Girls Varsity Basketball: Kent City tops Hart; Smith scores 27 points

January 29, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. HART — Kent City beat Hart 64-58 Thursday in non-conference competition. Pirate Reese Smith scored 27 points including 14 in the fourth quarter while teammate Rilynn Porter scored 15 points. “Too many…

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15-20 below zero windchills forecasted in Michigan

January 29, 2026

Wind chills of 15-20 below zero are expected across most of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and the eastern portion of the Upper Peninsula from midnight Thursday, Jan. 29, until 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, according to the National Weather Service. Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30…

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West Shore FFA competes in districts

January 29, 2026

West Shore School News is a presentation of West Shore Educational School District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. MONTAGUE — The West Shore FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapter competed at districts hosted by Montague High School Wednesday. Though the team fell short of advancing to the regionals, their coach, Mark Willis, said they competed…

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EMS professionals to participate in conference this weekend

January 29, 2026

​​WSCC News is a presentation of West Shore Community College in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor MANISTEE — Emergency medical workers from Mason and Oceana counties will receive critical training and engage in professional networking during a conference this weekend at the Little River Casino in partnership with West Shore Community…

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Hart man sentenced to prison for meth delivery, multiple charges

January 29, 2026

Boot camp recommended By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 35-year-old Hart man was sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 27, to prison for a conviction of delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine, along with several other convictions. Kash Verlyn Valley, pleaded guilty Jan. 14, 2025 to delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine; possession of cocaine, heroin or another narcotic; driving while…

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Winter weather advisory extended until 1 p.m.

January 29, 2026

OCEANA COUNTY — A winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service for several west Michigan counties, including Oceana and Mason counties, has been extended until 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29. It was originally slated to end at 10 a.m. “Roads will remain slick and hazardous,” states NWS. “Visibility and road conditions may change rapidly over short distances in…

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Girls Varsity Basketball: Wildcats fall to Eastern

January 29, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. CUSTER — Mason County Eastern defeated the Walkerville Wildcats in West Michigan D play Wednesday, 50-38. “The varsity team was strong on the glass all night,” said MCE Coach Jake Smith. “Annabelle…

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Co-op Varsity Hockey: Badgers fall to Grand Haven

January 29, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. FRUITPORT — The Lakeshore Badgers fell to the Grand Haven Buccaneers Wednesday evening 3-1. The contest was tight with the Badgers taking on a “bend, don’t break” stance being outshot 34-14 on…

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Varsity Girls Basketball: Shelby defeats Montague

January 28, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. SHELBY — The Shelby Tigers defeated the Montague Wildcats Wednesday, 63-15. Shelby scorers: Jayna Burmeister, 23 Annabelle Stark, 12 Michelle Peterson, 9 Ava Lamberg, 6 Kylie Brown, 4 Peyton Rapes, 4 Score…

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Varsity Boys Basketball: MCC overpowers Shelby in conference action

January 28, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. Photos and story by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central defeated the Shelby Tigers 64-41 in West Michigan Conference Lakes Division play Tuesday. “It came down to free throws and…

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Pirate Snowcoming royalty to be crowned Feb. 12

January 28, 2026

Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.  HART — After Snowcoming was canceled due to a snow day Jan. 23, Hart High School has rescheduled the event to Thursday, Feb. 12, right before midwinter break. The Snowcoming court will be recognized, and the king and queen will be crowned following the varsity…

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Winter weather advisory in effect until Thursday morning

January 28, 2026

OCEANA COUNTY — A winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service for several west Michigan counties, including Oceana and Mason counties, is in effect until 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29. Additional snow accumulation of up to 3 inches is expected. Slippery road conditions will persist. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes. Visibilities…

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Obituary: William Paul Askins, 92, of Hart

January 28, 2026

William Paul Askins, affectionately known by his friends and family as Bill, passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026, at his home with the love of his life, Darlene, by his side. He was born May 5, 1933, in Lima, Ohio, the son of James and Helen (Betts) Askins. Among Bill’s greatest accomplishments in life were his wife and four children,…

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Case against couple charged with baby’s death moves to circuit court

January 27, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — The criminal case against a 27-year-old mother and her 34-year-old boyfriend who are charged with multiple counts of child abuse in connection to the death of her son, 7-month-old Maverick Lyle Bouck, is being bound over to Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court. Elizabeth LynnLanor Hogan and Devin Austin Brown-Fowler, who both have the…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Jan. 27, 2026

January 27, 2026

HART — The following were sentenced this week in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Joseph Scott Summerskill, 41, pleaded guilty July 7 to methamphetamine/ecstasy possession and was sentenced Jan. 26 to 116 days in jail with credit for 116 days served; two years probation; and $598 in fines and costs. – Shelly Lynn Zastrow, 59, pleaded guilty Dec. 8…

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White Lake Drive over US 31 could remain closed until end of May

January 27, 2026

WHITEHALL, Muskegon County — The Michigan Department of Transportation announced that the damaged White Lake Drive bridge over US 31 is estimated to remain closed until May 31. “In partnership with the Muskegon County Road Commission, MDOT will repair the White Lake Drive bridge decks over northbound and southbound US 31,” states an MDOT press release. “The bridge was closed…

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Moolenaar launches re-election in Michigan’s 2nd District

January 27, 2026

John Moolenaar (R-Midland) recently announced he is running for re-election in Michigan’s Second Congressional District. “With Republicans leading in the House, real progress has been made to restore common sense in Washington and get America back on track,” states a press release from his office.. “Over the past year, Republicans have delivered major wins for working families by cutting taxes,…

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Closings and cancellations, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026

January 27, 2026

The following closings and cancellations have been reported to MCP and OCP for Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. This list may be updated. Schools: Hesperia Community Schools Manistee Area Public Schools Trinity Lutheran School, Manistee Walkerville Public Schools Athetlics Hesperia vs. Mason County Eastern girls basketball game Hart vs. Hesperia boys basketball game Hart vs. Spring Lake girls basketball game Pentwater…

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Boys Varsity Basketball: Hart defeats Western Michigan Christian

January 27, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. FRUITPORT — The Hart Pirates defeated the Western Michigan Christian Warriors Monday 48-39. Hart Coach Nick Bronsema described the game as a “grind-it-out kind of night.” “We had to grind a close…

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Employment: Student Success Facilitator

January 27, 2026

  Employment: Student Success Facilitator This is a paid posting, published until Feb. 10, 2026.

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Employment: School Bus Aide

January 27, 2026

Employment: School Bus Aide West Shore Educational Service District has a position vacancy for a Bus Aide. High School diploma required; 2 years experience working with students preferred. To view a complete job posting, please visit our website at www.wsesd.org.  Send cover letter, resume and credentials to:  Human Resources, West Shore ESD, 2130 W. US 10, Ludington, MI 49431 or…

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