Recent death: Scott Allen Thebo, 56, of Hart

September 11, 2025

Scott Allen Thebo, 56, of Hart, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Shelby Hospital. He was born June 3, 1969, in New York. Scott was preceded in death by: his parents, Dale Thebo and Louise Thebo; and two brothers, Don and Charles. Graveside services will be conducted at 3 p.m., Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Shelby.…

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Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole announces run for state senate

September 10, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole has announced that he is seeking the Republican nomination to run for the Michigan 32nd Senate seat, representing Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Manistee, and Benzie counties. Cole was elected Mason County sheriff in 2012 and has served on the department for 40 years. He is a fifth generation resident of…

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79th District Court sentences, published Sept. 10, 2025

September 10, 2025

HART — The following were sentenced recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Patrick Tyler Jewett, 31, pleaded guilty Aug. 26 to operating while intoxicated and was sentenced to five days in jail with credit for one day served; one year probation; must attend Alcoholics Anonymous twice a week; one year probation; and $1,155 in fines and costs. One count…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Sept. 9, 2025

September 9, 2025

HART — The following were sentenced recently in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Nathaniel Kain Hooker, 42, pleaded guilty July 7 to assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and was sentenced Sept. 8 to three days in jail with credit for three days served; one year probation; and $658 in fines and costs. Two additional counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and one count of…

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HPD news, published Sept. 9, 2025

September 9, 2025

The following is recent activity of the Hart Police Department: Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025: 1:34 a.m., juvenile complaint, 400 block of Hart Street, City of Hart. 12:43 p.m., motorist assist, 4000 block of Polk Road, City of Hart. 10:27 p.m., suspicious situation, 10 block of Orchard Street, City of Hart. Friday, Aug. 22, 2025: 12:21 p.m., motorist assist, 500 block…

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OCCOA presents ‘A Night at Moulin Rouge’ Sept. 20

September 9, 2025

HART — Oceana County Council On Aging presents “A Night at Moulin Rouge” Saturday, Sept. 20, from 6-10 p.m. at the senior center located 4250 W. Tyler Rd. “Step back in time and experience 1920s Paris at Charles Zidler’s Moulin Rouge, known as the birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance,” states a press release about the event,…

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Woodside Pet Memorial opens in Shelby Township

September 9, 2025

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Woodside Pet Memorial, a new pet burial park developed by Shelby Township, is now open for families seeking a peaceful and respectful resting place for their cherished pets. “Located in the heart of Oceana County, the park was thoughtfully designed as a sanctuary of remembrance — a space where love and loss intersect in nature’s embrace,” states…

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Electric Forest ‘Music in Schools’ program generates $40,000

September 9, 2025

When local students returned to school this fall, they discovered some new band and music equipment.  Since 2008, the four-day summer festival draws tens of thousands visitors from across the nation and beyond to experience a unique blend of art, music, and nature at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury.  “As the Electric Forest Festival continues to grow, so does…

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Plane that crashed in Manistee County was headed to Silver Lake

September 8, 2025

SPRINGDALE TOWNSHIP, Manistee County — A plane that crashed in Manistee County was headed to Silver Lake in Oceana County Sunday morning, Sept. 7, according to Manistee County Sheriff Brian Gutowski. The single-engine plane that landed nose first in some trees was carrying one passenger and a pilot. The passenger, who is a 49-year-old Beulah woman, received minor injuries and…

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Lighthouses to begin fall hours on Thursday

September 8, 2025

Fall hours at area lighthouses will begin on Thursday, Sept. 11. Big Sable Point Lighthouse in Ludington State Park, Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse, Little Sable Point Lighthouse in Mears, and White River Light Station in Whitehall will be open Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The lighthouses are operated by Lakeshore Keepers, formerly known as Sable Point…

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Police news, published Sept. 8, 2025

September 8, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is police activity in Oceana County over the weekened: Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025: 12:05 a.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), a 46-year-old Hillman, Mich. man was arrested for driving while license suspended, South 186th Avenue near Loop Road, Newfield Township. A charge…

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Obituary: Mark Alan Piegols, 75, of Lansing

September 8, 2025

Mark Alan Piegols, 75, of Lansing, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, after battling complications from diabetes, at Burcham Hills rehab center in Lansing.  He was born April 23, 1950, in Hart, to Alton and Martha Ann (Hawley) Piegols. Mark grew up in Hart on his family’s farm.  During that time, he discovered and developed his lifelong enjoyment…

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Thief steals money from farm workers toiling in the fields

September 5, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART TOWNSHIP — Several farm workers who were harvesting zucchini from a field in the 2200 block of West Lever Road reported to the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office that they were victims of a theft Monday, Sept. 1. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen in the Labor Day crime, which was reported around 2:30…

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Oceana Drive construction project scheduled to begin Monday

September 5, 2025

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Michigan Department of Transportation’s $733,000 road construction project on Oceana Drive from M 20 to south of the Shelby village limits that was originally scheduled to begin Sept. 2 is now set to begin Monday, Sept. 8, according to MDOT. The project is expected to be completed by mid-October. “Weekday lane closures from 6 a.m. to…

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Police news, published Sept. 5, 2025

September 5, 2025

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 Oceana County Sheriff’s Office: Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025: 5:30 p.m., a 49-year-old Oceana County man was arrested for operating while intoxicated, southbound US 31 near Skeels Road, Grant Township. He was lodged in the Oceana County…

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Police news, published Sept. 4, 2025

September 4, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent activity in Oceana County of the Hart post of the Michigan State Police: Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025:  10:35 p.m., a 27-year-old Ludington woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated, M 20 and US 31, Shelby Township. She was lodged…

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Funding request for Shelby pool project included in state House budget plan

September 4, 2025

LANSING — State Rep. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington) announced that the budget proposal approved by the House last week includes funding for Shelby’s community pool project. “Earlier this year, VanderWall worked to infuse tax dollars back into the area by making a formal request for funding to help propel the community pool project forward,” states a press release from his office.…

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City hall to reopen after major flooding

September 4, 2025

HART — The City of Hart announced that city hall will reopen Thursday, Sept. 4, at noon following “major flooding” that occurred Wednesday. The city had announced that city hall was closed until further notice Wednesday morning. “We’ve got a flat roof here at city hall,” said Interim City Manager Nichole Kleiner. “One of the drains was clogged and it…

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Silver Lake Sand Dunes Apple & BBQ Festival set for this weekend

September 4, 2025

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — The 22nd annual Silver Lake Sand Dunes Apple & BBQ Festival is set Friday, Sept. 5, and Saturday, Sept. 6. This year’s festival will feature 140 craft booths, 20 food trucks, and a variety of family-friendly activities, including a petting zoo, axe throwing, GellyBall low impact shooting game and pony rides. Silver Lake Road will be closed…

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Employment: Hart Cemetery

September 4, 2025

Hart Cemetery is hiring. Qualifications include: Ability to run a lawn mower, weed whipper and a backpack blower. Must be able to rake and dispose of debris. Other duties as assigned. Starting wage is $15 per hour. Could be up to 40 hours per week. Must have a current Michigan driver’s license and be able to pass a background check.…

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Stop sticks end 15-mile police chase on US 31

September 3, 2025

GRANT TOWNSHIP — A 27-year-old Grand Rapids man was arrested following a 15-mile police chase on northbound US 31 that began near the New Era exit and ended at the Hart exit Saturday, Aug. 30, around 10 a.m., said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. Stop sticks were deployed, which caused two tires of the fleeing 2010 Chevrolet Malibu to flatten.…

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