79th District Court arraignments

April 9, 2015
79th District Court arraignments

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies – Gary Joseph Stranc, 47, of 722 E. Loomis St., Ludington, was arrested March 31 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for felonies of sex offender – failure to register and student safety zone – residency violation. Probable cause…

Read more »

College restructures Business Opportunity Center.

April 9, 2015
College restructures Business Opportunity Center.

VICTORY TWP. – West Shore Community College’s Business Opportunity Center (BOC) is being re-energized by new personnel.  Crystal Young has started as the new director, and Cara Mitchell is the administrative assistant. The Business Opportunity Center is the connector between businesses and the college, offering customized trainings, Open Entry/Open Exit courses, and other resources as needed. “The role of the director…

Read more »

79th District Court sentencings

April 9, 2015
79th District Court sentencings

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Amanda Jean Couturier, 24, of 206 N. William St., Ludington, was found guilty April 1 of attempted assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. She was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; one year discretionary jail for one year; jail…

Read more »

Final five candidates selected for West Shore president.

April 9, 2015

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. VICTORY TWP. — Five candidates have been chosen to be considered for the position of the next president of West Shore Community College. The 11 person presidential selection committee conducted 10 interviews the past two days and made its recommendation of the top 5 for the board of trustees to consider. The finalists include: Dr. Burton…

Read more »

Ladder larceny.

April 9, 2015
Ladder larceny.

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. HAMLIN TWP. — Mason County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a larceny of a ladder reported Wednesday, April 8, at 10:44 a.m. in the 7200 block of Killdeer Lane. Other MCSO activity Wednesday, April 8, 2015…

Read more »

Cops defeat firefighters in hockey match.

April 8, 2015
Cops defeat firefighters in hockey match.

See video here. By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. VICTORY TWP. — For the second year in a row, the Law Dogs defeated the Smoke Eaters in a charity game (8-3). But, the second annual game wasn’t really about the score anyway, it was about raising funds for our neighbors, friends and family who may find themselves in a time of need.…

Read more »

Thunderstorms likely overnight, Thursday.

April 8, 2015
Thunderstorms likely overnight, Thursday.

The weather report is brought to you by Urka Auto Center, 3736 W. U.S. 10, Ludington,www.urkaautos.com. Overnight: A slight chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 39. Northeast wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher…

Read more »

Planning the future of the village’s waterfront

April 8, 2015
Planning the future of the village’s waterfront

PENTWATER – In mid-March, more than 45 Pentwater residents met at the village hall to discuss the future of the village’s waterfront. The Pentwater community is now invited to the next phase of the case study to identify sustainable harbor management strategies. The village and project team will host a three-day planning meeting, or “design charrette,” April 17-19, to identify…

Read more »

DNR says fish kills may be common during spring thaw

April 8, 2015

The Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone that after the heavy ice and snow cover melt on Michigan’s lakes this early spring, it may be common to discover dead fish or other aquatic creatures. This year’s winter with heavy snow, extreme cold temperatures and thick ice cover will create conditions that cause fish and other creatures such as turtles, frogs,…

Read more »

Welcome to the world! Recent births.

April 8, 2015

Welcome to the world! Ronan Edward Varenhorst, the son of Melanie and Matthew Varenhorst of Ludington, was born March 24, 2015 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Johnathan Scott Taylor, the son of Shelby and Clinton Taylor of Ludington, was born March 26, 2015 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Aiden Patrick Lewis, the son of Jennifer Lewis, was born at Spectrum Health…

Read more »

Deputies investigate credit card fraud, shoplifting

April 8, 2015
Deputies investigate credit card fraud, shoplifting

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. PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — The Mason County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a credit card fraud complaint received Tuesday, April 7, at 2 p.m. in the 4800 block of West US-10. The victim reported that $350.01…

Read more »

MCC Middle School talent showcase.

April 8, 2015
MCC Middle School talent showcase.

SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central Middle School Talent Showcase will be held Thursday, April 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the A.O. Carlson Gymnasium at MCC High School. The event will feature visual and performing arts from middle school students; performances begin on stage at 7 p.m.  

Read more »

Comedian will perform at West Shore.

April 8, 2015
Comedian will perform at West Shore.

VICTORY TWP. – Laughter is coming to West Shore Community College on Thur., April 16, when the Performing Arts Series and Student Senate co-host comedian extraordinaire Bernadette Pauley at Center Stage Theater. The hilarity begins at 7:30 p.m. Pauley appears across the country in comedy clubs and on TV. She has made repeated appearances on VH1, MTV, TBS, Animal Planet, and Comedy Central’s “Tough…

Read more »

Duo to perform at arts center.

April 8, 2015
Duo to perform at arts center.

LUDINGTON — The duo Folias will perform at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts on Thursday, April 23. Folias is a Grand Rapids based husband and wife duo featuring flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron. The pair have a strong connection to South American folk, Argentine tango and to the music of Astor Piazzola. Yet they are also rooted…

Read more »

Democrats sponsor scholarship essay.

April 8, 2015

The Mason County Democratic Party is offering a $500 scholarship to a graduating high school senior from any Mason County schools. Seniors are invited to write an essay, limited to 500 words, discussing the subject: “Immigration, should the United States be the ‘beacon to the world?'” Essays will be judged by an independent panel of judges. The winner will be…

Read more »

Habitual offender faces prison for domestic violence, resisting police

April 7, 2015
Habitual offender faces prison for domestic violence, resisting police

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 22-year-old Walhalla man who pleaded guilty to numerous charges in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, April 7, is looking at a prison term of up 10 years. Nicholas Brian Lauterwasser was arrested Dec. 26 by the Michigan State Police for felonies of interfering with electronic communications; third-offense domestic violence; and habitual offender, third…

Read more »

Sexual assault case heads to trial

April 7, 2015
Sexual assault case heads to trial

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A Ludington man accused of five counts of criminal sexual conduct (CSC) involving a victim under 13 years old, appeared in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, April 7, for a final conference hearing. Benjamin Michael Bentz, 33, was arrested last November by the Ludington Police Department and charged with four felony counts of first-degree…

Read more »

Man who made false bomb threat pleads guilty

April 7, 2015
Man who made false bomb threat pleads guilty

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The 22-year-old Ludington man who was arrested last December after making a false bomb threat to Tendercare of Ludington pleaded guilty Tuesday, April 7, during a final conference hearing in 51st Circuit Court to a four-year felony of false report or threat of a bomb or harmful device. In exchange for his guilty plea,…

Read more »

Loose pig corralled

April 7, 2015
Loose pig corralled

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. CUSTER TWP. — Troopers from the Hart post of the Michigan State Police were dispatched to a report of a loose pig in the road Monday, April 6, at 4:55 p.m. in the 1500 block…

Read more »

Right to Life banquet speaker will discuss end-of-life decisions.

April 7, 2015
Right to Life banquet speaker will discuss end-of-life decisions.

HAMLIN TWP. — The 2015 Focus on Life Benefit Dinner sponsored by the Mason County Right to Life will be held on Thursday, April 23 at Lincoln Hills Golf Club in Ludington. The doors open at 5:30 P.M. with dinner and program starting at 6:30 P.M. Featured guest and speaker will be author and administrative law judge Lisa K. Gigliotti…

Read more »

Rain likely tonight, Tuesday morning.

April 6, 2015
Rain likely tonight, Tuesday morning.

The weather report is brought to you by Urka Auto Center, 3736 W. U.S. 10, Ludington,www.urkaautos.com. Tonight: Showers likely. mainly after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 37. East northeast wind 11 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Sunrise: 7:19 a.m.  Sunset: 8:19 p.m.  Tuesday,…

Read more »