George James

Click-It-Or-Ticket and Commercial Vehicle Checks Underway

Local law enforcement is increasing patrols for both seatbelt use and commercial vehicle enforcement. The Click-it-or-Ticket campaign is underway, as is the Commercial Vehicle Alliance International Roadcheck.

Click-it-or-Ticket is an enhanced effort to catch those who choose to drive without wearing a seatbelt. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office will have patrols dedicated to seatbelt enforcement from May 16th to June 5th.

Sheriff Mat King said, “We can’t overstate the importance of wearing your seatbelt. It’s the law, but more than that, it is the simplest thing you can do to help save yourself from injury or death in the event of a crash.”

The Michigan State Police have been utilizing weigh stations and rest areas to inspect commercial vehicles, focusing on finding defective equipment and checking driver hours of service. More than 65,000 drivers of big rigs and buses are expected to go through the checkpoints.

Commercial drivers should be prepared to show their operating credentials and hours of service. Officers will be looking for anyone operating under the influence of substances as well.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

I-94 From Detroit to Port Huron Slated as Alternative Fuel Corridor

Interstate 94 from Detroit to the Blue Water Bridge is one of the seven nominations for the new Alternative Fuel Corridors, or AFCs. The AFCs are routes that will eventually be part of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in a multi-state network, taking advantage of funds from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Michigan Department of Transportation will be in charge of implementing the AFCs, working with the Michigan Infrastructure Office. The goal is to use the funds on the routes that centered on the support of Electric Vehicle adoption and to relieve “range anxiety” for those who have invested in electric vehicles.

The I-94 corridor is on the list, along with I-275, I-696, and several northern Michigan corridors.

Chief Infrastructure Officer & Director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office, Zachary Kolodin, said, “This is an essential part of our future, and these nominations that have been submitted for the new AFCs are just another step we’re taking to make sure Michigan remains at the forefront of the mobility industry.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

CityFlatsHotel Boutique Hotel to Open in June

The CityFlatsHotel is gearing up for a mid-June opening of the 18-room boutique hotel. 

Cathy Mills, Managing Director of CityFlatsHotel, says, “It’s so exciting to see the progress that is taking place every day and to compare the uniqueness of each room. The colors and décor are very contemporary, and our amazing interior design team made sure that each room looks different from the others. With custom-made furnishings and bedding, guests who stay with us, again and again, will have a different experience in every room.”

Mills said that the unique rooms and modern décor are one of the reasons for their “Stay Different” motto. Rooms have views of downtown Port Huron or the Black River.

Port Huron’s Martin Construction completed renovations on the former Michigan National Bank building, built in 1927. The furnishings are designed by Charter House.

The building is also home to restaurants and a ballroom that seats 300 guests. It is located at 405 Water Street in downtown Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

New Laws Put Newspaper Legal Notices Online for Free

Two new laws will require newspapers to publish legal notices, such as foreclosures, estate notices, public notices, advertisements to bid, public meeting notices, and others, online for free public access. Earlier this week, Lisa McGraw, Public Affairs Manager for the Michigan Press Association, said that the Association was thrilled that the bills were signed.

Newspapers will be prohibited from placing legal notices behind a pay wall. The bills are hoped to improve access to public information while maintain records that newspapers provide.

The sponsors of the Senate bills, Democrat Sylvia Santana of Detroit and Republican Curtis VanderWall of Ludington, called the legislation “overdue” and “meant to increase public transparency”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

St. Clair County Sherriff Awards Wade and Krzywiecki as Employees of the Year

And the Employee of the Year awards go to…Detective Kelsey Wade and Corrections Deputy Keith Krzywiecki.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office presented its inaugural Employee of the Year Awards last week during a ceremony at the Sheriff’s Office.

St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King said, “I am extremely proud to be able to recognize Kelsey and Keith as our first recipients of the Employee of the Year Award. They were both nominated by several of their peers and have exemplified what it means to be an outstanding employee.”

The award recognizes Detective Kelsey Wade and Corrections Deputy Keith Krzywiecki for their daily commitment to quality work, willingness to carry out additional responsibilities beyond regular job assignments, and encouraging attitudes that contribute to positive morale.

Wade has been working at the Sheriff’s Department since 2006 and Krzywiecki has been with the department since 2007.

Both deputies received a certificate and a voucher for a night at a hotel and a gift card for dinner.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

More Foster Care Families Needed in Michigan

It’s Foster Care Month. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is in dire need of new foster families.

There are about 10,500 children in foster care in Michigan with 4,928 foster families. The highest need area is for older children, sibling groups, and kids with special needs. The goal is generally biological family reunification, but permanent adoption is an option when reunification is not possible.

Demetrius Starling, executive director of the MDHHS Children’s Services Agency said, “We are facing an increased need for foster families to provide stable and safe care for children due to the department’s commitment to provide family homes for children and reduce the use of congregate care settings, as well as a significant loss of foster homes during the pandemic.”

Experienced foster parents can answer questions for prospective foster parents with the Foster Care Navigator program at Michigan.gov/hopeforahome. Further contact information can be found at WGRT.com.

Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent can call a Foster Care Navigator at 855-MICHKIDS or visit www.fcnp.org. Navigators are experienced foster care parents who can answer questions and guide prospective foster parents on their journey. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/hopeforahome.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland