Chemical Bank expected to close 38 branches, 230 jobs.

September 15, 2017

Chemical Bank expected to close 38 branches, 230 jobs. Chemical Bank has filed documents with the US Securities and Exchange Commission announcing a 7 percent reduction in staff as well as bank consolidations. The cost-cutting initiative is expected to generate $20 million in annual savings. The reductions will affect about 230 of the corporation’s 3,500 employees in 38 branches. According…

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Police assist with loose pig.

September 15, 2017

Police assist with loose pig. #MasonCountyCrime RIVERTON TOWNSHIP — Michigan State Police troopers from the Hart post were called to the scene of a pig on the loose in the 800 block of West Bradshaw Road Thursday, Sept. 14, at 11:27 p.m., according to Sgt. Charles Hockanson. The pig had gotten loose and entered someone’s yard, he said. Other recent…

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State red flags many local school buses.

September 14, 2017

State red flags many local school buses. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. The Michigan State Police recently released its 2016-2017 school bus inspection report. With the exception of Manistee Catholic Central School’s one bus, every school district in Mason, Lake, Manistee, and Oceana counties had buses that were “red flagged” by the state police, meaning during the inspection those buses were found…

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Ludington man arrested for heroin possession.

September 14, 2017

Ludington man arrested for heroin possession. #MasonCountyCrime HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — A 22-year-old Ludington man was arrested by Mason County sheriff’s deputies Thursday, Sept. 14, at 12:30 a.m. for heroin possession and outstanding warrants in the 2000 block of Sherman Road, according to Sgt. Eric Soneral of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. Other recent police activity in Mason County includes: Wednesday,…

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Leeward Initiative addressing drug and alcohol issues in Mason County. 

September 14, 2017

  Leeward Initiative addressing drug and alcohol issues in Mason County.  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. AMBER TOWNSHIP — A coalition formed in 2016 to tackle substance abuse issues in Mason County has formally launched its name and logo. The Leeward Initiative is a multi-agency group formed to address four priority areas: Underage alcohol use, synthetic drug use, use of opiates…

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Recent births, reported Sept. 14, 2017.

September 14, 2017

Recent births, reported Sept. 14, 2017.  #MasonCountyBirths Births took place at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, unless indicated otherwise.  Novalee Grace Lynn Gutowski, the daughter of Holly and Richard Gutowski of Idlewild, was born September 11, 2017. Colton Lee Michels, the son of Katie Schiebner and Nicholas Michels of Fountain, was born September 12, 2017. Henry Edward McMahon, the son of Sarah and David McMahon, Jr.…

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Republicans monthly meeting is Sept. 19.

September 14, 2017

Republicans’ monthly meeting is Sept. 19. BRANCH TOWNSHIP — The next meeting of the Mason County Republican Executive Committee is Tuesday September 19 at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be hosted by Charlie and Becky Robinson at their All Seasons  Resort,  7460 E. US 10, Walhalla. A picnic supper will be held prior to the meeting. Attendees are asked to bring…

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Obituary: George Willavage, 98, Ludington.

September 13, 2017

Obituary: George Willavage, 98, Ludington. George Willavage, 98, of Ludington, longtime resident of Branch passed away Monday, September 12, 2017 at Oakview Medical Care Facility.  George was born on September 11, 1919 in Girardville, Pennsylvania, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Willavage and served his country during World War II with the US Army in Austria.  On May 14, 1968, he married…

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Hart post continues to seek ‘Angel’ volunteers.

September 13, 2017

Hart post continues to seek ‘Angel’ volunteers. #MichiganStatePolice HART — To assist people struggling with addiction and reduce drug demand, the Michigan State Police (MSP) joined almost 200 police departments nationwide in the Angel Program, a pre-arrest diversion program. The Angel Program allows someone with a drug addiction to walk into a state police post to seek help for their…

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Ludington man sent to jail for larceny, cocaine possession.

September 13, 2017

Ludington man sent to jail for larceny, cocaine possession. #MasonCountyCourtNews By Allison Scarbrough. Editor. LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old Ludington man was sentenced to serve nine months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term Tuesday, Sept. 12, for convictions of larceny from a vehicle and cocaine possession less than 25 grams. Michael Thomas Martinez, of 204 S. Harrison St., was…

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Home invasion tops 79th District Court arraignments

September 13, 2017

Home invasion tops 79th District Court arraignments. #MasonCountyCrime. By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer. LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Nicholas David Wroble, 29, no address listed, was arrested September 6 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) on a felony charge of second-degree home invasion. Probable cause hearing: September 20 at 1:15 p.m.…

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79th District Court sentencings, posted Sept. 13, 2017.

September 13, 2017

79th District Court sentencings, posted Sept. 13, 2017. #MasonCountyCrime. By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer. LUDINGTON — The following were recently sentenced in Mason County’s 79th District Court: -Matthew Jason Case, 44, of 6413 Duneview Dr., Hamlin Township, pleaded guilty September 5 to disorderly person jostling and was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; 90…

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CSC investigation among police activity.

September 13, 2017

CSC investigation among police activity. #MasonCountyCrime LUDINGTON — The Ludington Police Department investigated a criminal sexual conduct (CSC) complaint Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 12:25 p.m. in the 900 block of Conrad Road. Other recent police activity in Mason County includes: Monday, Sept. 11, 2017: – 4:55 p.m., (Michigan State Police), assault complaint, US 10 near US 31, Amber Township. Tuesday,…

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Defendant in meth case: ‘I apologize to my family for all of the heartache I have caused them.’

September 13, 2017

Defendant in meth case: ‘I apologize to my family for all of the heartache I have caused them.’ #MasonCountyCourtNews By Allison Scarbrough. Editor. LUDINGTON — A 27-year-old Irons man was sentenced to serve nine months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term for convictions of methamphetamine possession and purchasing/possessing ephedrine/pseudoephedrine to make meth Tuesday, Sept. 12, in 51st Circuit…

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Rep. VanderWall September coffee hours.

September 12, 2017

Rep. VanderWall September coffee hours. LANSING — State Rep. Curt VanderWall has announced his upcoming coffee hours for the month of September. “Everyone deserves to have their voice heard by their elected officials,” VanderWall said. “I want to listen and address the questions and concerns that residents may have about state government.” VanderWall is the representative of the 101st district,…

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Defendant testifies that he broke into house to steal marijuana.

September 12, 2017

Defendant testifies that he broke into house to steal marijuana. #MasonCountyCourtNews By Allison Scarbrough. Editor. LUDINGTON — A 33-year-old Hamlin Township man faces serving one year in jail after pleading guilty Tuesday, Sept. 12, in 51st Circuit Court to breaking and entering a building with intent to commit larceny and third-offense habitual offender. Daniel John Horowski, of 3028 Piney Ridge…

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For Hagen Dickson, racism is a frequent experience.

September 12, 2017

For Hagen Dickson, racism is a frequent experience. #MasonCountyPeople. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Hagen Dickson moved to Mason County with his parents when he was 2-years-old. Growing up, he really didn’t feel like he was treated differently because he was black, living in a predominantly white community. In fact, his parents moved to Mason County in the early…

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Scottville lineman among GLE crew that will assist with Irma aftermath.

September 12, 2017

Scottville lineman among GLE crew that will assist with Irma aftermath. Nine Great Lakes Energy linemen, including Rod Herrema of the Scottville office, will join other Michigan linemen headed south to help restore power following Hurricane Irma’s massive destruction. The Great Lakes Energy group should arrive in Georgia early Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 13, where they will help two electric cooperatives, Irwin EMC…

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