Living in the OC: Why your editor loves this county.

January 12, 2016
Living in the OC: Why your editor loves this county.

‘Living in the OC’ is sponsored by Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart), www.springsteadlaw.com. By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. As I sit at my desk in my home office today, gazing out the window at the blowing and drifting snow, I am amazed by the beauty and power of nature here in Oceana County. It is…

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Shelby council may have violated Open Meetings Act.

January 12, 2016

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. During a public meeting Monday night, Jan. 11, 2016, the Shelby Village Council voted 5-1 — with one abstention — to fire Police Chief Robert Wilson. See related story here. Leading up to the vote, it is likely that the council, under the advice of its attorney, violated the Michigan Open Meetings Act. The council voted…

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Police respond to crashes on slippery roads.

January 12, 2016
Police respond to crashes on slippery roads.

The following is activity in Oceana County of the Hart post of the Michigan State Police Monday, Jan. 11, 2016: – 6:45 p.m., car/deer crash, Cleveland Rd. and 112th Ave., Otto Township. – 9:15 p.m., vehicle slide-off, US 31 and Taylor Rd., Hart Township. – 9:55 p.m., hit-and-run crash, US 31 ramp and Winston Rd., Grant Township. The Oceana County…

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Late firefighter’s benefit claim finally approved.

January 11, 2016
Late firefighter’s benefit claim finally approved.

PENTWATER — Following a lengthy battle with the United States Department of Justice, the Public Safety Officer Benefit claim for Pentwater Fire Department Captain John Sayles was approved Monday, Jan. 11, according to a press release issued by the Pentwater Fire Department. John Sayles was a Captain, Secretary, and member of Pentwater Fire Department for over 10 years when he…

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Police chief fired amidst criminal investigation.

January 11, 2016
Police chief fired amidst criminal investigation.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. SHELBY — After deliberating for nearly one and half hours in closed session, the Shelby Village Council voted 5-1 to immediately terminate Shelby Police Chief Robert Wilson from his employment Monday night, Jan. 11, in the Shelby High School auditorium. An internal investigation revealed that Wilson had been doing salvage vehicle inspections without notifying the…

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Closings and cancelations for Jan. 12, 2016.

January 11, 2016

Closings and cancelations are sponsored by Abrahamson’s Towing of Ludington: 231-843-2990. Closed for Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016: Due to inclement weather, West Shore Community College’s audition for “Breaking the Code,” scheduled to be heldtonight (Tues. Jan. 12) at the Ludington Center for the Arts, is cancelled. In addition, the college’s Concert Choir rehearsal scheduled for 7 p.m. this evening is cancelled.…

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Visniski becomes surgery director at Ludington Hospital.

January 11, 2016
Visniski becomes surgery director at Ludington Hospital.

LUDINGTON — Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital has a new director of surgical services, Bruce Visniski, who has a long history of surgical staff leadership positions in west Michigan. Visniski earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Spring Arbor University, and an associate’s degree from Muskegon Community College. Visniski comes to Ludington from North Ottawa Community Hospital, where he was…

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6 organizations receive nearly $10,000 from Great Lakes Energy People Fund.

January 11, 2016

Six Oceana County organizations have received grants totaling almost $10,000 from the Great Lakes Energy People Fund. During 2015, the People Fund awarded $206,294 in grants to charitable and community organizations. The Great Lakes Energy People Fund is supported solely by Great Lakes Energy members who allow their electric cooperative to round up their bill each month to the next…

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Recent death, reported Jan. 11, 2016.

January 11, 2016

Patricia Geyer, 80, of Hesperia, died Tuesday, January 11, 2016.  Arrangements by Harris Funeral Home, Shelby. View OCP’s death notice archives here.

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Council meeting moved to high school.

January 11, 2016

SHELBY — The regularly-scheduled village council meeting set for Monday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. has been moved from the village hall to the Shelby High School Auditorium, at 641 N. State Street. Please enter through the front entrance of the high school.

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City to amend medical marijuana growing ordinance due to odor complaints.

January 11, 2016
City to amend medical marijuana growing ordinance due to odor complaints.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — The process of growing marijuana can create a strong odor, and city officials are working to eliminate the odor problem by amending its medical marijuana growing ordinance. Amendments to the city ordinance include a requirement that all growing operations are equipped with a filtration system and that they are located at least 500…

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Police seek info.

January 11, 2016
Police seek info.

HART — The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information from anyone who gave a man a ride from the Walkerville area to the Hart area Saturday night, Jan. 9 or early Sunday morning, Jan. 10. OCSO is confirming the man’s activities and timeline, Lt. Craig Mast said. He is not missing. Please call the sheriff’s office at 231-873-2121 if…

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Fugitives arrested.

January 11, 2016
Fugitives arrested.

The following is activity in Oceana County of the Hart post of the Michigan State Police over the weekend: Friday, Jan. 8, 2016: – 7 p.m., a 25-year-old Egelston, Michigan man was arrested on a fugitive warrant, 200 block of Lincoln St., City of Hart. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016: – 12:10 a.m., domestic assault, 100 block of S. Winter St.,…

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27th Circuit Court sentencings.

January 9, 2016
27th Circuit Court sentencings.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — The following were sentenced recently in 27th Circuit Court: – Freddie Lee Patterson II, 29, of 1923 Ray St., Muskegon, was found guilty Nov. 9 of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. He was sentenced Jan. 4 to serve four months forthwith of a one-year discretionary jail sentence, with credit for three days served, and…

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Welcome to the world! Recent births, reported Jan. 8, 2016.

January 8, 2016
Welcome to the world! Recent births, reported Jan. 8, 2016.

Recent births are brought to you by Shelby Gem Factory. See more information about these fine businesses below.  Births took place at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, unless indicated otherwise.  Brighton Kenneth Woodbury, the son of Morgan and Jeordi Woodbury of Hart, was born Jan. 3, 2016. Allie Josephine Aerts, the daughter of Angela and Bryan Aerts of Hart, was born Jan. 4, 2016.…

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New sign debuts.

January 8, 2016
New sign debuts.

HART — The City of Hart and the Hart Area Public Library joined forces to purchase a new $26,000 digital sign in front of the library and city hall. The electronic messaging center replaces the previous out-dated sign, which was dismantled, said City Manager Stan Rickard. The sign provides updated information about community events. It was installed Dec. 30, Rickard…

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78th District Court arraignments.

January 8, 2016
78th District Court arraignments.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 78th District Court magistrate: Felony – Michael Scott Barefoot, 34, of 6018 S. 90th Ave., New Era; Dec. 9; Michigan State Police (MSP); possession of analogues. Preliminary conference: Jan. 19 at 3 p.m. Bail: $5,000/cash/surety/10 percent cash. Misdemeanors – Steven Joseph Mixter, 18, of…

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78th District Court sentencings.

January 8, 2016
78th District Court sentencings.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — The following were sentenced recently in 78th District Court: – Joshua Lamont Moore, 30, of 415 Hart St., Hart, was found guilty Jan. 4 of disorderly person – jostling and sentenced to 90 days discretionary jail to ensure compliance with court orders; credit for time served if imposed; and $450 in fines and…

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