News

79th District Court arraignments, published Oct. 22, 2025

October 22, 2025

HART — the following were arraigned recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – Gabriella Jovita Pena, 29, of Hart, methamphetamine possession. Preliminary exam: Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. – Brian Gager, 57, of Hesperia, methamphetamine possession. Preliminary exam: Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. – Gregory Patrick Lighton, 34, of Rothbury, possession of a narcotic/cocaine less than 25 grams.…

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Preliminary exam in murder case scheduled

October 21, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A preliminary exam for a 46-year-old Ferry Township woman accused of murdering her husband last August is scheduled for Dec. 2 in Oceana County’s 79th District Court. Shale Nicole Campos faces charges of open murder and felony firearm for the shooting death of her 46-year-old husband, Jason Campos. “Campos has been charged with…

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Silver Lake apple/barbecue festival draws 30,000

October 21, 2025

Festival attendees spent a total of $7.3 million, according to visitors bureau  GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — The Silver Lake Sand Dunes Apple & BBQ Festival last month drew 30,000 people who spent a total of $7.3 million, according to data collected by the Silver Lake Sand Dunes — Hart Visitors Bureau “The annual Silver Lake Sand Dunes Apple & BBQ Festival,…

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Hart man dead after fiery semi truck, SUV crash in Lake County

October 20, 2025

EDEN TOWNSHIP, Lake County — A 73-year-old Hart man died after a semi truck and an SUV collided at the intersection of West 10 Mile Road and North M 37 Friday afternoon, Oct. 17, according to Lake County Sheriff Rich Martin. Gerald Leonard “Buzz” Schmitz Jr., was driving the semi, which caught fire after the crash. “On Oct. 17, 2025…

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Man wounded from bullet fragment ricocheting off target

October 20, 2025

OTTO TOWNSHIP — A 32-year-old Ferndale, Mich. man was transported to Corewell Health Gerber Hospital in Fremont and then transferred to Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids after a bullet fragment ricocheted off a steel target and hit his hip while he was target practicing on federal forest property Saturday, Oct. 18, around 9:30 a.m., said Sgt. Mike Fillips…

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