Hesperia voters OK $11.7 million school bond  

November 5, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HESPERIA — The majority of voters in the Hesperia Community Schools district said “yes” Tuesday, Nov. 4, to an $11.7 million bond issue for upgrades throughout the district, including adding a secure entrance to the high school, resurfacing the track and updates to the football stadium. The bond passed with a vote of 527-494. Oceana…

Read more »

51st Circuit Court sentences, published Nov. 4, 2025

November 4, 2025

HART — The following were sentenced this week in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Robert Charles Brown, 40, pleaded guilty Sept. 8 to assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and was sentenced Nov. 3 to one year and one day to two years in prison with credit for 140 days served in jail and $198 in fines and costs. In a second file,…

Read more »

Violin, accordion duo to take the stage Nov. 14

November 4, 2025

HART — The Hart Community Performing Arts Series will present the duo of Karolina Mikolajczyk on violin and Iwo Jedynecki playing the classical accordion Friday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Hart Public Schools auditorium.  The duo is one of the most vibrant and innovative chamber ensembles of the younger generation. They were winners of Grand Prix and first…

Read more »

Volunteers restore historic headstones at Pentwater Township Cemetery

November 4, 2025

PENTWATER TOWNSHIP — Over the spring and summer, members of the Michigan Dunes Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution — Shannon Larson, Brenda Hilderbrandt, and prospective member Melissa Grondsma — led significant restoration efforts at Pentwater Township Cemetery.  Larson, the founder of the Friends of Pentwater Township Cemetery group, worked alongside Hilderbrandt and Grondsma, who are also members…

Read more »

Veterans Day events scheduled

November 4, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — Veterans Day is Tuesday, Nov. 11, and Oceana County veterans have organized some special events to commemorate the important day.  The Oceana County Department of Veteran Affairs is hosting a Veterans Day Parade in Hart Saturday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. and a 5K race Saturday morning in Shelby. A Veterans Day program…

Read more »

Deportation expected for armed robbers

November 3, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — The second of two men was sentenced in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, Nov. 3, for robbing the La Mexicana De Pancho grocery store at gunpoint last December, and he and his accomplice are expected to be deported from the U.S. after serving their prison terms. Jorge Soriano Benitez, 39, of Shelby…

Read more »

Handgun, axe involved in argument over property lines, deer stand

November 3, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor OTTO TOWNSHIP — A 57-year-old Rothbury man was arrested by Oceana County sheriff’s deputies on charges of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime following an argument with 45-year-old Newaygo County man in the 7000 block of South 142nd Avenue Thursday, Oct. 30, shortly after 7 p.m., according to…

Read more »

Investigators solve gravesite digging case

November 3, 2025

The alleged grave digger ‘buried a necklace and needed money and went back to retrieve that necklace.’ By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor OTTO TOWNSHIP — The case of suspicious digging near a gravesite last week has been solved following a police investigation. “The detectives got a hold of the family of the gentleman buried in the grave,” said Oceana County…

Read more »

Police news, published Nov. 3, 2025

November 3, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com.  The following is recent activity of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025: 7:45 p.m., a 29-year-old Hesperia man was arrested for domestic violence, 4300 block of South 184th Avenue, Newfield Township. He was lodged in the Oceana County Jail. Friday,…

Read more »

Two students hit by van at school crosswalk

October 30, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HESPERIA — A 12-year-old boy and a 6-year-old boy were hit by a van driven by a 26-year-old woman who “disregarded a crossing guard” at the Hesperia school campus Thursday morning, Oct. 30, shortly after 7:30 a.m., according to a press release from the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office. The two boys were transported to Helen…

Read more »

Officer donates laptop to student, replacing one destroyed in fire

October 30, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press. HART — After Hart Middle School sixth grader Alayna Keckler lost her Chromebook in a house fire last month, School Resource Officer (SRO) Kevin Skipski stepped in to help. The SRO, who is detective-sergeant for the Hart Police Department, used…

Read more »

North Shore Drive closes for bridge work

October 30, 2025

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — North Shore Drive between Hazel and Taylor roads will be closed Thursday, Oct. 30, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for bridge maintenance work, according to the Oceana County Road Commission. “This work will require the road to be completely shut down, and traffic will be directed to take 24th Avenue to Fox Road to Ridge Road…

Read more »

Employment: Emergency Management Coordinator

October 30, 2025

Employment: Emergency Management Coordinator For the County of Mason The County of Mason is seeking a qualified individual for the full-time position of Mason County Emergency Management Coordinator.  Individuals applying for this position must possess excellent communication and administrative skills. The successful candidate will be responsible for the coordination of emergency management activities for the County of Mason. Interested candidates…

Read more »

Detectives investigate report of person digging in cemetery

October 29, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor OTTO TOWNSHIP — Oceana County sheriff’s detectives are investigating a “suspicious situation” that occurred at the Otto Township Cemetery, at 2801 E. Garfield Rd., Monday evening Oct. 27, in which a person was witnessed digging in the ground near a grave, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The witness saw a van in the cemetery…

Read more »

‘Substantial amount of cash’ stolen in break-in

October 29, 2025

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A “substantial amount of cash” was stolen during a break-in that was reported Thursday, Oct. 23, at 3:20 p.m. in the 2900 block of South Oceana Drive, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The sheriff said he was unable to provide the specific dollar amount as the case is still under investigation. “There are a couple suspects…

Read more »

Thief/thieves steal hunting equipment from deer blind

October 29, 2025

NEWFIELD TOWNSHIP — A thief or thieves stole hunting equipment valued at over $360 from a deer blind located on vacant land near Yonker Road and South 192nd Avenue, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The larceny was reported Monday, Oct. 27, around 6:30 p.m. Items taken include a hunting chair, portable heater, propane tank and a trail cam. ____________________…

Read more »

Congressman Moolenaar accepting intern applications

October 29, 2025

The office of Congressman John Moolenaar is currently accepting applications for internship positions available in Caledonia, Clare, and Washington, D.C. The internship program is open to college students and recent graduates who are interested in learning more about our nation’s legislative process and the day-to-day operations of a Congressional office. Opportunities are available beginning in January 2026 in all three…

Read more »

The Scoreboard: Sports scores from Oct. 29, 2025

October 29, 2025

The following are area school sports results sent to MCP/OCP from today. Hart volleyball loses in Fremont Tri tourney Submitted by Coach Shawn Bectel The Lady Pirates went 0-2 in the Fremont Tri tonight. Season Record 20-22-1 Conference Record 7-2 , 2nd place rivers Hart Pirates Tournament Fremont Tri PLAYERS Overall Introducing The Scoreboard, a daily posting of local sports…

Read more »

When SNAP pauses, Lakeshore Food Club matters more than ever

October 29, 2025

Letter to the Editor Letters to the editor are opinion editorials submitted by readers. Letters to the editor are a long tradition in American journalism. The views and opinions of the writer do not necessarily reflect those of Oceana County Press, its staff or its parent company. For more information, please refer to our Letter to the Editor Policy. Dear…

Read more »

Deputies busy with OWI, fleeing/eluding arrests

October 29, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent Oceana County Sheriff’s Office activity: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025: Midnight, a 45-year-old Rothbury man was cited for failure to report a car/deer accident and unlawful possession of a deer, 88th Avenue and Winston Road, Grant Township. 4:48 p.m., assault,…

Read more »

Obituary: Paul Lee Clark, 55, of Hesperia

October 29, 2025

Paul Lee Clark, 55, of Hesperia, passed away Saturday, October 25, 2025, at his home. He was born March 15, 1970, in Hesperia, the son of Victor and Donna (Sanoff) Clark. Paul was a loving son, father, grandfather, and friend. He enjoyed spending time with his family and pets, traveling, and cooking; he was a great down home cook. He…

Read more »