By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 50-year-old Irons man was ordered in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, Oct. 6, to pay back over $42,000 to the homeowners, including his former boss, he defrauded. Jason J. Noordhoek pleaded guilty last May to fraudulent use of building contract funds and was sentenced Monday by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski to…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — Katlin Marie Hammond, 32, of Custer was arraigned on charges of fleeing and eluding police, reckless driving and operating without insurance following a high-speed chase Saturday, Oct. 4, which ended after she reportedly struck a police car with the motorcycle she was riding. Hammond was arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court Monday,…
PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — A single-lane closure for road work on northbound US 31 near the Pere Marquette River is scheduled through Saturday, Oct. 18, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. The project was scheduled to begin Monday, Oct. 6. ____________________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10…
PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — A 55-year-old Mason County man was arrested by Mason county sheriff’s deputies in the 400 block of South Pere Marquette Highway Monday, Oct. 6, shortly after 10 p.m. on a charge of possession with intent to deliver meth, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “During the investigation, deputies recovered nearly 7 grams of meth,” said Sheriff…
WSCC News is a presentation of West Shore Community College in partnership with Mason County Press. VICTORY TOWNSHIP — The West Shore Community College Theater Department invites audiences to journey deep into the enchanted forest with its fall musical production of “Into the Woods”, opening Friday, Oct. 17 at the Center Stage Theater. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m.…
Marsha Kissell, 69, of Ludington, died on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Corewell Health Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids. She was born November 24, 1955. Cremation has taken place and no services will be held at this time. Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel is in charge of arrangements. www.beaconfh.com Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of 2024 deaths.…
Lonny Alan Wright, 56, of Branch, passed away Friday, October 3, 2025, at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital. He was born June 3, 1969, in Adrian. Lonny was employed as a correctional officer at The Oaks Correctional Facility in Manistee for 26 years until his medical retirement in December 2024. Lonny was very active in fitness and sports, and also enjoyed…
Part 5 Story and photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LAKE MICHIGAN — When Kevin Diedrich was growing up in Manitowoc, Wis. his grandparents lived near the lakeshore. Kevin and his sister had the chore of mowing their grandparents’ lawn. When they were done they would go down by the shore and watch the carferries come and go. “My sister used…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — Toriann Marie Shirey of Oceana County, 16, has been missing since Sunday, Oct. 5, at 1:30 a.m. Local police announced Sunday afternoon that Toriann was a missing runaway, and they are seeking the public’s help to find her. “The investigation revealed that around 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 5 that she was at the…
LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old Custer woman was arrested Saturday, Oct. 4, after leading police on a high-speed chase and striking a police car with the motorcycle she was riding, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “At 1:39 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, the Ludington Police Department started a vehicle pursuit involving a motorcycle,” states Sheriff Cole in a…
SCOTTVILLE — A 34-year-old Custer man nearly hit a police car head-on during a high-speed chase Thursday morning, Oct. 2, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at 7:50 a.m., Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported domestic violence call at the Thornwild Apartments in the City of Scottville,” stated Sheriff Cole. “The…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent police activity in Mason County: Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025: 11:40 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), two-vehicle crash, no injury, US 10 east of Gordon Road, Amber Township. 11:40 a.m., (MCSO), two-vehicle crash, no injury, US 10 east of Gordon…
LUDINGTON — The Chamber Alliance of Mason County is now accepting applications for the next cohort of Leadership Mason County, a six-month professional development program launching in January 2026. This initiative is designed to empower local professionals with the knowledge, skills, and connections to lead effectively in both their workplaces and the broader community. Professionals with a passion for growing…
Herbert Charles Schaner, 89, of Free Soil, passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Known affectionately as Herb, he was born on May 13, 1936, in Hart, to the late Albert and Edna (Wilde) Schaner. Herb was married to Doris Jean Ohse on May 1, 1957. They shared many memorable years together until her passing on September 5, 2021. Herb…
Part 4 Story by Mark Varenhorst, Contributing Writer Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LAKE MICHIGAN — On Tuesday, Sept. 29 2025, I boarded the S.S. Badger with my editor and friend Rob Alway. We were both covering that trip from different views and also from different crew members we spoke to along the way. In my earlier article I mentioned…
LUDINGTON — The West Shore Beekeepers Association will hold its A Taste of Honey event on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Ludington Senior Center, 308 S. Rowe St. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Event highlights include: Complimentary tastings of honey from regional apiaries A variety of bee products for sale, including honey, beeswax…
Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Historic White Pine Village celebrated the area’s lumber heritage Saturday, Oct. 4, with special lumber exhibits. The event was part of the weekend’s inaugural Ludington Lumber Days. Historic White Pine Village, which is operated by the Mason County Historical Society, is nearing the end of its season. Its last day will…
Lisa Ann (Schumacher) Scholten-Riley, 61, of Branch, died on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home. Her funeral service will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home.…
Part 3 By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LAKE MICHIGAN — Max Hockanson, 22, has been working on the S.S. Badger since he was 16-years-old. Now in his eighth year at Lake Michigan Carferry, he is an able bodied seaman working in the deck department. His duties even include steering the ship. His career has also expanded beyond working on the Badger…
LUDINGTON — Lake Michigan Carferry has announced the S.S. Badger will not be sailing on Sunday, Oct. 5 due to forecasting gale force winds with waves from 7 to 13 feet. “LMC understands the disappointment and inconvenience this decision causes and apologizes for the impact it has on travel plans,” a post on the company Facebook page stated. “While we…
Employment: K-2 Instructional Assistants, MCC Schools Mason County Central School District is hiring Elementary (kindergarten through grade 2) Instructional Assistants for the current school year, 2025-2026. For details and to apply visit www.mccschools.org Job ID #634 This is a paid posting. Published until Oct. 20, 2025
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