Mears woman pleads in drunk driving death case.

April 20, 2020

Mears woman pleads in drunk driving death case. #OceanaCountyCrime By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART – A 29-year-old Mears woman pleaded “no contest” in 27th Circuit Court Monday, April 20, to operating while intoxicated causing death and is looking at serving a minimum of 28 months in prison. Amber Rae Davis, 5855 W. 5th St., was charged with the felony in…

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Defecating, urinating inmate spits in deputy’s eye.

April 20, 2020

Defecating, urinating inmate spits in deputy’s eye. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — A 33-year-old Hesperia man allegedly spit in a sheriff’s deputy’s eye during his arrest and defecated and urinated in the Oceana County Jail following his arrest for bond violation early Monday morning, April 20. A blood sample of the inmate was taken at Mercy Health Partners Lakeshore…

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Man allegedly wields handgun near two people.

April 20, 2020

Man allegedly wields handgun near two people. #OceanaCountyCrime FERRY TOWNSHIP — A 27-year-old Hesperia man was arrested by Oceana County sheriff’s deputies for felonious assault after allegedly wielding a handgun near two victims Sunday afternoon, April 19, on South 160th Avenue, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. No injuries occurred in the incident, which was reported at 3:40 p.m. The…

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Assault investigations top police activity.

April 20, 2020

Assault investigations top police activity. #OceanaCountyCrime The following is police activity in Oceana County over the weekend: Friday, April 17, 2020: – 10:30 a.m., (Michigan State Police), aggravated assault reported, 4000 block of East Loop Road, Newfield Township. – 6:56 p.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), a 21-year-old Hart man and a 17-year-old Hart man were arrested for domestic violence, North…

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Mental Health Matters: April is Autism Awareness Month

April 19, 2020

Mental Health Matters: April is Autism Awareness Month By Kristin Flanery and Megan Teall of West Michigan Community Mental Health April showers bring May flowers. This is a phrase we are all familiar with. What you might not be as familiar with is that April is Autism Awareness Month. This month is a great opportunity for society as a whole…

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New K-9 Laz to join sheriff’s office.

April 17, 2020

New K-9 Laz to join sheriff’s office. Friends of Oceana County Sheriff’s Office Fund provides $6,500. HART – With the recent change to marijuana laws in Michigan, the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office is adding a K-9 to the department. The current K-9 in the department, Krieger, was purchased in 2017 and was trained to alert deputies of unlawful controlled substances,…

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Large donations help expand Oceana County food pantry.

April 17, 2020

Large donations help expand Oceana County food pantry. SHELBY – In early April, a truckload of food from Feeding America was donated to New Hope Community Church Food Pantry by the Oceana County United Way of the Lakeshore. Through this food truck, the food pantry was able to distribute 200 boxes of food to individuals in the community in a…

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Money, drills stolen.

April 17, 2020

Money, drills stolen. GRANT TOWNSHIP — Michigan State Police troopers from the Hart post are investigating the larceny theft of $150 cash and two cordless drills in the 3400 block of Garfield Road reported Thursday, April 16, at 11:47 a.m., according to Sgt. Dan Thomas. The drills are DeWalt and Makita brand products. The stolen money included three $50 bills.…

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HPD report.

April 17, 2020

HPD report. ​ The following is recent activity of the Hart Police Department: Thursday, April 9, 2020: – 8:31 a.m., alarm, 100 block of State Street, City of Hart. – 4:22 p.m., attempted car theft, 3000 block of Polk Road, City of Hart. – 6 p.m., suspicious situation, Riverside Drive and Johnson Street, City of Hart. – 7:57 p.m., medical…

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Sheriff: Officers have taken oath to uphold constitution.

April 16, 2020

Sheriff: Officers have taken oath to uphold constitution. HART — The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office posted a statement on its Facebook page Thursday afternoon, April 16, regarding Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders in response to COVID-19, stating that officers have taken an oath to uphold the constitution. The following is the sheriff’s office statement: “We have received many phone calls,…

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Spectrum Health treating COVID-19 patients with plasma from recovered patients.

April 16, 2020
Spectrum Health treating COVID-19 patients with plasma from recovered patients.

Spectrum Health treating COVID-19 patients with plasma from recovered patients. GRAND RAPIDS — Spectrum Health, in collaboration with Versiti Blood Centers, has begun treating COVID-19 patients with blood plasma from patients who have recovered from the disease, providing an additional treatment option to the most severely affected COVID-19 patients. Historically, hospitals have used the treatment, known as “convalescent plasma therapy,”…

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Road commission outlines 2020 projects.

April 16, 2020

Road commission outlines 2020 projects. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — The Oceana County Road Commission has a long list of road projects scheduled for the 2020 season totaling over $4.8 million. However, projects could be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, said OCRC Managing Director Mark Timmer. Road commissions across the state are anticipating a reduction in revenue due to…

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$1.4 million culvert replacement on Polk Road among MDOT projects.

April 16, 2020

$1.4 million culvert replacement on Polk Road among MDOT projects. HART — The Michigan Department of Transportation has planned a $1.4 million culvert replacement project on Polk Road near US 31 that is slated to begin Sept. 14, according to John Richard with MDOT’s Office of Communications. The project is scheduled for completion Nov. 2. “This is located just east…

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Grant Road closed.

April 16, 2020

Grant Road closed. SHELBY TOWNSHIP – Grant Road between Oceana Drive and 80th Avenue is closed Thursday, April 16, in order for the Oceana County Road Commission to cut trees in preparation for road work this summer. Local residents will be able to access their property, and the work should be done by 4 p.m., according to the road commission.…

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Governor signs long term care facilities executive order.

April 15, 2020

Governor signs long term care facilities executive order. LANSING — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-50, to establish procedures in long-term care facilities to protect the health and safety of both their employees and residents. At Michigan’s long-term care facilities, residents and employees live and work in confined spaces, and the lack of personal protective equipment makes it…

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West Shore Bank assists local businesses with relief funds.

April 15, 2020

West Shore Bank assists local businesses with relief funds. LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank has already had success in helping over 100 business customers acquire more than $17 million in funding through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  These initial funds will help protect nearly 2,000 jobs in west Michigan.…

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Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Weekly Update, April 13. 

April 15, 2020

Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Weekly Update, April 13.  The following was submitted by Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital: Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital is providing a weekly update regarding activities and current happenings related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We encourage you to visit spectrumhealth.org for resources and information, including a dashboard updated daily with information about the number of people who have been tested…

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Domestic violence, DWLS cases top police activity.

April 15, 2020

Domestic violence, DWLS cases top police activity. #OceanaCountyCrime The following is recent police activity in Oceana County: Sunday, April 12, 2020: – 6:44 p.m., (Michigan State Police), a 29-year-old Walkerville woman was arrested for domestic violence, 3100 block of 176th Avenue, Leavitt Township. Monday, April 13, 2020: – 4:25 p.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), reckless driving, vehicle did a “burnout”…

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State offering “warm line” for individuals with mental health conditions.

April 14, 2020
State offering “warm line” for individuals with mental health conditions.

State offering “warm line” for individuals with mental health conditions. LANSING — Starting today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is launching a statewide warm line for Michiganders living with persistent mental health conditions. The warm line will connect individuals with certified peer support specialists who have lived experiences of behavioral health issues, trauma or personal crises,…

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Mears man sentenced to jail for kicking police car.

April 14, 2020

Mears man sentenced to jail for kicking police car. #OceanaCountyCrime HART — A 47-year-old Mears man was recently sentenced to 120 days in jail in 27th Circuit Court for a conviction of attempted malicious destruction of fire/police property. Todd Allen Smith, of 2132 N. 56th Ave., was found guilty Feb. 10 and was sentenced April 6 via polycom teleconferencing due…

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Urgent Needs Fund provides COVID-19 support.

April 14, 2020

Urgent Needs Fund provides COVID-19 support.  ​​ PENTWATER — The Community Foundation for Oceana County (CFOC) has established an Urgent Needs Fund to provide support to area nonprofit organizations, schools and governments on the front lines serving those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund received initial support of $40,000 from the foundation, several anonymous partners and Mrs. Mullen’s…

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