Suspect arrested after fighting bouncer and police at bar.

March 7, 2016
Suspect arrested after fighting bouncer and police at bar.

LUDINGTON — A 22-year-old Ludington man was arrested after a Mason County Sheriff’s deputy reportedly observed him push and punch a bouncer at the Tiki Bar on Ludington Avenue near Harrison Street Sunday, March 6, at 2:10 a.m. The suspect then reportedly fought with the deputy, punching and kicking him. The bouncer assisted the deputy and was allegedly punched in…

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Recent deaths, reported March 7, 2016.

March 7, 2016

Sean Lee Melin, 76, of Pentwater, passed away March 5, 2016 at Mercy Health Hospital in Muskegon. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Ludington. Carol Lynn Erickson, 68,of Ludington passed away March 6, 2016 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Ludington. See MCP death notice archives here.

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Ludington man arrested for sexual assault against children.

March 4, 2016
Ludington man arrested for sexual assault against children.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.  LUDINGTON — A 59-year-old Ludington man was arrested March 1, 2016 by Ludington Police Department in connection to the sexual assault of two Ludington children. Arturo Ruiz Lopez, of 605 S. Washington Ave., was arraigned earlier this week in 79th District Court and charged with two felony counts of criminal sexual conduct (CSC).  The charges stem…

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District court arraignments include resisting police, drug offenses.

March 4, 2016
District court arraignments include resisting police, drug offenses.

By Allison Scarbrough. Courts/Police Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies – Cathleen Margaret Paul, 58, of 4340 W. Hansen Rd., Amber Township, was arrested Feb. 29 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office for two felony counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police; one felony count of attempted malicious destruction of police property;…

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Police warn about ‘Microsoft’ phone scam.

March 4, 2016

LUDINGTON — Ludington Police Department is warning residents of a new telephone scam. Sgt. Steve Wietryzkowski said a resident complained that they received a phone call from a person claiming to be from Microsoft and that it is necessary to update the computer. Then, the person on the phone takes control of the computer and will not release control until…

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8 mistakes that can upend retirement.

March 4, 2016
8 mistakes that can upend retirement.

The Financial Minute is sponsored by SSB Financial Services located at Shelby State Bank, with offices in Shelby, Hart, Pentwater, Ludington, Manistee, Hesperia, North Muskegon and Fruitport. www.ssbfinancialservices.com Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible. No Strategy: Yes, the biggest mistake…

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Body found in funeral home van after funeral director’s drunk driving arrest.

March 4, 2016
Body found in funeral home van after funeral director’s drunk driving arrest.

MUSKEGON COUNTY – The body of an 86-year-old woman was found in the back of Thomas Clock III’s funeral van last January, just days after the funeral director was arrested for drunk driving and hospitalized, according to mlive. Clock allegedly buried an empty urn, misleading family members who believed it contained her cremated ashes, according the mlive article. The empty…

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Circuit court sentencings include prison terms for gun, larceny and drug convictions.

March 4, 2016
Circuit court sentencings include prison terms for gun, larceny and drug convictions.

By Allison Scarbrough. Courts/Police Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 51st Circuit Court: – Eric Deon Wesley, 36, of 2825 Hoyt St., Muskegon Heights, was found guilty Jan. 12 of conspiring to receive and conceal guns and felony firearms. He was sentenced two years in prison, with credit for 178 days served in jail, and $266 in…

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79th District Court sentencings.

March 4, 2016
79th District Court sentencings.

By Allison Scarbrough. Courts/Police Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Joseph Lawrence Chellis, 37, of 239 E. Harris St., Lansing, was found guilty March 1 of operating while intoxicated and sentenced to $1,070 in fines and costs; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; jail credit for time served; must attend the session…

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Alleged drunk, drugged drivers keep police busy.

March 4, 2016
Alleged drunk, drugged drivers keep police busy.

The following is local law enforcement activity Thursday, March 3, 2016: – 2:14 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), a 20-year-old Ludington woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated, involving both alcohol and marijuana, following a traffic stop at Stearns and Dewey roads, Hamlin Township. – 5:42 p.m., (MCSO), a 53-year-old Scottville woman was arrested for operating under the influence of…

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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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