Seniors celebrate the holidays

December 22, 2025

HART — Oceana County Council on Aging brought the spirit of the season to local seniors this month at both the main center and the adult day center, Our Friends House.  Festivities at the main center included two Christmas dinners with cookie decorating and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.   Our Friends House hosted a cookie decorating session and…

Read more »

Police news, published Dec. 22, 2025

December 22, 2025

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: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025: 10:56 p.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), a 46-year-old Idlewild man was arrested for operating under the influence of drugs, carrying a concealed weapon, drug possession, operating without insurance and operating…

Read more »

Hart PD news, published Dec. 22, 2025

December 22, 2025

The following is recent activity of the Hart Police Department: Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025: 12:40 a.m., found property, 200 block of East Main Street, City of Hart. 8:30 a.m., suspicious situation, 300 block of Johnson Street, City of Hart. 5:32 p.m., general assistance, 700 block of East Main Street, City of Hart. 6:45 p.m., vehicle crash, no injuries, West Main…

Read more »

Recent death: Otto Kurt Heimann, 70, of Hart

December 22, 2025

  Otto Kurt Heimann, 70, of Hart, died on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Arrangements by Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ludington, www.GraceCremations.com.   Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of 2024 deaths. Listing of 2023 deaths. Listing of 2022 deaths. Listing of 2021 deaths. Listing of 2020 deaths. Listing of 2019 deaths __________ Please Support Local News Receive daily…

Read more »

Employment: Media Sales Representative

December 21, 2025

Employment: Media Sales Representative Media Group 31 LLC is seeking an advertising sales person for Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. This is a commission-based, contracted position with lots of earning potential. Casual, part time, or full time. Experience in media sales, including social media marketing, is certainly beneficial along with familiarity of the business climates in Mason, Oceana,…

Read more »

Varsity Boys Basketball: Fremont defeats Hart in close game

December 20, 2025

OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  HART — The Hart Pirates fell just short in a thrilling home battle against Fremont, losing 64-61 in a game that showcased incredible heart and determination. Despite the narrow defeat, the team’s record remains…

Read more »

Varsity Competitive Cheer: Shelby wins first place at Mona Shores

December 19, 2025

MCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  NORTON SHORES — The Shelby Tigers won first place in Division 3/4 at the Mona Shores Sailor Invitational on Thursday, Dec. 18. Results Division 3/4: 1st Place: Shelby Round 1- 198.7 Round 2- 187.38…

Read more »

West Shore Bank raises over $20,000 in Spirit of Giving initiative

December 19, 2025

LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank and its customers recently raised $20,034.61 in its annual Spirit of Giving initiative.  Funds raised are donated to local nonprofit charitable organizations to assist families during the holidays. This year’s initiative supported six counties and organizations including: Mason County – $2,452.32 plus 3,100 non-perishable items (valued at $2022) for Hand2Hand, helping eliminate childhood hunger during…

Read more »

Pentwater Arts Council awards grants to Oceana teachers

December 19, 2025

PENTWATER — The Pentwater Arts Council recently awarded $7,000 in grants to six Oceana County teachers. The areas of art related subject matter include art, vocal and instrumental music, graphic design, drama and performing arts.  The 2025 Teacher Grant Awardees are: Carrie Jeruzal, Pentwater Schools Art Department Kirstie DeVries, Hart High School Media Department Suzanne Vander Zanden, Hart Middle School…

Read more »

Closings and cancellations for Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

December 18, 2025

The following are closings and cancellations have been reported to MCP/OCP for Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. Please check the list for updates. Schools Gateway to Success Academy Hart Public Schools Pentwater Public Schools Shelby Public Schools Walkerville Public Schools Other Oceana County Council on Aging and Our Friends House, closed ________________________ Please Support Local News and Sports Coverage Receive daily…

Read more »

Man sentenced to prison for third-offense OWI

December 18, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 31-year-old man was sentenced to 19 months to five years in prison for a conviction of third-offense operating while intoxicated in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, Dec. 15. Shawn Michael Rosencrans pleaded guilty to the charge Nov. 13. Charges of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and driving while license suspended were dismissed. Judge Susan…

Read more »

51st Circuit Court sentences, published Dec. 18, 2025

December 18, 2025

HART — The following were sentenced this week in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Daniel Peter Sampson-Phillips, 33, pleaded guilty Nov. 3 to possession/sale of a taser and assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and was sentenced Dec. 15 to 13 months to four years in prison with credit for 94 days served in jail and $266 in fines and costs. In a…

Read more »

Local families create holiday magic with Christmas light shows

December 18, 2025

OCEANA COUNTY — Two residential Christmas light shows featuring thousands of lights synchronized to music will surely ignite your holiday spirit. Both are free to the public. Pentwater Pixels Christmas Light Show is in its third year and underwent a major upgrade this year — expanding from 2,964 lights in 2024 to 10,810 lights in 2025. Two different shows run…

Read more »

Employment: Police Officer

December 18, 2025

Employment: Police Officer Job Posting: Full-time Police Officer (MCOLES Certified Preference) $10,000 hiring incentive for experienced, currently MCOLES certified officers Opening Date: Dec. 18, 2025 Closing Date: May 18, 2026 The City of Ludington (pop. 7,800) is accepting applications for the position of full time police officer, with preference being given to Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) certified…

Read more »

Jury finds man guilty of domestic violence

December 17, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A six-person jury found a 39-year-old man guilty of a misdemeanor of domestic violence in Oceana County’s 79th District Court Monday, Dec. 15. Kurtis Scott Temple was sentenced to 10 days in jail with credit for one day served; one year probation; and $735 in fines and costs, according to court records. “It…

Read more »

Girls Varsity Basketball: Hart tops Holton in conference game

December 16, 2025

OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  HART — The Hart Pirates defeated the Holton Red Devils 54-17 in West Michigan Conference Rivers Division action Tuesday, Dec. 16. “The girls started out a bit flat but got things going a bit…

Read more »

New band director takes the Pirate podium 

December 16, 2025

Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.   By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — Reece Zeller, 24, was hired as Hart Public Schools band director right before the start of the school year. Zeller took over for John Breitenbach, who was hired as band director at Pinewood Middle School in the Kentwood…

Read more »

Local priest accused of sexual assault will not face criminal charges

December 16, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor A priest who led Catholic churches in Montague, Rothbury and Claybanks Township was accused of sexual assault and has been sent back to his home diocese in Nigeria. “Father Peter Omogo has resigned as administrator of St. James Parish, Montague, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Rothbury, and St. John the Baptist Mission, Claybanks, effective…

Read more »

Varsity Boys Basketball: Hart topples Manistee

December 16, 2025

OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Smith & Eddy Insurance, VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals, Mission Graphics, Squires Chiropractic, Fresh Coast Foam and Baker Ford Ludington.  HART — Hart Varsity dominated Manistee 76-49 in an impressive home victory, improving their perfect record to 6-0. The team showcased balanced scoring and exceptional shooting throughout the contest, with multiple players stepping up…

Read more »

Porch pirate steals Christmas stars

December 15, 2025

BENONA TOWNSHIP — A porch pirate or pirates stole Amazon packages that were delivered to a residence in the 7200 block of West Grant Road, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The theft was reported Monday, Dec. 8, at 9:38 a.m. Two lighted Christmas tree stars valued at $120 were stolen. ____________________ Please Support Local News and Sports coverage Receive…

Read more »

Payroll checks stolen from business office

December 15, 2025

HART TOWNSHIP — A breaking and entering was reported to the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office Monday, Dec. 8, at 11:16 a.m. at Northland Castings Corporation, located on West Tyler Road. Blank payroll checks were stolen from a desk drawer in the office. The business owners were also notified by their bank that there was fraudulent activity on their debit card,…

Read more »

Area Churches