Benson outlines plan to address long lines, broken kiosks
LANSING (AP) — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says she will unveil changes designed to shorten wait times and fix broken self-service kiosks at branch offices where people renew driver's licenses and conduct other business.
Benson, who took office in January, visited all 131 branch offices.
She said one-third of self-service stations were broken and in general were difficult to use. Many customers have to wait in line far too long to access basic state ser, she added.
Among Benson's plans are exploring multi-year license plates and automatic driver's license renewals. She recently pulled down an online appointment system because it was giving customers inaccurate wait times, but her office has begun redeploying the technology.
High court rejects death row appeal over anti-gay juror
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is again rejecting a gay death row inmate’s appeal that claims jurors in South Dakota were biased against him because of his sexual orientation.
The justices did not comment Monday in leaving in place the death sentence for Charles Rhines.
Rhines was convicted in the stabbing death of a doughnut shop employee in Rapid City, South Dakota, in 1992. His appeal followed the high court’s 2017 ruling that evidence of racial bias in the jury room allows a judge to consider setting aside a verdict.
Rhines claimed one juror said Rhines should not be sentenced to life in prison because he is gay and would be housed with other men.
The justices rejected a similar appeal from Rhines last year.
Court declines to take case of Pennsylvania rap artist
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court isn’t taking up the case of a Pennsylvania rapper who was convicted of threatening police officers in one of his songs.
The high court declined Monday to take the case of Jamal Knox, known as Mayhem Mal. In 2012, he and rapper Rashee Beasley were arrested by Pittsburgh police on gun and drug charges. A song they later wrote about the arrest contains phrases including "Let's kill these cops cuz they don't do us no good."
Both were charged with terroristic threats and other crimes.
Knox argued that the song was protected by the First Amendment, but he was ultimately convicted and sentenced to one to three years in prison.
Police: Pair made laxative cookies for striking workers
UHRICHSVILLE, Ohio (AP) — Police say a couple made laxative-laced cookies for striking school employees because they were tired of the noise from the picket line near their home.
Authorities say none of the striking workers ate the cookies, but the couple was charged with contaminating the treats.
Police say Bo Cosens and Rachel Sharrock complained on Facebook about drivers honking in support of the striking bus drivers, cooks and custodians.
The strike in the Claymont School District in Tuscarawas County was in its third week.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
