CADILLAC â Last week, the Wexford County Clerk s Office closed due to a positive case of COVID-19 in one of its staff members. Monday other offices were closed for the same reason.
In all, the clerk s office, the prosecutor, the register of deeds, equalization offices were closed on Monday. Wexford County Administrator Janet Koch also tested positive for COVID-19, but her office remains open.
With the increase in cases and closures within the courthouse, Wexford County Board of Commissioners chairman Gary Taylor said the executive committee was going to add an item to the agenda to close the courthouse for the rest of the week and until, at the very least, March 15.
CADILLAC â The twice adjourned prelim examination was finally waived Tuesday by the 57-year-old Buckley man charged with murder last summer.
With the prelim examination waived, Alex Keith Melser will have his case bound over to 28th Circuit Court, but his arraignment in the higher court had not been scheduled as of Tuesday. Wexford County Clerk Alaina Nyman said it likely won t be scheduled until the week of Jan. 18.
Mesler was charged in June with one count of first-degree murder for his connection with an incident on June 29 in Buckley. A habitual offender fourth offense notice also was added to the charge. If convicted, Mesler faces a potential life sentence with no chance of parole.
CADILLAC â It is not often that laughter happens in the 28th Circuit Court, but Wednesday was one of those days.
It was the last day of business for 2020 in Wexford County and the last day 28th Circuit Court Judge William Fagerman carried out any official business as a judge. On his last day, Fagerman swore in several newly elected officials, including his successor Jason Elmore.
Fagerman first swore in the new Wexford County Prosecutor Corey Wiggins who is replacing Elmore in the position after he decided to run for the judge s seat in November s General Election.
Fagerman commented before Wiggins swearing-in that it is not often court officials get to do fun things, and most of the time, he and Wiggins are dealing with issues that many consider sad.