Varsity Girls Basketball: Shelby defeats Montague

January 28, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. SHELBY — The Shelby Tigers defeated the Montague Wildcats Wednesday, 63-15. Shelby scorers: Jayna Burmeister, 23 Annabelle Stark, 12 Michelle Peterson, 9 Ava Lamberg, 6 Kylie Brown, 4 Peyton Rapes, 4 Score…

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Varsity Boys Basketball: MCC overpowers Shelby in conference action

January 28, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. Photos and story by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central defeated the Shelby Tigers 64-41 in West Michigan Conference Lakes Division play Tuesday. “It came down to free throws and…

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Pirate Snowcoming royalty to be crowned Feb. 12

January 28, 2026

Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.  HART — After Snowcoming was canceled due to a snow day Jan. 23, Hart High School has rescheduled the event to Thursday, Feb. 12, right before midwinter break. The Snowcoming court will be recognized, and the king and queen will be crowned following the varsity…

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Winter weather advisory in effect until Thursday morning

January 28, 2026

OCEANA COUNTY — A winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service for several west Michigan counties, including Oceana and Mason counties, is in effect until 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29. Additional snow accumulation of up to 3 inches is expected. Slippery road conditions will persist. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes. Visibilities…

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Obituary: William Paul Askins, 92, of Hart

January 28, 2026

William Paul Askins, affectionately known by his friends and family as Bill, passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026, at his home with the love of his life, Darlene, by his side. He was born May 5, 1933, in Lima, Ohio, the son of James and Helen (Betts) Askins. Among Bill’s greatest accomplishments in life were his wife and four children,…

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Case against couple charged with baby’s death moves to circuit court

January 27, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — The criminal case against a 27-year-old mother and her 34-year-old boyfriend who are charged with multiple counts of child abuse in connection to the death of her son, 7-month-old Maverick Lyle Bouck, is being bound over to Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court. Elizabeth LynnLanor Hogan and Devin Austin Brown-Fowler, who both have the…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Jan. 27, 2026

January 27, 2026

HART — The following were sentenced this week in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Joseph Scott Summerskill, 41, pleaded guilty July 7 to methamphetamine/ecstasy possession and was sentenced Jan. 26 to 116 days in jail with credit for 116 days served; two years probation; and $598 in fines and costs. – Shelly Lynn Zastrow, 59, pleaded guilty Dec. 8…

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White Lake Drive over US 31 could remain closed until end of May

January 27, 2026

WHITEHALL, Muskegon County — The Michigan Department of Transportation announced that the damaged White Lake Drive bridge over US 31 is estimated to remain closed until May 31. “In partnership with the Muskegon County Road Commission, MDOT will repair the White Lake Drive bridge decks over northbound and southbound US 31,” states an MDOT press release. “The bridge was closed…

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Moolenaar launches re-election in Michigan’s 2nd District

January 27, 2026

John Moolenaar (R-Midland) recently announced he is running for re-election in Michigan’s Second Congressional District. “With Republicans leading in the House, real progress has been made to restore common sense in Washington and get America back on track,” states a press release from his office.. “Over the past year, Republicans have delivered major wins for working families by cutting taxes,…

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Closings and cancellations, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026

January 27, 2026

The following closings and cancellations have been reported to MCP and OCP for Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. This list may be updated. Schools: Hesperia Community Schools Manistee Area Public Schools Trinity Lutheran School, Manistee Walkerville Public Schools Athetlics Hesperia vs. Mason County Eastern girls basketball game Hart vs. Hesperia boys basketball game Hart vs. Spring Lake girls basketball game Pentwater…

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Boys Varsity Basketball: Hart defeats Western Michigan Christian

January 27, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. FRUITPORT — The Hart Pirates defeated the Western Michigan Christian Warriors Monday 48-39. Hart Coach Nick Bronsema described the game as a “grind-it-out kind of night.” “We had to grind a close…

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Employment: Student Success Facilitator

January 27, 2026

  Employment: Student Success Facilitator This is a paid posting, published until Feb. 10, 2026.

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Employment: School Bus Aide

January 27, 2026

Employment: School Bus Aide West Shore Educational Service District has a position vacancy for a Bus Aide. High School diploma required; 2 years experience working with students preferred. To view a complete job posting, please visit our website at www.wsesd.org.  Send cover letter, resume and credentials to:  Human Resources, West Shore ESD, 2130 W. US 10, Ludington, MI 49431 or…

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Employment: Middle School Interventionist Instructional Assistant

January 27, 2026

Employment: Middle School Interventionist Instructional Assistant This is a paid posting, published until Feb. 10, 2026. 

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Employment: Special Education Paraprofessional

January 27, 2026

Employment: Special Education Paraprofessional West Shore Educational Service District has a position vacancy for a Special Education Paraprofessional.  High School diploma required; 2 years experience preferred. To view a complete job posting, please visit our website at www.wsesd.org.  Send cover letter, resume and credentials to:  Human Resources, West Shore ESD, 2130 W. US 10, Ludington, MI 49431 or via email…

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Varsity Girls Basketball: Orioles break Tigers’ winning streak

January 26, 2026

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals. SHELBY — The Ludington Orioles broke the Shelby Tigers’ nine game winning streak Monday. LHS was victorious 44-30. “This was a very good win against a very talented and well coached Shelby basketball…

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Meth dealer sentenced to prison

January 26, 2026

Over 80 grams of meth confiscated by police By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 48-year-old Muskegon man convicted by a jury last month of four felony counts in connection to a meth dealing operation was sentenced to prison Monday, Jan. 26, in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court. Joshua Charles Averill was sentenced by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski to…

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Fire destroys house, cats die in blaze

January 26, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART TOWNSHIP — A house in the 2700 block of N. 64th Avenue was destroyed by fire Monday morning, Jan. 26. “It’s a total loss,” said Michigan State Police Sgt. Michael Cuevas who responded to the scene.  Firefighters from Hart, Shelby-Benona and Pentwater were dispatched to the scene in the frigid cold at 9:20 a.m.,…

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Police news, published Jan. 26, 2026

January 26, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is recent police activity in Oceana County: Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026: 9:51 p.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), a 42-year-old New Era man was arrested for domestic violence, 5300 block of South Oceana Drive, Grant Township. He was lodged in the Oceana…

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Winter weather advisory issued

January 26, 2026

OCEANA COUNTY — A winter weather advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for west Michigan — including Oceana and Mason counties — beginning at midnight Monday, Jan. 26, through 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27. Expect total snow accumulation between 2 and 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause blowing and drifting snow and…

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Obituary: Donna Jean Herremans, 90, of Walkerville

January 26, 2026

Donna Jean Herremans, 90, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, January 23, 2026, with much love and support from her family. She was preceded in death by: her parents, Gordon and Esther (Ford) Kingsford; husband of 68 years, John Herremans; beloved son, Patrick ‘Pat’ Neil Herremans; and sisters, Nancy Dickinson and Francis Afton. She will…

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