51st Circuit Court sentences, published July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

HART — The following were sentenced recently in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Ashley Renee Bozeman, 34, pleaded guilty June 9 to delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine and was sentenced July 28 to two to 20 years in prison with credit for 68 days served; and $198 in fines and costs. Bozeman also pleaded guilty to delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine in a…

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Shelby business to receive $25,000 through Match on Main program

July 29, 2025

SHELBY — Tienda La Palma LLC in downtown Shelby will receive a $25,000 state grant through the Match on Main program. Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) is supporting 63 small businesses across Michigan through the MEDC’s Match on Main program, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday, July 29. “The $1.49 million in grants awarded to small local businesses will create resiliency and…

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Oceana County Sheriff’s Office hosts National Night Out Aug. 5

July 29, 2025

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office is hosting National Night Out Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 4-8 p.m. at Shelby Township Community Park on West Buchanan Road. “Everyone is invited to this event,” stated Undersheriff Ryan Schiller. “Come to meet, engage and interact with our public safety personnel.” “National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police…

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Community foundation awards over $75,000 in grants

July 29, 2025

PENTWATER — The Oceana Community Foundation awarded over $75,000 in total grants to 20 organizations during its Spring Community Grant round.  “These investments support a wide range of initiatives across our county, focusing on community restoration, youth development, housing and family stability, animal welfare, local economic growth, and much more,” states a press release from the organization. Basic needs grants…

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Obituary: Barbara Jean Davidson, 94, of Pentwater

July 29, 2025

Barbara Jean Davidson, 94, of Pentwater, passed away Monday, July 28, 2025. She was born February 2, 1931, in Grand Rapids, the daughter of David and Ida (Wingeier) Washburn. Throughout her life, Barbara demonstrated a passion for helping others and a dedication for civic engagement. In her younger years, she was a member of the choir at First United Methodist…

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Obituary: Ellen Sue Pearson, 44, of Walkerville

July 29, 2025

Ellen Sue Pearson, 44, of Walkerville, unexpectedly passed away Friday, July 25, 2025. She was born October 9, 1980, in Shelby, the daughter of Scott and Mary (Lathrop) Pearson. Ellen was a special person who was loved by many. She loved her cats, as well as sending cards to anyone in need, enclosed with a special Ellen note. Ellen had…

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Employment: LAC Farm to School Lunch Director

July 29, 2025

Employment: LAC Farm to School Lunch Director This is a paid posting. Published until Aug. 13, 2025.

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18 fire departments battle fire at David Allen Racing Motorsports

July 28, 2025

GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP — The fire at David Allen Racing Motorsports ‎Saturday evening, July 26, yielded a massive response from 18 fire departments from Oceana, Newaygo and Muskegon counties. The Hesperia Fire Area Fire Department was assisted by 17 other departments. “Saturday evening, Hesperia Area Fire Department was dispatched, along with automatic aid, to a commercial fire at David Allen Racing…

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Boil water advisory remains in effect

July 28, 2025

HESPERIA — A boil water advisory continues for Hesperia village residents and businesses due to a water main break that occurred Monday, July 21. “The advisory remains in effect,” said Village Clerk Vicki Burrell Monday morning, July 28. “We are still awaiting test results, and we are taking another one in this morning.” The boil water advisory is for water…

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Madison Road closure to begin this week

July 28, 2025

CRYSTAL AND COLFAX TOWNSHIPS — Madison Road will be closed between 144th and 168th avenues for road reconstruction and maintenance beginning this week until approximately early October, according to the Oceana County Road Commission. The road will be closed to through traffic, but residents will be able to access their homes. Through traffic will be detoured to 176th Avenue, Harrison…

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Weekend police news, published July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is activity of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office over the weekend: Friday, July 25, 2025: 9:54 p.m., a 32-year-old Hart man was arrested for reckless driving and assaulting/resisting/obstructing police, Monroe Road and Oceana Drive, Weare Township. He was lodged in the…

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Masked man arrested for yelling about the devil during church service

July 28, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor PENTWATER — A 23-year-old Pentwater man was arrested by Oceana County sheriff’s deputies after allegedly disrupting an outdoor church service on the Village Green Sunday morning, July 27. The man, who has been charged with disturbing religious services, allegedly wore a mask and yelled, “Torture to all and hell” while walking in front of the…

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Heat advisory in effect until 9 p.m.

July 28, 2025

OCEANA COUNTY — The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a heat advisory that includes a large portion of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, including Oceana County, for Monday, July 28, until 9 p.m. Heat index values up to 101 degrees are expected. Hot temperatures and high humidity can cause heat illnesses. The advisory area includes portions of central, south…

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Obituary: Edward James Van Der Zanden, 63, of Hart

July 28, 2025

Edward James Van Der Zanden, also affectionately known to friends and family as Edgar, Eddie Spaghetti, and most importantly, Edward the Great, passed away Sunday, July 20, 2025, at the age of 63. He was born August 27, 1961, in Hart, the son of Charles and Ida (Hale) Van Der Zanden. Edward was a great outdoorsman with a love for…

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David Allen Racing Motorsports burns down

July 27, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP — Multiple fire departments from three counties battled a fire at David Allen Racing Motorsports, at 9589 S. Maple Island Rd., Saturday evening, July 26. The business is a “total loss,” said Hesperia Fire Chief Bob Eichenberg Sunday morning. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at approximately 5:30 p.m. and remained on scene…

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Shelby State Bank creating literacy corners for young readers

July 25, 2025

SHELBY — Shelby State Bank, in partnership with Great Start Collaborative and the Community Foundation for Oceana County’s Read Early, Read Often program, will soon offer literacy corners in each of its 10 branches. Studies have shown that having books in a child’s home significantly impacts their future literacy as much as the education levels of their parents, and literacy…

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Police news, published July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The following is recent activity of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office: Monday, July 21, 2025: 7 a.m., breaking and entering, 2300 block of South 186th Avenue, Newfield Township. Two juveniles were identified as suspects who entered the unlocked home. Wednesday, July 23, 2025: 2:58 p.m., felon in possession of a firearm, West McKinley Road, Grant Township. The case was turned…

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Boil water advisory extended through the weekend

July 25, 2025

HESPERIA — A boil water advisory continues through the weekend for Hesperia village residents and businesses due to a water main break that occurred Monday, July 21. “Due to a water main break, residents in the Village of Hesperia or who have their water supplied by the Village of Hesperia have an extended water boil advisory in effect for through…

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Midsummer Madness picnic set for Aug. 9 in Walkerville 

July 25, 2025

WALKERVILLE — Walkerville Thrive’s Second Annual Midsummer Madness Community Picnic and Cornhole Tournament is set for Saturday, Aug. 9, at Walkerville Village Park.  The picnic will begin at noon followed by the cornhole tournament, free children’s activities, a 50/50 drawing and a baked goods and produce sale. All proceeds from the event will go toward funding future Walkerville Thrives events.…

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Obituary: Lester Williams, 94, of Pentwater

July 25, 2025

Our dad, Lester Williams, 94, went home to be with his one true love, our mother, Roberta Gregwer Williams, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. He was born December 2,1930, in Live Oak Florida to the late Bernie and Netti (McClellan) Williams. He was preceded in death by: his sisters, Marie Yates, Carolyn Rodgers, and Ann Samford; son-in-law, Edward Flood; and…

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Recent births, published July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The birth announcements are a presentation of West Shore Bank, providing service to Mason, Oceana, Manistee, Muskegon, Benzie, and Grand Traverse counties; www.westshorebank.com.  Marlene Gisela Hernandez, the daughter of Victoria Salinas and Hugo Hernandez Jr. of Walkerville, was born on Friday, July 25, 2025. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.  List of 2024 births List of 2023 births…

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