Robber pleads guilty

May 27, 2015
Robber pleads guilty

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — The 29-year-old Hart man accused of the strong-arm robbery at the Hart Express EZ Mart/Mobile gas station last month who fled from police the following day pleaded guilty as charged Wednesday, May 27, in 27th Circuit Court. Robert Charles Brown pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery, which is a felony punishable by up to…

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Restaurant arsonist sentenced to jail, $46,000 restitution

May 27, 2015
Restaurant arsonist sentenced to jail, $46,000 restitution

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — The Hesperia House co-owner and former Hesperia village councilman who burned his restaurant over a year ago was sentenced to serve 90 days up front of a nine-month discretionary jail sentence Wednesday, May 27, in 27th Circuit Court, and must pay over $46,000 in restitution to the restaurant’s insurance company. David Sean Pates, 33,…

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Hesperia man awaiting psych testing in CSC case

May 26, 2015
Hesperia man awaiting psych testing in CSC case

HART — A 21-year-old Hesperia man has been referred to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Ypsilanti where he will undergo a psychiatric exam to determine if he is mentally competent to stand trial on a criminal sexual conduct (CSC) charge involving an alleged sexual relationship with an underage female. Anthony James Thomas faces one count of first-degree CSC, which…

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Wesco crash leads to traffic ticket, $4,000 restitution

May 26, 2015
Wesco crash leads to traffic ticket, $4,000 restitution

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. ROTHBURY — A 33-year-old Rothbury man who was arrested last month in connection to a crash at the Wesco convenience store the night of April 8, in which a natural gas line was severed, will plead this week to a civil infraction, avoiding criminal prosecution, Oceana County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey Kabot said. John David…

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Start of Summer party June 7

May 26, 2015

PENTWATER — The 19th Annual Pentwater Start of Summer Party is set for Sunday, June 7, at 5 p.m. on Hancock Street in front of the village hall. The event is free and open to the public. Hot dogs, chips and soft drinks will be provided. People planning to attend are asked to bring a dish to share, such as…

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Boat larceny, storage facility break-in

May 26, 2015
Boat larceny, storage facility break-in

The police news is sponsored by VanderHaag Car Sales of Scottville, 231-757-2727, www.vanderhaagcarsales.com and Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart),www.springsteadlaw.com. PENTWATER TWP. — The Hart post of the Michigan State Police is investigating a larceny of a boat reported Friday, May 22, at 4:45 p.m. in the 8000 block of North Oceana Drive. In a…

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Recent deaths, May 25, 2015.

May 25, 2015

Jewel Long, 67, of Hart, died Sunday, May 24, 2015.  Arrangements by Harris Funeral Home, Shelby. Robert E. Sullivan, 86, of Muskegon and formerly of Shelby, died Friday, May 22, 2015.  Arrangements by Harris Funeral Home, Shelby. Mary Punches, 76, of Shelby, died Thurs. May 21, 2015.  Arrangements by Harris Funeral Home, Shelby. Patricia Carignan, 69, of Rothbury, died Tuesday,…

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City manager’s street work update

May 24, 2015

HART — The following is a report from City Manager Stan Rickard regarding the Johnson/Water Street Project: “Thank you for your patience during the pre-project utilities relocation phase (electric, telephone and cable lines) and upgrades (gas mains). Utility crews will continue their relocation work until Hallack Contracting of Hart mobilizes on June 8 for the water and sewer replacement phase…

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Oceana Golf Club hosts high school district tourney

May 24, 2015
Oceana Golf Club hosts high school district tourney

Story Contributed By Fred Inglis. Inglis is a 22-year sports reporter/anchor for KTVU – TV in Oakland, Calif. and a two-time Emmy winner. SHELBY — The Oceana Golf Club put up a brave fight during the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s District Tournament Thursday, May 21, but Team Ludington brought the 53-year-old course to its knees. The Orioles were runaway…

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Court violation, assault

May 22, 2015
Court violation, assault

The police news is sponsored by VanderHaag Car Sales of Scottville, 231-757-2727, www.vanderhaagcarsales.com and Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart),www.springsteadlaw.com. The following is activity in Oceana County of the Hart post of the Michigan State Police Thursday, May 21, 2015: – 1:29 p.m., court violation, 5000 block of E. Skeels Rd., Greenwood Twp. – 7:15…

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Man paralyzed in dune crash

May 22, 2015
Man paralyzed in dune crash

GOLDEN TWP. — A 20-year-old Detroit man “with no movement to his limbs,” police said, was airlifted to Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids following a crash at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes Thursday, May 21, at 4:52 p.m. Treyvon Barney Khalil was operating a 1997 Yamaha Banshee quad between the south and north flats “at a high rate of speed,”…

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78th District Court sentencings

May 21, 2015
78th District Court sentencings

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART – The following were sentenced Monday, May 18, in 78th District Court: – Troy Morden Lutzke, 45, of 5589 N. Maple Island Rd., Walkerville, was found guilty May 18 of operating while intoxicated and driving while license suspended (DWLS). He was sentenced to nine days in jail; 93 days discretionary jail to ensure compliance…

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Suspended license arrest

May 21, 2015
Suspended license arrest

The police news is sponsored by VanderHaag Car Sales of Scottville, 231-757-2727, www.vanderhaagcarsales.com and Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart),www.springsteadlaw.com. GRANT TWP. — A 27-year-old Rothbury man was arrested by Michigan State Police troopers from the Hart post for driving while license suspended Monday, May 18, at 4:35 p.m. at 88th Avenue and Winston Road.…

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Man packs up for fishing trip; equipment is stolen overnight

May 20, 2015
Man packs up for fishing trip; equipment is stolen overnight

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. GRANT TWP. — A Montague man, who packed up his pickup truck the night before a fishing trip to his cabin, woke up the next morning and discovered someone had stolen his valuable belongings, including a power log splitter valued at nearly $2,000. The larceny in the 3200 block of West Webster Road was reported to…

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Old Glory flies high for late WWII vet Milt Pugsley

May 20, 2015
Old Glory flies high for late WWII vet Milt Pugsley

Contributed by Ron Beeber. PENTWATER — There’s nothing quite like walking down a community’s main street when both sides are lined with stars and stripes. That feeling of patriotism will take on an even deeper meaning this Memorial Day. Pentwater Service Club members paid tribute to fellow member and World War II veteran Milt Pugsley, who passed away May 1, by…

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Teens’ conspiracy case remanded to juvenile court

May 20, 2015

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Two 14-year-old Hesperia boys who were facing charges as adults of conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping and rape have been remanded to family court, where they will now be prosecuted as juveniles. “The two boys that had been charged as adults have had their cases remanded by agreement of the parties to the 27th…

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Who will be the next Asparagus Queen?

May 20, 2015
Who will be the next Asparagus Queen?

SHELBY — Two women are vying for the 2015 Asparagus Queen title during the National Asparagus Festival’s Banquet and Pageant set for Saturday, June 6, at 6 p.m. at Shelby High School. The formal evening includes a spectacular dinner, music and entertainment. Tickets will be available on the merchandise page of the NAF web site prior to the event and…

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Third suspect arrested in connection to Ludington meth lab

May 19, 2015

PENTWATER TWP. —  A third suspect in connection to a Ludington meth lab on North Harrison Street was arrested Monday, May 18, according to a State Sheriffs Chiefs Enforcement Narcotics Team (SSCENT) press release Kenneth James Purple, 25, of Scottville, was arraigned in 79th District Court on felony charges of operating/maintaining a laboratory involving methamphetamine and delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine. He…

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Possible frost tonight threatens asparagus; worker shortage continues

May 19, 2015
Possible frost tonight threatens asparagus; worker shortage continues

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Since the asparagus season began two weeks ago, Oceana farmers and processors have been experiencing a major worker shortage. Now, a cold front that hit overnight Monday, May 18, is threatening crops as forecasters are saying there is a possibility of frost Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. “If we get frost, it could be a…

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TEAM building

May 18, 2015
TEAM building

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Hart Middle School fifth graders have spent the last nine weeks learning about ways to prevent crime; promote safety; and serve as good citizens, during the TEAM program with instructor Sgt. Kevin Skipski of the Hart Police Department. Skipski, Hart Police Chief Dan Leimback and the middle school teachers involved in this year’s…

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Obituary: Dixie Lee Fralic, 58, Hart.

May 18, 2015
Obituary: Dixie Lee Fralic, 58, Hart.

Dixie Lee Fralic, 58 of Hart, formerly of Manistee passed away on Friday, May 15 at her home surrounded by her family after a hard fought fight with cancer.  She won the battle and now celebrates with her savior in heaven. Dixie was born on September 29, 1956 in Frankfort, the daughter of Robert and Norma (Soper) Schimke, and graduated…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks