VIDEO: Razing the Bates silos

June 2, 2025

Around the County is a presentation of Preferred Credit Union, www.preferredcu.org, located locally at 266 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington. Video by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief VICTORY TOWNSHIP — On March 14, 2025 fire destroyed two farm buildings in the 2800 block of North Peterson Road. One of those buildings was a barn owned by Fred and Cathi Bates, used as a sugar…

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Mason County Historical Society seeks stories from past/present car ferry crew

June 2, 2025

LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society is making plans to expand its Ludington car ferries exhibit at the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and it needs help from the public. The expanded exhibit will include an interactive kiosk that will tell the stories of those who have worked on the Ludington car ferries through a combination of text, audio,…

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SS City of Milwaukee offers unique Boatel overnight experience

June 2, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief MANISTEE — Would you like a unique overnight experience? Consider staying at the SS City of Milwaukee museum ship’s Boatel. The 360-foot-long City of Milwaukee is docked on Manistee Lake along US 31. The ship was built in Manitowoc, Wis. 1931 and operated most of its career for the Grand Trunk Railroad from Muskegon to Wisconsin.…

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Sex offender arrested for violating registration requirements

June 2, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com.  LUDINGTON — A 52-year-old Ludington man was arrested after a Mason County sheriff’s deputy, who was conducting checks on persons on the sex offender registry, found that the suspect was not, nor had he ever, lived at a residence he listed in Sheridan…

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Reader concerned about senior services

June 2, 2025

Letters to the editor are opinion editorials submitted by readers. Letters to the editor are a long tradition in American journalism. The views and opinions of the writer do not necessarily reflect those of Mason County Press, its staff or its parent company. For more information, please refer to MCP’s Letter to the Editor Policy. Dear Editor: Did you know that…

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Recent births, published June 2, 2025

June 2, 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.  Johnny Justin Garza Jr., the son of Abigail and Johnny Garza of Shelby, was born on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.  List of 2024 births List of 2023 births  …

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Two vessels arrive at Ludington Sunday morning

June 1, 2025

Great Lakes Boat Blog Great Lakes Boat Blog is a presentation of Filer Credit Union, with offices in Manistee, Ludington and Bear Lake, www.filercu.com and the Mason County Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, ludingtonmaritimemuseum.org, located at 217 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Sunday, June 1, 2025 LUDINGTON — Ludington boat watchers got a treat Sunday morning…

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The wooden PM 16, a mixture of historical significance – good and bad

May 31, 2025

This Maritime History Blog is a presentation of the Mason County Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, ludingtonmaritimemuseum.org, located at 217 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The service of the SS Pere Marquette 16, the only wooden car ferry to operate in the Ludington fleet, was a mixture of historical significance — both good and bad.…

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Stage Left Theatre Co. to present ‘Firebringer’ in July

May 31, 2025

LUDINGTON — Stage Left Theatre Company has announced the cast and opening of ticket sales of its upcoming production of “Firebringer.” “Firebringer” is a comedic musical by StarKid Productions. It takes place in the stone age where a tribe of cave people discovers fire. The musical delves into themes of tradition versus progress, the transformative power of fire, and the…

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VIDEO: Manistee sunset

May 30, 2025

Video by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Sunset Friday, May 30, 2025 at Manistee North Pier Lighthouse. This video presented to you by Filer Credit Union For more photos, consider subscribing to our Daily Briefing. More information below. _________________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your contribution will…

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Welcome Home!

May 30, 2025

Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — A crowd gathered on the Ludington piers Friday to watch the Fish On for Freedom Welcome Home Parade. The 10th annual veterans fishing tournament began at 6 a.m. this morning and concluded at noon. Volunteer boat crews spent their morning taking veterans out for an excursion on Lake Michigan. The boat parade was…

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Air quality alert in effect through Saturday morning

May 30, 2025

Thunderstorms expected this evening The entire State of Michigan is under an air quality alert through 6 a.m. Saturday, May 31. “Air quality is expected to be poor as smoke from Canadian fires mixes down to the surface,” states NWS. “It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases like…

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79th District Court arraignments, published May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – Travis William Malone, 30; delivery/manufacturing a controlled substance — methamphetamine; arrested May 22 by Ludington Police Department; arraigned May 23; preliminary hearing: June 11; bail: $100,000 cash. – Nicole Lynn Kaiser, 36; possession of a controlled substance — methamphetamine/ecstasy; arrested…

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Recent births, published May 30, 2025

May 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.  Avery Hope Richert, the daughter of Bailey and Alexander Richert of Ludington, was born on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.  List of 2024 births List of 2023 births   __________________________________…

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Obituary: Caroline Marie Johnson, 91, of Ludington

May 30, 2025

Caroline Marie Johnson, 91, of Ludington, died on Thursday, May 29, 2025. “Sweet Caroline” was born in Ludington to Michael and Anna (Gwiazdowski) Zywicki on August 14, 1933. She attended Saint Stanislaus and Saint Simon schools, graduating in 1951. The friendships Mom formed during those years were lifelong and rich in depth and loyalty. Caroline loved her family “To The…

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Obituary: Robert Richard Conley Jr., 55, of Custer

May 30, 2025

Robert “Rob” Richard Conley Jr., 55, lost his battle with cancer and passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on May 27, 2025, in Custer. He was born on August 25, 1969, in Muskegon to Diana Zimmerman and Robert Conley Sr. Rob was a loving spouse, father, brother, grandfather and friend. He enjoyed working at Northwood Golf Course…

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Fin & Feather offering CPL class

May 30, 2025

SHERMAN TOWNSHIP — The Fin & Feather Club of Mason County will be offering a concealed pistol license (CPL) class on Friday, June 6 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 7, all day, with live range shooting in the afternoon. The entire class will take place at the Fin & Feather Club’s grounds, 3276 N. Darr Rd. Class…

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Employment: High School Drama Director

May 30, 2025

Employment: High School Drama Director Mason County Central School District is currently accepting applications for a High School Drama Director for the 2025/2026 school year. Drama background required Acting/directing experience preferred. For details and to apply, go to www.mccschools.org. This is a paid posting. Published until June 14, 2025. 

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Mears couple plead for justice for their murdered son

May 29, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — It has been over six years since William and Denita Buchanan’s 32-year-old son, Billy, was murdered, and the man who was accused of killing him remains free. The murder, assault and weapon charges against Corey Ryan Beekman, now aged 39, were dismissed in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court, Sept. 22, 2020. Beekman was…

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Fish On for Freedom Welcome Home Parade is noon Friday

May 29, 2025

LUDINGTON — The public is invited to cheer on veterans participating in the 10th Fish On for Freedom fishing tournament Friday, May 30 at noon. The Welcome Home Parade will be a processional of fishing boats and their passengers that will travel from the Ludington pier heads into the channel. Boats will assemble at 11:45 a.m. following a morning of…

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2025 state park summer series begins with Ludington State Park reopening

May 29, 2025

HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — The Friends of the Ludington State Park 2025 Summer Series begins on the night of the park’s scheduled reopening and continues through August. The free Tuesday and Saturday programs are funded by the Friends of the Ludington State Park (FLSP) and Safe Harbor Credit Union, along with donation. It is held in partnership with the park’s interpretive…

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