West Shore Bank employees raise over $13K for United Way

February 6, 2026

LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank’s employees recently raised $13,766.23 for United Way chapters within its service area.  The funds were distributed to the following United Way chapters: United Way of Mason County: $8,005.13 United Way of the Lakeshore: $1,866.00 United Way of Southeastern Michigan: $1,470.10 United Way of Northwest Michigan: $1,278.00 United Way of Manistee County: $1,147.00 “Your generosity made…

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Winter weather advisory in effect through Friday afternoon

February 5, 2026

A winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service for several west and central Michigan counties — including Oceana and Mason counties — is in effect until 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. Expect mixed precipitation with total snow accumulation of 2-4 inches and ice accumulation around a light glaze. Plan on slippery road conditions. Slow down and use caution…

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Shelby State Bank employees promoted to branch managers

February 5, 2026

SHELBY — Two Shelby State Bank employees — Melissa Harris and Tracy Wimpee — have been promoted to branch managers, the bank recently announced. Harris was promoted to branch manager of the Whitehall branch office. She began her career with Shelby State Bank as a business development specialist, overseeing key programs including SSB’s Elan credit card portfolio. “She will continue…

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HS Girls Basketball: MCE varsity defeats Walkerville; Wildcats JVs beat Cardinals

February 5, 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. Varsity CUSTER — The Cardinals defeated the Wildcats 50-34 Wednesday night. While the two teams are part of the West Michigan D Conference, Wednesday’s game was not part of the conference schedule.…

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Boil water advisory remains in effect after water line break in Shelby

February 5, 2026

UPDATE: THE BOIL WATER ADVISORY WAS LIFTED SUNDAY MORNING, FEB. 8, 2026. SHELBY — Some residents in the Village of Shelby will remain under a boil water advisory following a water line break this week. The water line break at the corner of Cherry and Lesada streets occurred Tuesday, Feb. 3, impacting residents in the following areas: Cherry Street, Lesada…

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Recent death: Harold Ralph Kempker, 87, of Hart

February 5, 2026

  Harold Ralph Kempker, 87, of Hart, died on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born September 3, 1938, the son of Harold and Viola (Venksy) Kempker. A full obituary will be posted soon. A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service,…

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Girls Varsity Basketball: Shelby wins tight game against White Cloud

February 4, 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. WHITE CLOUD — Shelby defeated White Cloud in a close ending Wednesday, 48-43. The Tigers end their season 13-1, undefeated in the West Michigan Conference Rivers Division, 7-0. Shelby scorers: Jayna Burmeister,…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Feb. 4, 2026

February 4, 2026

HART — The following were arraigned recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – Jason Garth Spoelholf, 28, of Bitely, two counts of possession of firearms by a prohibited person, one count of possession of ammunition by a prohibited person and one count of felony firearm. Offense date: Feb. 1, 2026. Agency: Oceana County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO). Bail: $5,000/cash/surety/10…

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We need your help

February 4, 2026

Folks, we really need your help. Before I continue, I want to thank those who have accepted our request and are now subscribing to the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing. We are asking for you to make a small monthly investment in order for us to continue to provide you with local news and sports coverage. Mason County Press and Oceana County…

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Employment: Varsity Assistant Boys Track Coach

February 4, 2026

Employment: Varsity Assistant Boys Track Coach Mason County Central School District is hiring a High School Boys Assistant Varsity Track Coach for the 2025/2026 school year. For details and to apply, go to www.mccschools.org. Job ID# 648 Application deadline is Feb. 23, 2026. This is a paid posting. Published until Feb. 23, 2026

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Employment: Junior Varsity Baseball Coach

February 4, 2026

Employment: Junior Varsity Baseball Coach Mason County Central School District is hiring a Junior Varsity Baseball Coach for the 2025/2026 school year. Prior baseball playing experience required. Prior baseball coaching experience preferred. For details and to apply go to www.mccschoolso.org. Job ID #641. Application deadline is March 27, 2026. This is a paid posting. Published until March 27, 2026.

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Employment: Care Team Position, Animal Hospital of Ludington

February 4, 2026

Care Team Position Openings at the Animal Hospital of Ludington Do you enjoy people and animals? Are you upbeat and positive? Do your friends refer to you as smiley and bubbly? Do you want to help promote the human-animal bond? Do you love to help in a team environment? If this describes you, then you may be just the candidate…

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Employment: Professional Lab Technician, part-time

February 4, 2026

Employment: Professional Lab Technician, part-time West Shore Community College seeks an outstanding individual to provide individualized instruction to Mechanical Systems students in an open-entry/open-exit learning environment. You will work directly with students to support learning associated with curriculum and the use of instructional equipment. This position requires 18-25 hours per week with day and/or evening assignments. To meet requirements, you…

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Employment: Head Varsity Football Coach

February 4, 2026

  Employment: Head Varsity Football Coach This is a paid posting. Published until Feb. 18, 2026

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Girls Varsity Basketball: Tigers crush Spartans in conference play

February 3, 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. SCOTTVILLE — The Shelby Tigers outplayed and outscored the Mason County Central Spartans Tuesday. Shelby defeated MCC 62-28 in the West Michigan Conference Rivers Division game. The Tigers dominated from the beginning…

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Varsity Boys Basketball: Hart dominates Hesperia

February 3, 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. Four Hart Pirates scored in double figures in a win against Hesperia Tuesday 72-20.  Pirate sophomore Kolton Rockwell once again led the way with 18 points including four three pointers and five…

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Varsity Girls Basketball: Hart tops Hesperia

February 3, 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. The Hart Pirates scored a crushing blow to the Hesperia Panthers Tuesday in West Michigan Conference Rivers Division play, 68-13. Every Pirate on the roster scored. Hart scorers: Reese Smith, 14 Rilynn…

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Pirates pen essays selected for national publication

February 3, 2026

Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.   HART — Hart High School students Liam Larios-Mendez and Julie Walton wrote essays that were selected for publication in the Young Writers USA writing contest’s 2025 Fright Club  — Whispers in the Dark anthology. Liam, who is a freshman, and Julie, who is a sophomore,…

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Boys Varsity Basketball: Hart defeats West Michigan Aviation

February 3, 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. GRAND RAPIDS — The Hart Pirates defeated West Michigan Aviation Academy Monday in a non-conference match, 72-48. The score would never again get closer than 14-10 after one quarter.  The Pirates were…

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Girls Varsity Basketball: Hart falls to Morley Stanwood

February 3, 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. HART — The Hart Pirates fell to Morley Stanwood Monday evening in non-conference play, 68-51. Rilynn Porter led the Pirates with 20 points followed by Reese Smith with 10 and Joselyn Flores…

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Police news, published Feb. 3, 2026

February 3, 2026

The following is recent activity of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office: Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026: 8 p.m., larceny of a chainsaw valued at $200 and bolt cutters valued at $50, in the 8900 block of West Silver Lake Road, Golden Township. Friday, Jan. 30, 2026: 10:58 p.m., a 44-year-old Rothbury man was arrested on outstanding warrants, and methamphetamine possession charges…

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