Choze Powell

St Clair and Lambton County COVID Update

St Clair County, Lambton County — Many people were concerned about the spike in COVID-19 cases that coincided with the ramping of vaccines for the majority of Michigan’s population this spring, but recent data shows a sharp decline in new cases of the virus.

Numbers reported by the State of Michigan show an average number of new confirmed cases of 107 per day. much lower than the 7,372 confirmed cases on April 5, 2021.

As of July 7th, St. Clair County had 31 active cases of COVID-19 a remarkable decrease over the last month, down from a high of just over 7,600 in May. The St. Clair County Health Department recently reported a 7 day average of only 1.1 new cases in the county.

There have been over 15,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in St. Clair County since the pandemic began, and 405 deaths were attributed to the virus.

Lambton County has 14 active cases of the virus, and the province of Ontario is in Step 2 of its Roadmap to Reopen.  which includes rules and regulations for working from home, capacity limits on businesses and public facilities, and mask orders.  The full order is available here: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r21488

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Celebrate the 4th at the Fort

Port Huron, MI — Celebrate the 4th of July by going back in time at the Fort Gratiot Post Hospital. Fourth at the Fort is a new event hosted by Port Huron Museums at the Hospital located at Lighthouse Park.

Visitors will experience a historical day of free fun and games complete with re-enactors dressed in 1860s fashion. There will be tours of the Lighthouse and the Post Hospital with presentations on Victorian medicine, and games and stories for children.

Fourth at the Fort runs from noon to 4 PM on the 4th of July, and showcases the historical site of Fort Gratiot which was constructed in 1814 to guard the entrance of the St. Clair River. The Post Hospital is the oldest wooden building in St. Clair County, and it is being renovated by Port Huron Museums to showcase the military and medical history of the Blue Water region.

Port Huron Museums is selling raffle tickets to raise money for the renovations, and tickets are available at all Port Huron Museums sites until September 12, 2021.

Learn more at phMuseum.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

VA Adds Flag Retirement Box

Port Huron, MI — The St. Clair County Department of Veterans Affairs office, located in the County Administration Building, has installed a flag retirement box for proper disposal of United States flags.

The County Administration Building is located at 200 Grand River Avenue in Suite 104.

County residents can retire flags that are no longer fit to fly because of tearing, fraying, or worn condition by folding them respectfully and dropping them off at Veterans Affairs.

According to the The United States Flag Code, the “flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.” Therefore it should be destroyed in a dignified way when it is no longer a “fitting emblem of display”.

The Department of VA will take flags from the retirement box to the American Legion post 8 to be properly disposed of in their annual ceremony.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Youth Getting Hands On Experience with Police

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Police Youth Academy is in full action this week at Port Huron High School, and youth are receiving hands on experience working with local law enforcement.

The Academy for 8th – 12th graders started Monday and runs from 8 AM – 4 PM through July 2nd.

Monday’s session included classroom training on domestic violence situations including details about the law, how police respond to a domestic violence call, and when to make an arrest in a domestic violence situation.

The day of training culminated with Youth Academy participants responding to simulated domestic violence calls and putting their classroom training to work. Volunteers acted out scenarios, and Youth Academy teams worked with Police Department mentors to properly investigate and handle the situations.

Youth Academy participants will continue the classroom and hands-on training with traffic stops, building searches, and other police scenarios along with safety training with mock weapons and dealing with intoxicated individuals.

Graduation from the Academy is on Friday, July 2nd.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Beeler Introduces Plan to Prohibit Critical Race Theory

On June 23, 2021, State Rep. Andrew Beeler introduced a plan to prevent a state or local K-12 curriculum from including race or gender stereotyping.

“Students go to school to learn, and our curriculum should not be teaching students to stereotype each other based on race or gender or to view themselves or their country poorly as a result,” said Beeler, of Port Huron. “My plan will promote respect among Michigan students and patriotism for the United States and the opportunity it provides to all, regardless of one’s background.”

Beeler’s House Bill 5097 would prohibit the state Board of Education and local school boards from explicitly or implicitly including a set of statements, beliefs or ideas related to race and gender stereotyping in core academic curriculum for public elementary, middle and secondary schools. Content to be excluded from curriculum would include, among others, the ideas that:

  • Individuals of a particular racial group, ethnic group or gender possess a collective quality or hold collective beliefs;
  • Individuals act in certain ways, including racism and sexism, because of their skin color or gender;
  • Cultural norms and practices of one group should be eliminated to conform to those of another group;
  • Individuals bear collective guilt for historical wrongs committed by others of a shared racial group or gender; and
  • Actions of individuals serve as an indictment of others in a racial group or gender.

HB 5097 has been referred to the Committee on Education for review.

Submitted by Rep. Beeler’s Office

Water Shut Offs and Penalties Reinstated

Port Huron, MI — The City of Port Huron is back to their normal procedures for delinquent water bills, so residents with past due bills will begin receiving past due penalties and possible shut off notices.

Bills reflecting these changes will begin arriving in July, and past due balances must be paid to avoid penalties and shut off of water service.

A six month repayment plan is available through the City of Port Huron for those who need assistance paying their bill and want to avoid disruption of water service to their homes.

Blue Water Community Action Agency offers emergency assistance to those who qualify for their services. Those interested can call their office at 810-982-8541 or fill out the online form on their website here: https://www.bwcaa.org/get-help

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand