Prison term for home invasion tops circuit court sentencings. #OceanaCountyCrime By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — The following were sentenced recently in 27th Circuit Court: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, proceedings either took place via Zoom or Polycom teleconfercing. – Joshua Mark Bassett-Lynch, 29, of 5813 Iris Rd., Ludington, pleaded “no contest” Dec. 2, 2019 to second-degree home invasion and…
Governor extends lockdown, requiring masks in enclosed public places. LANSING — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-59, extending her “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through May 15. The new order will require people to wear homemade face coverings when they enter enclosed public spaces. It will also lift some restrictions on outdoor activities and allow some workers who…
4 county commissioners not seeking re-election. Sebolt running for state rep. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — Four Oceana County commissioners — Andrew Sebolt, Jim Brown, Denny Powers and Dean Gustafson — are not seeking re-election in the Aug. 4 primary. Sebolt, a republican, bowed out of the county commissioner race because he is seeking election as state representative of…
CMH launches COVID-19 emotional support line LUDINGTON — West Michigan Community Mental Health has launched a COVID-19 emotional support line to assist those struggling with stress, anxiety and depression related to the ongoing pandemic. The toll free line, which goes live on Monday, April 27, is available to anyone in the community who needs emotional support. “During uncertain times, it’s…
COVID-19 numbers continue to rise locally. As of Thursday, April 23, at 3 p.m., District Health Department #10 reported 127 positive COVID-19 cases in the health department’s 10-county region, including four in Oceana County. There have been nine total deaths from COVID-19 in the DHD #10 jurisdiction, including one in Oceana County. The following are daily numbers reported by DHD…
Pirate News: Friday Night Lights in Hart. Pirate News is a service of Hart Public Schools in cooperation with Oceana County Press. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART — To honor the Class of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hart High School is hosting a “Be the Light” event this Friday night, April 24, at the football stadium. Stadium lights will…
Tractor stolen. GRANT TOWNSHIP — The Hart post of the Michigan State Police is investigating the theft of a 2016 New Holland tractor from the 5700 block of Oceana Drive, said Sgt. Dan Thomas. The blue tractor was reported stolen Wednesday, April 22, at 6 p.m. It features a 6-foot bucket and roof. Anyone with information is asked to call…
Heroic firefighter saves woman from fiery, deadly crash. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. COLFAX TOWNSHIP — Walkerville firefighter Chris Abbatoy put his life on the line to save a seriously-injured young woman from a fiery, deadly car accident Monday, April 20. Abbatoy acted as a human shield to protect 27-year-old Vicki Branch of Walkerville while she was trapped inside her…
Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Weekly Update, April 21, 2020. 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/covid-19. The dashboard below reflects the 16-county region served by Spectrum Health. Local information can be found on the District…
Producers announce cancelation of EF 2020. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. ROTHBURY — After the Rothbury Village Council voted down a request from Electric Forest producers April 9 to postpone the 2020 festival to mid-September due to COVID-19, EF officially announced Tuesday, April 21, that the 2020 event is canceled. EF said ticket holders can either use their 2020 wristbands for the…
Distant learning has been a collaborative effort of area schools. West Shore School News is a presentation of the West Shore Educational School District. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. AMBER TOWNSHIP — Several area public schools are launching distant learning programs beginning the end of this week with the official kickoff beginning April 27. The continuity of learning programs, also known…
Murder trial adjourned. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. LUDINGTON — The murder trial against Corey Ryan Beekman, 33, of Free Soil Township that was scheduled for April 27-30 and May 1 in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court has been adjourned due to COVID-19. Beekman, a former Army National Guard staff sergeant, is accused of murdering William Buchanan, 32, of Mears, April…
Victims in deadly crash identified. COLFAX TOWNSHIP — The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office has identified the people involved in Monday’s fiery, deadly crash on North 176th Avenue near Walkerville. Pronounced dead at scene were Josue Morales, 20, of Hart and Enrique Guajardo, 23, of Donna, Texas. Surviving the horrific crash is Vicki Branch, 27, of Walkerville who is now listed…
Recent deaths, posted April 21, 2020 #OceanaCountyDeaths The following recent deaths have been reported to OCP: William D. Stevens, 86, of Hart, died on Friday, April 10, 2020. Countess Marlene Schihl, 85, of Shelby, died on Friday, April 10, 2020. James “Jim”Albert Carlson, 82, of Pentwater, died on Sunday, April 19, 2020. Johanna VanderSlice, 94, of New Era, died on…
Two men die in head-on crash. Third victim airlifted from the scene. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. COLFAX TOWNSHIP — Two men, ages 20 and 24, died in a head-on crash Monday, April 20, around 5:30 p.m. on 176th Avenue and Rossell Lake Road, according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The men were northbound in a Honda Accord that was…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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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