Obituary: Ellen Margaret Verschueren, 78, of Walkerville

August 25, 2025

Ellen Margaret Verschueren, 78, of Walkerville, passed away Saturday, August 23, 2025, at her home surrounded by family. She was born in Hart, the daughter of Wayne and Margaret (Feister) Shafer. Ellen enjoyed crafting many projects for family and friends, as she was skilled at sewing and crochet. This was one of her many ways to show people how much…

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State government’s inability to pass a budget will impact education

August 22, 2025

Letters to the editor are opinion editorials submitted by readers. Letters to the editor are a long tradition in American journalism. The views and opinions of the writer do not necessarily reflect those of Mason County Press, its staff or its parent company. For more information, please refer to MCP’s Letter to the Editor Policy. Dear Editor, As we begin the…

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Employment: Bus Aide

August 22, 2025

Employment: Bus Aide West Shore Educational Service District has a position vacancy for a Bus Aide. High School diploma required; 2 years experience working with students preferred. To view a complete job posting, please 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…

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Thieves going ‘car to car’ breaking into vehicles

August 21, 2025

HART — The Hart Police Department is warning residents to keep their car doors locked due to a recent rash of vehicle break-ins. “The Hart Police Department has recently investigated several thefts from unlocked vehicles in the last week,” states a press release from HPD. “Suspects are going from car to car, checking vehicles to see if they are unlocked.…

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Obituary: Alan David Thurston, 47, of Hesperia

August 21, 2025

Alan David Thurston, 47, of Hesperia, formerly of Howard City, gained his wings on Sunday, August 17, 2025, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born on April 6, 1978, in Grand Rapids, to David Henry Thurston and Margaret Ellen (Mays) Thurston. Alan and Kady met in May of 2014, and together they welcomed their two beautiful daughters in…

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Employment Opportunity: Electrical Inspector, Mason County

August 20, 2025

Employment Opportunity: Electrical Inspector, Mason County Mason County is seeking an independent contractor to provide Electrical Inspection services. The contractor will be responsible for electrical inspections, plan review, and enforcement of electrical codes. This contractor must have excellent communication skills and a desire to work with the public. A minimum of two years experience as a licensed journey worker or…

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Kleiner appointed interim city manager

August 19, 2025

HART — Nichole Kleiner was recently appointed unanimously as interim city manager by the Hart City Council following the resignation of Rob Splane. Kleiner served as Hart’s economic and community development director until May, but left that position to start a consulting firm. “I was still involved, but on a contractural basis. “When the city reached out to find somebody…

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2025 Pentwater Sand Sculpture Contest was one for the record books

August 19, 2025

PENTWATER — Picture perfect weather combined with many participants to make the 52nd Pentwater Sand Sculpture Contest Friday, Aug. 15, one of the best ever, according to many longtime followers.  “It’s been more than a half-century since the Pentwater Service Club (PSC) began sponsoring the popular Homecoming weekend event,” said Glenn Beavis, who managed the competition for the club. According…

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Hart hires new elementary principal

August 19, 2025

Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.   HART — Spitler Elementary School students will begin the new school year Sept. 2 with a new principal. The Hart Board of Education Monday, Aug. 18, unanimously approved hiring Jenna Oleneack as the new principal. Oleneack replaces Brandon Bruce who was hired earlier this…

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Shelby boy vying for National Toddler of the Year

August 19, 2025

SHELBY — Daniel Beaird of Shelby, who just turned 4 years old, is currently in first place in the National Toddler of the Year competition, and his family is asking the community to vote for him to help him capture the big prize. There are only two days left to cast ballots with voting closing Thursday, Aug. 21. The winner…

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Recent death: Judge John R. Carney Jr., 78, of Ludington

August 19, 2025

Judge John R. Carney Jr., 78, of Ludington, died on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from noon to 3 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home. Arrangements by Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, formerly Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.GraceCremations.com.   Listing of 2025 deaths. Listing of 2024 deaths.…

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Employment: Special Education Supervisor

August 19, 2025

Employment: Special Education Supervisor   West Shore Educational Service District has a position vacancy for a Special Education Supervisor. Master’s degree; Full approval in at least one (1) area of special education; three (3) years experience in special education; must be able to satisfy R340.1772 of the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education for Supervisor of Special Education Approval. To…

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Pentwater village manager resigns

August 18, 2025

PENTWATER — Pentwater Village Manager Rachel Witherspoon has announced her resignation, and the Pentwater Village Council will promptly begin its search for a replacement. Witherspoon began the job Oct. 1, 2024, replacing Chris Brown who was fired by the council the previous March.  “As I prepare to leave my position as village manager for the Village of Pentwater, I want…

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Suspected gunman shot by officer may have caused his own trailer to burn down just days prior

August 18, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Following an hours-long manhunt in Mears that locked down Silver Lake area residents and businesses Sunday, Aug. 17, shooting suspect 59-year-old Don Albert Stapel, Jr., was shot by an officer. A trailer Stapel co-owned  at 7408 W. Fox Rd. burned down just days prior to yesterday’s events on Monday morning, Aug. 11.…

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Man allegedly drives drunk to jail to turn himself in on drug warrant

August 18, 2025

HART — A 25-year-old Kingsport, Tenn. man allegedly drove drunk to the Oceana County Jail to turn himself in on an outstanding drug warrant Monday, Aug. 11, around 1:30 p.m., said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The man showed visible signs of intoxication upon his arrival at the jail, and an investigation was conducted. In addition to his felony drug…

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Sheriff’s office responds to six injury crashes at the sand dunes over the past week

August 18, 2025

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office has responded to half a dozen injury-causing crashes at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes during the past week. The most serious crash occurred Saturday, Aug. 16, at 12:38 p.m. when a 29-year-old Newport, Mich. man riding a 2023 Polaris RZR in the ORV scramble area was turning right “at a high rate…

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Road work project on Oceana Drive south of Shelby set to begin Sept. 2

August 18, 2025

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced a road construction project on Oceana Drive (old US 31) from M 20 to south of the Shelby village limits is scheduled for Sept. 2 through Oct. 20. “The project consists of 2.26 miles of hot mix asphalt cold milling and resurfacing and pavement markings on Old US 31 (Oceana…

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Man arrested for meth possession, multiple other charges

August 18, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com.  GRANT TOWNSHIP — A 46-year-old Paris, Mich. man was arrested on charges of methamphetamine possession, carrying a concealed weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, driving while license suspended, open intoxicants in a vehicle and a registration violation Monday, Aug. 18, just before…

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Death notice: Michael (Mike) Jewett, 69, formerly of Pentwater

August 18, 2025

Michael (Mike) Jewett, 69, formerly of Pentwater, lost his long battle with that damn cancer on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. A celebration of life will be held August 23, 2025 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Walicki Woods, 3455 N Stiles Road Ludington (Riverton Township). Please grab your chair, your choice of beverage and join his family and friends in…

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Shooting suspect shot dead by officer

August 17, 2025

Stapel’s trailer burned down last Monday By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Following an hours-long manhunt in Mears that locked down Silver Lake area residents and businesses Sunday, Aug. 17, a shooting suspect was shot by an officer, according to the Michigan State Police. Don Albert Stapel, Jr,, 59, is dead, and the community is now safe. The…

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Shooting suspect dead — ‘The threat has been neutralized’

August 17, 2025

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Suspected shooter Don Albert Stapel, Jr., 59, is dead, according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. “The threat has been neutralized,” said Sheriff Mast around 7 p.m. Sunday, confirming that Stapel is deceased. “The community is safe.” He could not provide any further details, because the case is being handled by the Michigan State Police. Law enforcement…

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