Synergy Radio News Director Faces Four Years for Drug Possession

From the Mason County Press

Local broadcaster arrested for drug possession

PERE MARQUETTE TWP. – Local news broadcaster Steve Ruba was arraigned today on a charge of delivery of marijuana. The 49-year-old Ludington resident was arrested Sunday at 8:02 p.m. by Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Iris Road.

He was arrested with about 20 grams of marijuana in his possession.

Ruba is being held on a $3,500, 10 percent bond. A preliminary hearing is set for July 9 at 11:15 a.m. The offense is a four-year felony.

Ruba is the news director for Synergy Broadcasting which owns seven radio stations including WLDN, WKLA and WKZC, among others.

ANALYSIS:  I know Steve Ruba from when he went to school in Scottville, we took the elective newspaper and journalism class together.  He's a basically good guy that has made a good career out of radio journalism; if you tune into the variety of radio stations he does the news for, you'll find him doing a very competent and creative job. 

 

This Saturday, less than a day before he got stopped and caught with twenty grams (about 0.7 ounces) of marijuana I chatted with him at the Relay for Life, and I warned him after talking with me that Sheriff Kim Cole (who walked a lap or two) will start wondering about him, just because he stayed in my vicinity taking to me for a few minutes taking about local news and behind the scenes facts.  He shrugged it off with some bravado; I hope he can do the same with the charge, since I have never known Steve to have to resort to such devices.  Even though his brother, Dan Ruba, let it be known during the recent prelim for the Sean Philips (Baby Kate) murder trial that he (Dan) did marijuana. 

 

But barring any ill intent of the possession on Steve's part, he will just more than likely be one of the casualties of war in the often-ruthless, often-senseless battle against drugs that would rather see basically good and productive people like Steve Ruba sit in prison for four years, when the punishment almost assuredly does not fit the crime.

 

Each of the four judicial candidates for the 51st Circuit Court were asked by the MCP the queston as to whether there was a victimless crime.  They all could not think of any.  Maybe they, and us, should look harder.   

Views: 1556

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

His attorney was named Glancy-- some Irishman I guess.

RSS

© 2024   Created by XLFD.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service