Health Dept. urges caution to spring breakers due to Zika virus.

March 3, 2016
Health Dept. urges caution to spring breakers due to Zika virus.

HART — Spring break is the time of the year when many Michigan residents choose to travel to tropical destinations. Unfortunately, this year, many of the foreign places favored by sun seekers are also those areas that are affected by the Zika virus, states a press release from the District Health Department #10. Because of the potential link between Zika…

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Recent death, reported March 3, 2016.

March 3, 2016

Ervin P. Youngstrom, 86, of Hart, passed away March 1, 2016.  Arrangements by King Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Hart. View OCP’s death notice archives here.

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Prisoner faces charges from 2015 ‘rolling meth lab’ crash.

March 2, 2016
Prisoner faces charges from 2015 ‘rolling meth lab’ crash.

HART — A 31-year-old Weidman, Mich. man was arraigned Wednesday, March 2, in 78th District Court on three felony manufacturing methamphetamine charges stemming from a one-car crash on Hawley Road east of 198th Avenue in Newfield Township in September of 2015, according to a State Sheriffs’ Chiefs’ Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT) press release. Kyle Nathaniel Russell was allegedly traveling…

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Drunk driver who crashed into Meyers Chevrolet sentenced to 15 days in jail.

March 2, 2016
Drunk driver who crashed into Meyers Chevrolet sentenced to 15 days in jail.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — The 21-year-old Shelby man who crashed through a brick wall and smashed into four cars at the Meyers Chevrolet car dealership in New Era, Nov. 23, was found guilty Monday, Feb. 29, in 78th District Court of operating with a high blood alcohol content (BAC) and driving while license suspended (DWLS). Isidoro Flores-Gomez,…

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Sen. Hansen proposes bill to expand firefighting training.

March 2, 2016
Sen. Hansen proposes bill to expand firefighting training.

LANSING — State Sen. Goeff Hansen introduced legislation on Wednesday that would help ensure Michigan firefighters have access to critical education and training. Senate Bill 833 would update the definition of “firefighter training” in the state’s Firefighters Training Council Act to reflect new challenges firefighters face while on the job.   “Services provided by firefighters have changed since the law…

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3-way internal race for sheriff.

March 1, 2016
3-way internal race for sheriff.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Oceana County Sheriff Robert Farber is not seeking re-election in the upcoming November election, and three officers from the sheriff’s office are running for the sheriff’s position. Undersheriff Timothy Priese, Lt. Craig Mast and Deputy Roy Strait are all throwing their hats in the ring. Priese, 47, has a 26-year career in law…

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Mears man arraigned on strangulation charge.

March 1, 2016
Mears man arraigned on strangulation charge.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — A 27-year-old Mears man who was arrested by Oceana County Sheriff’s deputies for brutally assaulting his ex-girlfriend last Saturday, Feb. 27, was arraigned Tuesday morning, March 1, in 78th District Court on a felony charge of assault by strangulation. Jacob Allen Wilson, of 5215 W. Fox Rd., is also being charged as…

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Sheriff Farber to retire.

February 29, 2016
Sheriff Farber to retire.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Oceana County Sheriff Robert Farber is not seeking re-election in the upcoming November election. Farber, 57, has a 36-year career in law enforcement. He was elected sheriff in 2008 after former sheriff Ken Prince retired. Thirty five of his 36 years have taken place at the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office. He worked one…

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Mears man arrested for ex-girlfriend’s brutal assault.

February 29, 2016
Mears man arrested for ex-girlfriend’s brutal assault.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — A 27-year-old Mears man was arrested by Oceana County Sheriff’s deputies following a felonious domestic assault in the 5500 block of West Cherry Court near Wilson’s General Store early Saturday morning, Feb. 27, that involved choking the victim nearly to the point of unconsciousness, according to OCSO Lt. Craig Mast. The man…

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Safety concerns cause cancellation of Muskegon Heights vs. Shelby game.

February 29, 2016

SHELBY — In what would have been a “great match up” between two of the top Class C boys basketball teams in the area has been cancelled due to safety concerns. Shelby was scheduled to play at Muskegon Heights Academy Wednesday, March 2, for the Heights’ final home game of the season, but Shelby school officials made the decision last…

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Domestic violence, fugitive arrests top police activity.

February 29, 2016
Domestic violence, fugitive arrests top police activity.

The following is local law enforcement activity over the weekend, Feb. 26-28, 2016: Friday, Feb. 26, 2016: – 12:15 a.m., (Michigan State Police, Hart post), a 41-year-old Shelby woman was arrested for domestic violence, 6000 block of Johnson Rd., Benona Township. – 8 a.m., (MSP), a 36-year-old woman (hometown unavailable) was arrested on a fugitive warrant, 2000 block of E.…

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Rhythm & Dunes concerts to include Rolling Stones, Zac Brown tribute bands.

February 26, 2016

LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank has announced the lineup for its fifth annual Rhythm and Dunes community concert series. A Zac Brown tribute band, 20 Ride, will perform on Saturday, July 23 and Mick Adams & The Stones, a Rolling Stones tribute band, will perform Saturday, July 30. Both shows will be at Waterfront Park beginning at 7 p.m. 20…

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Local organizations receive $1,500 in grants from Great Lakes Energy.

February 26, 2016
Local organizations receive $1,500 in grants from Great Lakes Energy.

The Great Lakes Energy People Fund recently awarded $1,500 in grants to two Oceana County non-profit programs. Christian Reformed Church of New Era received $1,000 for materials to build raised beds in a community garden and Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association of Ludington was awarded $500 for the Night at the Lights summer program at Little Sable Point Lighthouse at Silver Lake State Park. The People Fund, supported by…

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78th District Court arraignments include 1st-degree CSC.

February 26, 2016
78th District Court arraignments include 1st-degree CSC.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 78th District Court Magistrate: Felony – Robert Eric Cupps, 38, of 7524 E. M-20, Hesperia, was arrested Feb. 19 by the Michigan State Police (MSP) for felonies of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) – sexual penetration of a victim under the age of 13…

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27th Circuit Court sentencings include tether tampering, larceny, domestic violence.

February 26, 2016
27th Circuit Court sentencings include tether tampering, larceny, domestic violence.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — The following were sentenced recently in 27th Circuit Court: – Terry Donald Pearo, 23, of 215 State St., Hart, was found guilty Dec. 28 of tampering with an electronic monitoring device or tether. He was sentenced Feb. 23 to serve six months of a one-year discretionary jail sentence and $400 in fines and…

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Fugitive arrest.

February 26, 2016
Fugitive arrest.

PENTWATER TOWNSHIP — A 41-year-old Pentwater man was arrested on a fugitive warrant by troopers from the Hart post of the Michigan State Police Thursday, Feb. 25, at 3 p.m. in the 400 block of Adams Road. MSP also responded to a one-car property damage crash Thursday at 12:30 a.m. at M-20 and 154th Avenue in Ferry Township. The police…

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Letter to the Editor: ESD is abandoning Oceana students, Shelby super writes.

February 26, 2016
Letter to the Editor: ESD is abandoning Oceana students, Shelby super writes.

As the superintendent of Shelby Public Schools, I was completely shocked when the leader of the West Shore Educational Service District (WSESD), Superintendent Randy Howes, informed Shelby that he plans on pulling  career technology education (CTE) program classrooms out of Oceana County.   Currently, two programs, allied health and agri-science, are offered in Hart for local students. Mr. Howes has…

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78th District Court sentencings.

February 25, 2016
78th District Court sentencings.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — The following were sentenced recently in 78th District Court: – Raymond Otis Riddell, 39, of 4581 N. 88th Ave., Hart, was found guilty Feb. 22 of operating while intoxicated and sentenced to 93 days discretionary jail to ensure compliance with court orders; credit for time served if imposed; and $400 in fines and…

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