George James

Boating Safety Tips for Fall Boating

Fall boating season has arrived, and with it come different types of risks that cold water and air temperatures bring. Here are some boating safety tips from the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water.

  1. A float plan is needed: A float plan is as simple as telling a responsible person where you will be going and when you’ll be back. A float plan ensures rescuers will be notified if you ever fail to check back in after your outing. Additionally, leaving a note under your vehicle’s windshield wiper at the launch ramp can help trigger an alarm.
  2. Got a way back into the boat? Falls overboard may be ranked #5 on the 2021 U.S. Coast Guard’s list of the “Top Five Primary Accident Types” with 273 accidents, but they also led to the highest number of deaths, as well as more fatalities than all the other 4 top accident types. Your boarding ladder should be functional and accessible as cold water can quickly sap strength.
  3. For life jackets, camo styling hides a danger: Dark green, tan and black camo patterns are remarkable at doing exactly as designed, blending you into your surroundings. However, that’s not a benefit if you happen to be floating in the water and rescuers are searching. Make their job easier and wear a life jacket with high visibility.

For more information visit boatus.org.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Update On 120-Inch Water Transmission Main Break

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) has an update on the August 13th break to the 120-inch water transmission main that distributes finished drinking water from its Lake Huron Water Treatment Facility to communities in the northern part of GLWA’s drinking water service area.

With the 120-inch transmission main now fully closed, GLWA’s Lake Huron Water Treatment Facility has begun producing the 81 million gallons of water it will take to fill the 26 miles of main. Once the transmission main is filled, GLWA will work with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to implement a flushing and disinfection plan. Due to the size and length of the transmission main, GLWA expects this flushing and disinfection to take some time and is estimating a return to normal operations by September 21st.

GLWA will share more information as it becomes available.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Sign Up Now for Hunter Safety Education

Fall is on the way – that means youth and archery deer hunting, trapping, and waterfowl seasons are quickly approaching. Don’t wait for opening day; register now for a hunter safety education course or a field day.

These courses are available in either a traditional classroom setting, online, or take-home program. The online and take-home programs are great for busy hunters who want to learn but need a flexible schedule to complete the course at their own pace, followed by a single-session field day.

“We encourage interested hunters to check the website daily, as new classes continue to be added. Keep in mind that the closest class or field day might be located outside your county or postal code,” said Lt. Tom Wanless, DNR recreational safety, education and enforcement officer.

Participants completing the online or take-home program must pre-register for a field day.

Interested in sharing your hunting knowledge? Consider becoming a volunteer hunter education instructor.

Learn more about hunter safety education and volunteering as a hunter education instructor or search for classes at Michigan.gov/RecreationalSafety.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Federal Highway Administration Awards $50 Million Grant for Mid-Michigan Road and Bridge Repairs Following Flooding and Dam Failure 

On August 31st, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has awarded $50 million to reimburse Michigan for emergency road and bridge repairs made in 2020 after dam failures and flooding in mid-Michigan.

Following extensive flood damage caused by dam breaches in May 2020, nearly 30 roads and bridges across the region were closed and suffered damage. In Midland and Gladwin counties, three bridges within a 2-mile distance were closed to traffic after being washed away. US-10 at Sanford Lake was also closed to traffic due to extreme scour of bridge piers and the bridge approaches being washed away.

The FHWA will send $50 million in emergency relief funds to Michigan to reimburse the state for repairs it made to roadways and bridges following the severe flooding in mid-Michigan in 2020. The flooding prompted the governor to declare a state of emergency, order the evacuation of more than 10,000 residents, and contributed to the failure of the Edenville and Sanford dams.

  

The reimbursement is part of aid the FHWA is distributing to states and territories for repairs to roads and bridges damaged by storms, floods, wildfires and other recent severe weather events. Michigan received a larger reimbursement than most other states with the exceptions of California and Puerto Rico, who faced historic wildfires and hurricanes, respectively.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Lt. Governor Gilchrist Highlights $55 Million Expansion of Michigan Reconnect Program

On August 31st, during an event at Mott Community College, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist touted the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2023 budget’s inclusion of $55 million to fully fund the Michigan Reconnect program. He also encouraged working-age Michiganders to join the more than 100,000 people who have taken the first step towards earning a college degree or skills certificate through the Michigan Reconnect program in the last 18 months.

The Michigan Reconnect program, which provides free or reduced community college tuition for students 25 and older who have not yet earned a degree, was launched in February 2021.

 

The event’s aim was to highlight how programs such as Michigan Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners are creating a rewarding path to in-demand careers for Michiganders and to encourage more participation in the Michigan Reconnect program.

  

Lt. Governor Gilchrist also highlighted $6 million in grant funding now available to help cover other costs that often keep adult learners from returning to college or enrolling for the first time.

  

The new grants, which will be distributed by the state’s community and tribal colleges, can be used for books, childcare, internet access and transportation to help students pursue associate degrees or skills certificates.

To be eligible for the grants, students must: 

  • Be Michigan Reconnect or Futures for Frontliners scholarship participants
  • Have completed at least one semester within the respective scholarship program they are participating in 
  • Be enrolled already, or be in the process of enrolling, for a qualifying semester 

More information is available at Michigan.gov/Reconnect.

Reporting for WGRT – George James