
News alert: Crash on US 31. GRANT TOWNSHIP — Emergency crews were dispatched to a rollover crash involving minor injuries on northbound US 31 near M 20 Wednesday, Jan. 5, shortly before 2:30 p.m.

Recent activity in Oceana County of the Michigan State Police, Hart post, includes: Police news, Jan. 5, 2022. Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021: 12:38 p.m., one-vehicle crash, no injury, Oceana Drive and Star Hill, Hart Township. The driver, a 26-year-old Hart woman, was cited for driving while license suspended and operating without insurance. 2:42 p.m., one-vehicle crash, no injury, Oceana Drive…

First locally born baby of 2022 born Jan. 2. LUDINGTON — The first baby born in 2022 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital was Ellis Lee Fitzpatrick. Ellis entered this world on January 2, at 8:47 a.m., weighing 8 pounds, 15 0unces., and measuring 22 1/4 inches. Ellis’ parents are Paige and Evan Fitzpatrick of Ludington, who are first-time parents. Paige…

‘Near blizzard conditions’ expected. OCEANA COUNTY — The US National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a winter storm warning for west Michigan, including Oceana County. NWS issued the warning Tuesday, Jan. 4, shortly after 11 a.m. In addition to Oceana County, impacted counties include Mason, Lake, Newaygo, Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent and Allegan. The warning remains in effect from…

Obituary: Carl M. Dennison, 76, of Hart. On December 30, 2021, Jesus welcomed his new angel home, Carl M. Dennison, to be greeted by his precious granddaughter, Moira Claire Arney who preceded him in death on August 17, 2021. Carl was born April 15, 1945 in Lexington, Tennessee, to William and Sudie Dennison. He was their eighth child. He attended…

Obituary: Barbary Taylor, 51, of Hart. Barbara “Barbi” Kay Taylor, 51, of Hart, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, January 2, 2022, at her home. She was born January 13, 1970, in Shelby, the daughter of Sidney and Barbara (Pider) Taylor. Barbi was a graduate of Whitehall High School class of 1989. She had worked as a cashier with Adventure EZ Mart…
Closings and cancellations, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. This post may be updated. The following closings and cancellations have been reported: The scheduled Mason County Eastern junior varsity/varsity girls basketball game at MCE vs Elk Rapids scheduled for tonight is canceled. Shelby Public Schools: All after school practices and activities cancelled. Baldwin Community Schools Bear Lake Public Schools Casman Academy…

Obituary: Wayne Fessenden, 65, of Hesperia. Wayne Allen Fessenden, 65, of Hesperia, died on Monday, January 3, 2022. He was born June 27, 1956, in Hart, the son of Clifford and Sylvia (Eitniear) Fessenden. Wayne was also known as the country music artist, Lefty Pines, in which he was inducted into the Michigan Country Music Hall of Fame. Besides his…

Recent deaths, service announcements, posted Jan. 4, 2022. Carl M. Dennison, 76, of Hart, died on Thursday, December 30, 2021. Barbara “Barbi” Kay Taylor, 51, of Hart, died on Sunday, January 2, 2022. Wayne Allen Fessenden, 65, of Hesperia, died on Monday, January 3, 2022. Listing of 2022 deaths. Listing of 2021 deaths. Listing of 2020 deaths. Listing of 2019…

Father of kidnapped missionary family says they will not be deterred from future mission trips. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. WEARE TOWNSHIP — Ray Noecker, 49, of Shelby, whose wife and five children were kidnapped in Haiti, spoke with the media following a community luncheon Sunday, Jan. 2, at the West Michigan Research Center. “I was waving and shouting. I just…

Police news, Jan. 3, 2022. The following is recent Oceana County Sheriff’s Office activity: Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021: 12:24 p.m., identity theft, West Deer Road, Golden Township. A Verizon account was set up in the victim’s name, and a phone was purchased. There are no suspects. 2:52 p.m., larceny of a battery tender, South Newaygo Trail, Grant Township. A 44-year-old…

78th District Court sentencings and dismissals, Dec. 30, 2021. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — The following were sentenced recently in 78th District Court: Adam Joseph Scovill, 39, of 308 E. Main St., Hart, was found guilty of second-offense operating while intoxicated and was sentenced to one year suspended jail with credit for two years served; six months probation; outpatient…

Community luncheon to celebrate hostages’ freedom. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. WEARE TOWNSHIP — A community luncheon scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 2, beginning at noon at the West Michigan Research Center, at 5185 N. Oceana Dr., will celebrate the Noecker family’s freedom from captivity in Haiti. The “Community Rice and Beans Luncheon” will be followed with a time of “Thanksgiving, Prayer…

Updated hours at COVID-19 testing site. HART – Beginning Jan. 2, 2022, District Health Department #10 will update the hours of operation at the ongoing COVID-19 testing clinic at the Oceana County Council on Aging, at 4250 W. Tyler Rd. Updated testing hours are Sundays from 1-5 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-5 p.m. The testing is done in…
Recent births, posted Dec. 28, 2021. The following births have been reported: Aiden Louis Bly, the son of Alissa and David Bly of Ludington, was born on Wednesday, December 22, 2021. Leah Noelle VanDusen, the daughter of Autumn and Elijah VanDusen of Ludington, was born on Thursday, December 23, 2021. Antonio John-Rene Gonzalez, Jr., the son of Mariah Trevino and Antonio Gonzalez of…
Recent deaths, service announcements, posted Dec. 28, 2021 Michael James Pierce, 52, formerly of Hart, died on Friday, December 24, 2021. Ruth I. Cory, 87, of Ferry Township, died on Sunday, December 26, 2021. Listing of 2021 deaths. Listing of 2020 deaths. Listing of 2019 deaths. Listing of 2018 deaths. Listing of 2017 deaths. Please consider helping to fund local…

78th District Court arraignments, Dec. 27, 2021. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — The following were arraigned recently in 78th District Court: Felony DaWayne Leon Totten, 21, of 1532 Madison, Muskegon, was arrested by the State, Sheriffs, Chiefs Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT) on felony charges of controlled substance — delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine/ecstasy and two counts of controlled substance possession…

27th Circuit Court sentencings, Dec. 27, 2021. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — The following were sentenced recently in 27th Circuit Court: Moises Alejandro Garza, 21, of 86 Chapita Hills, Shelby, was found guilty Oct. 18 of methamphetamine possession and was sentenced Dec. 13 to 270 days in jail with credit for 133 days served; two years probation; and $198…

News alert: Grant Township dispatched to fire at Montague facility. MONTAGUE — Grant Township Fire Department was dispatched to assist at a structure fire at Whitehall Products at 8786 Water St. in Montague Saturday, Dec. 25, around 10 p.m. Caller reporting flames seen from front and back of building.

Merry Christmas! The Book of Luke, Chapter 2: 1-20, from the Message Bible: About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth…