Obituary: Eugene “Geno” Harley Wheeler, 84, of Ludington, formerly of Shelby

August 22, 2024

Eugene “Geno” Harley Wheeler, 84, of Ludington, formerly of Shelby, passed away Tuesday August 20, 2024. Eugene was born on March 20, 1940, in Hart, the son of Alteron “Steve” Wheeler and Olive (Cole) Wheeler. He graduated from Hart High School in 1958. On February 14, 1987, Eugene married the love of his life, Donna J. (Figgins) Wheeler. Eugene dedicated 30…

Read more »

Recent death: Clark Fordyce McKeown, 84, of Pentwater

August 21, 2024

Clark Fordyce McKeown, 84, of Pentwater, died Friday, August 16, 2024, at home. Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.   www.beaconfh.com   ________ Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. The easiest way is to sign up for an automatic monthly payment on Paypal. Click…

Read more »

Walkerville hosts Varmint and Vermin Hunting Contest

August 21, 2024

WALKERVILLE — Critters beware as the first-ever Walkerville Varmint and Vermin Hunting Contest takes aim this fall.  “Come join us for a day filled with excitement as we hunt down those pesky critters in the heart of Walkerville, Michigan,” states a post on the Walkerville Thrives Facebook page. “Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-timer, this event is perfect…

Read more »

Obituary: Randy Morlock, 74, of Hart

August 21, 2024

Randy Scott Morlock, 74, of Hart, formerly of Coloma, passed away Sunday, August 18, 2024. Randy was born August 30, 1949, in Watervliet, the son of Wesley and Emma Morlock. He was a graduate of Coloma High School. He was esteemed in his role as vice president at Payhauler, where his leadership and dedication were hallmarks of his career. In his…

Read more »

Employment Opportunity: Accounting Clerk, City of Ludington

August 21, 2024

Employment Opportunity: Accounting Clerk, City of Ludington The City of Ludington is accepting applications for an Account Clerk who works under the direction of the City Clerk. Duties include accounting work (accounting, accounts payable, general ledger and utility billing.) Must be able to provide timely and accurate processing of accounting functions. Also includes answering phone and customer assistance. Complete job…

Read more »

Oceana County man seriously injured in PM Hwy crash

August 20, 2024

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — A 22-year-old Crystal Township man was seriously injured after the vehicle he was driving collided with a semi truck and trailer Tuesday morning. Emergency personnel were called to the intersection of Pere Marquette Highway and the northbound US 31 offramp at 7:21 a.m. According to Mason County Sheriff’s Sgt. Matt Warmuskerken, the…

Read more »

Employment: Paraprofessional, At-Risk Student Support

August 20, 2024

Employment: Paraprofessional, At-Risk Student Support This is a paid posting. Posted until Sept. 4, 2024. 

Read more »

Man sentenced to prison for gross indecency

August 19, 2024

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 41-year-old Holland man was sentenced to 13 months to five years in prison in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, Aug. 19, for a conviction of gross indecency between a male and female. Christopher Matthew Kubacki pleaded “no contest” to the charge, July 15. Kubacki committed gross indecency involving a 10-year-old girl…

Read more »

Police news, posted Aug. 19, 2024

August 19, 2024

The following is recent activity of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office: Monday, Aug. 12, 2024: 5:47 p.m., larceny of a power tools, Pines Mobile Home Park, 72nd Avenue, Hart Township. Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024: 4:38 p.m., breaking and entering, 8500 block of East Harrison Road, Leavitt Township. Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024: 3:29 a.m., a 37-year-old Worth, Illinois man was arrested…

Read more »

Acoustic Oasis to perform at New Era Farmers’ Market Aug. 27

August 19, 2024

NEW ERA — Acoustic Oasis is set to perform at the next New Era Farmers’ Market Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 5 p.m. “This is a repeat performance that was well received last year and is sure to entertain,” said Market Manager Sandy Whitaker. The market’s theme is “Fun with Flowers.” Children will receive basic instruction on flower arranging and will…

Read more »

Recent death: Randy Scott Morlock, 74, of Hart

August 19, 2024

  Randy Scott Morlock, 74, of Hart, died on Sunday, August 18, 2024. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com. Listing of 2023 deaths. Listing of 2022 deaths. Listing of 2021 deaths. Listing of 2020 deaths. Listing of 2019 deaths __________ Receive email alerts and recaps starting at $10 per month Thank you for reading Mason County Press…

Read more »

WSCC considering purchase of former Gale’s IGA building

August 18, 2024

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief VICTORY TOWNSHIP, Mason County — The West Shore Community College Board of Trustees will consider the purchase of the former Gale’s IGA building, 710 S. State St., Hart, when it meets Monday, Aug. 19. “West Shore Community College has long recognized the importance of establishing a presence in Oceana County to better serve our community and…

Read more »

Letter to the Editor: Writer concerned about fire department millage defeat

August 16, 2024

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 Mason County Press, its staff or its parent company. For more information, please refer to OCP’s Letter to the Editor Policy. Dear Editor: The defeat of the…

Read more »

Hart Community Performing Arts Association to begin its 25th season

August 16, 2024

HART — The Hart Community Performing Arts Association recently announced that it will celebrate its 25th season from October of 2024 through May of 2025.  The series began in the fall of 1999 and has presented over 150 concerts in the 25 years since that date, featuring a wide range of regional, national and international artists. In addition to offering…

Read more »

Several schools offering free 4-year-old preschool

August 16, 2024

West Shore School News is a presentation of West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) still has openings for free 4-year-old preschool at several area school districts and centers, including Hart Public Schools (Diman-Wolf Early Childhood Center), Shelby Public Schools (Oceana County Early Learning Center, Shelby…

Read more »

Men(tor) at work

August 16, 2024

By Ron Beeber, Contributing Writer  PENTWATER — When Harry Brodbeck isn’t using his metalworking skills at the Pentwater Artisan Learning Center to construct a stainless steel shroud for the restored Noon Whistle, or a steel pedestal on which to display a sculpture on Pentwater Channel, he can sometimes be found mentoring youth. Other PALC members do, too.    This summer, Harry…

Read more »

HPD news, posted Aug. 16, 2024

August 16, 2024

The following is recent activity of the Hart Police Department: Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024: 10:56 a.m., wellbeing check, 100 block of Riverside Drive, City of Hart. 2:43 p.m., larceny, 10 block of Johnson Street, City of Hart. 3:39 p.m., malicious destruction of property, 20 block of Mechanic Street, City of Hart. Friday, Aug. 2, 2024: 2:07 a.m., hit-and-run crash, 4000…

Read more »

Harmful algae blooms confirmed in Bass Lake, Hamlin Lake

August 15, 2024

District Health Department #10, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy, has confirmed harmful algae blooms on Bass Lake near Pentwater and Hamlin Lake near Ludington. Harmful algae blooms were confirmed on Bass Lake Monday, Aug. 12, and Hamlin Lake Tuesday, Aug. 13. Algae blooms can form when there are high nutrient levels within bodies…

Read more »

79th District Court arraignments, posted Aug. 15, 2024

August 15, 2024

HART — The following were arraigned recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – Shawn Donald Pitre, 18, of 8444 S. James Rd., Baldwin; fleeing and eluding, operating without insurance, operating without a license; and driving an unregistered vehicle. Preliminary exam: Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. – Johnathon Loren Wishman, 37, of 9485 Chase Rd., Montague; second-degree home invasion…

Read more »

DNR offering free ORV weekend, Aug. 17-18

August 15, 2024

The second of two free off road vehicle (ORV) weekends will take place on Saturday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 18. The free weekends do not require off-road vehicles to display a Michigan Department of Natural Resources ORV license or trail permit. The free weekend is meant for Michigan’s 4,000 miles of off-road vehicle trails and routes and the state’s…

Read more »

Recent births, posted Aug. 15, 2024

August 15, 2024

Elliana Alice Houston, the daughter of Erynn Hoeker and Derrick Houston of Hart, was born on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. Unless indicated, births occurred at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.  List of 2024 births List of 2023 births     Please Help Support Local News Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. The…

Read more »