
Fun times at the fair. The 148th Annual Oceana County Fair in Hart runs through Saturday, Aug. 24. – Oceana County Press photos by Allison Scarbrough

HPD report. #OceanaCountyCrime The following is recent activity of the Hart Police Department: Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019: 12:21 a.m., alarm, 400 block of Wood Street, City of Hart. 2:33 a.m., missing person, 500 block of East Main Street, City of Hart. 12:30 p.m., wellbeing check, 4000 block of Polk Road, City of Hart. 2:39 p.m., medical assist, East Main and…

MSU Extension offers citizen planner program. HART – A premiere training program for local officials working in the areas of planning, zoning, community and economic development will be held at the Oceana County Services Building this fall. Registration prior to the event is required. Michigan State University Extension is offering its comprehensive Citizen Planner Program from Sept. 26 through Nov.…
Free chronic pain self-management workshop begins Oct. 2. HART – Developed by Stanford University, Chronic Pain PATH (Personal Action Towards Health) provides information and techniques to cope with the challenges associated with chronic pain management. The workshop is scheduled for Wednesdays, from 2-4:30 p.m., Oct. 2 through Nov. 13, at the Oceana County Services Building at 844 S. Griswold St.…

78th District Court sentencings, Aug. 22, 2019. #OceanaCountyCrime By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART – The following were sentenced recently in 78th District Court: – Arleigha Joanne-Workman Zimmer, 33, of 7818 Gale Rd., Hesperia, was found guilty Aug. 5 of larceny less than $200 and was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; 93 days discretionary…

Driver who hit construction workers, killing one, sentenced. MANISTEE – The driver who hit two construction workers, killing one, last September was sentenced Wednesday, Aug. 21, in 85th District Court. Charlene Myers, 67, was sentenced to 14 days in jail starting Aug. 23; 180 days on house arrest while wearing a GPS tether; two years probation; and $2,825 in restitution,…

Be on the lookout for counterfeit money. #OceanaCountyCrime HART – The Hart Police Department is reminding residents to be on the lookout for counterfeit money after receiving a complaint of a counterfeit $100 bill that someone attempted to use at a Hart business. The incident occurred Monday, Aug. 19, at a business in the 90 block of Chatauqua Street, said…

Most Oceana schools offer free lunch. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. As Oceana County students head back to school after summer break, all of them will get to have a free breakfast and most can enjoy a free lunch every day. Just about all public schools in Oceana County offer free lunch and breakfast through the Community Eligibility Provision of the…

Firefighters installing free smoke alarms, detectors in homes. #OceanaCountyNews By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. WALKERVILLE – Home owners in the Walkervile area can receive free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes thanks to Operation Save A Life. Operation Save A Life is a national public awareness campaign targeting fire safety and prevention. It’s a partnership between WOTV 4,…

Drunk driving arrests top weekend police activity. #OceanaCountyCrime The following is police activity in Oceana County over the weekend: Friday, Aug. 16, 2019: – 2:43 a.m., (Michigan State Police), retail fraud, alcohol was stolen, Wesco store, Village of Rothbury. The case is under investigation. – 6:13 a.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), damage to property, a minivan’s tires were slashed, Pine Haven…

Man with violent history sent to prison after threatening dad with blow torch. #OceanaCountyNews By Allison Scarbrough. Editor. HART — The 38-year-old Mears man who crashed his pickup truck through the Shopko store in Hart in 2017 and was accused in 2015 of burning down his parents’ hobby garage in Mears followed by a rampage at the US Coast Guard…

No arrest in fleeing and eluding investigation. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. NEW ERA – The suspect who allegedly fled from police at a high rate of speed on US 31 Friday, Aug. 16, resulting in several Michigan State Police troopers surrounding his house at Third and Ray streets near the Wesco convenience store for approximately five hours has not been…
Police surround house of fleeing suspect for hours. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. NEW ERA – Several Michigan State Police troopers surrounded a house on Third Street near the Wesco convenience store for approximately five hours Friday, Aug. 16, in an attempt to contact a suspect who allegedly fled from police at a high rate of speed on US 31. The…

County fair offers old-fashioned fun with new improvements. By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART – The Oceana County Fairgrounds are buzzing with activity this week as workers prepare to open the gates for the 148th annual fair, Aug. 20-24. Oceana County Agricultural Society President/Manager Paul Erickson, who took over the helm for long-time president Clancy Aerts last year, has spearheaded many…

SSCENT cocaine arrests top 78th District Court arraignments. #OceanaCountyCrime By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART – The following were arraigned recently in 78th District Court: Felonies – Hector Francisco Vasquez-Melchor, 21, of 101 S. 72nd Ave., Shelby, was arrested by the State, Sheriffs’, Chiefs’ Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT) for a felony of delivery/manufacture of a narcotic/cocaine 50-224 grams. Preliminary exam:…

Warrant arrests, crashes keep police busy. #OceanaCountyCrime The following is recent police activity in Oceana County: Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019: – 10:57 a.m., (Hart Police Department), a 26-year-old Ludington woman was arrested on an outstanding HPD warrant and lodged in the Oceana County Jail, 400 block of State Street, City of Hart. – 2:11 p.m., (HPD), civil complaint, 100 block…

Obituary: Patricia Flannery, 76, of Walkerville. Patricia E. Flanery, 76, of Walkerville, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 15, 2019. Patricia was born on December 15, 1942, the daughter of the late William and Arlene (Carrier) Staskus. She married the late Ronald J. Flanery in February of 1961. They had three daughters, Tammy (Kelly) Sibley of Hart, Robin (Jeff) Vanas…

Recent deaths, posted Aug. 16, 2019. #OceanaCountyDeaths The following recent deaths have been reported to OCP: Cecilia Anna Knowles, 25, of Walkerville, died on Saturday, August 10, 2019. Joyce Eilene Jensen, 77, of Ludington, formerly of Hart, died Saturday, August 10, 2019. Scott Russell Parsons, 43, of Hart, died on Sunday, August 11, 2019. Jennifer Lynn Fitzpatrick-Fekken, 44, of Montague, died…

Township officials censured over $3,500 salary advance. #OceanaCountyNews By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART TOWNSHIP – Clerk Tim Tariske and Treasurer Todd Metzler were censured – publicly reprimanded – by the township board during a regular meeting Wednesday evening, Aug. 14. Tariske took a $3,500 salary advance without board approval, and Metzler signed off on the check. Tariske said he took…

Prosecutor: Driver charged in pedestrian fatality has no prior OWI convictions. #OceanaCounty By Allison Scarbrough, Editor. HART – Contrary to readers’ comments on social media about the suspect in the pedestrian fatality crash last weekend in Crystal Township, Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon stated that Amber Rae Davis, 28, of Mears has no prior operating while intoxicated (OWI) convictions. Scott…