News

Montague woman ordered to pay over $160,000 in embezzlement case

June 3, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 51-year-old Montague woman was sentenced to five months in jail; two years probation; and ordered to pay $161,170.67 in restitution for a felony embezzlement conviction in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, June 2. Amy Elizabeth Babcock pleaded “no contest” to the charge, April 14. “Amy Babcock was hired by and stole…

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Woman pleads ‘no contest’ to assault with intent to do great bodily harm

June 3, 2025

Markie Castillo used a blunt instrument, such as a hammer or bat, to assault a man with whom she had an ‘on-and-off’ relationship. By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 34-year-old Walkerville woman pleaded “no contest” to assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, June 2, for the…

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House severely damaged by dune grass fire

June 2, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SUMMIT TOWNSHIP — Multiple emergency agencies responded to what began as a dune grass fire that turned into a house fire Monday afternoon just north of the Mason-Oceana county line. Riverton Fire Department was initially called to Montgomery Drive south of the Bass Lake outlet near Lake Michigan at 12:50 p.m. for a reported dune grass…

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US 31 lane closures will now be halted during EF

June 2, 2025

GRANT TOWNSHIP — Lane closures for road work on northbound and southbound US 31 between Winston Road and M 20 scheduled to begin Wednesday, June 4, will be halted during the Electric Forest Festival, the Michigan Department of Transportation announced Monday, June 2. “We have good news for the forest-dwelling music lovers,” said John Richard of MDOT’s communications team. “Lane…

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Brothers allegedly attack brother with screwdriver

June 2, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP — A pair of brothers face felony charges after allegedly attacking their brother with a screwdriver on Memorial Day, May 26, according to Sgt. Michael Cuevas of the Michigan State Police, Hart post. Simon Gabriel Saldana, 33, is charged with assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder, assault with…

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