News

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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