Mario Pineda, 57, of Rothbury, passed away Wednesday, October 7, 2026. He was born August 22, 1969, in Shelby, the son of David and Darlene (Pego) Pineda. On Oct. 11, 2012, Mario married Franki (Wicks) Long, and together they spent 26 loving years together. Mario loved his family and always lit up whenever kids were around. Mario graduated from Montague…
Walene Pieske, 88, passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 leaving a legacy of family and community connection. Born on August 9, 1938, in Chicago, to Walter and Francis, she was raised in the city and graduated from Lane Technical High School. During her school years, she co-founded a social club with her peers known as the Vixens, maintaining those…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART TOWNSHIP — NorthStar Clean Energy hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the 120-megawatt Hart Solar Project, at 1642 W. Polk Rd., Thursday, Oct. 8. “Hart Solar will deliver clean, renewable energy to Michigan communities through long-term agreements with Executive Energy Services and Michigan Public Power Agency,” states a press release. The $200 million project…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — The criminal trial against a 45-year-old woman accused of breaking into storage units with three accomplices last April ended in a hung jury Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court. Melissa Sue Young was charged with two felony counts of breaking and entering a building with intent following a break-in to…
Roger Jorissen, 76, of Pentwater, passed away at home on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. He was born July 22, 1950, in Hart to John and Nellie (Arnouts) Jorissen. Roger served in the United States Army in Berlin, Germany. After returning home from military service, he met Jean Raymond of Walkerville. They were married on October 21, 1972, and raised three…
SCOTTVILLE — Smith & Eddy Insurance is among several insurance agencies across the country helping people ages 65 and older navigate Medicare. Medicare season begins Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 31. As with every Medicare season, changes are taking place, and Smith & Eddy encourages everyone to review and discuss their Medicare coverage. “There’s a lot of noise out…
HART — The following were recently arraigned on felony charges in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Janee Nichole Johnson, 36, assault with a dangerous weapon. Offense date: Sept. 18, 2026. Agency: Oceana County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO). Bail: $500/10 percent. Probable cause conference: Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. Brian James Puffenberger, 34, possession of a narcotic or cocaine less than…
PENTWATER — Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and a full day of family fun during Oktoberfest this Saturday, Oct. 10. Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Oktoberfest Car Show that will feature more than 150 classic cars and hot rods lining Hancock Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Day-of registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Pentwater Chamber…
WALKERVILLE — Wendy Maynard-Somers, who was superintendent at Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools for seven years, has entered contract negotiations with the Walkerville Public Schools Board of Education for the part-time superintendent job. The school board voted unanimously Tuesday evening, Oct. 6, to enter contract negotiations with Maynard-Somers. The board unanimously approved last month to advance her as the sole finalist in…
HART — The following were sentenced Monday, Oct. 5, in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court: Isaac Robert Gill, 37, was found guilty by a jury, Aug. 5, of methamphetamine/ecstasy possession and was sentenced, Oct. 5, to one year in jail with credit for 64 days served; two years probation; and $598 in fines and costs. Amanda Marie Fetterhoff, 39, pleaded…
GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP — The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the driver of a tan Chevrolet Tahoe in the above photo that was captured on the owner’s trail cam feed before the Bushnell brand trail cam valued at $100 was stolen from the 6100 block of East Garfield Road, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The theft was reported…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent police activity in Oceana County: Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026: 10 a.m., (Michigan State Police), a 27-year-old Hesperia man was arrested for probation violation, Garfield Road, Hesperia. He was lodged in the Oceana County Jail. Friday, Sept. 25, 2026: 2:35…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor CLAYBANKS TOWNSHIP — A family lost their home and their pets in a house fire Sunday, Oct. 4, at 5038 South 44th Ave., according to Grant Township Fire Chief Dan Yost. The family returned from church to find the back of their house on fire, said Chief Yost. Firefighters from Grant Township, Shelby-Benona and Ferry…
COLFAX TOWNSHIP — A 54-year-old Hudsonville man was arrested for hunting while intoxicated after he called 911 stating that he was lost in the woods Friday, Oct. 2, around 9:30 p.m. in the 8000 block of Maple Island Road, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. When deputies responded to the call, they found the lost hunter and also discovered that…
WRIGHT TOWNSHIP, Ottawa County — The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office released information about the three-vehicle crash on I 96 that killed Lucus Jerry Werkema-Grondsma, 18, of Pentwater on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 12:15 a.m. Werkema-Grondsma was a passenger in a Nissan Infiniti driven by a 23-year-old Custer man, whose name has not been released. Preliminary investigation shows that a semi-truck…
James “Jim” or “Jimmy” Temberg, of Hesperia, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at age 71. Born on November 23, 1954 to Mary (Flood) and Einar Temberg and raised in Whitehall, Jimmy spent a long career as a stone mason in the west Michigan area. Jimmy loved Michigan and often said there was no better place to live. Happily…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor Democrat Christopher Crain and Republican Jaxon Deur will face each other in the Nov. 3 general election for Michigan’s 101st House of Representatives District. The 101st District includes parts of Oceana, Mason and Lake counties and all of Newaygo and Wexford counties. The district includes the eastern townships of Mason County — Sheridan, Branch and…
HART — The Hart Community Performing Arts Series will begin its 2026-2027 season Friday, Oct. 9, with a 7:30 p.m. concert by the Wildwoods In the Hart Public Schools auditorium. From the heart of Lincoln, Neb., The Wildwoods have grown into a folk/Americana trio rooted in rich harmonies and heartfelt storytelling. Formed by husband-and-wife duo Noah (guitar) and Chloe Gose…
The following opinion editorial is paid content. Paid for by the Committee to Elect Kim Cole. Editor’s Note: Kim Cole is the Republican candidate for the Michigan’s 32nd Senate District, which includes all of Mason, Manistee, Benzie and Oceana counties, along with portions of Muskegon County. By Kim Cole My family has called Mason County home for five generations. I’ve…
HART — The Oceana County Republican election information office is now open at 907 State St. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 3-7 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on Sunday. “Feel free to stop by for signs and voter information. We look forward to seeing you,” said Oceana County Republican Committee Chair Cynthia Fout.…
HART — The Oceana County Democratic Party is bringing Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic candidate to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate, to a live town hall event Saturday, Oct. 10. El-Sayed has quickly risen as a national political figure in a key Senate race after an upset win against Haley Stevens in the August primary. He faces Republican nominee and former…
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