FiveCAP holding garden workshop May 29

April 9, 2025

SCOTTVILLE — A small garden in the backyard or in containers on a patio can yield a great quantity of fresh vegetables while giving low-income families some control over what they are consuming and allowing food budgets to stretch much farther. FiveCAP, Inc. will hold its annual garden workshop for Mason County residents on Thursday, May 29 at 10 a.m.…

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Obituary: Jerry Lee Brown, 66, of Branch

April 9, 2025

Jerry Lee Brown, born on November 23, 1958, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Branch. He was lovingly cared for by his niece and caregiver, Tina Collet, who remained by his side until his passing. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Jerry was raised from infancy in Walla Walla, Washington, by his parents, Hershel and Rosetta Brown. Jerry was…

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MI Travelogue: A visit to Detroit’s Belle Isle Park

April 8, 2025

MI Travelogue is a presentation of Preferred Credit Union, www.preferredcu.org, located locally at 266 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief DETROIT — My family took a shortened spring break trip this year, staying a little closer to home by spending a weekend in Detroit. I have wanted to visit Belle Isle Park for quite some time. We discovered…

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‘Unusually high levels’ of E. coli found in PM Lake

April 8, 2025

UPDATE: District Health Department #10 lifted the water contact advisory Friday, April 11. “DHD #10 confirmed that follow-up bacterial samples from both sample sites at Pere Marquette Lake – Ludington, Mason County, no longer contain elevated levels of E. coli.” PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — District Health Department #10 is reporting that bacterial samples collected from Pere Marquette Lake Monday, April…

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West Shore Bank acquires Dearborn-based wealth management and advisory and trust business

April 8, 2025

LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank has acquired the wealth management, investment advisory and trust services business of Auto Club Trust, FSB of Dearborn in an all-cash transaction effective March 31, 2025. According to a press release from West Shore Bank, the acquisition expands the bank’s trust and fiduciary capabilities further strengthening its commitment to providing comprehensive wealth management services. “We…

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Obituary: Gerry Lee Hansen, 80, of Ludington

April 8, 2025

Gerry Lee Hansen, 80, of Ludington, passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2025, following a battle with cancer. Gerry was born in Ludington on February 6, 1945, the second child of Richard and Marjorie Pehrson.  She graduated from Mason County Central High School in 1963. In 1981, Gerry was elected the clerk for the City of Ludington.  She proudly held…

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Police news, published April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com.  The following is police activity in Mason County Monday, April 7, 2025: 7:09 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), car/deer crash, no injury, Jagger Road east of Lincoln Road, Hamlin Township. 7:18 a.m., (MCSO), a 36-year-old Manistee man was cited following a traffic stop…

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Neushwander appointed to healthcare recruiting board

April 8, 2025

BALDWIN – Alan Neushwander has been appointed to the Michigan Recruitment and Retention Network’s (MRRN) Board of Directors. Neushwander, from Ludington, works as the director of external and internal relations at Family Health Care, a Federally Qualified Health Center based in Baldwin. He previously worked at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital and West Michigan Community Mental Health. He is also a…

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Legion auxiliary seeking items for active duty, veterans’ retreat

April 8, 2025

LUDINGTON — The Edwin H. Ewing Unit 76 American Legion Auxiliary will be collecting items for Wilwin Lodge at Cygnet Cove on Sunday, April 13 and Monday, April 14, 2025.  Items may be dropped from noon to 8 p.m. at the American Legion Post #76, 318 N. James St.. by placing items on the table in back room. Non members will need to…

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Obituary: Douglas Andrew Johns, 61, of Free Soil

April 8, 2025

Douglas Andrew Johns was born on November 26, 1963, in Detroit and died on April 1, 2025, in Free Soil. At the time of his death, he was quite ill with stage IV colon cancer, diagnosed a year earlier, and was in rapidly declining health. Doug is survived by his mother, Catherine, and brother, Paul. He was preceded in death…

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Employment: Varsity Girls Basketball Coach

April 8, 2025

Employment: Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Mason County Central School District is accepting applications for Varsity Girls Basketball Coach for the 2024-2025 school year. Previous varsity basketball coaching experience preferred. Prior basketball playing and coaching experience required. For details and to apply, go to www.mccschools.org. This is a paid posting. Published until April 22, 2025

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Residents injured during Scottville apartment fire

April 7, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — At least two people were transported to the hospital as the result of a fire at Glendale Apartments, 400 W. Third St. Firefighters were initially dispatched about 9:47 p.m. and had the fire contained within an hour. The fire occurred in Building 401 and severely damaged at least one apartment with adjoining apartments receiving…

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Sheriff’s office drone unit helps find missing person in Grant Township

April 7, 2025

GRANT TOWNSHIP — A 74-year-old Norton Shores woman, who had been missing since Thursday, April 3, was found by rescuers with drones Sunday, April 6, in Mason County. Nancy Bloomquist was lost in a “heavily wooded area,” said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, and she laid next to a downed tree to seek shelter during the rain Thursday night. “She…

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Weekend police news, published April 7, 2025

April 7, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com.  The following is police activity in Mason County over the weekend: Friday, April 4, 2025: 12:45 a.m., (Michigan State Police), a 43-year-old Scottville man was arrested for third-offense operating while intoxicated, driving while license suspended and operating without a license following a single-vehicle…

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Sixth Street closed

April 7, 2025

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Sixth Street between Pere Marquette Highway and the railroad tracks is currently closed to all traffic due to a force main break. Crews will be working on the repair into the evening until it is fixed, according to a press release from Mason County Road Commission. The street will be closed until at least Tuesday morning.…

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79th District Court arraignments, published April 7, 2025

April 7, 2025

By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Scott David Alexander, 63; third-offense operating a vehicle while under the influence of liquor and driving while license suspended; arrested March 25 by Michigan State Police; arraigned March 26; preliminary hearing: April 16; bail: $50,000 cash. -Jaxon Anthony Battice, 20; carrying…

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Obituary: Raymond Willard Watkins, 85, of Branch

April 7, 2025

Raymond Willard Watkins, 85, of Branch passed away at home on Friday, April 4, 2025. Raymond was born on January 7, 1940 in Huntington, West Virginia, the son of Jesse and Alberta (Payton) Watkins and served his country with the United States Navy. On September 13, 1958 he married Joan Spruell in New York and they have celebrated 66 blessed…

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Judith Marlene Bullion, 72, of Custer, died on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

April 7, 2025

Judith Marlene Bullion, 72, of Custer, died on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Funeral arrangements by Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services in Scottville. Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of 2024 deaths. Listing of 2023 deaths. Listing of 2022 deaths. Listing of 2021 deaths. Listing of 2020 deaths. Listing of 2019 deaths __________ Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with…

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Recent death: Gerry Lee Hansen, 80, of Ludington

April 7, 2025

Gerry Lee Hansen, 80, of Ludington, died on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com. Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of 2024 deaths. Listing of 2023 deaths. Listing of 2022 deaths. Listing of 2021 deaths. Listing of 2020 deaths. Listing of 2019 deaths __________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news…

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Recent births, published April 7, 2025

April 7, 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.  Isla Mae LaPointe, the daughter of Shelbie and Zackary LaPointe of Branch, was born on Friday, April 4, 2025 Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.  List of 2024 births List of 2023 births   __________________________________…

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Jr. Capt. Gabriel’s SS Badger ferry adventure

April 6, 2025

GRIMMS, Wis. — Mary Svacina has had a tradition of taking each of her grandsons on a Round Trip Mini Cruise on the SS Badger ever since they each turned 5 years old. Last summer, she took her youngest grandson, Gabriel. Svacina, 71, lives in Grimms, Wis., located in Manitowoc County, about 15 miles from the Badger’s Manitowoc dock. She said the Lake…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks