79th District Court sentencings, as of April 16

April 18, 2014
79th District Court sentencings, as of April 16

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON – The following were sentenced this past week in 79th District Court: –          Dean Alan Drake, 52, of 105 E. Tinkham Ave., Ludington, was found guilty April 11 of larceny less than $200 and sentenced to 93 days discretionary jail for one year and $580 in fines and costs or 58 hours of community service. –          Georgia Rae…

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Library crafts activities

April 18, 2014

The Mason County District Library announces the following craft activities: LUDINGTON — On Tuesday, May 6 at 6 p.m., crafters are invited to the West Shore Bank Room at the Ludington library to create paper crafts.  This activity is open to adults only.  There is a limit of 20 participants.  Supplies are provided at no charge, but donations are appreciated.…

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Pondering on Eric Knysz’ death and the Mason County corrections officers

April 18, 2014

A letter to the editor: By now all reading this know that Eric Knysz hung himself in prison. Eric Knysz admitted to murdering Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield II out of fear of going to prison. In so many words, he said he made his decision to kill the Trooper when he observed him turn around to stop him.…

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Cooper hopes to take his father’s place as judge

April 18, 2014
Cooper hopes to take his father’s place as judge

LUDINGTON — Lake County Prosecuting Attorney Craig Cooper hopes to takes his father’s place as the 51st Circuit Court judge. Cooper is the third area attorney to announce his candidacy for the position, which is being vacated by Richard Cooper, who retires the end of this year. Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Spaniola and former Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Susan…

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Top signs your brakes are going bad

April 18, 2014
Top signs your brakes are going bad

Good Neighbor Tips. A blog by Erin Doan State Farm Insurance Agency. Brakes are a vital safety feature of any vehicle, and getting acquainted with your brake system should be a priority. “The braking system on your vehicle is critical in keeping you and your passengers alive and well and your vehicle out of the body shop,” says James Solomon,…

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Spaniola announces judge candidacy

April 18, 2014
Spaniola announces judge candidacy

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief . LUDINGTON — Paul Spaniola, Mason County’s prosecuting attorney, has announced his candidacy for 51st Circuit Court judge, to succeed Circuit Judge Richard I. Cooper who is subject to mandatory retirement at the end of 2014. “I am very excited about the prospect of running for circuit judge and serving in that role,”  Spaniola said.  “Judge…

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Health Department advises no contact with flood waters

April 18, 2014

District Health Department #10 advises residents to take precautions for personal safety to prevent waterborne infections that may result from contact with contaminated flood waters. Flooding and power outages can threaten water quality due to well water pump failures and overflowing septic systems.   The Health Department recommends the following safety precautions: Avoid any body contact with floodwaters. Wear protective…

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High rivers are not fishable rivers

April 18, 2014
High rivers are not fishable rivers

For the Love of Fishing. A blog by Sean McDonald is brought to you by Frontier Communications. High speed Internet starting at $19.99 a month. www.frontier.com; 1-888-770-6869.  The 4 inches plus of rain has changed the river fishing and now all of our rivers are not fishable until at least the weekend from a boat. The rivers now are very angry.…

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Eric Knysz is dead

April 17, 2014
Eric Knysz is dead

LANSING — Eric Knysz, the 20-year-old Irons resident who killed Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, is dead. According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, Knysz was removed from life support at 10:30 a.m. while housed at Allegiance Health Hospital in Jackson. Knysz hung himself with a bed sheet Monday at the Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in…

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Ludington man charged with several counts in relation to hit and run

April 17, 2014
Ludington man charged with several counts in relation to hit and run

LUDINGTON — Brian Keith Blackburn, 24, of Ludington was charged with several counts in connection to the hit and run crash that caused serious injury to Mason County Central teacher Scott Dumas. Blackburn was arraigned by Mason County Magistrate Patricia Baker in 79th District Court and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury, a 5-year-maximum felony; failure…

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2 injured in U.S. 10 crash

April 17, 2014
2 injured in U.S. 10 crash

BRANCH TWP. — Two people were injured following a two-vehicle rear-end crash on East U.S. 10 and Benson Road Thursday afternoon. The crash occurred around 12:20 p.m. after a Chrysler Town & Country mini driven driven by a 26-year-old Ludington man rear-ended an Oldsmobile Alero driven by a 27-year-old Branch man. The driver of the Alero and his 21-year-old female…

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Dumas in stable condition; leg surgery being performed

April 17, 2014
Dumas in stable condition; leg surgery being performed

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Mason County Central Middle School teacher Scott Dumas is reported as being in stable condition at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. The 50-year-old Amber Township resident was walking through the Shop-N-Save parking lot in Pere Marquette Township Wednesday when he was struck by a vehicle driven by an alleged drunk driver. Dumas was eventually transported…

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Firefighters act fast, extinguish house fire

April 17, 2014
Firefighters act fast, extinguish house fire

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  HAMLIN TWP. — Four people and their dog were able to safely get out of their house during a fire this morning. Hamlin Township and Pere Marquette Township fire departments were called to the Janice Hansen residence at 2486 N. Jebavy Drive around 8 a.m. A deputy from Mason County Sheriff’s Office was the first to…

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MCC teacher in critical care following hit and run

April 16, 2014
MCC teacher in critical care following hit and run

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  UPDATED. PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — Mason County Central Middle School teacher and local businessman Scott Dumas was the victim of Wednesday afternoon’s hit and run crash. The 50-year-old Amber Township resident was walking through the Shop-N-Save parking lot around 4 p.m. when he was struck by a car driven by a Ludington man. The driver left…

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Body of man found on beach identified

April 16, 2014
Body of man found on beach identified

LUDINGTON — The man whose body was found washed up on the far north end of Ludington State Park was Allen Townsend, 48, of Sheboygan, Wisc. Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole said authorities from Sheboygan contacted his department this afternoon and stated that Townsend had been missing since November 2013. The identification was based on the race and tattoo of…

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Amber Township man struck by hit-and-run driver

April 16, 2014
Amber Township man struck by hit-and-run driver

The name of the victim is not being released until family can be notified. By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  UPDATED. PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — A 50-year-old Amber Township resident was struck by a vehicle while he was walking in the Shop-N-Save parking lot around 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. The driver of the vehicle left the scene. The male victim was taken…

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Race of body found identified, man had 2 tattoos

April 16, 2014
Race of body found identified, man had 2 tattoos

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. HAMLIN TWP. — An autopsy was performed this morning on the body found north of Big Point Sable Lighthouse Tuesday night. Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole said the body was that of a black male who was 5-foot, 11-inches tall and weighing approximately 180 pounds. See previous story for more details.  “The deceased had two identifiable…

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Habitat makes way for new home

April 16, 2014
Habitat makes way for new home

SCOTTVILLE — Crews from Jabrocki Excavating were tearing down a house at 405 N. Thomas Street in Scottville this morning. According to City Manager Amy Williams, the house was purchased by Habitat for Humanity. Much work was done on the exterior of the home a few years ago, Williams said. But, the interior of the home was nearly inhabitable. “The…

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High today of 46, partly cloudy

April 16, 2014
High today of 46, partly cloudy

The outdoor report for Mason County is sponsored by Superior Electric of Ludington: 231-845-0126; www.supelectric.com. Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 46 F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Humidity, 46%. Sunset: 8:31 p.m.  Tonight, cloudy. Low 36F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Humidity, 57%. Thursday, April 17, 2014. A few…

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Welcome to the world! Holly Mae

April 16, 2014
Welcome to the world! Holly Mae

Birth announcements are sponsored by ABC Kidz/Purple Monkey, 123 E. Ludington Ave. Check them out here on Facebook.  Welcome to the world! Holly Mae Snay, the daughter of Candy and Jeremy Snay of Manistee, was born April 14, 2014 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. If you have a birth announcement to make, you are welcome to email the announcement and a photograph…

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Obit: Robert Garth Bahr, 68, Free Soil

April 16, 2014
Obit: Robert Garth Bahr, 68, Free Soil

Robert Garth Bahr, aged 68 of Free Soil, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, April 11, 2014.  Robert was born on June, 23, 1945 in Ludington to Robert Andrew and Helen Victoria (Johnson) Bahr, and graduated from Mason County Central High School with the class of 1964.  Robert served his country during the Vietnam Conflict with the US Army, and…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks