Detectives investigating suspicious death in Hamlin.

March 29, 2015
Detectives investigating suspicious death in Hamlin.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. HAMLIN TWP. — Detectives from Mason County Sheriff’s Office are on scene of what is being described as a “suspicious death” near West Jagger Road east of North Lakeshore Drive. Late Sunday morning, sheriff deputies, Hamlin Township Fire Dept. medical first responders and Life EMS ambulance were called to a report of a deceased male in…

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Unreported barn fire rekindles.

March 29, 2015
Unreported barn fire rekindles.

RIVERTON TWP. — Riverton Fire Chief Joe Cooper was a little baffled when his fire department was dispatched to a rekindle of a barn fire at 4250 S. Schwass Rd. about 8:50 a.m. Sunday. Typically a rekindle means the fire department had been on scene previously for a fire. “I was confused because we never got called out for the initial…

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The kingly power of Michigan’s governor.

March 29, 2015
The kingly power of Michigan’s governor.

The Mitten Memo. A blog by Nick Krieger. By the reign of King Henry VII, English law recognized the monarch’s exclusive and absolute power to pardon an individual accused or convicted of a crime.  Even as other royal powers eroded and shifted to Parliament over the years, this absolute kingly prerogative to dispense mercy survived undiminished and remained exclusively with…

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The Millennials: Continuing a family’s entrepreneurial spirit.

March 28, 2015
The Millennials: Continuing a family’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Editor’s Note: Sustaining a community and keeping it vibrant requires diversity on many levels, especially among age groups. An unintended movement the last few years has been the increased number of millennials who have taken a role in community and business leadership in Mason County. A millennial, also known as Generation Y, is defined as a person who was born…

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How to get rid of nuisance deer

March 28, 2015
How to get rid of nuisance deer

Good Neighbor Tips from Erin Doan, State Farm Insurance, Scottville,www.erindoan.com. Deer can be one of your lawn’s worst enemies. Cornell University estimates that deer cause $250 million in landscape damage each year. Consider these tips to help prevent nuisance deer from taking over your yard. Repellents Certain odors and tastes can deter deer. Buy deer repellent or try one of…

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Truck driver discovered Pallet Recycle fire.

March 28, 2015
Truck driver discovered Pallet Recycle fire.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — Truck driver David Bailey had been all over the state on Friday and arrived back to Pallet Recycle, at the corner of Pere Marquette Hwy. and Chauvez Rd., at 10 p.m. He drove his truck around the back of the main building where a loading dock is located. I came up to…

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Multiple departments respond to Pallet Recycle fire.

March 27, 2015
Multiple departments respond to Pallet Recycle fire.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — Multiple fire departments are currently fighting a fire at Pallet Recycle at the intersection of South Pere Marquette Highway and Chauvez Road. The fire has destroyed the company’s main building. Fire departments on scene include Pere Marquette, Riverton, Scottville, Ludington, Custer, Hamlin, Branch and Pentwater. Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police,…

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Ludington city website experiencing technical issues.

March 27, 2015

LUDINGTON — The City of Ludington website, www.ludington.mi.us, is currently experiencing technical difficulties. According to a press release, the site, is housed and maintained by a company that recently did some internal upgrades. As a result of the upgrades, certain pages have reverted back to information and listings from 2013. City officials are working to resolve the issue.

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Cops and firefighters to face off in rematch hockey game.

March 27, 2015
Cops and firefighters to face off in rematch hockey game.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. VICTORY TWP. — Area firefighters are going to try to take the hockey champion title back from area law enforcement during the second annual Smoke Eaters vs. Law Dogs hockey game, Wednesday, April 8 at West Shore Community Ice Arena. Last year the cops won 7-5. “That’s not happening again this year,” said Lt. Justin Melchert…

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Parole absconder apprehended

March 27, 2015
Parole absconder apprehended

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 34-year-old Comstock Park man was arrested by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office on a parole absconder warrant issued by the Michigan Department of Corrections Thursday, March 26, at 10:07 p.m. in the…

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New county clerk appointed.

March 27, 2015

LUDINGTON — The county’s new clerk will be stepping across the hallway of the courthouse to a new office. Deputy Treasurer Cheryl Kelly was appointed by 51st Circuit Court Judge Susan Sniegowski to replace current clerk Jim Riffle. Riffle was recently appointed drain commissioner, replacing David Hasenbank, who has retired. Twelve people applied for the clerk position. “It was wonderful…

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79th District Court arraignments

March 27, 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 – Eric Deon Wesley, 35, of 2825 Hoyt St., Muskegon Heights, was arrested March 19 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for felonies of conspiracy – weapons/firearms and felony firearm. Probable cause hearing: April 1 at 3 p.m. Bail:…

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51st Circuit Court sentencings: assault with a weapon, domestic violence lands Manistee man in prison

March 27, 2015
51st Circuit Court sentencings: assault with a weapon, domestic violence lands Manistee man in prison

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 51st Circuit Court: – Mark Edward Henderson, 35, of 11769 N. Charloon, Manistee, pleaded no contest Jan. 21 to assault with a weapon and domestic violence. He was sentenced March 17 to a minimum of one year and six months to a maximum of eight years in…

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79th District Court sentencings

March 27, 2015
79th District Court sentencings

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Jeffrey Allen Baugus, 32, of 651 S. Tyndall Rd., Branch, was found guilty March 23 of allowing a person to drive in violation and sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; 90 days discretionary jail for one year;…

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Welcome to the world! Recent births.

March 26, 2015

Welcome to the world! Journey Anne Murphy, the daughter of Debra DuMonte and Nicholas Murphy of Hart, was born Feb. 28, 2015 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Alexander Eli Cruz, the son of Deanna Cruz and Alan Cruz-Arrendondo of Hart, was born March 15, 2015 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Emalee Mae Routley, the daughter of Bethany Wolff and Derek…

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Snow overnight, blustery Friday.

March 26, 2015
Snow overnight, blustery Friday.

The weather report is sponsored by Cottage Renovators, 231-425-6597, www.cottagerenovators.com. Overnight: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 17. Blustery, with a north wind around 21 mph. Sunrise: 7:38 a.m.  Sunset: 8:05 p.m.  Friday, March 27, 2015: A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. Blustery,…

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Law enforcement students learn courtroom procedures.

March 26, 2015
Law enforcement students learn courtroom procedures.

LUDINGTON — Cadets from the West Shore Community College Law Enforcement academy learned what it is like to be in the witness seat in a court proceeding Thursday evening. The six cadets each took turns testifying during a mock trial presided over by 79th District Judge Pete Wadel at Mason County Courthouse. They were asked questions by Mason County Prosecuting…

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Franz co-sponsors resolution to improve veteran health care access

March 26, 2015
Franz co-sponsors resolution to improve veteran health care access

LANSING — State Rep. Ray Franz of Onekama today co-sponsored a resolution to improve health care access for veterans across the state by encouraging the federal government to implement a pilot program in Michigan instituting a flexible Veterans Choice Card system that can be used at any health care facility. Current law requires veterans to use Veterans Administration facilities within a…

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