Hart’s growing rental housing market sparks need for inspections

April 23, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART – Approximately 25 percent of housing in the city is rental property, and officials are aiming to regulate it. City council discussed Tuesday night the need for inspections of rental property, and it is getting closer to making those inspections mandatory. Last November, Mayor Fred LaPorte appointed five members to a housing board of…

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Partly cloudy today

April 22, 2014
Partly cloudy today

Today’s weather report is brought to you by Frontier Communications. High speed Internet starting at $19.99 a month. www.frontier.com; 1-888-770-6869.  Tuesday, April 22, 2014: Partly cloudy. High near 45 F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Sunset: 8:37 p.m.  Tonight, generally clear. Low 31F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Wednesday, April 23, 2014: Sunrise: 6:50 a.m. Except for a few…

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Michigan fire season builds during wildfire prevention week

April 21, 2014

Most of Michigan’s wildfires occur in the spring – April, May and June. According to the Department of Natural Resources, which is responsible for wildland fire protection on 30 million acres of state and private land, April is when wildfires start becoming a problem. During the state’s annual observance of Wildfire Prevention Week, April 20-26, the DNR reminds the public about the dangers of…

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State-licensed commercial fishing up more than 35 percent in value over 2012

April 19, 2014

The Department of Natural Resources’ Fisheries Division recently released data from its 2013 state-licensed commercial fishing season. Combined, the state-licensed commercial fishery caught more than 3.6 million pounds of fish with an estimated wholesale dockside value of roughly $5.53 million prior to processing, marketing and retail sales. The state’s total harvest was about 150,000 pounds less than in 2012 due to lower reported catches…

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78th District Court arraignments

April 18, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART – The following were arraigned recently in 78th District Court: –       Adam Blake Riddle, 24, of 523 S. Water St., Hart, was arrested April 4 by the Hart Police Department (HPD) for a misdemeanor of driving while license suspended (DWLS). A pretrial is set for April 29 at 10:30 a.m. Bail: $1,500/personal. –       Catherine Marie…

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78th District Court sentencings

April 18, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART – The following were sentenced recently in 78th District Court: –         Jared Lincoln Albus, 19, of 2951 N. 56th Ave., Hart, was found guilty April 14 of larceny less than $200 and sentenced to $591 in fines, costs and restitution and 93 days discretionary jail. –         Raymond Lee Stafford, 24, of 875 Menominee St., Norton…

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Man who killed Trooper Butterfield is dead

April 18, 2014
Man who killed Trooper Butterfield is dead

LANSING — Eric Knysz, the 20-year-old Irons resident who killed Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, is dead. According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, Knysz was removed from life support at 10:30 a.m. Thursday while housed at Allegiance Health Hospital in Jackson. Knysz hung himself with a bed sheet Monday at the Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center…

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Health Department advises no contact with flood waters

April 18, 2014

District Health Department #10 advises residents to take precautions for personal safety to prevent waterborne infections that may result from contact with contaminated flood waters. Flooding and power outages can threaten water quality due to well water pump failures and overflowing septic systems.   The Health Department recommends the following safety precautions: Avoid any body contact with floodwaters. Wear protective…

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High rivers are not fishable rivers

April 18, 2014
High rivers are not fishable rivers

For the Love of Fishing. A blog by Sean McDonald. The 4 inches plus of rain has changed the river fishing and now all of our rivers are not fishable until at least the weekend from a boat. The rivers now are very angry. The Pere Marquette, Manistee, Muskegon and White rivers are at their highest levels since the fall…

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High near 48 on this beautiful spring day

April 16, 2014
High near 48 on this beautiful spring day

Today’s weather report is brought to you by Frontier Communications. High speed Internet starting at $19.99 a month. www.frontier.com; 1-888-770-6869.  Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. High 48 F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Sunset: 8:31 p.m.  Tonight, cloudy. Low around 36 F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph.…

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Dostal earns top hospital executive credential

April 15, 2014
Dostal earns top hospital executive credential

LUDINGTON — Drew H. Dostal, vice president of operations at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, recently became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the premier credential for hospital executives. Dostal was appointed to his present position in September, 2013. He had previously been senior director of surgical and ambulatory services and has been on the hospital staff…

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Shelby selects new clerk amidst controversy over former clerk’s departure

April 15, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. SHELBY – The Shelby Village Council voted 5-1 Monday night to offer Julie Schultz the part-time clerk position, replacing Peggy Miller who resigned last month after eight years on the job. The village will offer Schultz $12.50 per hour for the 32-hour position, with three paid sick days to start and five personal time off…

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Shelby council moves forward with new village hall

April 15, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. SHELBY – The Shelby Village Council moved one step closer toward its new village hall last night when it approved the floor plan for remodeling the former Lakeshore Medical space where the new hall will be housed. Council approved the motion with 5-1 vote. Councilwoman Sharita Prowant cast the dissenting vote. Councilman Ben Michalko was absent.…

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Trooper killer Eric Knysz attempts suicide

April 14, 2014
Trooper killer Eric Knysz attempts suicide

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. JACKSON — Eric Knysz, the man who killed Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, has attempted to commit suicide, a Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman has confirmed. Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Judge Richard Cooper sentenced the 20-year-old Irons resident last week to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the Sept. 9, 2013…

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Citizens, agencies honored for trying to save Trooper Butterfield

April 14, 2014
Citizens, agencies honored for trying to save Trooper Butterfield

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.  LUDINGTON — A special recognition ceremony honoring those who were part of the emergency response to the Sept. 9, 2013 murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield was held this afternoon at the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce/Mason County Airport complex. Connie Helton along with Chuck and Shannon Comstock were the first people…

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Rain and snow continuing today and tonight

April 14, 2014
Rain and snow continuing today and tonight

Today’s weather report is brought to you by Frontier Communications. High speed Internet starting at $19.99 a month. www.frontier.com; 1-888-770-6869.  Monday, April 14, 2014. Windy with rain and snow showers throughout the day. Cold with temperatures nearly steady in the mid-30s. Winds, NNW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of precipitation, 60%. Humidity, 72%. Sunset: 8:28 p.m.  Tonight, scattered snow showers during…

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Spring storm wreaks havoc in Oceana County

April 13, 2014
Spring storm wreaks havoc in Oceana County

By Allison Scarbrough and Rob Alway. WEARE TWP. — Bert Vandenhuevel was hanging out with his sons in the mancave Saturday night when they heard what sounded like a freight train come by. Moments later, wind wreaked havoc at the Washington Road residents in Weare Township. “I swear it was a tornado,” he said. A section of a large tree…

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Storm causes power outages throughout county

April 13, 2014

A storm that went across the entire county Saturday night caused power outages throughout the county. Readers from Crystal Valley, southern Oceana, Pentwater, Hart and Mears reported power outages. The National Weather Service issued a severe storm warning around 5 p.m. A second line of storms was heading through the area around midnight. Strong winds caused damage just across the…

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Area under severe thunderstorm warning

April 12, 2014
Area under severe thunderstorm warning

Today’s weather report is brought to you by Frontier Communications. High speed Internet starting at $19.99 a month. www.frontier.com; 1-888-770-6869.  Saturday, April 12, 2014. A severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect for Muskegon, southeastern Oceana and Newaygo counties until 5:30 p.m. At 4:58 p.m. a severe thunderstorm was located near clear lake and moving east at 45 mph. There is a…

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Easter activities are planned for this weekend and next weekend

April 11, 2014

Sunday, April 13 –         Kids of all ages are invited to a Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt at the Oceana Center Grange, at 55 W. Scout Rd., Hart, at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 19 –         Easter on the Green will take place at noon on the Pentwater Village Green. Bring the children to meet the Easter Bunny, enjoy an egg hunt, bonnet contest and fun activities. –         Have a hopping…

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Sun and clouds mixed today

April 11, 2014
Sun and clouds mixed today

Today’s weather report is brought to you by Frontier Communications. High speed Internet starting at $19.99 a month. www.frontier.com; 1-888-770-6869.  Friday, April 11, 2014. Sun and clouds mixed today with a high of 59 degrees F. Winds, south-southwest at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain, 20%. Humidity, 46%. Sunset: 8:24 p.m.  Tonight, partly cloudy with a low of 38 F.…

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Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks

Eats & Drinks