News

Man sentenced for ethnic intimidation of pharmacist, police officer

January 5, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 61-year-old Hart man was sentenced to 11 days in jail with credit for 11 days served for a conviction of ethnic intimidation in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, Jan. 5. Fabian Vasquez Jr., “unleashed a tirade” of profanity-laced ethnic slurs toward a pharmacist and then made similar remarks to the police…

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Drunk driving arrests top police activity

January 5, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent Oceana County Sheriff’s Office activity: Monday, Dec. 29, 2025: 4:23 p.m., domestic violence and reckless discharge of a firearm inside an occupied residence, Beach Road, Leavitt Township. No one was injured. The report was turned over to the Oceana…

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Hart district asks for community input as superintendent search begins

January 5, 2026

Community members can complete an online survey beginning Monday, Jan. 5. HART — As the Hart Public School district begins its search for a new superintendent, the community is asked to offer input.  Superintendent Mark Platt is retiring at the end of the school year. Platt will be the longest-serving superintendent in Hart Public School’s history when he retires after…

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Suspected cocaine found on woman arrested in 911 center parking lot 

January 5, 2026

WEARE TOWNSHIP — A 47-year-old Thompsonville, Mich. woman was arrested after Mason County deputies assisted Oceana County deputies on a reported  suspicious vehicle that had pulled into the parking lot of the Mason/Oceana County 911 Center Sunday, Jan. 4, shortly before 5:30 a.m. “It was reported the vehicle kept turning its headlights off and on, and the occupants kept getting…

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Winter weather advisory issued

January 4, 2026

OCEANA COUNTY — Most of the northern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula — including Oceana and Mason counties — is under a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, until 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5. Mixed precipitation is expected with total snow accumulations up to 2 inches and ice accumulations around…

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