Help wanted: news reporter

June 14, 2015

Mason County Press and Oceana County Press (Media Group 31 LLC) are looking for a reporter to cover municipal, school and general news beats.  Journalism experience and/or familiarity of local politics, governments, commerce and schools preferred. Should have a basic understanding of computers, photography and social media. Video and audio experience a bonus! Must have laptop or tablet and mobile…

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Rain, rain go away

June 14, 2015
Rain, rain go away

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. OCEANA COUNTY — Heavy downpours Saturday night, June 13, caused flooding and washouts of area roads, and more rain with possible severe weather is predicted for Sunday and most of this week. In Benona Township, 56th Avenue between Stone Road and Marshville Dam Road is closed due to a huge washout. The washout gushed into Dorrance Creek,…

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Michigan’s redistricting web: Part 3.

June 14, 2015

The Mitten Memo. A blog by Nick Krieger. See part 1 here See part 2 here Michigan’s bipartisan apportionment commission had proven itself unable to effectively redistrict the Michigan Legislature.  The eight commissioners had regularly split along party lines.  Each time this happened, the matter had ended up before the Michigan Supreme Court for resolution.  Predictably, the apportionment commission deadlocked…

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78th District Court sentencings

June 13, 2015
78th District Court sentencings

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART – The following were sentenced recently in 78th District Court: – Julie Ann Barnes, 33, of 277 N. State St., Shelby, was found guilty May 4 of second-offense operating under the influence of liquor (OUIL). She was sentenced to nine days in jail; one year discretionary jail to ensure compliance with court orders; credit…

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No injuries in foundry fire

June 13, 2015
No injuries in foundry fire

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. ROTHBURY — A fire at Barber Steel Foundry on Winston Road Saturday morning, June 13, caused by a possible furnace explosion was quickly extinguished by responding fire departments. Mike Moon, who works security at the plant, said he called 911 at 6:20 a.m. after hearing three consecutive explosions. Heavy black smoke could be seen coming…

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78th District Court arraignments

June 13, 2015
78th District Court arraignments

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART – The following were arraigned recently in front of the 78th District Court Magistrate: – Paul William Marvin III, 32, of 5312 S. 90th Ave., New Era, was arrested June 2 by the Hart Police Department (HPD) for a misdemeanor of driving while license suspended (DWLS). Pretrial: June 23 at 10:30 a.m. Bail: $1,500/cash/surety/10…

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Man wanted in connection to hammer attack

June 12, 2015
Man wanted in connection to hammer attack

HESPERIA — A 32-year-old Hesperia man is wanted by police on possible charges of felonious assault and home invasion in connection to an incident early Friday morning, June 12, in the 100 block of Elm St. where the suspect allegedly struck his ex-wife’s boyfriend in the head with a hammer. Oceana County sheriff’s deputies and a Michigan State Police trooper…

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27th Circuit Court sentencings

June 12, 2015
27th Circuit Court sentencings

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART – The following were sentenced recently in 27th Circuit Court: – Nicholas John Erickson, 37, of 69 S. 56th, Shelby, was found guilty April 13 of third-offense operating under the influence of liquor (OUIL). He was sentenced June 8 to one year discretionary jail with six months forthwith; credit for one day served; one…

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Hammock ‘stacking’ banned at EF; zones established

June 11, 2015
Hammock ‘stacking’ banned at EF; zones established

Electric Forest Festival coverage is sponsored by Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart),www.springsteadlaw.com. GRANT TWP. — In an effort to promote “the long-term health of Sherwood Forest,” Electric Forest Festival promoters have announced some new policies regarding hammocks, which are extremely popular during the four-day event. “Together, we are all focused on the long-term health…

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Alleged library flasher, who is an AFC resident, arraigned

June 11, 2015
Alleged library flasher, who is an AFC resident, arraigned

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — The 25-year-old Hart man who allegedly committed indecent exposure in front of the Hart Public Library last Sunday afternoon has been arraigned in 78th District Court on a high-court misdemeanor charge of aggravated indecent exposure. David Allen Lefler, who resides in an adult foster care home at 412 Hart St., is facing up…

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UPDATE: heroin, fentanyl caused death; victim’s name released

June 11, 2015
UPDATE: heroin, fentanyl caused death; victim’s name released

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Heroin and fentanyl are listed in 78th District court records as the drugs that caused the death of Annette Conkle, 46, of Hart, in regard to the charges that a 24-year-old Hart man is facing. Foster Lewis Mudget was arraigned in 78th District Court Wednesday, June 10, on two counts of delivery of…

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Hart man arraigned on drug charges causing woman’s death

June 11, 2015
Hart man arraigned on drug charges causing woman’s death

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — A 24-year-old Hart man was arraigned in 78th District Court Wednesday, June 10, on two counts of delivery of a controlled substance causing death, according to a press release issued by the State, Sheriffs’, Chiefs’ Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT). Foster Lewis Mudget, who is currently in a Michigan Department of Corrections prison…

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Domestic assault

June 11, 2015
Domestic assault

The police news is sponsored by Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart), www.springsteadlaw.com. The following is Oceana County activity of the Hart post of the Michigan State Police Wednesday, June 10, 2015: – 12:04 p.m., a 29-year-old Hesperia man was arrested for domestic assault, 3000 block of E. Loop Rd., Ferry Twp. – 10:50 p.m.,…

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Fence larceny

June 10, 2015
Fence larceny

The police news is sponsored by Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart),www.springsteadlaw.com. OTTO TWP. — The Hart post of the Michigan State Police is investigating the larceny of a fence reported Tuesday, June 9, at 6 p.m. in the 6000 block of South 116th Avenue. Other MSP activity June 9, 2015 includes: – 6 p.m.,…

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Get in the ‘spear it’ this weekend with asparagus festival

June 10, 2015
Get in the ‘spear it’ this weekend with asparagus festival

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Leading the way as one of the top producers of asparagus in the nation, Oceana County will celebrate its claim to fame this weekend with the 42nd Annual National Asparagus Festival. Events begin Friday, June 12, and continue through Sunday, June 14. The uniqueness of the festival is a big draw. There are…

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Recent deaths, reported June 10, 2015.

June 10, 2015

Phyllis E. Bedran, 83, of Hart, passed away June 9, 2015.  Arrangements by King Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Hart. Stanley A. Fessenden, 74, of Ferry Twp., died June 5, 2015.  Arrangements by Harris Funeral Home in Shelby. Lyle Smith, 86, of Shelby, died Monday June 1, 2015.  Arrangements by Harris Funeral Home in Shelby. List of 2015 deaths…

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Alleged library flasher lives in AFC home, faces up to 2 years in prison

June 9, 2015

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — A 25-year-old Hart man who allegedly committed indecent exposure in front of the Hart Public Library Sunday afternoon, June 7, lives in an adult foster care home, according to Oceana County Prosecutor Joe Bizon. The suspect is being charged with a high-court misdemeanor of aggravated indecent exposure, which is punishable by up to two years…

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Dog bite among police activity

June 9, 2015
Dog bite among police activity

The police news is sponsored by Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart),www.springsteadlaw.com. The following is recent activity of the Hart Police Department: Saturday, June 6, 2015: – A dog bite was reported on Water St. near Johnson St. The incident occurred June 5 at 3 p.m., and Oceana County Animal Control assisted. The victim suffered…

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