Courts

79th District Court felony arraignments, published July 24, 2026

July 24, 2026

HART — The following were recently arraigned on felony charges in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Timothy John Werkema, 44, of Howard City, Mich.; third-offense operating while intoxicated and misdemeanors of driving while license suspended and open intoxicants. Offense date: May 19, 2026. Agency: Oceana County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO). Bail: $5,000/personal recognizance (PR). Preliminary exam: July 28 at 1 p.m.…

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Man sentenced to more than 100 years in prison for child sex abuse

July 21, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 43-year-old Ginn, Mich. man was sentenced to two consecutive 50-75 year prison terms; two concurrent 50-75 year prison terms; and one consecutive 20-50 year prison term for four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) and one count of first-degree child abuse in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, July 20, according…

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51st Circuit Court sentencings, published July 21, 2026

July 21, 2026

HART — The following were recently sentenced in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court: Karolyn Kay Buozis, 66, pleaded guilty Dec. 9, 2024 to third-offense operating while intoxicated and was sentenced July 6, 2026 to 10 months in jail with credit for 133 days served and $1,348 in fines and costs. Her sentence runs concurrently to another case, according to court…

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79th District Court felony arraignments, published July 2, 2026

July 2, 2026

HART — The following were arraigned recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Jason David Alger, 42, of Rothbury, third-offense operating while intoxicated. Offense date: June 29, 2026. Agency: Oceana County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO). Bail: $350/10 percent. Preliminary exam: July 14 at 1 p.m. Brooke Nicole Collins, 35, of Hart, methamphetamine/ecstasy possession. Offense date: June 28, 2026. Agency: Michigan State…

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Prosecutor’s office releases list of Electric Forest criminal cases

July 2, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — The Oceana County Prosecutor’s Office released the list of criminal offenses arising out of the Electric Forest Festival held at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, June 25-28. EF criminal offenses processed by the prosecutor’s office so far include:  Four traffic offenses; Two controlled substance delivery cases; One controlled substance possession case; Two…

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