Newaygo County jury acquits man of CSC charges

March 24, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor WHITE CLOUD — A jury found a 52-year-old man not guilty of all charges in a child sex case in Newaygo County’s 27th Circuit Court Thursday, March 19. Samuel Robert King was accused of sexually assaulting a girl who was 12 years old at the time, Jan. 1, 2023 in the City of Newaygo. After…

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Obituary: Charles Wesley Kiogima, 92, of Hart

March 24, 2026

Charles Wesley Kiogima, 92, of Hart, passed away Friday, March 20, 2026, at his home. He was born Oct. 12, 1933, in Petoskey. Chuck served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserve from 1953 to 1958. He was employed by S.D. Warren as a machinist and mechanic for 42 years, retiring in 1996. Chuck was a member of the…

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Varsity Girls Track: Hart season opens at Grand Valley State with multiple medalists

March 23, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Smith & Eddy Insurance and Michelle and Andrew Thomas. Report compiled by Kai Taylor, MCP Sports Reporter ALLENDALE: The Hart Pirates opened up their track season this past Friday with an impressive outing at Grand Valley State University, which featured over 39 schools competing.…

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Hart High School students explore professions during Career Day

March 23, 2026

Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.  HART — Hart High School students had an opportunity to learn about several different professions during Career Day, March 18. “Students selected five sessions from the list of presenters that they wanted to listen to during 25-minute sessions,” said Hart High School Principal Brandon Bruce.…

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Police news, published March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

The following is recent police activity in Oceana County: Monday, March 16, 2026: 1:03 p.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), an 83-year-old Rothbury man was cited for driving while license revoked, M 20 and Oceana Drive, Shelby Township. 3:50 p.m., (Michigan State Police), a minor injury was reported in a one-vehicle crash, US 31 north of Tyler Road, Hart Township. Tuesday,…

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Sports coverage support, sponsors needed

March 23, 2026

We are still seeking sponsors to support our continued coverage of local school sports. This winter, Mason County Press and Oceana County Press began expanding sports coverage. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many readers expressing appreciation for the service. However, this added coverage also brings additional expenses. There are several ways you can help: Business or individual sponsorships:…

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Employment: K-12 Art Teacher

March 23, 2026

Employment: K-12 Art Teacher Mason County Central School District is hiring a K-12 Art Teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. For details and to apply go to: www.mccschools.org. Job ID#649 Application deadline: April 13, 2026, 4 p.m. This is a paid posting. Published until April 7, 2026

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79th District Court arraignments, published March 19, 2026

March 19, 2026

HART — The following were arraigned recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Felonies David Jon Richter, 51, of Walkerville, larceny of a firearm. Offense date: Feb. 9, 2026. Agency: Oceana County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO). Bail: $1,000/personal recognizance (PR). Preliminary exam: March 31 at 1 p.m. Bernard John Norkett, 59, of Muskegon, methamphetamine possession and bringing contraband into a prison/jail.…

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HPD news, published March 19, 2026

March 19, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent activity of the Hart Police Department: Thursday, March 12, 2026: 8 a.m., assault and battery, 300 block of Johnson Street, City of Hart. 8:50 p.m., suspicious situation, 400 block of Polk Road, City of Hart. 3:15 p.m., disturbance, 300…

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Recent death: Laurence Richard Frishett, 84, of Hart

March 19, 2026

Laurence Richard Frishett, 84, of Hart, died on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at his home. Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 3 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2026, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, 2370 North 72nd Avenue, Hart with Fr. Phillip Sliwinski presiding. Visitation will be on Friday from 1 p.m. until time of service at the funeral…

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Eight Shelby choir students qualify for state solo and ensemble

March 18, 2026

SHELBY — All eight Shelby High School choir students who recently performed in district solo and ensemble qualified for the state competition at Big Rapids High School. “Shelby choir students recently had some students go to district solo and ensemble,” said Shelby Director of Choirs Gustavo Morales. “All students that went must perform two pieces by memory in front of…

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M 20 tunnel project underway

March 17, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Construction of a $2.6 million pedestrian tunnel that will cross M 20 to Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo began March 9, and the project is moving along according to schedule. M 20/Stony Lake Road is closed to traffic between 68th and 72nd avenues in the vicinity of the construction site. “We got…

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State grant awarded to preserve Pentwater Township Cemetery’s historic graves

March 17, 2026

PENTWATER TOWNSHIP — The Michigan Dunes Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) has been awarded a $2,578.30 state grant to preserve the historic graves in the Pentwater Township Cemetery. The funds are spearheaded for the “America 250 Legacy Project: Protecting the Historic Graves of Pentwater Township Cemetery,” according to a press release from the…

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Fruit tree pruning workshop set for Saturday

March 17, 2026

WEARE TOWNSHIP — Do you have a desire to start a small-scale orchard in your backyard or have established trees and want to learn more about how to care for them?  Join a hands-on fruit tree pruning workshop at the West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center, at 5185 N. Oceana Dr. Saturday, March 21, from 1-3 p.m.  The program…

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News alert: Crash on US 31 near Hart

March 16, 2026

HART TOWNSHIP — Emergency crews were dispatched to a vehicle crash involving a minor injury on southbound US 31 north of Polk Road Monday, March 16, around 3:45 p.m. There was a reported semi crash on northbound US 31 near Shelby Road around 3 p.m. Monday, which caused the highway in that area to be closed temporarily. No injuries were…

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Church members, police meet to focus on safety 

March 16, 2026

SHELBY — Approximately 65 people representing about 25 different Oceana County churches and several local police officers attended the Oceana County Church Safety Network kick-off meeting at Shelby Road Baptist Church, March 9. The meeting opened with a video outlining why it is necessary for rural churches to take necessary steps to ensure congregant safety, said Oceana County Undersheriff Ryan…

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Closings and cancellations for Tuesday, March 17, 2026

March 16, 2026

The following closings and cancellations have been reported to MCP and OCP for Tuesday, March 17, 2026. This list may be updated. Schools: Fountain Child Development Center Hart Public School District Ludington Area School District Ludington Catholic School Mason County Central School District including Victory Early Childhood Center Mason County Eastern School District Pentwater Public Schools Walkerville Public School West…

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Winter storm delays superintendent selection

March 16, 2026

HART — The Hart Public Schools Board of Education meeting that was scheduled for Monday, March 16, at 6 p.m. has been canceled due to a winter storm. The board was slated to make its selection for the new superintendent following a meet-and-greet with the candidates and second-round interviews. The meeting is now rescheduled for Monday, March 23.  Following first-round…

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Sheriff’s report, published March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent activity of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office: Tuesday, March 10, 2026: 3:05 a.m., a 46-year-old Twin Lake man was arrested on a warrant, Wesco, Village of Rothbury. A charge of methamphetamine possession is pending lab results of the substance.…

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HPD news, published March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent activity of the Hart Police Department: Thursday, March 5, 2026: 3:41 a.m., suspicious situation, 4000 block of Polk Road, City of Hart. Friday, March 6, 2026: 12:04 a.m., traffic hazard, 72nd Avenue and Polk Road, City of Hart. 2:27…

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Scam targets sex offender registrants

March 16, 2026

HART — The Hart post of the Michigan State Police is warning residents that there is a phone scam targeting sex offender registrants. The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office notified residents of a similar scam last August. The caller is claiming to be ‘Trooper Callahan,’ who does not exist, said MSP Sgt. Cuevas. “He is claiming to be assigned to the…

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