Choze Powell

As of June 22, 2021, all capacity limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings and face mask requirements will end. Governor Whitmer announced today that she is accelerating the end of most COVID-19 epidemic orders.

In response to an increase in vaccinations and plummeting COVID-19 cases over the past several weeks, Whitmer said these changes are coming ahead of schedule.

Michigan is currently experiencing a case rate of 24.3 cases per million people and has a 1.9% positivity rate over the last seven days. Along with the decrease in cases, nearly 5 million Michiganders aged 16 and older have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, or 60% of those eligible.

St. Clair County currently has 3,081 active cases of COVID-19.

“Today is a day that we have all been looking forward to, as we can safely get back to normal day-to-day activities and put this pandemic behind us,” said Governor Whitmer. “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the medical experts and health professionals who stood on the front lines to keep us all safe. And we are incredibly thankful to all of the essential workers who kept our state moving.”

Some epidemic orders pertaining to vulnerable populations in corrections and long-term care facilities and agriculture workers will remain in effect, and public health measures will continue for reporting requirements and testing to identify any instances of increased community spread.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Port Huron, MI — A new charter school is coming to the Port Huron area which will focus on youth who are recovering from substance use disorders. The Recovery High School Program at the St. Clair County Intervention Academy will offer a holistic education for 7th – 12th grade students, and enrollment is now open for the fall of 2021.

John Romine, Chairman of the Board for the Romine Group, believes the need for a school that supports youth in recovery is critical. Enrollment is voluntary, and students have to consent to join the program.

“They have to want it themselves, they have to say yes, I want to be in recovery. I no longer want to struggle with the addiction,” said Romine.

In response to statistics showing that youth were being admitted to the hospital for overdoses and concern from community service organizations that youth substance abuse was a pressing issue in the community, Romine began gathering support to create a recovery school over two years ago.

The Recovery High School Program will operate under the umbrella of the St. Clair County Intervention Academy and will be directed by Scott Steenbergh. Steenburgh has a background in social work and 12 years experience as a licensed and certified addictions counselor .

“The school provides a therapeutic community; mentors and peers that are helping kids get through things on a day-to-day basis.” said Steenbergh.

Students will be offered an initial assessment, given a specialized treatment plan which will include individual and group therapy, peer recovery support, and an individualized online curriculum with teacher support.

Tuition is free for families, and all students will be equipped with the technology required to be successful in the program.

For more information, connect with Scott Steenbergh at (586) 215-6534 or ScottSteenbergh@gmail.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Port Huron, MI — Grants from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation will add to the outdoor recreation opportunities in the city of Port Huron. One grant will fund trail improvements at Sanborn Park, and another will provide skating equipment at McMorran Place.

Sanborn Park currently has a beautiful trail that winds through the wooded area on the east side of the park. The $45,000 grant will add to the present trail and make improvements to encourage walking, jogging, and biking. The funds will also help link the trail to the Bridge to Bay regional trail system, specifically to the neighborhood and school connector going in between Holland Woods and Port Huron Northern.

The front of McMorran Place is currently under construction and the new outdoor recreation area and skating plaza should be ready in time for winter fun. The $20,000 grant for this project will help the city purchase ice skating equipment which will be available at the plaza. The equipment will help kids of all ages learn to skate at McMorran Place.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Congresswoman Lisa McClain announced that she secured funding for several transportation projects in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District. The funding is part of the INVEST in America Act, and several projects will take place in St. Clair and Sanilac County.

One of the projects is the replacement of the King Road Bridge over the Belle River in China Township. Funding for this project came in at $2,299,800.

Sanilac County projects include reconstruction on M-46 and M-19, and the replacement of the Marlette Road Bridge over the South Branch of the Cass River. Funding for those projects combined will be just over $11 million.

Other projects include work on 21 mile Road in Macomb Township, and the Genesee Street Bridge in Lapeer.

McClain said, “Michigan’s roads and bridges are in dire need of repair and I’m glad the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure see several of my funding requests as critical priorities for Michiganders. I look forward to these projects being included in the final appropriations bill.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Port Huron, MI — Weather permitting, the contractor will begin dredging sand from the Black River Canal  entrance at Lake Huron today, Tuesday, June 15th, 2021. During the dredging operation, the Black River  Canal will be closed to recreational watercraft in the area between the tainter gate and Lake Huron. 

Following completion of the dredging work, sand dredged from Black River Canal will be  placed in Lake Huron from the north side of Lakeside Beach to the south.  

The contractor will be utilizing Gratiot Avenue to the Lakeside Beach entrance. There will be  intermittent slowed, and stop and go traffic in these areas. We encourage the public to avoid the north  end of the park during this time. 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If there are any further questions regarding  this matter, please contact the Department of Public Works 810-984-9730.

Submitted by the Department of Public Works