Ontonagon
Report: Taxpayers spend $200K to protect cattle
ONTONAGON, Mich. (AP) — A published report says Michigan taxpayers paid more than $200,000 to help an Upper Peninsula farmer protect his cattle from wolves.
MLive.com on Wednesday reported the estimate, citing documents it reviewed. The news organization says much is in administrative time and field work, in addition to about $38,000 in cash for cattle-loss claims and other assistance.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials have said John Koski’s heavy livestock losses weren’t the primary reason for last year’s first wolf hunt in Michigan since the animal was placed on the endangered species list nearly four decades ago.
The Associated Press left a message Wednesday seeking comment with his attorney, Matthew Tingstad.
Last year, Koski was charged with animal cruelty involving donkeys provided by state officials to protect his cattle from wolves.
Kalamazoo
Oil protester to seek US Senate seat in Michigan
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — A protester facing charges of trespassing and obstructing police last year after spending 10 hours inside an oil pipeline under construction in southern Michigan says he’s running for U.S. Senate.
Thirty-five-year-old Chris Wahmhoff tells the Kalamazoo Gazette he’ll seek the seat held by longtime Democratic Sen. Carl Levin, who is retiring.
Wahmhoff hasn’t held elected office before and says he hopes to “bring accountability” to corporate America and the federal government. He plans to run as an independent candidate.
Other candidates include Republican Terri Lynn Land and Democratic U.S. Rep. Gary Peters.
Wahmhoff was charged after the protest near Marshall in Calhoun County’s Fredonia Township. Calgary, Alberta-based Enbridge’s pipeline ruptured nearby in 2010, spilling about 843,000 gallons of oil. Enbridge has said it makes public safety a priority.
Mount Clemens
Man enters new pleas in attack on his ex-girlfriend
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (AP) — A man accused of attacking his ex-girlfriend and partially stuffing her into a Christmas bag in the basement of her suburban Detroit home has entered pleas in the case.
Jonathan Elbers was scheduled for trial Tuesday in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens. The Macomb Daily reports the 24-year-old from Tuscola County instead pleaded no contest to five charges in the case, including attempted murder and home invasion.
A no contest plea isn’t an admission of guilt, but is treated as such for sentencing. He’s scheduled to learn his punishment Feb. 20.
Officers went to the woman’s Chesterfield Township home in April to check on her safety and heard her scream for help. Elbers escaped from officers after a struggle, and was arrested hiding in a deer blind.
