Local student awarded CMU’s first-ever Goldwater Scholarship.

April 15, 2016
Local student awarded CMU’s first-ever Goldwater Scholarship.

MOUNT PLEASANT — ​​​​​​​​The first Gold​water Scholarship in Central Michigan University’s history has been awarded to Kristopher Kieft of Rothbury, an honors student majoring in biology. Kieft was one of 252 scholars chosen from a competitive pool of 1,150 national nominations. An additional 256 students were awarded honorable mentions. The Barry Goldwater Scholarship Program was created to encourage outstanding undergraduate…

Read more »

Award Winning trumpeter/vocalist/composer next in WSCC Series

April 15, 2016
Award Winning trumpeter/vocalist/composer next in WSCC Series

VICTORY TOWNSHIP (Mason County) — One of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation, Bria Skonberg, will perform as part of West Shore Community College’s Performing Arts Series in collaboration with the Wharton Center for Performing Arts on Thursday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Center Stage Theater. Bria Skonberg is a catalyst for all things jazz. …

Read more »

West Shore Bank to acquire West Michigan Bank & Trust.

April 14, 2016
West Shore Bank to acquire West Michigan Bank & Trust.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — West Shore Bank has announced that it is consolidating and taking over West Michigan Bank & Trust. The two banks jointly announced today that  a definitive consolidation agreement has been signed with the Mason County-based West Shore Bank as the surviving institution. Following the closing of the transaction, the consolidated bank will operate under…

Read more »

Property destruction, larceny among police activity.

April 14, 2016
Property destruction, larceny among police activity.

The following is local law enforcement activity Wednesday, April 13, 2016: – 11:52 a.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), shots fired, N. 144th Ave., Crystal Township. – 1:04 p.m., (OCSO, Hart Police Department), disturbance, S. State St., City of Hart. – 3:16 p.m., (OCSO), malicious destruction of property (MDOP), W. Arthur Rd., Claybanks Township. – 3:32 p.m., (Shelby Police Department), larceny,…

Read more »

Smith & Eddy’s Amy Reynolds keeps busy helping local organizations.

April 14, 2016
Smith & Eddy’s Amy Reynolds keeps busy helping local organizations.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. Amy Reynolds stays pretty busy volunteering for a variety of local organizations, when she isn’t helping customers at Smith & Eddy Insurance. The Ludington native said she helps with organizations such as Fraternal Order of Eagles, Chrome Divas of Ludington and the American Legion. “I have walked the Mackinac Bridge for Labor Day, the Relay for…

Read more »

US 31 repaving work begins next week.

April 13, 2016

GRANT TOWNSHIP — A $10. 6 million road construction project begins Monday, April 18, on US 31 between Fruitvale and Winston roads. The project includes repaving the expressway’s northbound and southbound lanes. Expect single-lane closures during the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of September. The project includes road resurfacing, bridge approach work, and construction on…

Read more »

Health department raising awareness of immunizations.

April 13, 2016

Each year, thousands of children become ill from diseases that could have been prevented by basic childhood immunizations. Countless more miss time from daycare and school because they aren’t up to date on immunizations. During the week of April 16-23, 2016 District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) is participating in National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) to raise awareness about the importance…

Read more »

Village considers bond proposals for $3.2 million in street repairs.

April 13, 2016

PENTWATER — The Pentwater Village Council was updated on the services committee’s assessment of local streets, and the most economical way to pay for the needed repairs and maintenance Monday, April 11, according to a press release from the village.    Last May, the village retained the Wade Trim engineering consulting firm, which concluded in September that nearly 70 percent…

Read more »

Domestic assault, warrant arrest among police activity.

April 13, 2016
Domestic assault, warrant arrest among police activity.

The following is local law enforcement activity Tuesday, April 12, 2016: – 12:40 a.m., (Michigan State Police, Hart post), northbound US 31, Pentwater Township. – 10:05 a.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), car/deer crash, Lizzie Ave., Village of Hesperia. – 2:06 p.m., domestic assault, (Hesperia Police Department), Village of Hesperia. – 5:52 p.m., (OCSO), warrant arrest, N. Michigan Ave., Village of…

Read more »

Suspect armed with butcher knife, axe handle faces felonious assault charges.

April 13, 2016
Suspect armed with butcher knife, axe handle faces felonious assault charges.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — The 31-year-old Hart area man who allegedly confronted police with a fiberglass axe handle and a 12-inch butcher knife Sunday afternoon, April 10, was arraigned in 78th District Court on two counts of felonious assault, according to Lt. Craig Mast of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office. Alejandro Salazar was tased by police after threatening…

Read more »

Warrant arrests keep police busy.

April 12, 2016
Warrant arrests keep police busy.

The following is local law enforcement activity Monday, April 11, 2016: – 9:09 a.m., (Hart Police Department), unwanted subject, S. Griswold St., City of Hart. – 9:30 a.m., (Michigan State Police, Hart post), a Muskegon man (age unavailable) was arrested on a bench warrant, State St. and Polk Rd., City of Hart. – 10:45 a.m., (Oceana County Sheriff’s Office), warrant…

Read more »

Recent death, reported April 12, 2016.

April 12, 2016

Neil W. Bergsten, 80, of Pentwater, passed away April 11, 2016.  Arrangements by King Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Hart. View OCP’s death notice archives here.

Read more »

Great Lakes Energy People Fund accepting grant applications.

April 11, 2016

The Great Lakes Energy People Fund is accepting grant applications from non-profit organizations throughout its local service area. The upcoming grant application deadline is June 1. The People Fund is supported solely by Great Lakes Energy members who allow the electric cooperative to round up their bill each month to the next dollar. Since 1999 more than $2.88 million in…

Read more »

Home invasion leads to jail.

April 11, 2016
Home invasion leads to jail.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — A 28-year-old Hart man was sentenced to serve nine months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term, with credit for 92 days served, Monday, April 11, in 27th Circuit Court for a conviction of second-degree home invasion. Kenyon Clark Thomas, Jr., of 1133 W. Hazel Rd., had also faced a felony count…

Read more »

Man pleads guilty to resisting police at courthouse.

April 11, 2016
Man pleads guilty to resisting police at courthouse.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — A 36-year-old Hesperia man who tried to flee from an Oceana County bailiff deputy and a courthouse security guard last February pleaded guilty to a felony charge of resisting and opposing police in 27th Circuit Court Monday, April 11. Jason Marshall Barnes, of 1670 S. 186th Ave., pleaded “no contest” last month to…

Read more »

Hart woman pleads guilty to embezzling from Shopko.

April 11, 2016
Hart woman pleads guilty to embezzling from Shopko.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — A 29-year-old Hart woman pleaded guilty Monday, April 11, in 27th Circuit Court to embezzling $1,000-$20,000 from Shopko Hometown store. Kimberly Ann Nicosia, of 710 E. Main St., faces a 45-day jail sentence in exchange for her guilty plea. Nicosia, who worked as a customer service associate, testified Monday that she embezzled the…

Read more »

Hart woman pleads guilty to embezzling from Gale’s IGA.

April 11, 2016
Hart woman pleads guilty to embezzling from Gale’s IGA.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — A 50-year-old Hart woman pleaded guilty Monday, April 11, in 27th Circuit Court to embezzling $20,000 or more/less than $50,000 from Gale’s IGA grocery store. Laura Yvonne Routley, of 765 E. Hazel Rd., faces serving a four-and-a-half month jail term in exchange for her guilty plea. Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon told Judge…

Read more »

Mears man armed with butcher knife, axe handle asks police to shoot him.

April 11, 2016
Mears man armed with butcher knife, axe handle asks police to shoot him.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — A 31-year-old Mears man armed with a fiberglass axe handle and a 12-inch butcher knife Sunday afternoon, April 10, was tased by police after asking officers to shoot him, according to Lt. Craig Mast of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s deputies were called at 4:26 p.m. to a residence in the…

Read more »

Area Churches