George James

Senate Passes Bill to Rename St. Clair Post Office After Marine Cpl. Jeffery Robert Standfest

Both the U.S. House of Representatives and now the U.S. Senate have passed a bill to rename the St. Clair Post Office in memory of Marine Corporal Jeffery Robert Standfest.

Standfest was a 2005 St. Clair High School graduate. He died on June 16th, 2010 in Helmland Province, Afghanistan while serving his country as a Marine during Operation Enduring Freedom.  Standfest was a K-9 handler with the Marines. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

The legislation to rename the St. Clair Post Office was cosponsored by a bipartisan coalition of several Michigan legislators and sponsored by Congresswoman Lisa McLain of the 10th District.

McLain said, “Cpl. Standfest was an American hero who was taken from us far too soon. I’m glad the Senate passed my legislation to rename the St. Clair Post Office after Cpl. Standfest right before Memorial Day. He paid the ultimate sacrifice and deserves to be honored by his community.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

M-46 to Get an Upgrade; Lane Restrictions Through June

For those taking a drive on M-46 in Michigan’s Thumb, road construction will be underway on the east-west thoroughfare throughout the month of June.

The Michigan Department of Transportation reports that they are resurfacing 2.5 miles of M-46 from the west village limits of Carsonville to Goetze Road. The Sanilac County work includes resurfacing, joint repairs, and concrete sidewalk ramp repairs, as well as shoulder gravel and pavement markings.

The work has begun and it is expected to go until June 30th, pending no weather delays.

MDOT reports that one lane will be open during daytime working hours with traffic regulators. Once work is completed for the day, lane restrictions will be removed.

The $800,000 project is being done to provide a smoother road and extend the life of the roadway.

The project is part of the Building Michigan Together Plan, a bipartisan effort to invest almost $5 billion in Michigan’s infrastructure including $317 million for local roads and bridges throughout the state.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Pine Knob Expands Prohibited Items List for Summer Concertgoers

Heading to Pine Knob for a concert? A pair of cargo shorts might come in handy as the popular Clarkston venue is prohibiting all bags, purses, and clutches. Single compartment wallets are allowed as long as they are smaller than 4” by 6” inches.

No outside food or drink is allowed in the venue, including a personal water bottle. Concert-goers will need to stay hydrated by buying something at the venue. While buying alcohol onsite is definitely allowed at Pine Knob, forget about packing a cooler or sneaking in your own adult beverages.

If it’s raining on concert night, leave that golf umbrella in the car, as umbrellas with pointed tips are also prohibited. Strollers are prohibited for those bringing the whole family to a concert, but diaper bags are allowed.

Camp chairs and any chair other than a short beach chair are not allowed on the lawn. Blankets are allowed.Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town will be performing at Pine Knob on June 3rd, with Robert Plant and Alison Kraus playing next week, followed by Styx and REO Speedwagon and The Lumineers.

https://www.313presents.com/venue/pine-knob-music-theatre/pine-knob-prohibited-items-entry-policies

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SC4 Asking for Millage Renewal on August 2 Ballot

St. Clair County Community College is asking county voters to approve a millage renewal request on the August 2nd ballot. The renewal is for nearly one-half mill for a four-year period from 2023 to 2027.

SC4 says that, if approved, the millage renewal will not increase taxes and SC4 will continue to have one of the lowest operating millages in Michigan.

Senior Vice President of SC4, Pete Lacey, said, “St. Clair County Community College has served St. Clair County and its residents for nearly 100 years.” 

Lacey pointed out that students, taxpayers, and society as a whole get a high rate of return on their investment and that SC4 offers a full collegiate experience.

Lacey said, “The College’s economic impact is significant for the entire Blue Water Area, providing trained and educated workers, helping enhance life quality and earnings, employing county residents, attracting new visitors for programs and events, and much more.” 

The SC4 renewal millage, if passed, will cost about $2 per month per $100,000 of home value.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Friends of St. Clair River Name Baby Sturgeon “Pauline” After Fundraising Contest

The Blue Water Area is celebrating Sturgeon, the ancient gentle giants that call the St. Clair River home, with this weekend’s Sturgeon Festival. Part of the buildup to the event was a baby sturgeon naming contest.

The contest was between Port Huron City Mayor Pauline Repp and St. Clair County Commission Chair Jeff Bohm. The two local leaders raised funds for the Friends of the St. Clair River, with the most successful fund raiser winning namesake rights for a baby sturgeon.

The winner is Pauline Repp, who edged out Bohm’s $840 with her $915. The baby sturgeon in an aquarium at the new offices of the Friends of the St. Clair River is now named “Pauline”.

Friends President Sheri Faust said, “All we have accomplished in 15 years as an organization at Friends of the St. Clair River, and all we are poised to accomplish in the next decade, is possible because people are helping build a culture of conservation and stewardship for Michigan’s Thumb Coast.”

 The Blue Water Sturgeon Festival will be held this weekend at the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Go to WGRT.com for more information.

Sturgeon Festival

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Be On the Lookout for Ticks

Ticks can really ruin a summer. The pesky little insects can carry Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, which are serious ailments. Being aware of tick risk and taking steps to avoid tick bites are the best ways to avoid an unpleasant encounter with a tick.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said, “Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. If you find a tick attached to your body, promptly remove it. Monitor your health and if you experience fever, rash, muscle or joint aches or other symptoms, consult with your medical provider.”

Grassy, wooded areas are tick hotspots. MDHHS recommends avoiding tick-infested areas. If in the woods, walk in the center of trails and protect pets. Use insect repellant with DEET or picaridin on exposed skin. Clothes can be treated with an insecticide that kills ticks.

A link to more information can be found below.

https://www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/home/lyme-disease?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland