News

Hart hires new elementary principal

August 19, 2025

Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.   HART — Spitler Elementary School students will begin the new school year Sept. 2 with a new principal. The Hart Board of Education Monday, Aug. 18, unanimously approved hiring Jenna Oleneack as the new principal. Oleneack replaces Brandon Bruce who was hired earlier this…

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Shelby boy vying for National Toddler of the Year

August 19, 2025

SHELBY — Daniel Beaird of Shelby, who just turned 4 years old, is currently in first place in the National Toddler of the Year competition, and his family is asking the community to vote for him to help him capture the big prize. There are only two days left to cast ballots with voting closing Thursday, Aug. 21. The winner…

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Pentwater village manager resigns

August 18, 2025

PENTWATER — Pentwater Village Manager Rachel Witherspoon has announced her resignation, and the Pentwater Village Council will promptly begin its search for a replacement. Witherspoon began the job Oct. 1, 2024, replacing Chris Brown who was fired by the council the previous March.  “As I prepare to leave my position as village manager for the Village of Pentwater, I want…

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Suspected gunman shot by officer may have caused his own trailer to burn down just days prior

August 18, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Following an hours-long manhunt in Mears that locked down Silver Lake area residents and businesses Sunday, Aug. 17, shooting suspect 59-year-old Don Albert Stapel, Jr., was shot by an officer. A trailer Stapel co-owned  at 7408 W. Fox Rd. burned down just days prior to yesterday’s events on Monday morning, Aug. 11.…

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Man allegedly drives drunk to jail to turn himself in on drug warrant

August 18, 2025

HART — A 25-year-old Kingsport, Tenn. man allegedly drove drunk to the Oceana County Jail to turn himself in on an outstanding drug warrant Monday, Aug. 11, around 1:30 p.m., said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The man showed visible signs of intoxication upon his arrival at the jail, and an investigation was conducted. In addition to his felony drug…

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