Road work project on Oceana Drive south of Shelby set to begin Sept. 2

August 18, 2025

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced a road construction project on Oceana Drive (old US 31) from M 20 to south of the Shelby village limits is scheduled for Sept. 2 through Oct. 20. “The project consists of 2.26 miles of hot mix asphalt cold milling and resurfacing and pavement markings on Old US 31 (Oceana…

Read more »

Man arrested for meth possession, multiple other charges

August 18, 2025

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com.  GRANT TOWNSHIP — A 46-year-old Paris, Mich. man was arrested on charges of methamphetamine possession, carrying a concealed weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, driving while license suspended, open intoxicants in a vehicle and a registration violation Monday, Aug. 18, just before…

Read more »

Death notice: Michael (Mike) Jewett, 69, formerly of Pentwater

August 18, 2025

Michael (Mike) Jewett, 69, formerly of Pentwater, lost his long battle with that damn cancer on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. A celebration of life will be held August 23, 2025 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Walicki Woods, 3455 N Stiles Road Ludington (Riverton Township). Please grab your chair, your choice of beverage and join his family and friends in…

Read more »

Shooting suspect shot dead by officer

August 17, 2025

Stapel’s trailer burned down last Monday By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Following an hours-long manhunt in Mears that locked down Silver Lake area residents and businesses Sunday, Aug. 17, a shooting suspect was shot by an officer, according to the Michigan State Police. Don Albert Stapel, Jr,, 59, is dead, and the community is now safe. The…

Read more »

Shooting suspect dead — ‘The threat has been neutralized’

August 17, 2025

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Suspected shooter Don Albert Stapel, Jr., 59, is dead, according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. “The threat has been neutralized,” said Sheriff Mast around 7 p.m. Sunday, confirming that Stapel is deceased. “The community is safe.” He could not provide any further details, because the case is being handled by the Michigan State Police. Law enforcement…

Read more »

Suspected gunman on the run in Mears had previous charges pending

August 17, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — The suspected gunman on the loose in Mears, 59-year-old Don Albert Stapel Jr., has misdemeanor charges pending in Oceana County’s 79th District Court. Michigan State Police released an updated photo of Stapel, which is a booking mugshot. Stapel faces charges of larceny less than $200 and trespassing and is scheduled for a…

Read more »

Updated photo released of suspected gunman on the run in Mears

August 17, 2025

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Michigan State Police have released an updated photograph of the suspected gunman on the loose in the Silver Lake area. Law enforcement is on a manhunt for accused shooter Don Albert Stapel, Jr., 59, Sunday, Aug. 17. Stapel was last known to be wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans, police said. MSP is asking residents in…

Read more »

Manhunt continues for suspected gunman

August 17, 2025

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Law enforcement is on an hours-long manhunt for accused shooter Don Albert Stapel, Jr., 59, in the Silver Lake community Sunday, Aug. 17. Michigan State Police are asking residents in the 7500 block of Fox Road in Mears to shelter in place as they search for Stapel in the woods. A person was shot in the leg,…

Read more »

Gunman on the loose in Silver Lake

August 17, 2025

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — A person was shot in the leg Sunday, Aug. 17, and the gunman is on the loose in the Silver Lake community, according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The person who was shot was still alive as far as the sheriff knew as of 2 p.m. Sunday. Sheriff Mast declined confirming any other information, because the…

Read more »

Wife charged with open murder for shooting husband

August 15, 2025

HART — Shale Nicole Campos, 46, was arraigned in Oceana County’s 79th District Court Friday, Aug. 15, on charges of open murder and felony firearm for the shooting death of her husband, Jason Campos. “Campos has been charged with the murder of her husband, Jason Campos, at their residence on East Buchanan Road in Ferry Township in the morning hours…

Read more »

News alert: car fire on northbound US 31

August 15, 2025

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Emergency crews responded to a car fire on northbound US 31 north of New Era Friday, Aug. 15, around 6:15 p.m. No injuries were reported.

Read more »

Woman arrested in connection to Shelby man’s murder

August 15, 2025

FERRY TOWNSHIP — A 46-year-old Ferry Township woman has been arrested in connection to the homicide of a 46-year-old Shelby man, said Oceana County Undersheriff Ryan Schiller in a press release Friday, Aug. 15. “On Aug. 15, 2025 at approximately 1 a.m., detectives arrested a 46-year-old Ferry Township woman in connection with the reported homicide from the morning’s incident located…

Read more »

Pike Road bridge permanently closed

August 15, 2025

BENONA TOWNSHIP — Pike Road bridge, located between 48th and 56th avenues, is permanently closed, according to the Oceana County Road Commission. “The bridge beams and the structure under the deck have rusted to the point where it won’t support any traffic, so we had to close it permanently,” said OCRC Managing Director Mark Timmer. _________________________ Please Support Local News…

Read more »

Employment: Student Aide Positions, Ludington Area School District

August 15, 2025

Employment: Student Aide Positions, Ludington Area School District Ludington Area School District has the following Student Aide positions available: Ludington Elementary School Student Aide (LES7) – 6 hours per school day: Title 4 hours. The job requires the individual be Highly Qualified. Work with staff to plan and facilitate literacy interventions for small groups of students according to literacy intervention…

Read more »

Recent death: Zeferino Villanueva Jr., 55, of Pentwater

August 15, 2025

  Please note that the visitation times have changed. Zeferino Villanueva Jr., 55, of Pentwater, died on Friday, August 15, 2025. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. A graveside service will follow at 4 p.m. at Center Riverton…

Read more »

Obituary: Carol Marjean Riley, 93, of Grand Rapids

August 15, 2025

Carol Marjean Riley, 93, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2025 at Faith Hospice – Trillium Woods. Born on December 23, 1931, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, to Franklin Meade McWethy and Velma Lucile Richards, Carol lived a life marked by devotion to her family, Christian faith, and community. Carol was one of six children, with three brothers and…

Read more »

Employment: Bus Driver, MCC Schools

August 15, 2025

Employment: Bus Driver, MCC Schools Mason County Central School District/METS as an opening for a Bus Driver. $500 sign-on bonus 4.58 hours per day at $18.75 per hour. 180 days per year; 20 paid days off. Paid training! Call 231-757-3711 or click here. This is a paid posting. Published until Aug. 31, 2025. 

Read more »

Police investigate shooting death of Shelby man

August 14, 2025

FERRY TOWNSHIP — A 46-year-old Shelby man died after being shot Thursday, Aug. 14, shortly after 7 a.m. in the 4000 block of East Buchanan Road, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. “On Aug. 14, 2025 at 7:12 a.m. Oceana County Sheriff’s deputies and Michigan State Police troopers were dispatched to an address in the 4000 block of East Buchanan…

Read more »

Hart restaurant owners found guilty of burning down White Cloud restaurant

August 14, 2025

WHITE CLOUD — The owners of Charlie’s Family Grill on Polk Road in Hart were found guilty by a jury Wednesday, Aug. 13, of burning down their White Cloud restaurant. A jury rendered guilty verdicts in Newaygo County’s 27th Circuit Court for Ryan Allen Robinson, 32, and his father David Joseph Robinson, 52. The son was found guilty of one…

Read more »

Major road construction project planned in Montague in 2027

August 14, 2025

MONTAGUE — The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced a resurfacing project and potential lane reconfiguration on Business Route US 31 between the White River bridge and Stanton Street is scheduled to begin in 2027. MDOT is hosting a public meeting Thursday, Aug. 21, from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Montague City Hall. “MDOT officials will provide current project details, scheduling…

Read more »

Fun, flavor and family activities focus of Shelby Fruit Festival this Saturday

August 14, 2025

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Fruit Festival returns to Shelby Township Community Park Saturday, Aug. 16, promising a day full of community celebration, local flavor and family fun.  From noon to 6 p.m., guests will enjoy free admission to an event packed with live entertainment, delicious food and activities for all ages. The festival features local food trucks, including Big…

Read more »