Welcome to the world! Recent births.

May 6, 2015

Welcome to the world! Heliberto Martinez, the son of Bianca Pitones and Oscar Martinez of Shelby, was born April 30, 2015 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Hudson Lee Wolgamott, the son of Jaclyn Budde-Wolgamott and George Wolgamott of Walkerville, was born May 4, 2015 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. If you have a birth announcement and photo to post, please…

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Rotary scramble gets the ‘earth quaking’

May 6, 2015
Rotary scramble gets the ‘earth quaking’

By Marc Inglis. PGA Golf Professional. SHELBY — Golf balls were falling in from all over the course so much last weekend, as AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson said, “The earth was quaking.” For the 46 teams of four, a few key ingredients made for a happy weekend of golf. Combining the good weather, excellent course conditions, many prizes, good…

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School bond passes by 5 votes

May 5, 2015
School bond passes by 5 votes

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Every vote certainly counted during Tuesday’s special election when Hart Public Schools’ bond issue passed by a narrow margin of five votes. The $15.8 million project that includes major improvements to the aging high school, a new track and improvements to the elementary school was approved 997-992. “We are extremely pleased, and now…

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Walkerville man faces up to life in prison for 1st-degree CSC

May 5, 2015
Walkerville man faces up to life in prison for 1st-degree CSC

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — A 60-year-old Walkerville man faces up to life in prison for a first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) charge stemming from the alleged molestation of a 7-year-old girl a decade or more ago. Jeffrey John Parsons, who is lodged in the Oceana County Jail, appeared in 27th Circuit Court Tuesday, May 5, for a…

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Midland man faces up to life in prison for alleged heroin death

May 5, 2015
Midland man faces up to life in prison for alleged heroin death

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — A 29-year-old Midland man faces up to life in prison for a felony count of delivery of a controlled substance causing death. It is alleged that Daniel Ryan Murphy delivered heroin to Jack Kinchen, 30, of Walkerville, who died Sept. 24, 2014 in Colfax Township, Oceana County Prosecutor Joe Bizon said. Murphy, who…

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Sentencing adjourned in CSC case

May 5, 2015
Sentencing adjourned in CSC case

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — The sentencing of a 22-year-old Hart man who pleaded no contest to second-degree-criminal sexual conduct last March was adjourned in 27th Circuit Court Tuesday, May 5. The sentencing of Isisoro Rosas, Jr. was adjourned to May 27 at 9 a.m., because he has a new attorney, James Marek. Rosas was arrested last February…

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Newaygo man pleads guilty to CSC

May 5, 2015
Newaygo man pleads guilty to CSC

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — An 18-year-old Newaygo man pleaded guilty in 27th Circuit Court Tuesday, May 5, to a felony of third-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC), testifying that he had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl last February. Joshua Anthony Chupp, Jr., who is currently lodged in the Oceana County Jail, was arrested March 5 by the…

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MSP investigating break-ins

May 5, 2015
MSP investigating break-ins

The police news is sponsored by VanderHaag Car Sales of Scottville, 231-757-2727, www.vanderhaagcarsales.com and Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart),www.springsteadlaw.com. HART — Michigan State Police troopers responded to three separate break-ins within three hours Monday afternoon, May 4, and one of the crimes involved the theft of jewelry. The first breaking and entering was reported…

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Thanking our veterans

May 5, 2015
Thanking our veterans

HESPERIA — Approximately 100 people attended the the Second Annual Military Appreciation Ball Saturday night at the Hesperia American Legion Hall. Oceana County Veterans Coalition President Kim Loncar welcomed all veterans to the ball with a tribute to the Korean War era veterans. Darrell Hogston provided the tribute to the POW/MIA with a missing man table explanation. The public and…

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Hansen’s ‘Supermarket Sweep’

May 4, 2015
Hansen’s ‘Supermarket Sweep’

HART — Hansen Foods “Supermarket Sweep” had another successful run. In one minute, Tim Hertzler, at left, was able to grab $351.22 worth of groceries. Standing next to Hertzler is Hansen Foods owner Dave Hansen. Kim Martin won the two-minute round and collected $515.70 in food. Dana Hodges won a $100 Hansen’s gift certificate. A total of $3,800 was raised,…

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Jury acquits county commissioner of drunk driving

May 4, 2015
Jury acquits county commissioner of drunk driving

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — A six-member jury found Oceana County Commissioner Andrew Sebolt “not guilty” last week of a drunk driving charge in 78th District Court. Sebolt’s drunk driving case ended in a hung jury last February, and a second trial took place last week that acquitted him of the misdemeanor charge. Sebolt, 33, was arrested last…

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50-acre forest fire deemed ‘suspicious’

May 4, 2015
50-acre forest fire deemed ‘suspicious’

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. OTTO TWP. — A 50-acre forest fire on federal land about a half mile north of the intersection of Skeels and Harris roads Sunday evening, May 3, has been deemed suspicious, Grant Township Fire Chief Roland Brooks said Monday, May 4. No one was injured and no structures were damaged in the blaze, Brooks said.…

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DVDs stolen

May 4, 2015
DVDs stolen

The police news is sponsored by VanderHaag Car Sales of Scottville, 231-757-2727, www.vanderhaagcarsales.com and Springstead Law Offices, with locations in Hart and Fremont, 231-873-4022 (Hart),www.springsteadlaw.com. GRANT TWP. — Troopers from the Hart post of the Michigan State Police are investigating a complaint of stolen DVDs on McKinley Road near 100th Avenue Sunday, May 3, at 5:45 p.m. Other MSP activity…

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Oceana man found dead on park bench; drugs may be to blame

May 4, 2015
Oceana man found dead on park bench; drugs may be to blame

MUSKEGON – An Oceana County man was found dead on a park bench near Moon Elementary School Sunday afternoon, May 3, according to mlive. The death appears to have been caused by a possible drug overdose, and an autopsy is pending, police told mlive. The man was found at 2:44 p.m. in the 1800 block of Hoyt Street. Medical first responders…

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Recent deaths, May 4, 2015.

May 4, 2015

Claud Beck, 51, of Montague, died May 1, 2015.  Arrangements by Harris Funeral Home, Shelby. Milton H. Pugsley, 90, of Pentwater, passed away on May 1, 2015.  Arrangements by King Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Ludington & Hart. List of 2015 deaths on record. 

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College offers classes in photography.

May 3, 2015
College offers classes in photography.

The Light Chaser is brought to you by MyProLab.com, a professional photographic lab offering services to the consumer market. MyProLab.com, the official photographic lab of Media Group 31 (our parent company). The Light Chaser. A blog by Rob Alway. Chapter 13: Enriching your photography skills at West Shore Community College Have you ever wanted to take your photography to the…

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6 departments battle forest fire

May 3, 2015
6 departments battle forest fire

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. OTTO TWP. — Firefighters from six area departments are battling a 20-acre forest fire on state land about a half mile north of the intersection of Skeels and Harris roads Sunday evening, May 3. A firefighter on scene said no houses appeared to be in immediate danger other than an old hunting cabin. Fire crews…

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The debate over Michigan’s no-fault insurance law.

May 3, 2015

The Mitten Memo. A blog by Nick Krieger. In Michigan, all drivers must maintain no-fault automobile insurance to cover both property damage and personal injury.  Unlike other states, Michigan provides lifetime medical benefits for those who are catastrophically injured in automobile accidents.  Individual insurance companies are only required to pay personal injury benefits up to $530,000; the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association…

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