderins.com. The following is police activity in Mason County over the weekend: Friday, March 27, 2020: – 12:30 a.m,. (Michigan State Police), domestic violence, case is under investigation, 4000 block of Ordway Road, Custer Township. – 10:46 a.m.,…

Recent deaths, posted March 30, 2020 The following recent deaths have been reported to MCP: Joy Sue Finley, 73, of Branch died on Friday, March 27. Arrangements by Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services, Scottville. Raymond C. Edel, 79, of Scottville died on Sunday, March 29. Funeral arrangements are pending at Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services, Scottville. This post is a…

Partly cloudy the rest of the week. Smith & Eddy Insurance Weather. Cloudy tonight with a low temperature of 32 degrees. Tuesday, March 31, 2020 Partly cloudy skies during the morning, becoming overcast in the afternoon. High 43; low 34. Precipitation: 10% Wind: NNE 6 mph day; NNE 6 mph evening. Humidity: 80% day; 91% evening. Sunrise: 7:27 a.m.; sunset:…

Rain and snow showers overnight, Monday morning. Smith & Eddy Insurance Weather. Rain showers this evening changing to mixed rain and snow overnight. Low temperature of 36 degrees. Monday, March 30, 2020 Rain and snow showers in the morning. Overcast in the afternoon. High 37; low 30. Precipitation: 50% day; 10% evening. Wind: NNW 14 mph day; N 12 mph…

WMOM sold. LUDINGTON — The Michigan Association of Broadcasters has reported that Pentwater/Ludington-based radio station WMOM has been sold to Hit Radio Media, LLC of Greenville. The application was filed with the Federal Communications Commission on March 25, 2020. Hit Radio Media is owned by Jim Chesley of Greenville, Steve Leach of Cape Coral, Fla., and Jeff Lobdell of Grand…

History: Quarantined in Riverton Editor’s Note: MC History Spotlight is a regular history column brought to you by Ludington Woods Assisted Living and Memory Care. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. The recent events of the mass stay at home orders and self quarantines are not unique to history. Much as been written lately of the events of the flu pandemic of…
The Scoop: Sen. VanderWall speaks about health care policy. Today’s edition of The Scoop features Sen. Curt VanderWall speaking about health care access. It was filmed on March 13. On that same day, we interviewed Sen. VanderWall about the COVID-19 crisis as it was unfolding. We wanted to share some other news about what’s happening in Lansing as well. The…

Mental Health Matters: Managing stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic By Alan Neushwander The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created a new normal for our daily lives. Nonessential businesses are closed, kids are on extended breaks from school, sports have been canceled, social distancing is being enforced, the governor has issued an executive order to stay at home, and grocery…

Man who left bloody mess at hotel arraigned for resisting arrest, disorderly. #MasonCountyCrime. LUDINGTON — Zachariah Paul Gerovac, 22, of 7807 E. US 10, Branch, was arraigned Saturday, March 28, in 79th District Court on two charges of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer and a charge of disorderly person, drunk. The assault charges carry a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.…

Exception 7 – Not Just Another Loophole Watson Country Outdoor Report. By Joan Young, MCP/OCP outdoors writer. The Watson Country Outdoor Report is a presentation of the Watson Auto Group, selling Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Fiat in Ludington, Manistee, Benzie and Rockford. “Every season there’s a reason to visit Watson Country. For more information, visit watsoncountry.com As we all struggle to…