Hart man pleads ‘no contest’ to 4th-degree CSC

February 1, 2023

Hart man pleads ‘no contest’ to 4th-degree CSC By Allison Scarbrough, Editor HART — A 32-year-old Hart man pleaded “no contest” to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, Jan. 30, according to Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. Julian Lugo Reyna, of 3908 Oceana Dr., was initially charged with third-degree CSC and assault with intent…

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Man who flashed police pleads ‘no contest’ to assault charge

February 1, 2023

Man who flashed police pleads ‘no contest’ to assault charge By Allison Scarbrough, Editor HART — A 28-year-old Hart man pleaded “no contest” to assault with intent to commit second-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, Jan. 30, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. Luis Ismael-Lopez Estrella, of 3241 N. 72nd Ave., fondled and exposed…

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News alert: ice rescue on Butternut Lake

February 1, 2023

News alert: ice rescue on Butternut Lake UPDATE: The man safely got out of the water by himself, according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast, and emergency personnel were called off the rescue. NEWFIELD TOWNSHIP — Emergency crews were dispatched to an ice rescue on Butternut Lake on East Spring Hill Drive by McLaren Lake near Hesperia Wednesday, Feb. 1,…

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G2S donates to Roy’s Kids

February 1, 2023

G2S donates to Roy’s Kids SCOTTVILLE — The charitable Roy’s Kids program, which donates toys and meals every Christmas to less fortunate families in Oceana County, received a $200 boost from Mason County’s Gateway to Success (G2S) Academy students.  “This year G2S has implemented a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum where our students, two days a week, learn about and…

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Obituary: Juanita Schultz, 97, of Shelby

February 1, 2023

Obituary: Juanita Schultz, 97, of Shelby Juanita Joee Schultz, 97, of Shelby, passed away Friday, January 27, 2023. She was born May 14, 1925, the daughter of Martin and Pearl (Bone) Kattnig. Juanita’s favorite thing to do was quilting, in fact she spent the last 30 years being a part of many quilting groups, winning awards for her art quilts,…

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Recent deaths, service announcements, posted Feb. 1, 2023

February 1, 2023

Recent deaths, service announcements, posted Feb. 1, 2023   Juanita Joee Schultz, 97, of Shelby, died on Friday, January 27, 2023. Arrangements by Harris Funeral Home, Shelby. Michael Alberts, 77, of Hart, died on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com. Listing of 2023 deaths. Listing of 2022 deaths. Listing of…

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Pirates ride with pride

January 31, 2023

Pirates ride with pride Good behavior puts students in the running for winning a car Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.  By Allison Scarbrough, Editor HART — Over 200 Hart High School students have signed a pledge to abstain from unhealthy and unsafe behaviors, like drinking alcohol, using drugs, drinking and…

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Weekend police news, Jan. 30, 2023

January 30, 2023

Weekend police news, Jan. 30, 2023 The following is police activity in Oceana County over the weekend: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023: 1:19 a.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), domestic situation, South Apple Hill, Grant Township. 7:13 a.m., (OCSO), vehicle crash, no injuries, State Street, City of Hart. 8:24 a.m., (Michigan State Police, Hart post), one-vehicle crash, no injuries, South Oceana Drive…

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Obituary: Robert Novak, 87, of Hesperia 

January 30, 2023

Obituary: Robert Novak, 87, of Hesperia  Robert Novak, 87, of Hesperia, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2023, at his home. He was born May 13, 1935, in Rockford, the son of the late William and Meryl (Sawyer) Novak. Robert was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and then retired after 25 years with IBM. In Robert’s spare time,…

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Police busy with crashes on snowy roads

January 27, 2023

Police busy with crashes on snowy roads The following is recent police activity in Oceana County: Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023: 7:32 p.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), a 68-year-old Onekama woman received minor injuries following a one-vehicle crash, North 120th Avenue near East Jefferson Road, Crystal Township. The northbound 2006 Chevrolet Impala she was driving went off the road at the…

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West Shore Bank celebrating 125 years

January 27, 2023

West Shore Bank celebrating 125 years LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank is celebrating its quasquicentennial anniversary this year. June 30, 2023 will mark 125 years in which West Shore Bank has served the community as a local bank and remained committed to helping the people and businesses along the lakeshore improve their financial well- being. The bank was founded as…

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Oceana County tourism generated $132 million in 2021

January 27, 2023

Oceana County tourism generated $132 million in 2021 OCEANA COUNTY — The Silver Lake Sand Dunes – Hart Visitors Bureau announced in a press release that Oceana County generated $131.86 million in tourism spending in 2021.  Tourism spending in Oceana County increased 11.8 percent since 2020, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Tourism Economic Impact Report. Visitor spending…

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51st Circuit Court sentencings, Jan. 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

51st Circuit Court sentencings, Jan. 26, 2023 By Allison Scarbrough, Editor HART — The following were sentenced recently in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court: Nikolas Paul Martin, of 139 S. Menes St., Walkerville, was found guilty Jan. 23, 2023 of probation violation and was sentenced to 15 days in jail with credit for 14 days served and $990 in outstanding…

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Police looking for fugitive

January 26, 2023

Police looking for fugitive PENTWATER — The Pentwater Police Department is looking for a wanted man who may be in the Pentwater area. William Jon Monroe is wanted for failure to appear in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court for probation violation on a firearms conviction, according to court staff. Monroe was convicted of felon in possession of a firearm, Jan.…

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HPD news, Jan. 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

HPD news, Jan. 26, 2023 The following is recent activity of the Hart Police Department: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023: 9 a.m., vehicle crash, no injuries, Polk Road and US 31 Expressway, City of Hart. 3:35 p.m., animal complaint, 3000 block of Polk Road, City of Hart. Friday, Jan. 20, 2023: 7:57 a.m., car/deer crash, Oceana Drive and Tyler Road, City…

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MCP/OCP to close app

January 26, 2023

MCP/OCP to close app Dear MCP and OCP readers: In 2017 we launched a free app to allow readers to an alternative way to access our stories. The app gained a lot of traction for the first couple of years. However, we have noticed that most of our readers tend to access our sites either directly or through our social…

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Winter weather advisory issued for Oceana and Mason counties

January 25, 2023

Winter weather advisory issued for Oceana and Mason counties OCEANA COUNTY — The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Oceana and Mason counties beginning Thursday, Jan. 26, from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Heavy lake effect snow is expected with accumulations of up to 4 inches. “Plan on slippery road conditions,” states NWS. “The hazardous conditions…

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Knowledge is power

January 25, 2023

Knowledge is power Tiger Pride is a presentation of Shelby Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor SHELBY — The Shelby High School Science Olympiad program has been sparking excitement about science and teaching team work and problem solving skills for over 30 years.  The opportunity broadens horizons for students, especially those who are not…

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Get a $25 Walmart gift card for getting vaccinated

January 24, 2023

Get a $25 Walmart gift card for getting vaccinated HART — Anyone who receives a COVID-19 and/or flu vaccination during the District Health Department #10 vaccination clinic Friday, Jan. 27, will receive a $25 Walmart gift card. “Meridian is supporting this clinic by providing $25 Walmart gift cards to anyone that receives a flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine during this clinic.…

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Warrant arrests top police activity

January 24, 2023

Warrant arrests top police activity The following is recent police activity in Oceana County: Monday, Jan. 16, 2023: 2:30 p.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), larceny of road commission signs, South 194th Avenue, Greenwood Township. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023: 7:24 p.m., (OCSO), a male subject was arrested on outstanding warrants, 7100 block of South 80th Avenue, Grant Township. Thursday, Jan. 19,…

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Judge denies change of venue motions in child fentanyl death case

January 23, 2023

Judge denies change of venue motions in child fentanyl death case By Allison Scarbrough, Editor HART — The parents of a 4-year-old boy who died from ingesting fentanyl appeared in 51st Circuit Court Monday, Jan. 23, for motion hearings. Jacob Scott Schutter, 32, and Jodi Michelle Neino, 29, are criminally charged in connection to Eli Jude Schutter’s July 1 death. …

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