Stakenas Farms receives Conservationist of the Year award

February 27, 2014
Stakenas Farms receives Conservationist of the Year award

Warren Larsen, Laverne Morton receive Legacy Award. Special recognition given to RuthAnn Berndt. By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. AMBER TWP. — Stakenas Farms of Free Soil was awarded the 2014 Conservationist of the Year Thursday night at the 72nd annual meeting/election of the Mason-Lake Conservation District, held at the Mason County Reformed Church. Brothers Bill and Carl Stakenas are the third…

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Electrical likely cause of Scottville fire

February 27, 2014
Electrical likely cause of Scottville fire

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. SCOTTVILLE — The cause of the fire that destroyed a Scottville home Wednesday night was most likely electrical. Fire Chief Dale Larr said resident Kendra Smith said some of the lighting on the second floor was having issues when she went down to check the electrical panel in the basement. Upon returning, there was smoke upstairs.…

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Fantasia Ballet Folklorico to Perform at LACA March 1

February 27, 2014
Fantasia Ballet Folklorico to Perform at LACA March 1

LUDINGTON – Next up in the Main Stage Series at Ludington Area Center for the Arts is Fantasia Ballet Folklorico on Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the LACA Performance Hall. Fantasia Ballet Folklorico is a group based in Lansing made up of as many as 30 dancers who present traditional folk dances from different regions of Mexico in…

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19th annual CommUnity Auction is Saturday

February 27, 2014
19th annual CommUnity Auction is Saturday

SCOTTVILLE — The 19th annual Scottville CommUnity Auction will be held this Saturday, March 1, at the Scottville Optimist Community Center. Proceeds from the event will support the Mason County Central Educational Foundation and Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce. This year’s theme is “Hat’s Off to You.” Doors will open at 6 p.m. Admission is $19 per person,…

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Fire victims in need of items

February 27, 2014
Fire victims in need of items

SCOTTVILLE — A family that lost its house fire Wednesday night is in need of help from the community. Fire destroyed the home of John VanLopik and Kendra Smith at 303 N. Reinberg Ave. See related story.  VanLopik is a Michigan State Police Trooper from the Hart Post. Today, the post issued a list of items the family is need…

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Update: Firefighters called back to fire scene

February 27, 2014
Update: Firefighters called back to fire scene

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  UPDATE: SCOTTVILLE — A Michigan State Police trooper and his family lost their home to fire Wednesday night. Scottville and Custer fire departments were called to 303 N. Reinberg Ave. around 8:30 p.m. for what was reported as a fire in the attic. The last fire unit cleared the scene around 3:30 a.m. only to be…

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Closings, cancelations for Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014

February 27, 2014

The following closings, cancelations have been made for today: – Ludington Area Schools – Mason County Central – Mason County Eastern – Ludington Area Catholic – Covenant Christian – West Shore ESD – West Shore Comm. College – Men C.A.N. Meeting scheduled tonight has been postponed due to the weather. It will be rescheduled for Thursday, March 27. – Mason…

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WSCC to host high school art competition

February 27, 2014
WSCC to host high school art competition

VICTORY TWP. – The West Shore Community College Art Department will host the 16th annual Regional High School Art Competition and Exhibit beginning March 4, in the college’s Manierre Dawson Gallery. An artist reception will be held on Sun., March 16, from 2-3:30 p.m.  Student artwork will be displayed throughMarch 27. Sponsored by the West Shore Community College Foundation and the WSCC Art Department, ribbons…

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Trooper and family lose house to fire, all escape unharmed

February 26, 2014
Trooper and family lose house to fire, all escape unharmed

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  SCOTTVILLE — A Michigan State Police trooper and his family lost their home to fire Wednesday night. Scottville and Custer fire departments were called to 303 N. Reinberg Ave. around 8:30 p.m. for what was reported as a fire in the attic. Kendra Smith, her four children, her mother and the family dog were able to…

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Post commander: ‘There’s still a big hole here at the post’

February 26, 2014
Post commander: ‘There’s still a big hole here at the post’

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. Eric John Knysz has been found guilty of murdering Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield. It is likely, that when sentenced in April, the 20-year-old will face life in prison. While justice will be served, it doesn’t take away the fact that a 43-year-old police officer, and military veteran, was killed in cold blood on the…

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Mardi Gras and other events at the libraries

February 26, 2014
Mardi Gras and other events at the libraries

Several activities are planned for the upcoming weeks at the Mason County District Library. MARDI GRAS. The Ludington branch will celebrate Fat Tuesday with a Mardi Gras Party on Tuesday, March 4. Children of all ages are invited to attend.  Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult. FAMILY FUN CRAFTS. The Scottville branch will host family fun…

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Deputies arrest man for no license

February 26, 2014
Deputies arrest man for no license

RIVERTON TWP. — Deputies from Mason County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 39-year-old Ludington man Tuesday for driving without a license. The arrest occurred following a traffic stop at Chauvez and Lister roads at 5:01 a.m. Deputies also responded to the following on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014: – 6:29 a.m.: Two vehicle crash, no injuries, Lakeshore Dr. and Lowell St., City…

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Obit: Lee Courteau, 90, Scottville

February 26, 2014
Obit: Lee Courteau, 90, Scottville

Lee D. Courteau, aged 90 of Scottville, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2014 at HCR Manor Heartland Crestview in Wyoming.  Lee was born on October 10, 1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Leroy and Lillian (Ericson) Courteau, and served his country during World War II with the Army Air Corps in the North African Theatre.  On November 22, 1948 he married…

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Wind chills may reach -20 tonight

February 26, 2014
Wind chills may reach -20 tonight

The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a winter weather advisory from 9 p.m. tonight until 3 p.m. Thursday. The advisory calls for blowing snow and bitter cold wind chills. One to 4 inches of snow is expected late tonight through mid-day Thursday with wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph tonight. Wind chill readers may reach -20 late…

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Jamesport and Rotary host Business After Hours

February 26, 2014
Jamesport and Rotary host Business After Hours

The Business Plan. The Business Plan is a partnership between the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce and Mason County Press. Today’s topic of discussion are tonight’s hosts of Business After Hours, Jamesport Brewing Company and the Rotary Club of Ludington.  While being Jamesport Brewing Company stands on its own as a fine dining establishment on the far end…

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Portion of M-116 may be named in Trooper Butterfield’s honor

February 25, 2014
Portion of M-116 may be named in Trooper Butterfield’s honor

LANSING — State Representative Ray Franz (101st District) of Onekama has announced a bill in the Michigan House of Representatives naming a portion of M-116 in honor of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield. House Bill 5257 was read in committee for the second time Tuesday and will now be sent to the full house for consideration. Fittingly, the bill…

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MCC voters approve millages

February 25, 2014
MCC voters approve millages

SCOTTVILLE — A small amount of voters turned out for a school election in the Mason County Central School District today. However, the turnout was enough to pass two operating millage renewal proposals. In a low profile election, the Board of Education was asking voters to continue to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal…

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Prosecutor, MSP colonel and fiancé discuss case against Knysz

February 25, 2014

The following are the videos of the press conference held after the verdict of guilty was handed down to Eric John Knysz. The  videos include Prosecutor Paul Spaniola, Michigan State Police Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue and Jennifer Sielski, fiancé of Trooper Paul Butterfield, whom Eric Knysz murdered.  

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GUILTY.

February 25, 2014
GUILTY.

By Rob Alway and Lisa Enos, MCP LUDINGTON — A jury has found Eric John Knysz guilty of murdering Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield on Sept. 9, 2013 in Free Soil Township. The 20-year-old Irons resident sat emotionless — as he has throughout his seven day trial — while the verdict was read. The jury deliberated for just over…

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Closing arguments

February 25, 2014
Closing arguments

LUDINGTON — “Every defendant is entitled to his day in court,” said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola at the onset of his closing arguments to the jury in the 51st Circuit Court case of the People vs. Eric Knysz, 20, of Irons, accused of first degree murder of peace officer, Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield who was pronounced dead…

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Jury deliberates

February 25, 2014
Jury deliberates

LUDINGTON — The jury went into deliberation at 3:38 p.m. to decide the fate of Eric John Knysz, the man accused of killing Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield on Sept. 9, 2013 in Free Soil Township. Closing arguments by the prosecution and defense ended around 2 p.m. and 51st Circuit Court Judge Richard Cooper gave instructions to the jury.…

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