Ludington man arrested for stealing from Meijer

February 7, 2014
Ludington man arrested for stealing from Meijer

AMBER TWP. — Deputies arrested a 38-year-old Ludington man Thursday for retail fraud. The man is accused of taking boots and a shirt from Meijer, located at U.S. 10-31 and Brye Road. Other activity of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office from Feb. 6, 2014, included: – 8:54 a.m.: Gas drive off of $48.51, Pioneer Party Store, U.S. 10, Branch Twp.…

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Use caution on black ice

February 7, 2014
Use caution on black ice

Good Neighbor Tips. A blog by Erin Doan State Farm Insurance Agency. We are pleased to welcome a new contributor and advertiser, Erin Doan State Farm Insurance Agency of Scottville. Erin and his team will be providing you with weekly Good Neighbor Tips. Mason County Press is able to continue to be a free service to our readers thanks to…

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DNR selling fuelwood permits early

February 7, 2014

In response to residents’ heating energy needs during Michigan’s exceptional winter, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that it is now selling fuelwood permits – a month and a half before the traditional starting date of April 1. “Michigan’s vast forest resources provide many products and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors,” said Bill O’Neill, chief of the DNR’s…

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Franz sponsors law to create conditional liquor license

February 7, 2014

LANSING — One of the last laws Gov. Rick Snyder signed in 2013 was state Rep. Ray Franz’ bill to create a conditional liquor license for business owners who are waiting for the state to finalize a permanent liquor license transfer. Franz and supporters of the legislation gathered at the end of January to celebrate Public Act 236 of 2013…

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Prayer page, fund established for Mady

February 6, 2014
Prayer page, fund established for Mady

Friends and family members have established a Facebook prayer page for Madysen Marie Church, the 7-year-old Ludington girl who was critically injured in a two vehicle crash on Jebavy Drive in Hamlin Township Wednesday night. Madysen’s mother, Amanda Collins, along with Amanda’s 10-month-old daughter Lillian Grace Collins, died during the crash. Madysen is at DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids…

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Prosecutor declares shooting of former teacher justified

February 6, 2014

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola has declared that last month’s fatal shooting of William Marble by Michigan State Police Trooper James Luttrull was justified. Spaniola issued a statement this morning with his legal opinion. Today’s statement was the first time officials have released the names of the troopers involved. The incident occurred on Jan.…

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Victims of Jebavy Drive fatal crash identified

February 6, 2014
Victims of Jebavy Drive fatal crash identified

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. HAMLIN TWP. — A mother and her infant daughter died Wednesday night as the result of a two vehicle crash on Jebavy Drive. Amanda Collins, 28, of Ludington, and her 10-month-old baby Lillian Grace Collins, both died at the scene, just north of Fisher Road. Another daughter, 7-year-old Madysen Marie Church, is in critical condition at…

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Man arrested for retail fraud at local businesses

February 6, 2014

SCOTTVILLE — A 50-year-old Baldwin man was arrested Wednesday for retail fraud from two local businesses. The man is accused of stealing items from Briggs True Value Hardware and Airport EZ Mart, both Pere Marquette Township businesses. His vehicle was stopped by Scottville Police Department at 12:20 p.m. after the Mason County Sheriff’s Office put out a “be on the…

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Relay for Life kickoff event scheduled

February 6, 2014

LUDINGTON — The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Mason County will hold a kickoff event on Monday, March 3. Volunteers and participants are asked to gather at the Ludington branch of the Mason County District Library at 6:30 p.m. for a rally to launch fundraising efforts for the year. “Although the Relay For Life of Mason County is…

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Free snowmobile safety course offered

February 6, 2014

AMBER TWP. — A two-day snowmobile safety course is being offered Monday, Feb. 17 and Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Mason County Reformed Church. The free class is being offered by West Michigan Sportspersons Ministry. Those wishing to enroll must pick up a class booklet on Saturday, Feb. 8 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.…

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Occasional snow showers today

February 6, 2014
Occasional snow showers today

Occasional snow showers are expected today with a high temperature of 12 degrees F. Winds, west-southwest at 10 to 20 mph. Tonight, intermittent flurries and snow showers, especially early. Low of 7 F. Winds, west-southwest at 15 to 25 mph. Tomorrow, snow flurries in the early morning will give way to partly cloudy skies during the day. High of 16…

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Art center photo contest

February 6, 2014

LUDINGTON – Ludington Area Center for the Arts announces the 6th Annual Online Photo Contest. Started in Fall 2008, this contest, sponsored by Todd & Brad Reed Photography, recognizes the talents of amateur and professional photographers and benefits the gallery space at LACA.  The annual fundraising event occurs each February and its proceeds have recently been used to upgrade the…

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Mother, baby die in Jebavy Drive crash

February 5, 2014
Mother, baby die in Jebavy Drive crash

UPDATE. HAMLIN TWP. — An infant, under 1-year-old and her mother were killed, and a 5-year-old child was critically injured, during a two vehicle crash on Jebavy Drive north of Fisher Road Wednesday night. The crash involved a full size car and a pickup. The baby and mother were declared dead on the scene. The infant was in a carseat.…

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2 dead in Hamlin crash

February 5, 2014

HAMLIN TWP. — Two people died and one person was critically injured following a two vehicle crash on Jebavy Drive north of Fisher Road Wednesday night. The crash involved a full size car and a pickup. Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole said the north bound car crossed into the path of the truck. The two fatalities and injured were from…

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Man arrested for assault using a gun

February 5, 2014

PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — The Mason County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 21-year-old Flint man, following an incident involving a gun. The incident took place Sunday, Feb. 2 at 143 N. Jebavy Dr. During an investigation deputies learned the reported assault involved two subjects wearing masks who had reportedly pointed a gun at the victim. The alleged suspects fled prior…

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Community conversation recommends priorities for candidates

February 5, 2014

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — What message would you like to send to candidates running in the upcoming state elections? A small people gathered this morning for a community conversation, hosted by the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce and facilitated by the Center for Michigan, a private non-profit think tank based in Ann Arbor. The…

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Local doctors join Spectrum Health Medical Group

February 5, 2014
Local doctors join Spectrum Health Medical Group

LUDINGTON — On February 1, 2014, Northwest Personal Healthcare became part of Spectrum Health Medical Group, providing patients with expanded access to some of west Michigan’s most experienced and skilled medical specialists The practice is located next to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Board-certified physicians Mary O’Callaghan, DO, Timothy O’Callaghan, DO and Amanda Overmyer, MD provide internal medicine and family medicine to…

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Sheriff’s office keeps busy with crashes

February 5, 2014
Sheriff’s office keeps busy with crashes

The Mason County Sheriff’s Office continues to respond to weather-related crashes. Tuesday was no exception. At 5:30 a.m. deputies responded to a single vehicle crash, with no injuries, at Johnson and Gordon roads in Amber Twp. At 7:12 a.m., deputies responded to a two vehicle crash, no injuries, at Brye and Anthony roads, Summit Twp. Other activity of the MCSO…

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Obit: Dorothy VanSickle, 87, Fountain

February 5, 2014
Obit: Dorothy VanSickle, 87, Fountain

Dorothy VanSickle, aged 87, a lifelong resident of Fountain, died peacefully on Sunday, February 2, 2014 at Oakview Medical Care Facility – Sutter Living Center in Ludington.  Dorothy was born on April 27, 1926 to John and Emma (Bauske) Budzynski and attended Fountain School and Scottville High School.  Dorothy worked at Seal Power in Muskegon during World War II.  On…

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Snow showers early followed by cloudy skies

February 5, 2014
Snow showers early followed by cloudy skies

There is a 30% chance of snow showers this morning, otherwise mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 18 degrees F. Wind, north-northeast at 10 to 20 mph. Tonight, 50% chance of snow showers with a low of 11; wind, north-northwest at 10 mph. Wednesday, 30% chance of snow with a high of 18 F; wind, north-northeast at 13 mph.…

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Mother of accused trooper shooter refuses plea

February 4, 2014
Mother of accused trooper shooter refuses plea

LUDINGTON – Tammi Spoford, the mother of the man charged with murdering a Michigan State Police trooper appeared in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court today where she turned down a plea agreement from Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. Spofford, 50, of 8124 W. Eight Mile Road, Irons, is charged with accessory after the fact to the Sept. 9 murder of…

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