Crew en route to fix 911 line.

March 24, 2016
Crew en route to fix 911 line.

WEARE TOWNSHIP — Emergency 911 calls in Mason and Oceana counties that normally route to Mason-Oceana 911 are down due to an electric line coming down on a fiber optic cable in the Pentwater area, according to a press release issued by Mason-Oceana 911. “The fiber is owned by Frontier Communications, and there is a fiber splicing repair crew on…

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911 phone lines down.

March 24, 2016

WEARE TOWNSHIP (Oceana County) — The Mason County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that the phone lines for Mason-Oceana 911 are currently inoperable, likely due to the weather, this includes 911’s business lines and also lines to the sheriff’s office. In the event of an emergency, call 911 and your call will be routed to Muskegon County’s 911 center. They will…

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Franz among lawmakers who oppose state board of ed cross gender proposal.

March 23, 2016
Franz among lawmakers who oppose state board of ed cross gender proposal.

LANSING — Representative Ray Franz is among a group of lawmakers who are condemning a a draft policy initiative by the Michigan State Board of Education that could allow students to use any school restroom they choose and allow male students to try out for girls’ sports teams, all while keeping parents in the dark about their children’s everyday activities. Franz…

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Obituary: Gail Lyons, 59, Ludington.

March 23, 2016
Obituary: Gail Lyons, 59, Ludington.

Gail Marie Lyons, 59, passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Spectrum – Butterworth Hospital of Grand Rapids. Gail was born to Mary (Popma) DeWitt and the late Howard DeWitt.  She attended Spring Lake High School and graduated with the class of 1975. Gail married Michael Lyons on June 18, 1976 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spring Lake.…

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West Shore Bank helps kick off Historical Society corporate partnerships.

March 23, 2016
West Shore Bank helps kick off Historical Society corporate partnerships.

LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank became one of the first local corporations to contribute to the Mason County Historical Society’s Corporate Partnership program by donating $1,000 as a Platinum Level sponsor. “This generous donation by West Shore Bank is exemplifies community giving at its best and will help the Historical Society continue its mission of preserving the heritage of Mason…

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Closings and cancellations, March 24, 2016.

March 23, 2016

Closings and cancelations are sponsored by Abrahamson’s Towing of Ludington: 231-843-2990. Closed for Thursday, March 24, 2016: Maundy Thursday services at Bachelor Church, Sheridan Township, have been cancelled.  Hamlin Grocery is closed due to power outage. Small Wonders Child Development Center in Pere Marquette Twp. is closed today due to a power outage. Preferred Credit Union is delaying opening today…

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Japanese company acquires Whitehall Industries.

March 23, 2016

UACJ Corporation which is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, has acquired Whitehall Industries in Ludington, UACJ announced last week. Representatives from the company are in Ludington today to tour its facilities.  According to a press release on March 22, SRS Industries, LLC, which operates under the brand Whitehall Industries, was purchased for $155 million. Whitehall Industries manufactures and sells automotive aluminum structural…

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Obituary: Jill Bolton, 99, Ludington.

March 22, 2016
Obituary: Jill Bolton, 99, Ludington.

Jill Ida Bolton passed to eternal life on March 20, 2016 in her home away from home at Autumn Winds. A special celebration was planned for Easter Sunday, March 27, her 100th Birthday – but God was eager to celebrate that date with her in heaven. Jill was born in 1916 in Sudbury, Ontario, one of 11 children.  The Charbonneaus moved to Detroit…

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Obituary: Jill Rosalind-Monczunski, 61.

March 22, 2016
Obituary: Jill Rosalind-Monczunski, 61.

Jill Rosalind-Monczunski, 61, peacefully passed on March 11, 2016 at home, following a brave fight with ALS disease.  She was surrounded by her family, who will always cherish her limitless love as a Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Wife.   Jill was born on June 5, 1954 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She was the daughter of late Walter and Kathleen Smith.  She…

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Resilient Ludington Master Plan ready for public comment.

March 22, 2016

LUDINGTON — The draft Master Plan for the City of Ludington is now available for public review and comment. The draft is the result of over a year’s worth of community planning activities and public events. A Copy of the draft Master Plan can be found on the Resilient Ludington project page at:http://www.resilientmichigan.org/ludingtonplan.asp The public is invited to respond to the…

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A special Easter egg hunt.

March 22, 2016
A special Easter egg hunt.

SHERMAN TOWNSHIP — One-hundred special needs persons participated in the Circle Rocking S Children’s Farm Special Needs Egg Hunt and Easter Bonnet Contest today. Participants came from Frankfort, Wellston, Manistee, Ludington, Walhalla, Hart and Shelby to enjoy the free egg hunt. Over 2,000 eggs were hidden for the participants inside a barn. Live bunnies, chickens, ducks and sheep were in the barn for…

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MSP asks residents to be ‘vigilant’ in wake of terrorist attack.

March 22, 2016
MSP asks residents to be ‘vigilant’ in wake of terrorist attack.

No current threats to Michigan. HART — In light of the terrorist attack in Belgium, the Michigan State Police are asking Michigan residents to be vigilant by looking out for any suspicious behavior or activity and notifying law enforcement immediately if they see something suspicious, according a press release issued Tuesday, March 22 by the Hart post. “There are no…

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White Cloud man pleads ‘no contest’ in AIDS case.

March 22, 2016
White Cloud man pleads ‘no contest’ in AIDS case.

By Allison Scarbrough. Courts/Police Editor. LUDINGTON — A 44-year-old White Cloud man pleaded “no contest” to a felony for not disclosing he has AIDS to his sex partner in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, March 22. Gerald Anthony Penn, of 777 Cole Creek Lane, pleaded “no contest” to one count of AIDS – sexual penetration with an uninformed partner. In exchange…

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Larceny, drug possession lead to jail.

March 22, 2016
Larceny, drug possession lead to jail.

By Allison Scarbrough. Courts/Police Editor. LUDINGTON — A 58-year-old Ludington man was sentenced Tuesday, March 22, in 51st Circuit Court to serve six months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term, followed by six months on Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring (SCRAM) for convictions of larceny in a building and possession with intent to deliver diazepam. Steven Craig Holtrust,…

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Probation violation leads to prison; boot camp likely.

March 22, 2016
Probation violation leads to prison; boot camp likely.

By Allison Scarbrough. Courts/Police Editor. LUDINGTON — A 24-year-old Ludington man was sentenced to concurrent prison terms of 21-360 months and 16-48 months for probation violation Tuesday, March 22, in 51st Circuit Court. Dustin Michael Jewett, of 814 E. Filer St., received credit for 167 days served in jail in the first file and 372 days served in jail in…

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Fugitive arrest among police activity.

March 22, 2016
Fugitive arrest among police activity.

The following is recent activity in Mason County of the Michigan State Police, Hart post, Monday, March 21, 2016: – 4 a.m., car/deer crash, US 31 and Townline Rd., Grant Township. – 2:45 p.m., malicious destruction of property, 1000 block of Independence Dr., Amber Township. – 6:44 p.m., a 34-year-old Ludington man was arrested on a fugitive warrant, Ludington Ave.…

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Recent death, reported March 22, 2016.

March 22, 2016

Dorothy M. Merkey, 81, of Ludington, passed away March 21, 2016.  Arrangements by King Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Ludington. See full list of 2016 deaths here. 

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Changes to Social Security could impact retirement benefits

March 22, 2016

LUDINGTON – West Shore Bank is recommending that people between the ages of 62 and 66 years of age evaluate their retirement strategies due to the possible impact caused by the Bipartisan Budget Act, approved by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015. As a result of the Bipartisan Budget Act, certain filing strategies will no longer be available to…

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New Michigan Works position to help area businesses.

March 21, 2016
New Michigan Works position to help area businesses.

SHELBY – Michigan Works! West Central is pleased to announce the appointment of Merri Bennett in the newly-created role of business services specialist. In her role, Bennett will represent Michigan Works! West Central in partnering with area economic development, education, and training organizations to help better serve businesses in Mason and Oceana counties. “We are very excited to add this…

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Break-ins, shoplifting arrests among police activity.

March 21, 2016
Break-ins, shoplifting arrests among police activity.

The following is local law enforcement activity over the weekend: Friday, March 18, 2016: – 5:55 p.m., (Ludington Police Department), criminal sexual conduct (CSC), 300 block of N. Rath Ave., City of Ludington. – 3 p.m., (Mason County Sheriff’s Office), breaking and entering, an undisclosed amount of cash reportedly stolen, 900 block of West Hansen Road, Amber Township. – 6…

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Ludington man dies after US 31 crash.

March 19, 2016

WEARE TOWNSHIP (Oceana County) — A 34-year-old Ludington man died Saturday following a two vehicle crash at US 31 and Oceana Drive. A preliminary investigation by Michigan State Police Hart Post indicates that William Charles Sielski was in the process of making a left turn from the top of the north bound US 31 exit ramp at Oceana Drive when…

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