News

Michigan fire season builds during wildfire prevention week

April 21, 2014

Most of Michigan’s wildfires occur in the spring – April, May and June. According to the Department of Natural Resources, which is responsible for wildland fire protection on 30 million acres of state and private land, April is when wildfires start becoming a problem. During the state’s annual observance of Wildfire Prevention Week, April 20-26, the DNR reminds the public about the dangers of…

State-licensed commercial fishing up more than 35 percent in value over 2012

April 19, 2014

The Department of Natural Resources’ Fisheries Division recently released data from its 2013 state-licensed commercial fishing season. Combined, the state-licensed commercial fishery caught more than 3.6 million pounds of fish with an estimated wholesale dockside value of roughly $5.53 million prior to processing, marketing and retail sales. The state’s total harvest was about 150,000 pounds less than in 2012 due to lower reported catches…

78th District Court arraignments

April 18, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART – The following were arraigned recently in 78th District Court: – Adam Blake Riddle, 24, of 523 S. Water St., Hart, was arrested April 4 by the Hart Police Department (HPD) for a misdemeanor of driving while license suspended (DWLS). A pretrial is set for April 29 at 10:30 a.m. Bail: $1,500/personal. – Catherine Marie…

78th District Court sentencings

April 18, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART – The following were sentenced recently in 78th District Court: – Jared Lincoln Albus, 19, of 2951 N. 56th Ave., Hart, was found guilty April 14 of larceny less than $200 and sentenced to $591 in fines, costs and restitution and 93 days discretionary jail. – Raymond Lee Stafford, 24, of 875 Menominee St., Norton…

Man who killed Trooper Butterfield is dead

April 18, 2014

LANSING — Eric Knysz, the 20-year-old Irons resident who killed Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, is dead. According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, Knysz was removed from life support at 10:30 a.m. Thursday while housed at Allegiance Health Hospital in Jackson. Knysz hung himself with a bed sheet Monday at the Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center…