Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Military Members

(LANSING, Mich.) -- Michigan's Department of Natural Resources is offering free hunting and fishing licenses to state residents who are in the military.

The department says active-duty military members who enlisted as Michigan residents, and have maintained residence status, are eligible to obtain annual free Michigan fishing or hunting licenses, for which a lottery is not required.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Former Department of Human Services Staffer Pleads Guilty to Welfare Fraud

(LANSING, Mich.) -- A former worker at the Department of Human Services pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two felonies for her role in welfare fraud, according to a Monday News release.

The worker, 46-year-old Dawn Simmons of Belleville, Mich., processed false claims for assistance in her brother’s name while she was working as an eligibility specialist at the DHS from September 2009 through February 2012. She used her coworkers’ computers to file the claims. Simmons claimed he lived at her address and collected $19,832.74 in fraudulently obtained benefits over the years.

The Special Investigations Unit of the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Human Services investigated and caught Simmons, and turned the information over to the attorney general’s for criminal prosecution. Simmons placed on unpaid leave in December, 2012 after criminal charges were filed.

Simmons pleaded guilty to one count of false pretenses and one count of fraudulent access to a computer, both felonies that could earn her five years in prison. She also must pay back the $19,832.74 she fraudulently obtained.

"Any public servants who abuse the public trust to defraud the Michigan taxpayers will be held accountable,” said Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.

Simmons is scheduled to be sentenced on June 26.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Amber Alert Issued as Police Search for Missing 3-Year-Old

(DETROIT) -- An Amber Alert has been issued as police search for a missing 3-year-old girl from Detroit.

Missing is Alonna Anderson. Police said in published reports that an individual took the girl from a home in the area of Northfield Avenue and Interstate 96 on Sunday night, while her father Stacey Anderson allegedly assaulted her mother.

The child is described as a Black female, about three feet tall and weighing around 48 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

Stacey Anderson and the other suspect are believed to be traveling in an older model green Jeep Cherokee.

Anyone with information on the child's whereabouts is asked to contact police at (313) 596-2200.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Michigan's Unemployment Rate Down a Notch

(LANSING, Mich.) -- Michigan's employment situation improved slightly in April, as the state's unemployment rate inched downward during the month.

The state's Department of Technology, Management and Budget reports that Michigan's unemployment rate fell to 8.4 percent in April from 8.5 percent the previous month.

The national unemployment rate for April was 7.5 percent, down from 7.6 percent in March.

Economists had expected that figure to remain unchanged.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Pet Store Owner Faces Second Animal Cruelty Charge

(WARREN, Mich.) -- Approximately 100 animals were taken from a Warren, Mich., pet shop Wednesday and now the store owner faces his second animal cruelty charge in under a year.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the conditions in the store were terrible, with at least one animal dead. When enforcement officers arrived at the store on Wednesday, the store owner, Dennis Jones, allegedly sent a dog to attack them.

The animals, including roosters, birds, iguanas, a python, a puppy and two kittens, were living without food. Also, the store's power and water had been turned off due to failure to pay, says the Free Press.

Jones is being held at Macomb County Jail on $10,000 bond.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio