Courts

Man ordered to pay over $7,000 restitution for crashing into MSP car

December 12, 2024

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 43-year-old man was ordered to pay $7,081.44 in restitution for a conviction of malicious destruction of police property in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court earlier this month. William Andrew Hammond “was involved in an altercation at or near the Dollar General in Pentwater,” said Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Bizon. “When the…

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Man sentenced for drunkenly wielding axe at neighbor

December 12, 2024

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 40-year-old man was sentenced to five months in jail in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court earlier this month for a conviction of assault with a dangerous weapon. Alejandro Joseph Salazar was also ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution to cover hotel expenses for the victim in the case. “Salazar has a substance…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Dec. 4, 2024

December 4, 2024

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — The following were arraigned recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – James Robert Current, 44, of 1080 Water Rd., Hart, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. Preliminary exam: Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. – Shawn Sterling Mader, 54, of 2150 Amy St., Burton, Michigan; a felony…

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79th District Court sentencings, published Dec. 3, 2024

December 3, 2024

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — The following were sentenced recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Benito Escamilla, Jr., 54, of 3241 N. 72nd Ave., Hart, pleaded guilty Nov. 26 to larceny less than $200 and was sentenced to 89 days suspended jail with credit for 89 days served and $345 in fines, costs and restitution. Escamilla pleaded…

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‘Spinning donuts’ yields felony charges for six local men

December 2, 2024

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — Six local men face felony charges for allegedly ”spinning donuts” on a newly-paved road, causing $40,000 in damages. The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office investigated the malicious destruction of a 250-foot section of newly-paved East Baker Road in Newfield Township caused by vandals “spinning donuts.” The Oceana County Road Commission reported that the road…

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