ROTHBURY — The cause of Electric Forest Festival attendee Kevin Graves’ 2018 death may forever remain an enigma. According to an article published on Mlive by Gus Burns, Graves’ cause of death was ruled “undetermined after investigation and anthropology studies,” pursuant to the April 7 death certificate. Graves’ death investigation concluded earlier this month, according to Lisa Kapriak, a representative…
SHELBY — Shelby State Bank recently announced three staff promotions. Drew Maus was promoted to vice president and commercial lender. Maus is a graduate of Michigan State University and joined Shelby State Bank’s credit department in 2017. He quickly moved to credit officer, overseeing the credit department. His work on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans during the pandemic was instrumental…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor ELBRIDGE TOWNSHIP — Firefighters from four Oceana County departments battled a barn and house fire at 1661 N. 116th Ave. east of Hart Tuesday evening, April 29. “The barn caught fire first, and then the heat from that radiated to the house,” said Walkerville Fire Chief Al Purdy at the scene. Firefighters from Hart, Shelby-Benona…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — The two Shelby men who robbed the La Mexicana De Pancho grocery store at gunpoint last December pleaded “no contest” to armed robbery in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, April 28. Jorge Soriano Benitez, 38, and Miguel Angel Vargas-Mares, 23, are looking at minimum sentences of three and a half years in…
CRYSTAL TOWNSHIP — Firefighters saved a house from burning down and rescued the family cats Monday afternoon, April 28, at 548 E. Madison Rd. . Firefighters from Oceana County’s Walkerville, Crystal Township and Hart departments and Mason County’s Riverton Township Fire Department responded to the scene around 1:45 p.m. The blaze started in the basement, said Crystal Township Fire Chief Al…
The following is recent activity of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office: The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. Tuesday, April 22, 2025: 4:48 a.m., a drug possession charge is pending lab analysis of the substance following a traffic stop at US 31 and Winston Road, Grant Township. 12:28 p.m., a…
ROTHBURY — The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a break-in to a storage unit at Rothbury Storage on Winston Road. The break-in was reported Tuesday, April 22, around 7 p.m. Items stolen include a 60-inch smart TV, a BMX bicycle, a Bluetooth Beats speaker and a guitar. The intruder(s) damaged the door while breaking open the lock, said Oceana…
HART TOWNSHIP — Oceana County Road Commission barrels and related equipment valued at a total of $500 were stolen from a work site on Lake Road near Oceana Drive. The theft was reported Monday, April 21, at 10:39 a.m. If anyone has information about the theft, they are asked to call the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office at (231) 873-2121. ________________________…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The cause of a house fire at 3990 W. Baker Road Saturday afternoon April 26 may never be known, said Shelby-Benona Fire Department Chief Jack White. “We have no cause,” said Chief White. “It’s too far gone to even pinpoint an area of origin.” The house is a total loss. “They were…
Candidate field will be narrowed down to five HART — After having no asparagus queen in 2024, the National Asparagus Festival has a group of 11 women competing for this year’s crown. Last year’s asparagus queen competition was canceled due to a lack of interested candidates. This year, there are so many women interested in wearing the crown that the…
Our beloved father, Arthur Edward Kelley 76, formerly of Hart, died March 12, 2025, at his home in Clarkston. He was born to Laurance and Cleo (Savage) Kelley, the second of four brothers welcomed to this union. Art was preceded in death by: his parents; two brothers, Larry and Gerald Kelley; and by the love of his life and wife…
Employment: KickStart to Career Program Coordinator Opportunity to Make a Difference! KickStart to Career Program Coordinator Part-time position available at the Community Foundation for Mason County: 15 hours per week; $23 per hour; 45 weeks per year. Coordinate our exciting children’s savings account program, promoting pathways to future careers for Mason County students. Requires strong communication, organizational, and collaborative skills.…
Employment: Secretary – Special Education West Shore Educational Service District has a position vacancy for a full-time Secretary – Special Education. Associate’s degree or equivalent required. For a complete list of qualifications and responsibilities, visit our website at www.wsesd.org. Send cover letter, resume and credentials to: Human Resources, West Shore ESD, 2130 W. US-10, Ludington, MI 49431 or via email…
Homebound Special Education Teacher – SCI (Part-time-2 hours a week, virtual) West Shore Educational Service District has a position vacancy for a Part-time Homebound Special Education Teacher – SCI (Part-time-2 hours a week, virtual). Bachelor’s degree and valid teacher certification with special education endorsement or ability to obtain temporary approval required. To view a complete job posting, please visit our…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At least two dogs died in a house fire at 3990 W. Baker Road Saturday afternoon, April 26. The two-story house was “fully involved” when firefighters arrived at the scene around 3:30 p.m., said Shelby-Benona Fire Department Cpt. Mark Burmeister. No humans were injured in the blaze. The American Red Cross and…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor ROTHBURY — A fire ripped through a garage at 7075 S. Clearwater Court in the Oceana Shores Subdivision Friday afternoon, April 25, completely destroying it. Owner Mikki Rosema said she is thankful her house only received some damage to the siding, which melted from the extreme heat. “It was close — I was starting to…
HART — The following were arraigned recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – Jeffrey Scott Barrett, 42, of Gwinn, Michigan; four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) and one count of first-degree child abuse. Preliminary exam: May 6 at 1 p.m. – Chas William Carr, Jr., 64, of Walkerville; second-degree CSC. Preliminary exam: May 13 at 1…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent activity of the Hart Police Department: Thursday, April 17, 2025: 9:30 a.m., parking complaint, 700 block of State Street, City of Hart. 3:48 p.m., medical assist, 700 block of East Main Street, City of Hart. 6:26 p.m., medical assist,…
HART — The National Asparagus Festival parade slated for Saturday, June 14, at 2 p.m. will have a new route. Instead of beginning at the Oceana County Fairgrounds and proceeding down State Street, the route will now begin and end at Hart High School. “Are you prepared for an exciting parade experience?,” states a post on NAF’s Facebook page. “The…
Article and photos by Allison Scarbrough, News Editor ELBRIDGE TOWNSHIP — The Oceana Conservation District’s Knee-High Naturalists program instills in its preschool participants an appreciation of nature and its many wonders. Youngsters enthusiastically explore the beauty of Doolittle County Park at a forest school led by Oceana Conservation District Educator Kari Wilson who the young children affectionately call “Kiki.” During…
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Emergency crews were dispatched to West Grant Road near South 88th Avenue Thursday, April 24, at 9 a.m. for a vehicle crash. It was reported that a 29-year-old woman suffered a leg injury. ______________________________ Please Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your contribution will…
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