
Republicans open Mason County campaign office. LUDINGTON — Mason County Republican Executive Committee has opened its campaign headquarters at 106 E. Ludington Ave. Hours are Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 .p.m.

FiveCAP offering assistance with deliverable fuel, metered utilities SCOTTVILLE — Winter and colder temperatures are upon us and the costs for heating homes will become unmanageable for some residents in our community. FiveCAP, Inc. offers help to low-income residents with heat payment assistance for both deliverable fuel and metered utilities. “Lack of resources and extremely cold weather can be a…

3- county fruit tree research station planned in Oceana. The Land is series telling the stories about local agriculture. It is a presentation of Peterson Farms. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. WEARE TOWNSHIP (Oceana County) — A fruit tree research center in northern Oceana County is being planned by the newly formed West Central Michigan Horticultural Research, Inc. The 6,000 square…

Scottville DDA to take over Optimist building. SCOTTVILLE — The Scottville Downtown Development Authority took action Thursday, Nov. 14, to enter into a lease agreement with the Scottville Optimist Club. The lease will give operation and maintenance oversight of the Optimist building to the DDA for a rate of $1,200 a year for five years. The Scottville Clown Band has…

College board asked to formally approve architect contract of Manistee center. SCOTTVILLE — The West Shore Community College Board of Trustees is expected to formally hire an architect for its Downtown Education Center when it meets on Monday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. at Mason County Central Upper Elementary School. While architect Kendra Gibson of Kendra C. Thompson PC had…

Rain and snow this evening, cloudy Monday. Smith & Eddy Insurance Weather. A mixture of rain and snow showers are expected this evening. With a low temperature of 32 degrees. Monday, Nov. 18, 2019. Cloudy. High 37; low 32 Precipitation: 20% day; 20% evening. Wind: SSE 2 mph day; WSW 2 mph evening. Humidity: 92% day; 95% evening. Sunrise: 7:43…

Robot-assisted surgery introduced at Ludington Hospital November 19 Public Open House LUDINGTON — Minimally-invasive surgery with a da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery system is now available at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. The first procedure utilizing the robot was performed October 24 by KellyAnn Vandendool, MD, a board-certified general surgeon at the Ludington Hospital. An open house to showcase the new da…

The Scoop: Veterans services in Mason County. LUDINGTON — Today on MCP’s The Scoop, Kate Krieger-Watkins speaks with Jim Wincek, the Mason County Veterans Service Officer about the services Mason County offers to veterans. The Scoop is a presentation of Safe Harbor Credit Union and Betten Baker Ford of Ludington.

Mason County loses two legends. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Mason County lost a couple local legends this week with the deaths of Bob Urka and Ed Stakenas. Both men oversaw family multi-generational family businesses. Robert Matthew Urka, 89, passed away on Monday, Nov. 11, at his home in Spring Hill, Fla. and Edward William “Duke” Stakenas, 93, died on Wednesday,…

Obituary: Edward ‘Duke’ Stakenas, 93, Free Soil Edward William “Duke” Stakenas, 93, of Free Soil passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at his home. Ed was born on February 24, 1926 at home on the family farm in Sherman Township, the son of William R. and Anna Marie (Merkis) Stakenas, and graduated from Scottville High School with the class…

Hunter dies following river emergency. #ScottvilleNews By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. UPDATE: Names released: Steven John Borkowski, 48, of Comstock Park has been identified as the victim who passed away. He was with his father, John Raymond Borkowski, 76, of Grand Rapids, and Marc Borkowski, 45, also of Grand Rapids. SCOTTVILLE — A 48-year-old Grand Rapids man died this morning following…

Fire damages Amber Twp. pole building. #MasonCountyNews. AMBER TOWNSHIP — A fire severely damaged a pole barn/garage at the James Reid residence, 791 W. Johnson Road, Friday afternoon. When firefighters arrived on the scene at the corner of Johnson and LaSalle roads, the building, located just a few feet from the residence, was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able…

3 hunters rescued from PM River. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. SCOTTVILLE — Three deer hunters from Grand Rapids were rescued from the Pere Marquette River after their canoe capsized Friday morning. Emergency personnel were dispatched to Riverside Park about 7:30 a.m. for a report of three men in the water west of the park’s boat launch. Two of the men…

$60 in gas stolen. #MasonCountyCrime PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP – A thief or thieves drove away with $60.02 in fuel Friday, Nov. 15, shortly before 6:30 a.m. at the Ludington EZ Mart on West US 10, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. The following is Mason County Sheriff’s Office activity Thursday, Nov. 4, 2019: – 12:54 a.m., warrant/probation violation arrest,…

The Scoop: Nickelson Tree Farm AMBER TOWNSHIP — Today on The Scoop, Kate Krieger-Watkins speaks with Ben Nickelson, owner of Nickelson Evergreens (Nickelson Tree Farm) about the upcoming Christmas tree season, along with the charitable work the farm provides for the community. A presentation of Betten Baker Ford of Ludington and Safe Harbor Credit Union.

Amber land owner frustrated with zoning process. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief #MasonCountyNews. AMBER TOWNSHIP — Dan Quinn is a frustrated property owner. Quinn, who owns U-Win Motorsports , 2284 W. US 10/31 between Stiles and Quarterline roads, wants to build a storage building on property adjacent to his recreational vehicle sales business. His plan is to use the building for…

Sex crimes top 79th District Court arraignments LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Ricky Todd Wilson, 24, homeless, was arrested Nov. 6 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) on felony charges of third degree criminal sexual conduct (victim between 13-16 years old) and habitual offender supplemental warrant. Probable cause hearing: Nov. 20…

51st Circuit Court sentencings, posted Nov. 14, 2019. LUDINGTON — The following were recently sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: -Larry Arthur Collins, 58, of 1101 S. Madison Ave., Ludington, pleaded guilty Oct. 1 to failure to register as a sex offender and was sentenced to 365 days in jail with credit for 158 days served; must serve five…

79th District Court sentencings, posted Nov. 14, 2019. LUDINGTON — The following were recently sentenced in Mason County’s 79th District Court: -Antonio Gonzales Perez, Jr., 50, of 3712 W. Hidden Forest Dr., Amber Township, pleaded guilty Nov. 5 to operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) and was sentenced to 32 days in jail with credit for two days served; 93…

Neighbors help prevent major damage at house fire. SHERIDAN TOWNSHIP — The quick actions of neighbors most likely saved a house at 6590 E. Beech Road from major fire damage Thursday morning. Fountain Area Fire Department and Branch Township Fire Department were initially called to the house fire near Tallman Lake shortly after 8 a.m. Upon arrival, smoke was coming…

Meth arrest, crashes keep police busy. #MasonCountyCrime The following is police activity in Mason County Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019: – 7:35 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), one-vehicle rollover crash, no injury, Lakeshore Dive north of Kistler Road, Summit Township. – 8:35 a.m., (MCSO), one-vehicle crash, no injury, US 31 freeway south of Pere Marquette Highway overpass, Summit Township. – 9:18…