Franz to speak about Prop. 1 in Custer Monday.

May 3, 2015
Franz to speak about Prop. 1 in Custer Monday.

CUSTER — The Custer Village Council will be hosting State Representative Ray Franz for a town-hall meeting Monday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Custer Village Municipal building on U.S. 10.  Rep. Franz will speak about Proposal 1, the constitutional amendment that would raise the Michigan state sales tax 1 percent; voters will decide on the proposal on Tuesday, May 5. The village council will hold…

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College offers classes in photography.

May 3, 2015
College offers classes in photography.

The Light Chaser is brought to you by MyProLab.com, a professional photographic lab offering services to the consumer market. MyProLab.com, the official photographic lab of Media Group 31 (our parent company). The Light Chaser. A blog by Rob Alway. Chapter 13: Enriching your photography skills at West Shore Community College Have you ever wanted to take your photography to the…

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The debate over Michigan’s no-fault insurance law.

May 3, 2015

The Mitten Memo. A blog by Nick Krieger. In Michigan, all drivers must maintain no-fault automobile insurance to cover both property damage and personal injury.  Unlike other states, Michigan provides lifetime medical benefits for those who are catastrophically injured in automobile accidents.  Individual insurance companies are only required to pay personal injury benefits up to $530,000; the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association…

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David and Sandra Gibbs receive Community Service Award.

May 2, 2015
David and Sandra Gibbs receive Community Service Award.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. HAMLIN TWP. — David and Sandra Gibbs received the 2014 Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Service Award during the chamber’s annual banquet Saturday at Lincoln Hills Golf Club. David and Sandra were nominated for the award because of their work as volunteers and board members of COVE (Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters). But, their…

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McDonald’s Bakery named Business of the Year.

May 2, 2015
McDonald’s Bakery named Business of the Year.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. HAMLIN TWP. — McDonald’s Bakery of Ludington was named the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Business of the Year during the chamber’s annual banquet Saturday at Lincoln Hills Golf Club. The business has been owned and operated by the same family for the past 126 years. Mike and Ellamae McDonald bought the bakery…

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Mason County’s Future Five.

May 2, 2015
Mason County’s Future Five.

By Rob Alway and Kate Krieger. Tonight the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce will honor its second class of the Future Five, a group of five individuals, under the age of 40, who are making a difference in Mason County. This year’s group includes Kaley Petersen, Lisa Cooper, Linda Matson, Dean Raven and Carrie Kosla. In the spirit…

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Medication storage safety tips.

May 2, 2015
Medication storage safety tips.

Good Neighbor Tips from Erin Doan, State Farm Insurance, Scottville,www.erindoan.com. Where medication is stored can impact its efficacy and shelf life. These storage tips can help you make sure your medications remain potent at home and abroad. Medication Storage at Home The bathroom medicine cabinet is actually not the best place to store medication. High humidity and temperature changes are…

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Fire destroys Branch Township home.

May 1, 2015
Fire destroys Branch Township home.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. BRANCH TWP. — Fire destroyed a home Friday afternoon at 8375 E. Johnson Road. Initial dispatch information stated that a deck, attached to the house, was on fire. A few minutes later, the fire spread to the home, fully engulfing it. Denny Oleniczak leaned against his pickup truck in his garage and watched firefighters extinguish the…

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Ludington man arraigned on meth charges.

May 1, 2015
Ludington man arraigned on meth charges.

LUDINGTON — Graham Joseph Crawford, 23, Ludington, was arraigned Thursday, April 30, in 79th District Court on the charges of manufacturing methamphetamine and operating/maintaining a laboratory involving methamphetamine.  Crawford’s bond was set at $50,000 cash.  He is currently lodged at the Mason County Jail.  Both charges are felonies, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.…

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VE Day anniversary celebration.

May 1, 2015

LUDINGTON — The Mason County Allied Veterans Council will host a celebration on May 8 observing the 70th anniversary of VE Day. Otherwise known as Victory in Europe Day, VE Day marked the end of World War II in Europe. To honor the occasion, a celebration is being held at American Legion Post #76, 318 N. James Street. Cake and punch will…

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51st Circuit Court sentencings include prisoner contraband, retail fraud, home invasion

May 1, 2015
51st Circuit Court sentencings include prisoner contraband, retail fraud, home invasion

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 51st Circuit Court: – Anthony Earl Green, 38, of 1098 Lancer Lane, Ludington, was found guilty March 3 of jail – prisoner in possession of contraband and fourth-offense habitual offender. He was sentenced April 21 to a minimum of one year and six months to a maximum…

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79th District Court arraignments include home invasion, meth manufacturing, retail fraud

May 1, 2015
79th District Court arraignments include home invasion, meth manufacturing, retail fraud

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies – Michael Ryan Albaugh, 26, of 6694 E. Oak Ridge, Fountain, was arrested April 22 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for a felony of second-degree home invasion and third offense habitual offender. Preliminary exam was April 29.…

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79th District Court sentencings

May 1, 2015
79th District Court sentencings

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Georgia Rae Makowski, 54, of 105 4th St., Apt. 1, Ludington, was found guilty April 22 of attempted assaulting/resisting/obstructing police. She was sentenced to 17 days in jail with credit for 17 days served; one year discretionary jail for two years; must maintain…

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Amber Township cleanup is Saturday.

May 1, 2015

AMBER TWP. — Amber Township spring cleanup day is Saturday, May 2 from 8 a.m. to noon at Amber Township Hall, 171 S. Amber Road. Rules are as follows: No tires, paint, hazardous waste, yard waste, batteries, oil or Freon appliances No commercial refuse Loose garbage must be bagged, boxed or bundled. Metal products must be separated for the Padnos…

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Lake Odessa man faces numerous charges in connection to break-in

May 1, 2015
Lake Odessa man faces numerous charges in connection to break-in

The police news is sponsored by VanderHaag Car Sales of Scottville, 231-757-2727, www.vanderhaagcarsales.com and Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart),www.springsteadlaw.com. EDEN TWP. — A 35-year-old Lake Odessa man was arrested by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office Thursday, April 30, at 11:48 a.m. on charges of breaking and entering; larceny from a building; and receiving and…

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White Pine Village opens this weekend.

April 30, 2015
White Pine Village opens this weekend.

PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — Historic White Pine Village will open to the public for the 2015 season on Saturday, May 2. Hours of operation for the village will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday for the month of May, and will be open on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the months of June, July,…

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Break-in, larcenies top police activity

April 30, 2015
Break-in, larcenies top police activity

The police news is sponsored by VanderHaag Car Sales of Scottville, 231-757-2727, www.vanderhaagcarsales.com and Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart),www.springsteadlaw.com. The following is recent local law enforcement activity: Tuesday, April 28, 2015: – 9:32 a.m., (Ludington Police Department), property damage accident, 5000 block of W. Johnson Rd. – 9:03 p.m., (LPD), larceny, 600 block E.…

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Sheriff’s office lobby open for safe transactions.

April 29, 2015
Sheriff’s office lobby open for safe transactions.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  LUDINGTON — The Mason County Sheriff’s Office is offering the use of its lobby as a safe place to go for people making online purchases. The lobby is open 24 hours a day and is monitored by video cameras with corrections officers in the next room. “I really started thinking about this when my 21-year-old daughter…

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Sherman Township man arrested on meth manufacturing arraigned.

April 29, 2015
Sherman Township man arrested on meth manufacturing arraigned.

SHERMAN TWP. — Travis Michael Shaull, 27, 3763 E. Sugar Grove Rd., Sherman Twp., was arrested on charged of manufacturing methamphetamine and operating/maintaining a laboratory involving methamphetamine, during a search of his home on Monday, April 27. Shaull reportedly fled from SSCENT detectives during a search warrant at the property but was quickly apprehended and arrested on charges. He was arraigned Tuesday afternoon…

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Sunny skies expected today through the weekend.

April 29, 2015

The weather report is brought to you by Urka Auto Center, 3736 W. U.S. 10, Ludington,www.urkaautos.com. Wednesday, April 29, 2015: A 10 percent chance of showers after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 53. North wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Tonight: A 10 percent chance of showers before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with…

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Salvation Army appealing for food pantry donations.

April 28, 2015
Salvation Army appealing for food pantry donations.

LUDINGTON – As the slow economic recovery has not yet reached our most vulnerable and many people are still at-risk. The U.S. Census Bureau is now rating almost half of all Americans in the poor or low-income categories – many of them families with children. The Salvation Army nationwide is seeing heavy demand for food by families whose children suffer…

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