Meth lab dump sites were discovered around Osceola and Wexford Counties over the weekend. State Police say the first in Osceola County's Hartwick Township was found when they received a call from a downstate man who found suspicious objects while attending to gravesites of family members. The object was identified by law enforcement as a one pot meth lab, it was removed from the cemetery. Then in Wexford County, officers were dispatched to three separate dump sites in two days at a cemetery in Haring Township, a wooded area in Cherry Grove Township and another cemetery the Boon area.

Police have arrested a Marion pair on charges of arson connected to a house fire in Osceola County almost 5-year ago. Michigan State Police say the investigation began in May 2008 when Marion Fire Department responded to a house fire in Middle Branch Township of Osceola County. Investigators determined the fire to be arson. In 2011, Michigan State Police Mt. Pleasant Post took over the investigation. The investigation revealed the home’s owner, 59-year old Terry Lynn Leach of Marion, conspired with another individual to burn her home in order to collect insurance money from the loss.

When Police in Osceola County went to a residence in Evart last night to assist on a call related to a search warrant...it quickly turned into a drug investigation. Police say while they were investigating they discovered controlled substances and other evidence at the home on 5 Mile Rd. The Traverse Narcotics Team was called in and they soon discovered two active one-pot meth labs and other items. The two people at home were arrested and could be officially arraigned today.

Both Mecosta and Osceola Counties had sharp increases in their seasonal unadjusted unemployment rates in January. Mecosta County's jobless rate increased 1.1% from its Dec. 2012 rate of 8.9% to 10% overall in January. While in Osceola County, its unemployment rate rose just .9% to 11.1% from 10.2% in December of 2012.

Michigan had a point-one-percent gain in population from July 2011 to July 2012, according to U.S. Census data.
The state gained 6,559 new residents pushing it's population up to 9,3883,360. It's Michigan's first net increase since 2004.
However, 57 of 83 counties saw their populations decline over the period. However, here in Mecosta County, population actually increased by 22 citizens from 2011 to 2012 while in Osceola County, population dropped 179 people from 2011 to 2012.

Here is data for other local counties:

The Townships of Burdell, Sherman, LeRoy and Rose Lake in Osceola County have filed a lawsuit against the county board of commission because they believe the county is discriminating against them by approving plans to build a new $400,000 county Emergency Management Services facility in Marion's industrial park. The townships say they want the board to consider locating the facility in a more centralized location like in the LeRoy, Tustin or Dighton areas. Currently, there is no ambulance based in the northwest portion of Osceola County. A hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for April 9th.

Two people are dead following a two car accident Tuesday in Osceola County.

An Osceola County town is expanding its Waste Water Treatment Plant and saving its residents money at the same time. Reed City Interim City Manager Ron Howell says the $2.9 million-dollar expansion project was funded with grants from the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration and Michigan Economic Development Corporation totaling nearly 98-percent of the project. That means the 886 customers will only have to absorb a little over $73,000 compared to 5 million dollars. With the expansion of the wastewater plant, it will now be able to service up to 45,000 people.

A Motague man was arrested for refusing to leave the reed city motel Sunday . State police say 41-year old Lance William Spinner refused to leave his room. Motel staff was unsuccessful in getting spinner to leave. Troopers arrived and the 41-year old suspect continued to refuse to leave, and would not open the door. Upon entering the motel room, a brief struggle ensued and the subject was arrested. He is charged with 1 felony count of resist & obstruct a police officer, 1 misdemeanor trespassing, and probation violation. Spinner was lodged at the Osceola County Jail.

Testimony resumed Thursday in the trial for the man accused of killing his ex-wife and another man in Osceola County more than a year ago. 28-year old Blake Hullihen of Harrison is charged with two counts each of open murder and felony firearm. 27-year old Donald Feneis and 23-year old Gabriel Woodworth, both of Sears, were killed in the December, 2011 shooting in the parking lot of a gas station in Marion.