Crashes continue on slippery roads

November 20, 2014
Crashes continue on slippery roads

HART — The wintry weather continues to cause crashes on Oceana County roads, the Hart post of the Michigan State Police is reporting. A rollover in the median of US-31 near Wayne Road in Weare Township Wednesday evening at 9:05 p.m. resulted in minor injuries, the MSP reported. According to emergency radio traffic, one person was injured in the crash.…

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West Shore Bank challenging communities to stock food pantries.

November 20, 2014

LUDINGTON – West Shore Bank, along with Shop-N-Save of Ludington, Hansen Foods in Hart, and Oleson’s Foods in Manistee, are teaming up this holiday season and challenging area residents and businesses to show their “Spirit of Giving!” This is West Shore Bank’s sixth year to team up with local food store partners to offer special pricing for the purchase of…

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Oceana Foundation creates nonprofits wish lists for Giving Tuesday

November 20, 2014
Oceana Foundation creates nonprofits wish lists for Giving Tuesday

SHELBY — The giving season is soon to be upon us, starting off with a day of thanks. Quickly following are two days for getting deals — Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Now, we have Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, Dec. 2, people from around the world will come together for one common purpose:…

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School closings, Nov. 20, 2014

November 20, 2014
School closings, Nov. 20, 2014

Closings and cancellations are brought to you by Smith & Eddy Insurance of Scottville (231-757-4743), Ludington (231-845-1481) and Manistee (231-723-3500). Be sure to check them out on Facebook  and at www.smith-eddy.com.  The following are closed for Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014: – Shelby Public Schools – Walkerville Public Schools – Hart Public Schools – Pentwater Public Schools – Hesperia Public Schools

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Coat drive at West Shore Comm. College to support COVE.

November 20, 2014

VICTORY TWP. (Mason Co.) – Winter weather is here, and the honors society at West Shore Community College is trying to make the winter a little warmer for those who are struggling. Until Fri., Dec. 12, the college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is holding a coat drive to support C.O.V.E. (Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters), Mason, Lake, and Oceana County’s domestic…

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MSP offers safe winter driving tips

November 19, 2014
MSP offers safe winter driving tips

HART — With winter weather now upon us, the Michigan State Police is reminding motorists to be aware of several factors during winter driving. “Michigan weather is unpredictable any time of the year, but especially during the winter months,” said F/Lt. Jeffrey White, Hart Post commander. “The most important factor to remember is the handling capability of your car is…

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Slippery roads cause crashes

November 19, 2014
Slippery roads cause crashes

HART — Michigan State Police troopers responded to four separate crashes in Oceana County Tuesday, Nov. 18: – 9:08 a.m., one-car property damage accident, Jackson Rd., Crystal Twp. – 6:43 p.m., one-car property damage accident, 204th Ave. and Baker Rd., Newfield Twp. – 8:45 p.m., one-car property damage accident rollover, 116th Ave. and Wilke Rd., Otto Twp. – 10:16 p.m.,…

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Weather advisory in effect; check with us for cancellations.

November 19, 2014
Weather advisory in effect; check with us for cancellations.

Mason and Oceana counties continue to be under a winter weather advisory until 7 a.m. Friday. Snow is expected to increase in coverage and intensity with an addition 5 to 10 inches expected, according to the National Weather Service. We will be reporting on closings and cancellations as they are presented to us (please do not contact us about school…

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Judge Thomas retires after long career, may be next Newaygo sheriff

November 19, 2014
Judge Thomas retires after long career, may be next Newaygo sheriff

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Judge Terrence R. Thomas will step down from the bench of the 27th Circuit Court  when he retires Jan. 1, but he certainly has no plans to slow down. The judge has asked to be appointed as Newaygo County Sheriff. With the upcoming retirement of Sheriff Mike Mercer, there are two years remaining…

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Judge scolds defendant for using interpreter, rejects plea, confiscates driver’s license

November 18, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — A 44-year-old Hart man facing a cocaine possession charge got an earful from 27th Circuit Court Judge Terrence R. Thomas during his pretrial hearing Monday, Nov. 17, for bringing an English interpreter with him. Thomas scolded Juan Leonel Estrada for wasting the court’s resources. “You don’t really need an interpreter,” Thomas said. “You…

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10-year-old bags buck on his birthday

November 18, 2014
10-year-old bags buck on his birthday

FERRY TWP. — Chase Gowell received a nice gift for his 10th birthday — a 9-point buck. It was the young hunter’s first buck, which he shot on opening day of firearm season, Nov. 15, in the Ferry area. Chase is the son of Jim and Angie Grice of Montague.  

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Judge sternly lectures Electric Forest attendees about drugs

November 18, 2014
Judge sternly lectures Electric Forest attendees about drugs

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Five defendants, ranging in age from 19-23, stood before 27th Circuit Court Judge Terrence R. Thomas Monday morning, Nov. 17, and each of them received a stern a lecture about the drug charges they are facing. Each defendant appeared for a pretrial stemming from drug arrests at last summer’s Electric Forest Festival in…

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Five departments battle farm blaze

November 17, 2014
Five departments battle farm blaze

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. MONTAGUE TWP. — Approximately 30 firefighters from five departments battled a winter storm while fighting a commercial farm fire late Monday afternoon, Nov. 17, just south of the Oceana County line in Muskegon County. A barn, which appeared to be a maintenance barn, was “totally destroyed,” firefighters at the scene said, as well as an…

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Shelby firefighters buy new tracked utility vehicle for department

November 17, 2014
Shelby firefighters buy new tracked utility vehicle for department

SHELBY — A 2015 Polaris Ranger 900 EPS, purchased by the Shelby-Benona Fire Fighters Association, is the fire department’s newest firefighting tool. “This unit was purchased by the Shelby-Benona Fire Fighters Association with funds raised from the Bob and Mary Ann Hukill Memorial Fire Scramble,” states a press release from the department. “This unit, when placed into service, should give…

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Many crashes over the snowy weekend

November 17, 2014
Many crashes over the snowy weekend

HART — Michigan State Police troopers handled five separate vehicle crashes over the weekend, which brought Oceana County drivers their first taste of winter driving in many months. Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 – 7:35 a.m., one-car property damage accident, Stony Lake Rd. and 44th Ave., Claybanks Twp. – 4 p.m., malicious destruction of property, cottage siding damaged, 2000 block of…

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4 ½ pounds of pot seized

November 15, 2014
4 ½ pounds of pot seized

BROOKS TWP (Newaygo Co.) — State police troopers discovered four and a half pounds of marijuana at a residence Saturday, Nov. 15, while investigating an assault complaint, according to a press release issued by MSP. “A 55-year-old Newaygo County man has been arrested by troopers from the Michigan State Police, Hart post, for domestic violence and possession with intent to…

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$4.5 million rail trail rebuild project to start in May

November 15, 2014
$4.5 million rail trail rebuild project to start in May

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. WHITEHALL — Over 30 officials representing roughly 20 different organizations recently heard about an ambitious $4.5 million project to rebuild the 22-mile William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail this summer. Representatives from the Michigan DNR, City of Hart, City of Montague, Oceana County Parks and Recreation, West Shore Snow Council, DTE, Hart Main Street, Hart Township,…

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Amended sentences yield jail terms

November 15, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Two defendants convicted of drug charges in 27th Circuit Court last September were sent to jail Monday, Nov. 10, after receiving amended sentences. – John Thomas Pinion, 29, of 589 S. Schenley St., Youngstown, Ohio, was found guilty Sept. 29 of controlled substance, possession of a non-narcotic. He received an amended sentence of…

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