20-year-old man accused of sexual assault against 13-year-old girl

March 26, 2015
20-year-old man accused of sexual assault against 13-year-old girl

  By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. VICTORY TWP. — A 20-year-old Scottville man is facing life in prison for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl last summer. Sebastian Allen-Leroy Chandler, 20, of 153 N. Ivan Rd., Victory Twp., was arrested March 18 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office on two felony counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) or rape…

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Fire destroys car near school.

March 26, 2015
Fire destroys car near school.

See video here.  LUDINGTON — Fire destroyed a Pontiac Grand Am parked near the intersection of Lavinia and Foster street Thursday afternoon. Ludington Fire Department and Ludington Police Department responded to the scene. The fire occurred just as Foster Elementary students were leaving school for the day, causing pedestrian and traffic safety concerns.

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The Millennials: Choosing a life on the farm.

March 26, 2015
The Millennials: Choosing a life on the farm.

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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Rumble by the River IV wrestling event is Saturday.

March 26, 2015

MANISTEE — Professional wrestling fans, it’s time to rumble. WJC Wrestling Entertainment and Northern Impact Championship Wrestling will present Rumble by the River IV on Saturday, March 28 at the Manistee National Guard Armory. The event features wrestlers Monster Monahan, Big Chuck Wagon, the Karma Police, Gideon Malice, Jack Verville, Benjamin Boone and Ludington’s own Corey Ottgen, among others. The…

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Barn quilt trail to expand.

March 26, 2015
Barn quilt trail to expand.

LUDINGTON —  After what is being called a successful launch last fall, the Mason County Barn Quilt Trail committee is seeking new barns to join the trail in 2015. Interested barn owners in Mason County are invited to apply and be part of the expansion planned to launch in September of 2015 in conjunction with the Scottville Harvest Festival.  The…

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A gift in honor of agriculture.

March 26, 2015
A gift in honor of agriculture.

LUDINGTON — The Mason County Farm Bureau presented a basket to Nicole Whitman of Ludington, and her newborn son, Beau Whitman, last week in honor of National Agriculture Day. Beau was born at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital on Wednesday, March 18 at 1:30 p.m. The basket, containing agriculture-themed items, serves as a reminder of the importance of farming in Mason…

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Citizen’s call leads to ‘super drunk’ driving arrest

March 26, 2015
Citizen’s call leads to ‘super drunk’ driving arrest

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. —  A 52-year-old Ludington woman was arrested by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office for operating with a high blood alcohol content/”super drunk” following a citizen’s call Wednesday, March 25, at 10:09 p.m.…

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Obituary: The Rev. William Collins.

March 26, 2015

The Rev. A.D. William Collins, 79 of Ludington, known as “Rev. Bill” by his friends, passed away from this life on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at his winter residence in Ocala, Florida.    He is survived by his wife of 59 years Donna Lee, children David (Debby) Collins, Karen (Paul) Bonnette, Richard (Karla) Collins, Anne (Greg) Winiarski, 13 grandchildren and two older…

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Recent deaths. March 26, 2015.

March 26, 2015

Herbert “Bud” Hall, 94, of Scottville passed away Tuesday, March 24 in Grand Rapids. Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services – Stephens Funeral Home, Scottville. Hermine Lichte, 79, of Ludington passed away on March 24, 2015 at her home. Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Ludington. Bonnie Pfefferle, 58, of Scottville passed away on March 24, 2015 at her home.…

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Fire damages 2-year-old home

March 26, 2015
Fire damages 2-year-old home

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. PENTWATER TWP. — A home that had been built just two years ago at 6909 Hilltop Court in the Madison Ridge Subdivision received extensive interior damage due to a fire Wednesday night, March 25. No one was injured in the blaze. Pentwater and Hart fire departments were dispatched to the scene at about 10:30 p.m., and…

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Beatles and Eagles tribute bands to perform at West Shore Bank’s Rhythm & Dunes.

March 25, 2015
Beatles and Eagles tribute bands to perform at West Shore Bank’s Rhythm & Dunes.

LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank’s 2015 Rhythm and Dunes series will include tribute to The Beatles and The Eagles. The Long Run — Experience the Eagles will perform on Saturday, July 25 and Britain’s Finest, The Complete Beatles Experience, will perform on Saturday, Aug. 1 at Waterfront Park in Ludington. Both shows are free at will begin at 7 p.m.…

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Ludington man arrested for absconding parole

March 25, 2015
Ludington man arrested for absconding parole

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. — A 33-year-old Ludington man was arrested by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Tuesday, March 24, at 1:14 a.m. following a traffic stop at Pere Marquette Highway and Hesslund on two…

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Scottville commissioner Bonnie Pfefferle passes away.

March 25, 2015
Scottville commissioner Bonnie Pfefferle passes away.

SCOTTVILLE — Scottville City Commissioner Bonnie Pfefferle, 58, passed away Tuesday, March 24, after a long fight with cancer. Pfefferle was a strong supporter of Scottville and a fan of Notre Dame University. “She is irreplaceable,” City Manager Amy Williams said. “Bonnie was the type of person who would volunteer no matter what. When she got cancer, six or seven…

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Advocating for the arts.

March 24, 2015
Advocating for the arts.

VICTORY TWP. — West Shore Community College students observed Arts Advocacy Day Tuesday by creating art collaboratively on a stretched canvas. The canvas will be on display somewhere on campus in the very near future. The event was sponsored by the WSCC Student Senate. Photos submitted by Aubrey Healy.

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Freezing rain possible tonight.

March 24, 2015
Freezing rain possible tonight.

The weather report is sponsored by Cottage Renovators, 231-425-6597, www.cottagerenovators.com. There is a chance of freezing rain overnight, mainly after 4 a.m. Low around 31. Southeast wind 14 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total nighttime ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. Wednesday, March 25, 2015: Rain, mainly before 2 p.m. High near 42.…

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Recent death, March 24, 2015.

March 24, 2015

Rev. William Collins, 79 of Ludington, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 24 in Ocala, Florida.  Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services – Stephens Funeral Home, Scottville. List of 2015 deaths on record. 

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Structures, vehicles destroyed by fire.

March 24, 2015
Structures, vehicles destroyed by fire.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. BRANCH TWP. — Two structures and several other items were destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon at 8349 E. Decker Rd. Property owner Carl Klepser said he was burning papers in a burning barrel and thought the fire was extinguished. He went inside his home and then heard a popping noise. When he came out, he discovered…

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Manistee man arrested for B&E of Ludington business.

March 24, 2015
Manistee man arrested for B&E of Ludington business.

LUDINGTON — Jason Neil MacDonald, 34, of 231 1/2 Second Ave., Manistee, was arrested by Ludington Police Department March 21 in connection to a breaking and entering that occurred last year at Max’s Small Engine Repair. MacDonald had been extradited from Hillsdale County where he had been jailed for offenses not related to the Mason County charges. He has been…

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Man found not guilty in CSC trial.

March 24, 2015
Man found not guilty in CSC trial.

LUDINGTON — A Ludington man was found not guilty of criminal sexual conduct during a two-day trial in 51st Circuit Court this week. Ricardo Reyes, 50, of 5740 W. Barton Rd., Pere Maquette Twp., was arrested Oct. 3 by Mason County Sheriff’s Office for a high court misdemeanor of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Fourth degree CSC alleges sexual contact, typically…

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The Business Report: Safe Harbor Credit Union, featuring services in over 250 locations.

March 24, 2015
The Business Report: Safe Harbor Credit Union, featuring services in over 250 locations.

Mason County Press is provided free to its readers through the generous support of advertisers. Today, we feature one of those advertisers, Safe Harbor Credit Union, in The Business Report.  LUDINGTON — What started out as a financial service for employees of the Ludington Dow Chemical Plant has turned into a credit union that services over 270 employer or community groups.…

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Olympian will speak at several events.

March 24, 2015
Olympian will speak at several events.

LUDINGTON — Two-time U.S. Olympic silver medalist Gigi Marvin will be speaking the weekend of April 11 and 12. She is being sponsored by the Mason County Sports Hall of Fame. Marvin will be the focus of three presentations over the weekend of April 11 and 12. Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital is hosting a coaches’ breakfast for the first 50…

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