Recent death, reported Feb. 17, 2016.

February 17, 2016

Lezlee Kaye Neilsen, 48, of Custer, passed away on February 15, 2016 at Oakview Medical Care Facility of Ludington. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Ludington. See MCP death notice archives here.

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Fugitive arrested.

February 17, 2016
Fugitive arrested.

Local law enforcement activity Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016 includes: – Midnight, (Michigan State Police, Hart post), car/deer crash, Pere Marquette Hwy. and Lattin Rd., Summit Township. – 3:03 a.m., (MSP), a 25-year-old Ludington woman was arrested for no operator’s license following a car/deer crash, US 10 and Reek Rd., Custer Township. – 3:57 p.m., (Ludington Police Department), domestic assault, 700…

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Lake Jump to benefit Jaycees mini golf.

February 16, 2016
Lake Jump to benefit Jaycees mini golf.

LUDINGTON — Funds generated through this year’s annual Lake Jump will assist the Ludington Area Jaycees in building an updated mini golf course with a Landmarks of Ludington theme at its existing course at Stearns Park. Lake Jump is planned for Saturday, March 19 at Stearns Park beach. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. The run and jump into Lake…

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Inmate receives concurrent term for meth possession.

February 16, 2016
Inmate receives concurrent term for meth possession.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 24-year-old Ravenna man serving a two to 15 year prison sentence for operating/maintaining a meth lab in Newaygo County was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 16, in 51st Circuit Court to a concurrent prison term of one-and-a-half to 10 years in prison for a meth possession conviction. Donald Ray Picklesimer III, who received credit…

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Illinois man faces 7 months in jail for stalking.

February 16, 2016
Illinois man faces 7 months in jail for stalking.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 34-year-old Westmont, Illinois faces serving seven months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term after pleading guilty to aggravated stalking Tuesday, Feb. 16, in 51st Circuit Court. Joban Loy Scott also faced a felony count of using a computer to commit a crime, but it was dismissed in a plea agreement.…

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Burglar tool possession, attempted home invasion lead to jail time.

February 16, 2016
Burglar tool possession, attempted home invasion lead to jail time.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 42-year-old Amber Township man was sentenced to serve seven months up front of a one-year discretionary jail sentence Tuesday, Feb. 16, in 51st Circuit Court for convictions of possession of burglar tools and attempted first-degree home invasion. Jeffery Thomas Nitz, of 3786 W. Forest Hill Circle, testified that last November he used…

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Embezzlement yields jail sentence.

February 16, 2016
Embezzlement yields jail sentence.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 40-year-old Hamlin Township man was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 16, in 51st Circuit Court to serve six months up front of a nine-month discretionary sentence and pay restitution totaling $17,207 for a conviction of embezzlement $1,000-$20,000. Angelo Barrera Mendez, of 6509 W. Decker Rd., testified last December that he embezzled $17,207 from Grand…

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Habitual criminal sent to prison for weapons possession.

February 16, 2016
Habitual criminal sent to prison for weapons possession.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 35-year-old Fountain man was sentenced to three to 20 years in prison in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Feb. 16, for convictions of weapons – possession by a felon and fourth-offense habitual offender. Isaiah G. Gardenhire, 35, of 5114 N. Cleveland St., Fountain, was arrested last December by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office…

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Receiving, concealing leads to prison term.

February 16, 2016
Receiving, concealing leads to prison term.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 35-year-old Ludington woman who pleaded guilty last month in 51st Circuit Court to receiving and concealing stolen property more than $1,000/less than $20,000 and second-offense habitual offender was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 16, to two to seven-and-a-half years in prison. Andrea Benet King, of 309 N. Washington Ave., testified last October that she…

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Ludington man sentenced to pay over $22,000 in child support.

February 16, 2016
Ludington man sentenced to pay over $22,000 in child support.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 38-year-old Ludington man who owes $22,559 in back child support was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 16, in 51st Circuit Court to one year discretionary jail and ordered to pay $1,200 per month to the Mason County Friend of the Court Office. Daniel Lee Bothwell pleaded guilty to a felony of failure to pay…

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Former mayor appointed to Scottville commission.

February 15, 2016
Former mayor appointed to Scottville commission.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.  SCOTTVILLE — Former mayor Leon Begue has been appointed to fill the vacant 1st ward commission seat during the city commission’s regular meeting Monday night. Begue served on city commission from 1991 to 2010, including serving as mayor from 2002 to 2010. Begue will begin serving as commissioner on March 7, 2016. He will be filling…

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Applicants sought for Great Lakes Energy youth leadership summit.

February 15, 2016

  High school sophomores and juniors whose parents or guardians receive electric service from Great Lakes Energy are invited to apply by March 18, 2016 for two free leadership opportunities: the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) and Washington, D.C. Youth Tour. These programs are designed to help students develop strong leadership habits, explore career opportunities in the electric industry, and engage…

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Dangerous conditions cause several crashes.

February 15, 2016
Dangerous conditions cause several crashes.

Recent local law enforcement activity includes: Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016: – 6:35 a.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), car/deer crash, S. Scottville Rd. and W. Conrad Rd., Custer Township. – 8:11 a.m., (Michigan State Police, Hart post), property damage crash, US-10 Hwy., Custer Township. – 10:37 a.m., (Ludington Police Department), criminal sexual conduct, E. Resseguie St., City of Ludington. – 5:50…

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Obituary: Betty Flewelling, 78, Ludington.

February 15, 2016
Obituary: Betty Flewelling, 78, Ludington.

Betty Lou (Hughes) Flewelling, 78, passed from this life to eternal joy on February 12, 2016 at Spectrum-Blodgett Hospital of Grand Rapids, following a brief illness.  She was surrounded by her family, who will always cherish her limitless love as a Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Sister.  Betty was the wife of the late Reginald E. Flewilling. Betty was the first…

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Plowing through

February 15, 2016
Plowing through

CUSTER TOWNSHIP — A Mason County Road Commission truck clears off Conrad Road near Tuttle Road Monday morning. Roads are slick this morning due to a light snowfall overnight. Photo by Rob Alway.

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Obituary: Russell Saxton, 95, Ludington.

February 15, 2016
Obituary: Russell Saxton, 95, Ludington.

Russell “Wayne” Saxton Sr., 95 of Ludington passed away Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Oceana Medical Care Facility in Hart where he had resided along with his wife of 74 years, Alice.  Wayne was born November 18, 1920 in Ludington the son of William and Miriam (Erbaugh) Saxton and spent his early years in the Custer area where he attended…

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Recent deaths, reported Feb. 15, 2016.

February 15, 2016

Betty Lou Flewelling, 78, of Ludington passed away February 12, 2016 at Spectrum Blodgett Grand Rapids Hospital. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Ludington. Linda Goetsch, 70, of Ludington passed away February 13, 2016 at Spectrum Butterworth Grand Rapids Hospital. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Ludington. Willard Williams, 96, of Ludington passed away February 12, 2016 at…

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Fire damages Custer Township house; occupants get out safely.

February 14, 2016
Fire damages Custer Township house; occupants get out safely.

  By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. CUSTER TOWNSHIP — Six fire departments fought a house fire in northeastern Custer Township this afternoon. The fire at 989 N. Schoenherr Road was reported shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14. Initially Custer and Scottville fire departments were called to the fire on the Custer/Branch townships line. Custer Fire Chief Larry Crawford said the…

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