25th annual Family afFAIR is March 19.

March 3, 2016
25th annual Family afFAIR is March 19.

SCOTTVILLE — The 25th Annual Family AfFAIR will be held Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mason County Central High School. Every year, hundreds of people from local businesses and community agencies get together to provide a free, whole day of fun for local families. Over 55 groups and organizations each year bring intriguing and entertaining…

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Ludington, Hamlin and PM voters asked to renew fire millage Tuesday.

March 3, 2016
Ludington, Hamlin and PM voters asked to renew fire millage Tuesday.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — On Tuesday, March 8, voters who live in the City of Ludington and townships of Pere Marquette and Hamlin are being asked to renew a millage to support their local fire departments. The Western Mason County Fire District is asking for a 20 year renewal of its .3 mill, which generates about $275,000 a…

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Health Dept. urges caution to spring breakers due to Zika virus.

March 3, 2016
Health Dept. urges caution to spring breakers due to Zika virus.

HART — Spring break is the time of the year when many Michigan residents choose to travel to tropical destinations. Unfortunately, this year, many of the foreign places favored by sun seekers are also those areas that are affected by the Zika virus, states a press release from the District Health Department #10. Because of the potential link between Zika…

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Obituary: Helen Gutowsky, 95, Irons.

March 3, 2016
Obituary: Helen Gutowsky, 95, Irons.

Helen Bernadette Gutowsky, 95 of Irons passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2016 on her birthday, and was welcomed into heaven by her beloved husband Frank “Spud” Gutowsky. After having a big party in her honor at the Newaygo Medical Care Facility with her relatives, family, friends, and even “Charlie” the miniature therapy horse in attendance to celebrate a wonderful…

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Local truck driver nominated as Michigan Driver of the Year.

March 3, 2016
Local truck driver nominated as Michigan Driver of the Year.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Local semi-truck driver Mike Tyndall has recently been chosen as Driver of the Month by the Michigan Trucking Association Council of Safety Management. Tyndall has been driving truck for 21 years, with 10 of those years at Quick-Way, Inc. of Ludington. Tyndall, who lives in Branch, was nominated by Lindsay Murphy, human resources director…

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Break-in, crashes among police activity.

March 3, 2016
Break-in, crashes among police activity.

The following is local law enforcement activity Wednesday, March 2, 2016: – 2:45 p.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), one-vehicle rollover crash, no injuries, Hansen and Amber roads, Amber Township. – 3:54 p.m., (MCSO), two-vehicle crash, no injuries, Pere Marquette Hwy. and US 10, Pere Marquette Township. – 4 p.m., (Michigan State Police, Hart post), breaking and entering, 1000 block of…

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Volunteers will build bunk beds for needy families during Makers Market open house, March 12.

March 2, 2016

LUDINGTON — A group of volunteers is going to be at the Makers Market of Ludington on Saturday, March 12 to build bunk beds for families in need. The bunk beds will be built by Ludington’s Love and Kindness — a group of high school students — along with Hands Extended Loving People (HELP) Ministry. The community is invited to…

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Consultant hired to help develop new sports hall of fame.

March 2, 2016
Consultant hired to help develop new sports hall of fame.

LUDINGTON — The Mason County Sports Hall of Fame board of directors has hired a consulting firm to help with the next stages in the creation of a new home for the hall of fame, which will be located at 130 E. Ludington Avenue; the former bank building on the southwest corner of Ludington Avenue and Harrison Street is now…

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Sen. Hansen proposes bill to expand firefighting training.

March 2, 2016
Sen. Hansen proposes bill to expand firefighting training.

LANSING — State Sen. Goeff Hansen introduced legislation on Wednesday that would help ensure Michigan firefighters have access to critical education and training. Senate Bill 833 would update the definition of “firefighter training” in the state’s Firefighters Training Council Act to reflect new challenges firefighters face while on the job.   “Services provided by firefighters have changed since the law…

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Crashes, warrant arrests among police activity.

March 2, 2016
Crashes, warrant arrests among police activity.

The following is local law enforcement activity Tuesday, March 1, 2016: – 11:58 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), two-vehicle crash, no injuries, US 10-31 east of Dennis Rd., Amber Township. – 12:50 p.m., (Michigan State Police, Hart post), car vs. truck property damage crash, US 31 and Pere Marquette Hwy., PM Township. – 1 p.m., (MCSO), two-vehicle crash, no injuries,…

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Attorney sent to jail for attempted child abuse.

March 1, 2016
Attorney sent to jail for attempted child abuse.

By Allison Scarbrough. Courts/Police Editor. LUDINGTON — A 63-year-old Lansing-area attorney was ordered today to serve six months up front of a one-year discretionary jail sentence in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, March 1, after pleading no contest to second-degree child abuse, Jan. 7. David James Anderson received credit for one day served in jail. “I think it was a fair…

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CommUNITY Auction is Saturday night.

March 1, 2016
CommUNITY Auction is Saturday night.

SCOTTVILLE — The 21st annual CommUNITY auction will be held Saturday, March 5 at the Scottville Optimist Center. Proceeds for the auction will benefit the Mason County Central Schools Education Foundation and the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce. This year’s theme is Tracks Across Africa. There are 425 items that are lotted to be auctioned including many outdoors…

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Growth Alliance hosting summer job fairs for high schoolers.

March 1, 2016

The Mason County Growth Alliance will be hosting two summer job fairs for high school students in April — Friday, April 15 at Mason County Central High School and Friday, April 29 at Ludington High School. The goal of this employment program is two-fold: to help local employers meet their summertime staffing needs. to help high school students find summer jobs, and…

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ATM fraud among police activity.

March 1, 2016
ATM fraud among police activity.

The following is local law enforcement activity Monday, Feb. 29, 2016: – 7:30 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), one-vehicle crash, no injuries, Piney Ridge and Larch roads, Hamlin Township. – 2 p.m., (Michigan State Police, Hart post), ATM (automated teller machine) fraud, 3000 block of Piney Ridge Road, Hamlin Township. – 6:50 p.m., (MCSO), car/deer crash, no injuries, Reek and…

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Obituary: Susanne Dewyer, 71, Ludington.

February 29, 2016
Obituary: Susanne Dewyer, 71, Ludington.

Susanne Margaret Dewyer, 71, peacefully passed away on Sunday February 28, 2016 at Tendercare of Ludington. Susanne was born to the late Rev. Herman and Melinda Voege on February 2, 1945. Susanne attended Scottville/Mason County Central High School and graduated with the class of 1963.  She married Thomas Lane Dewyer in April of 1969.  She worked at Tendercare of Ludington…

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75 years after its founding, Conservation District continues to preserve the land.

February 29, 2016

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. SCOTTVILLE — Last week I attended the annual meeting/banquet of the Mason-Lake Conservation District at the Scottville Optimist Center. The meeting was the celebration of the district’s 75th anniversary and was well attended by what you could call the “who’s who” of the Mason County agricultural community. I wear a couple different hats and I often…

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Dogs, cats lost in fire; owner escapes.

February 29, 2016
Dogs, cats lost in fire; owner escapes.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Fire destroyed a historic Sixth Street house Monday morning. Tim Castonia was sleeping and was awoken by an explosion in his house at 5442 W. Sixth Street, according to his father, Gary Castonia. Gary’s wife, Brooke, was not home at the time. While Tim was able to escape, his three dogs and…

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Sunday crash victims identified.

February 29, 2016
Sunday crash victims identified.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. VICTORY TOWNSHIP — The Mason County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victims involved in a two-vehicle crash on North U.S. 31 Sunday morning. Yvonne Bikulcius, 55, of Victory Township received a head injury following the crash that occurred between Hansen and Decker roads. She was a passenger in a Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by John Bikulcius, 55. The Cavalier was…

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