Dumas at home, continues to recover; family needs helping planting hop

May 13, 2014
Dumas at home, continues to recover; family needs helping planting hop

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. AMBER TWP. — Scott Dumas, the Mason County Central Middle School teacher who was a victim of a hit and run crash last month, is back home, after almost a month in the hospital. Dumas has a long road of recovery ahead, but his wife, Kathy, reports that he has exceeded doctors’ expectations. “It feels so…

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Fountain man accidentally shoots himself in hand

May 13, 2014

FREE SOIL TWP. — An 87-year-old Fountain man accidentally shot himself in the hand Monday afternoon while attempting to load a gun. Deputies from Mason County Sheriff’s Office, along with medical first responders from Free Soil/Meade Fire Department and EMTs from Life EMS ambulance responded to the 3900 block of East Townline Road at 4:56 p.m. Other activity of the…

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Obit: Dick Smith, 91, Scottville

May 13, 2014
Obit: Dick Smith, 91, Scottville

Richard M. “Dick” Smith, aged 91 of Scottville, passed away Monday, May 12, 2014 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital.  Dick was born on April 15, 1923 in Fountain, the son of George and Mabel (Nash) Smith, and served his country during World War II with the US Army in the European Theatre. Throughout his life, he worked various jobs, including hauling…

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Farmer’s quick actions save barn

May 12, 2014
Farmer’s quick actions save barn

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  FREE SOIL TWP. — Three fire departments responded to a barn fire at Kran Farms Monday night on Tuttle Road south of Freeman Road. The fire was actually confined to a tractor and caused little damage to the actual structure. Bob Kran Jr., who lives a few hundred yards down the road, said he stopped to…

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DNR offers free fishing weekend

May 12, 2014

The Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone that Michigan’s annual summer free fishing weekend is set for Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8. On that weekend, everyone – residents and nonresidents alike – can fish Michigan waters without a license, though all other fishing regulations still apply. Michigan has offered the free fishing weekend annually since 1986 as an easy,…

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Sailing school’s goal is to teach safety and fun

May 12, 2014
Sailing school’s goal is to teach safety and fun

Ludington Youth Sailing School will begin classes this summer. By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  LUDINGTON — A group of boating enthusiasts have filled a long-time void by forming a local sailing school. Beginning this summer, the Ludington Youth Sailing School will offer lessons to children ages 8 to 17. The non-profit organization was formed by members of the Ludington Yacht Club,…

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Bridal Story: Brittany and Aaron

May 12, 2014
Bridal Story: Brittany and Aaron

Brittany Mae Starr and Aaron Douglas Powers have known each other since pre-school. They have been a couple for six years and engaged for three years. Their wedding was a bit of a surprise, though, because they waited until five days before the wedding to tell their parents. They were married May 3, 2014 at Free Soil Community Center with…

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4 arrested in separate weekend incidents

May 12, 2014
4 arrested in separate weekend incidents

Deputies from Mason County Sheriff’s Office arrested four people in separate incidents over the weekend. Below is the activity of the MCSO from May 9 to May 11, 2014: May 9 12:20 a.m.: 911 hang up call, 2300 block of 32nd St., Sheridan Twp. 2:52 a.m.: Suspicious persons seen walking on road on Hansen Rd. near Dennis Rd., Amber Twp.…

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Trooper murderer left several notes before his suicide

May 12, 2014
Trooper murderer left several notes before his suicide

Eric John Knysz, the man who killed Trooper Paul Butterfield, left notes around his prison cell shortly before he hung himself last month. Mlive.com acquired parts  the Michigan State Police report through the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. The investigation remains under investigation but the department released reports through May 6. The report stated that a corrections officer found Knysz around…

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Phillips murder prelim to resume July 31

May 12, 2014
Phillips murder prelim to resume July 31

LUDINGTON —The 79th District Court preliminary examination of Sean Michael Phillips will resume July 31 at 9 a.m. at the Mason County Courthouse. Phillips is serving a 10 to 15 year prison sentence for the unlawful imprisonment of Katherine, also known as Baby Kate. In October 2013 he was charged with the open murder of the baby, even though no body…

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Storm possible today, area under weather advisory

May 12, 2014
Storm possible today, area under weather advisory

The weather report for Mason County is sponsored by Superior Electric of Ludington: 231-845-0126; www.supelectric.com. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a significant weather advisory for the area. At 9:33 a.m. radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a line extending from Hesperia to Belding to St. Johns to Williamston, moving northeast at 30 mph. Frequent dangerous cloud to ground…

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Rear-end crash at US 10 and Stiles

May 10, 2014
Rear-end crash at US 10 and Stiles

AMBER TWP. — A two vehicle crash occurred Saturday afternoon on U.S. 10 just west of Stiles Road. The crash occurred when a Ford minivan rear-ended a Ford Escape that was attempting to turn left into the Grassa’s Farm Market driveway. Both vehicles were eastbound. The female driver of the Escape was transported to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital by Life…

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Oaktree Academy hopes to fill daycare gap

May 9, 2014
Oaktree Academy hopes to fill daycare gap

By Kate Krieger. MCP Correspondent. LUDINGTON – Mason County will soon be home to a new academy, providing daycare and pre-school services to area children, ages newborn to 13. With a decline in daycare providers in the Mason County area due to new licensing regulations and the need for care going up, the Pennies from Heaven Foundation, founded by John…

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9 sentenced in 79th District Court this past week

May 9, 2014
9 sentenced in 79th District Court this past week

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON – The following were sentenced this past week in 79th District Court: –       Clemente Gonzalez-Villanueva, 43, of 611 S. Dryden St., Hart, was found guilty, May 1, of failure to display a valid license and sentenced to $275 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to the Secretary of State (SOS). –       Jon Lloyd Maccune, 22, of 924 E. Tinkham…

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Pastor Wood and family to be honored by church; pursuing more mission work

May 9, 2014
Pastor Wood and family to be honored by church; pursuing more mission work

CUSTER TWP. — Sugar Ridge Church of the the Brethren will hold an open house for Pastor David Wood and his family on Sunday, May 18 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. After 8 years of service, Pastor Dave Wood has stepped down as pastor of Sugar Ridge Church of the Brethren. He and his family, including wife Kerri and children Micah, Tirzah,…

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79th District Court arraignments as of May 7, 2014

May 9, 2014
79th District Court arraignments as of May 7, 2014

Arraignments as of May 7 By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON – The following were arraigned this past week in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies –       Gary Allen Jacobsen, 24, of 207 S. Washington Ave., Ludington, was arrested, May 5, by the State, Sheriffs’, Chiefs’ Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT) for a felony of controlled substance, delivery/manufacture of a non-narcotic. A preliminary…

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4 sentenced this week in 51st Circuit Court on various drug charges

May 9, 2014
4 sentenced this week in 51st Circuit Court on various drug charges

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON – The following were sentenced this past week in 51st Circuit Court: –       Charles William Boon, 25, of 214 E. Melendy St., Apt. 3, Ludington, was found guilty, March 7, of two counts of controlled substance, delivery/manufacture. He was sentenced, May 6, to two concurrent 270-day jail terms with credit for two days served; serve six months up front;…

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Local students compete in health occupations competition

May 9, 2014
Local students compete in health occupations competition

  TRAVERSE CITY — Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) held the State Leadership Conference at Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, Michigan on April 24 and 25. Twenty-four students from the West Shore ESD’s Career and Technical Education program competed. Fourteen students were state finalists, finishing in the top eight. Of those 14, seven medaled, placing in the top…

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