Sen. Bumstead reflects on 2019. 

December 21, 2019

Sen. Bumstead reflects on 2019.  By Sen. Jon Bumstead, R, Newaygo. 34th Senate District We are nearing the end of my first term representing you in the Michigan Senate and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I remain thankful that you placed your trust in me to represent you in our state Capitol.  As we prepare to take some…

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New senior center is a gift for the entire community

December 20, 2019
New senior center is a gift for the entire community

New senior center is a gift for the entire community. #OceanaCounty By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART TOWNSHIP — The community unwrapped a gigantic Christmas present this week when the Oceana County Council on Aging moved into its dazzling new senior center on Tyler Road just outside the city limits. “We are ecstatic and so grateful that our vision for this…

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Pentwater Service Club’s beautification project celebrates 50th anniversary.

December 20, 2019

Pentwater Service Club’s beautification project celebrates 50th anniversary. PENTWATER – The Pentwater Service Club announced that its members will build a raised bed community garden in the village as a gift to the community to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary on Jan. 9, 2020. The raised bed gardens project was one of 14 projects the club considered for its 50th…

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HPD report.

December 20, 2019

HPD report. #OceanaCountyCrime The following is recent activity of the Hart Police Department: Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019: – 3:09 a.m., medical assist, 40 block of Orchard Street, City of Hart. – 7:06 p.m., traffic hazard, State and Wigton streets, City of Hart. – 8:36 p.m., alarm, 5000 block of Polk Road, Golden Township. Friday, Dec. 13, 2019: – 11:32 a.m.,…

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A Christmas golf story.

December 19, 2019

A Christmas golf story. By Fred Inglis, Contributing Writer. SHELBY — Christmas came one week early Wednesday night, Dec. 18, when members of Oceana Golf Club voted overwhelmingly 117-1 to sell the non-profit public course to Oceana County native Jason Wenk. The 1998 Shelby High School graduate agreed to pay $391,500 for 90 percent ownership under his Oceana Family Holdings,…

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West Michigan Conference ADs vote to expand league.

December 19, 2019
West Michigan Conference ADs vote to expand league.

West Michigan Conference ADs vote to expand league. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. The athletic directors of the West Michigan Conference recently voted unanimously for conference expansion with the possibility of creating a two-tiered league consisting of class B and class C divisions. Mason County Central Athletic Director Tim Genson said the move is something he has been working on for…

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Porch piracy in Walkerville.

December 19, 2019

Porch piracy in Walkerville. #OceanaCountyCrime WALKERVILLE — Items that were delivered to a home on East Laurel Street were reported stolen to the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday, Dec. 18, shortly after 1 p.m. A description of the stolen items is not immediately available, because the “porch piracy” case is under investigation, said Lt. Shane Hasty. The following is other…

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Recent deaths, posted Dec. 19, 2019.

December 19, 2019

Recent deaths, posted Dec. 19, 2019. #OceanaCountyDeaths The following recent death hasbeen reported to OCP: Bonnie Jean Bickel, 89, of Hart, died on Sunday, December 8, 2019. Donna Jean (Birkman) Vander Zanden, 84, of Chicago, formerly of Weare, died on Monday, December 9, 2019. Brian James Martin, 70, of Montague, died on Thursday, December 12, 2019. Charles E.  “Chuck” Chase,…

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Farm to Fork Gala brings farmers and community members together.

December 18, 2019

Farm to Fork Gala brings farmers and community members together. #TheLand is a series telling the stories about local agriculture. It is a presentation of Peterson Farms. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. VICTORY TOWNSHIP (Mason County) — What safety protocols go into producing milk? What impact have trade tariffs had on local farmers? What career opportunities are there locally for agriculture?…

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Sheriff’s Office holding vehicle auction.

December 18, 2019

Sheriff’s Office holding vehicle auction. Public Notice: The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office is currently holding an online auction of abandoned vehicles. The vehicles may be viewed here. The auction will end on Jan. 3, 2020. All vehicles are sold as is and all bids are binding offers to purchase. Do not contact the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, nor the custodian,…

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Crystal Valley Care Fund receives $1,000 from MOM Board of Realtors.

December 17, 2019

Crystal Valley Care Fund receives $1,000 from MOM Board of Realtors. The Manistee Oceana Mason County Board of Realtors presented Judy Kokx with the Crystal Valley Care Fund a check for $1,000. Representing the MOM Board of Realtors are Katie Arnouts, 2019 board president (at left) and Crystal Hallack, Oceana County director (at right).

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Ridge Road closed due to culvert replacements.

December 17, 2019

Ridge Road closed due to culvert replacements. Ridge Road between Jackson and Lake roads in Golden and Pentwater townships is closed due to two culvert failures, according to the Oceana County Road Commission. Work began Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 8 a.m., and it is expected to be completed by Thursday, Dec. 19, at 3:30 p.m. “These culvert replacements are quite…

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78th District Court arraignments, Dec. 16, 2019.

December 16, 2019

78th District Court arraignments, Dec. 16, 2019. #OceanaCountyCourts By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART – The following were arraigned recently in 78th District Court: Felonies – Travis Michael Gale, 27, of Hart, was arrested by the Michigan State Police (MSP) for felony charges of receiving and concealing stolen property $1,000-$20,000, possession of firearms by a felon and felony firearm. Bail: $100,000/cash.…

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Man arrested for OWI after driving to sheriff’s office.

December 16, 2019

Man arrested for OWI after driving to sheriff’s office. #OceanaCountyCrime HART – A 44-year-old Montague man who drove to the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office to pick up copies of police reports on Friday the 13th was arrested for operating while intoxicated, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. Upon arrival to the sheriff’s office, Dec. 13, shortly after 4:30 p.m. he…

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Forgotten Man Ministries provide spiritual refuge for inmates.

December 16, 2019

Forgotten Man Ministries provide spiritual refuge for inmates. #OceanaCountyJail HART — Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast has announced a new partnership of Forgotten Man Ministries (FMM) with the Oceana County Jail, which just launched this month. “Sgt. Joel Dickman was instrumental in starting this program — seeing the needs of inmates and how we can meet those needs,” said Mast.…

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Vehicle rolls over on icy road.

December 16, 2019

Vehicle rolls over on icy road. #OceanaCounty ELBRIDGE TOWNSHIP – A 20-year-old Hart man sustained a minor injury after the car he was driving rolled over after sliding off an icy road Saturday, Dec. 14, shortly before 7 p.m., according to an Oceana County Sheriff’s Office accident report. The 2005 Nissan Murano SUV went off East Tyler Road near North…

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Meth dealer sentenced to 3-20 years in prison.

December 16, 2019

Meth dealer sentenced to 3-20 years in prison. #OceanaCountyCrime By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART – A 27-year-old Morley, Michigan man was sentenced to three to 20 years in prison Monday, Dec. 16, in 27th Circuit Court for a conviction of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, according to Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. Walter Patrick Geistel III, 27, of 21616…

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Winter weather advisory issued.

December 14, 2019

Winter weather advisory issued. Smith & Eddy Insurance Weather. A winter weather advisory is in effect until 1 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. Freezing drizzle has occurred in the area and is expected to continue until later this evening when it will switch to snow showers overnight. Multiple vehicle crashes have been reported in Mason and Oceana counties, some with injuries.…

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Closings and cancellations, Dec. 14, 2019.

December 14, 2019

Closings and cancellations, Dec. 14, 2019. Shelby High School band and choir concert has been cancelled due to weather.

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Student brings B-B gun to elementary school.

December 13, 2019

Student brings B-B gun to elementary school. HART — A student brought a B-B gun to Spitler Elementary School Friday, Dec. 13, and an investigation is being conducted. No one was injured, according to school officials. The following was posted on Spitler Elementary School’s Facebook page shortly before 5 p.m.: “A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – It was reported earlier…

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Owners scramble to save cottages from falling into Lake Michigan.

December 13, 2019

Owners scramble to save cottages from falling into Lake Michigan. #OceanaCounty By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Lake Michigan’s record high water level is putting many homes and cottages along the West Michigan shoreline in serious danger of falling into Lake Michigan. An approximate 600-foot portion of North Lakeshore Drive, which is a gravel road, recently washed away, cutting…

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