Offering a shoulder to cry on during times of crisis.

August 5, 2021

Offering a shoulder to cry on during times of crisis. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. OCEANA COUNTY — When tragedy strikes, the Oceana County Victim Services Unit swoops in to help. The dedicated team of volunteers consists of Coordinator Nancy Schumacher-Strait and advocates Amanda VenHuizen, Jenny Schlukebir, Carol Towne, Bob Farber, Roy Strait, Carlos Santana and Jim Johnson. Farber, who was…

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Woman operating Wave Runner injured when struck by boat.

August 4, 2021

Woman operating Wave Runner injured when struck by boat. HART TOWNSHIP — A 53-year-old Hart Township woman was injured Tuesday evening, Aug. 3, when she was struck by a boat on Crystal Lake. “At 7:45 p.m., the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Life EMS and Hart Area Fire Department were dispatched to Crystal Lake in Hart Township for a reported boating…

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Go Fund Me page set up for teen paralyzed in dune crash.

August 4, 2021

Go Fund Me page set up for teen paralyzed in dune crash. GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — A Go Fund Me page has been set up for an 18-year-old Big Rapids woman critically injured in a rollover crash at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes last Friday, July 30. The Go Fund Me page states the following: “Hello everyone!  I am raising money on…

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Meth possession arrest tops MSP activity.

August 4, 2021

Meth possession arrest tops MSP activity. FERRY TOWNSHIP — A 44-year-old Grand Rapids man was arrested by Michigan State Police troopers for methamphetamine possession and parole violation Tuesday, Aug. 3, at 8:50 a.m. on M 20 near 144th Avenue. Other MSP activity Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021 includes: 5:06 p.m., two-vehicle crash, no injuries, Maple Island Road near Woodrow Road, Leavitt…

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150th annual Oceana County Fair offers 2 carnival weekends and much more.

August 3, 2021

150th annual Oceana County Fair offers 2 carnival weekends and much more. HART — The Oceana County Fair returns to its full, normal experience later this month after last year’s scaled-down version due to COVID-19. An exciting change this year for the 150th annual fair is the carnival will be at the Oceana County Fairgrounds two straight weekends. Elliott’s Amusements…

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Tiger marching band gearing up for 2021 season.

August 3, 2021

Tiger marching band gearing up for 2021 season. SHELBY — Shelby Marching Tigers are gearing up for marching band season after having an unprecedented year off due to the pandemic. “It’s time to piece the group back together and make some music,” said Shelby Public Schools Band Director Erin Ray, who took over leadership of the program after the retirement…

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Revitalizing blighted properties: Oceana County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority established.

August 3, 2021

Revitalizing blighted properties: Oceana County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority established. OCEANA COUNTY — After tabling a resolution for further review in June, the Oceana County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a “Resolution to Establish a Countywide Brownfield Redevelopment Authority” last month.  “This resolution makes this economic development tool, which has proven to be effective, available to member communities who aim to redevelop…

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Tractor stolen.

August 2, 2021

Tractor stolen. GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft of a 1982 compact utility John Deere tractor valued at $3,500, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The tractor was reported stolen Friday, July 30, around 1 p.m. in the 6800 block of West Filmore Road. If anyone has information, they are asked to call the…

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Boy, 8, injured after being run over by truck.

August 2, 2021

Boy, 8, injured after being run over by truck. GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — An 8-year-old Midland, Michigan boy was injured after he was run over by a pickup truck while riding a bike at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Silver Lake Saturday, July 31, shortly after 5 p.m., according to an Oceana County Sheriff’s Office accident report. The driver, who is…

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Woman, 18, has no feeling from the shoulders down following dune crash.

August 2, 2021

Woman, 18, has no feeling from the shoulders down following dune crash. GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — An 18-year-old Big Rapids woman “was unable to feel anything from the shoulders down” following a rollover crash at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes Friday, July 30, shortly before 7:30 p.m., according to an Oceana County Sheriff’s Office accident report. The woman was a passenger…

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Obituary: Josephine Dodge, 85, of Mears. 

August 2, 2021

Obituary: Josephine Dodge, 85, of Mears.  Josephine Arlene Dodge, 85, of Mears, passed away Sunday, August 1, 2021, at her home. She was born December 25, 1935, in Lansing, the daughter of Nicholas and Julia (Spagnuolo) Caruso. Arlene worked with Michigan National Bank in Lansing from 1966-1992. She had many interests, including playing the piano, bowling, softball, playing golf on…

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78th District Court sentencings, July 30, 2021.

July 30, 2021

78th District Court sentencings, July 30, 2021. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — The following were sentenced recently in 78th District Court: Joshua Michael Flanery, 27, of 64 Michigan Ave., Shelby, was found guilty of assault and was sentenced July 19 to 93 days suspended jail with credit for 21 days served and a $75 fine.   Alicia Mae Torrie,…

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27th Circuit Court sentencings, July 30, 2021.

July 30, 2021

27th Circuit Court sentencings, July 30, 2021. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — The following were sentenced recently in 27th Circuit Court: – William Jack Smith, 37, of 804 Vine St., Manistee, was found guilty May 17 of methamphetamine possession and was sentenced July 26 to 10 months in jail and $398 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to the…

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Bill allows drag racing on the dunes again.

July 30, 2021

Bill allows drag racing on the dunes again. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — A bill introduced by State Rep. Scott VanSingel to allow drag racing on the Silver Lake Sand Dunes again has been signed into law. “We did it! HB 4980 is now law as the governor signed it this morning,” states VanSingel in a Facebook post…

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News alert: Vehicle crash on Oceana Drive.

July 29, 2021

News alert: Vehicle crash on Oceana Drive. SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Shelby-Benona Fire Department was dispatched to assist at a vehicle crash on Oceana Drive near Baker Road Thursday, July 29, at 3:30 p.m.

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Free boater safety classes Aug. 5 and 6.

July 29, 2021

Free boater safety classes Aug. 5 and 6. PENTWATER — Oceana County Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Simon, who is head of the sheriff’s office marine division, is teaching free boater safety classes Thursday and Friday, Aug. 5 and 6, at the Pentwater Yacht Club. Deputy Simon will administer a test on the last day and issue boater safety certificates to all…

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HPD nabs drunk driver.

July 29, 2021

HPD nabs drunk driver. HART — After receiving information of an intoxicated driver leaving the 4000 block of Polk Road Thursday, July 22, around 11:15 a.m., the Hart Police Department made a traffic stop on Polk Road near Oceana Drive, according to Hart Police Chief Juan Salazar. A 67-year-old Hart man was arrested for operating while intoxicated (OWI) and lodged…

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Felonious assault arrests top sheriff’s office activity.

July 29, 2021

Felonious assault arrests top sheriff’s office activity. The following is recent activity of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office: Monday, July 26, 2021: 4:45 a.m., a 26-year-old Crystal Township man was arrested on charges of felonious assault and illegal possession of a firearm, North 72nd Avenue, Hart Township. 9:05 a.m., a 34-year-old Hesperia man was arrested on charges of resisting and…

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Minor injuries in 2-vehicle crash

July 28, 2021

Minor injuries in 2-vehicle crash. HART — Minor injuries were reported in a two-vehicle crash on Oceana Drive near Tyler Road Tuesday, July 27, around noon, according to Hart Police Chief Juan Salazar. A 33-year-old Hart man failed to yield to a 56-year-old Shelby man who was northbound on Oceana Drive, said Chief Salazar.   The Hart man and a passenger…

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Be on alert for severe thunderstorms tonight.

July 28, 2021

Be on alert for severe thunderstorms tonight. OCEANA COUNTY — Severe weather is forecasted for overnight, July 28 and 29, and Oceana County Emergency Management Coordinator James Duram is asking residents to be alert and prepared. Residents should sign up for the CodeRED mass notification system if they have not already done so. “Camping is our biggest concern,” said Duram,…

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Gear up for some fun in the sun during Pentwater Homecoming Sand Sculpture Contest.

July 28, 2021

Gear up for some fun in the sun during Pentwater Homecoming Sand Sculpture Contest. PENTWATER — Pentwater’s annual summer celebration, Homecoming, is back this year after a hiatus in 2020 due to COVID-19. This year’s Sand Sculpture Contest Aug. 13 will draw dozens of teams that are now beginning to organize and plan this year’s design. Trophies will be awarded…

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