George James

St. Clair County leaders have rolled out a new plan to protect residents during dangerous heat waves and freezing temperatures, creating a coordinated system to open emergency shelters when conditions turn life-threatening. Blue Water Community Action will lead efforts, managing shelter space, transportation, and support once alerts are triggered, such as wind chills below zero or heat indexes over 105 degrees. A new $20,000 crisis fund will help cover overflow needs, while local shelters and partners step in to expand capacity.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Voters in St. Clair County are being urged to renew a local ambulance millage on the August 4th ballot to keep emergency services running at current levels without raising taxes. Officials say the funding has led to faster response times, more ambulances on the road, and stronger staffing, including dozens of new hires and sharply reduced turnover. An expanded fleet and improved EMT training have also boosted reliability and care quality. Leaders warn that if the millage is not renewed, recent gains in emergency response could be lost.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Police in Warren say a five-day crackdown called “Operation Summer Heat” led to multiple arrests and the takedown of suspected drug and gun activity across the city. From July 14th through the 18th, officers teamed up with federal agents to serve four search warrants, seizing four illegal firearms, about $17,000 in cash, and a mix of drugs including marijuana, cocaine, meth, fentanyl, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms. Officials say the coordinated effort targeted violent crime hotspots and shows how joint operations can quickly remove dangerous weapons and narcotics.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A massive 740-foot cargo ship that ran aground along a busy stretch of the St. Clair River near Sarnia is back on the move after a coordinated recovery effort. The Algoma Equinox, loaded with grain and headed to Baie-Comeau, struck bottom Tuesday afternoon but remained stable with no injuries, leaks, or hull damage reported. By Wednesday afternoon, tugboats helped free the vessel, which then powered away on its original route as normal shipping traffic continued through the area without disruption.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A teenage girl was injured Monday evening after crashing an ATV along Urban Road near Townline Road in Moore Township. Deputies say the 17-year-old lost control of a 2007 Polaris Hawkeye while heading east, causing the vehicle to veer into a ditch and throw her off. Emergency crews arrived shortly after 7:30 p.m. and rushed her to McKenzie Health System with injuries. Investigators say drugs and alcohol do not appear to be involved, and the crash is still under review.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet