Monica May Baranski, 87, of Shelby, passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2025. She was born May 4, 1938, in Detroit, the daughter of Stanley and Elizabeth (Ziobron) Wierzbicki. Following high school, Monica worked as a comptroller for the railroad. She had various hobbies, including sewing and jigsaw puzzles, but most of all she loved spending time with her family. Monica…
FERRY TOWNSHIP — A 31-year-old Hesperia man was arrested on charges of fleeing and eluding police, operating with a high blood alcohol content (.17 or higher)/super drunk driving, second-offense driving while license revoked and parole violation Sunday, June 29, at 8:20 p.m. on East Garfield Road near 154th Avenue, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. During the police chase, the…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor CLAYBANKS TOWNSHIP — Less than a month after artillery mortars from the former US Army training base, Camp Claybanks, were discovered at a residence, an artillery shell from the military camp was found in Lake Michigan, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The first mortars were uncovered in a culvert underneath a resident’s driveway, June…
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old Oceana County man was sentenced to 20-80 years in prison in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, July 1, for the fentanyl death of his friend. A jury found Travis Michael Gale guilty, March 24, of delivery of a controlled substance causing death, delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine and delivery/manufacture of cocaine, heroin or another…
Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press. HART — The following were named to the Hart High School honor roll for the fourth marking period: High honors Seniors Adams, Devyn Lynn Arjona, Brianna Marie Bizon, Joseph John Bolan, Janice Rose Brown, Rhylly J-Lynn Bustos, Joshua Ethan Jordan Carter, Brooklyn Ava Case, Reagan…
The following are fireworks shows on tap this week in celebration of the Fourth of July: Wednesday, July 2: Hart Sparks, downtown Hart, dusk Thursday, July 3: Pentwater Fireworks, Charles State Park, dusk Friday, July 4: Thunder over the Dunes, Silver Lake Sand Dunes, dusk Friday, July 4: Hesperia Family Fun Fest, downtown Hesperia, dusk Have a safe and happy…
HART — The Hart High School Class of 1995 is having a 30-year reunion Saturday, Aug. 16, from 6-10 p.m. at the Colonial Golf Course. The cost is $20 per person and includes dinner — mini pulled pork sandwiches, pasta salad, veggies, fruit, chips and more. There will be a cash bar. RSVP with Courtney at 616-915-8457. ________________________ Please Support…
Chief Roy Strait turns 88 years old July 3 By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor NEW ERA — New Era Police Chief Roy Strait is hanging up his police officer hat after a 61-year career in law enforcement. Chief Strait’s last day on the job will be Thursday, July 3, which is also his 88th birthday. The chief’s long career in…
Boaters can expect to see an increased law enforcement presence on the water, including sobriety checkpoints and targeted patrols. PENTWATER – The Fourth of July holiday weekend is one of the busiest times of the year on the water, with millions of boaters across the United States taking to lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. This increased activity often leads to…
Elsa F. Creed, laid down her sword for the final time on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in her fierce fight against cancer. She did not lose the battle, but simply grew too weary to carry on. Elsa Flores made her debut on July 5, 1949, in Alice, Texas, to Catalina and Ernesto. She was the third child in a family…
The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. Monday, June 23, 2025: 8:57 p.m,. A 27-year-old Linden, Michigan man was arrested for probation violation and operating under the influence of drugs, 8600 block of Silver Lake Road, Golden Township. A charge of possession with intent to deliver is pending lab analysis…
OCP readers help find suspect HESPERIA — The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office “has identified a suspect and is working through the investigation” in a counterfeit money case, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The sheriff’s office was seeking a person of interest in the crime, which occurred at Ed’s Orchard Market in Hesperia. “The suspect was identified through the OCP…
HART — The following were arraigned recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – Tony Liu, 27, of Swedesboro, New Jersey; delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance — cocaine, heroin or another narcotic less than 50 grams. Preliminary exam: July 8 at 1 p.m. – Richard Allen Edlund II, 47, of Rothbury; methamphetamine possession. Preliminary exam: July 15 at 1…
HART — The following were sentenced recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Lisa Rebecca Birkett, 53, of Rothbury, pleaded guilty June 3 to operating while intoxicated and was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; six months probation; Alcohol Highway Safety Education; Victim Impact Panel; and $1,000 in fines and costs. One count of…
ROTHBURY — The massive four-day music festival, Electric Forest, wrapped up at the Double JJ Resort Sunday, June 22, with tens of thousands of people from all over the country attending. Michigan State Police Spl. Lt. Michelle Robinson, who is the public information officer for the Sixth District, said there were six arrests over the four-day period and four other…
By Ross Field, Contributing Writer ROTHBURY — And that’s a wrap. The massive number of cars heading south on US 31 Monday morning, June 23, was proof positive that the 2025 Electric Forest had come to an end. While Mother Nature brought intermittent rain on Thursday and Friday, and high winds over Saturday and Sunday, these weather events actually contributed…
HART — The Oceana Democrats will host a general membership meeting at The Hart Community Center, located at 407 State St., Tuesday, July 1, at 7 p.m. The featured speaker will be Benjamin Ambrose, who will be a candidate running against Congressman John Moolenaar (R-Midland) in the 2026 midterm elections. “The local Oceana Dems are committed to keeping constituents informed…
Frank C. Powers Jr., a lifelong resident of Oceana County, passed away Wednesday, June 25, 2025. He was born July 7, 1928, in Hart, the son of Frank Sr. and Thelma (Lentz) Powers. Frank retired from the Oceana County Road Commission after 42 years of service. He and his wife, June, were well known vendors at the Muskegon Farmers’ Market…
HART — The following were sentenced recently in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Nikolas Paul Martin, 24, pleaded guilty April 28 to controlled substance possession — cocaine, heroin or another narcotic and was sentenced June 16 to one day in jail with credit for one day served; one year probation; and $398 in fines and costs. One count of…
‘The vehicle was a virtual drug store,’ the prosecutor said of the car in which Levi Richard of New Era and Dakota Wilber of Muskegon were dealing drugs. By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A jury found a 35-year-old Muskegon man guilty of six felony counts in a drug dealing case Friday, June 20, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit…
Arlen Thomas McCloskey, 76, of Scottville went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Arlen was born April 24, 1949 in Hart the son of Orville and Margrete (Verschueren) McCloskey. Being raised on the 80 acre family property on Black Lake, summers were filled with swimming, fishing and lots of mischief. Fall and winters were…
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