George James

“Face Mask Exempt” Cards are Fake

“Face Mask Exempt” cards from the Freedom to Breathe Agency are not authorized and considered “fake”, according to Michigan’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel, and the Better Business Bureau. The cards contain an illegitimate seal from the U.S. Department of Justice. 

Referring to the Freedom to Breathe Agency, Melanie Duquesnel, President and CEO of Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan & the Upper Peninsula, said, “This group, along with others, are attempting to pass themselves off as government agencies and are using fear as their tactic to get businesses to comply with their demands. We all need to be doing our part by wearing a mask in public unless one is, truthfully, medically unable to do so.” 

Face mask wearing is now required by executive order with fines and misdemeanor charges levied against those who willfully refuse. Masks are thought to reduce the likelihood of transmitting COVID-19 to another person in close proximity from 17% without a mask to 3% with a mask, according to the medical journal, The Lancet. Children under the age of five and those who are unable to tolerate a mask for medical reasons are exempt from the order.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Masks Not Mandated in Lambton County

Lambton County, Ontario, has released its recommendations and supporting data regarding mask wearing. According to Lambton Public Health, “Face coverings will not protect you from getting COVID-19. Your best protection is to maintain physical distancing and wash your hands.” They went on to say, “At this time in Lambton County, evidence and local context does not support the mandatory public use of masks in a community setting.”

Across the border in St Clair County, Michigan, masks are mandatory in all public settings and businesses can deny entry to individuals not wearing them. Mask wearing is a precaution to prevent infected people from transmitting the virus, according to MDHHS. Carriers can be asymptomatic.

Lambton County, with a population of 123,000 reports 286 overall cases of COVID-19 with 25 deaths. St. Clair County, with a population of 159,000 has 602 cases reported with 52 deaths since tracking began.

The U.S.-Canada border remains closed to non-essential travel until at least July 21. The Lambton County report can be found at:

https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus/protect-yourself/#face-coverings.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Social District” Plans in the Works for Downtown Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron City Council will be presented with a plan to create new outdoor gathering spaces and social districts. The areas are meant to be gathering places that are less risky for virus transmission than traditional indoor bars, restaurants, and event centers.

The plan would also give downtown businesses a boost by giving consumers an option for staying and consuming food and beverages, particularly adult beverages, downtown. Municipalities are now lawfully able to designate particular areas where open intoxicants, clearly marked as such by the seller, can be consumed offsite.

The outdoor spaces, if approved, will be at McMorran Plaza and the pocket park by the Military Street Bridge. Both are planned to be quickly renovated into areas where people would naturally gather.

Port Huron City Manager James Freed described the project, saying, “You could buy a drink at one place and go to another place that doesn’t have a (liquor) license like Chef Shells and Maria’s and consume a drink. You can also take drinks to the two gathering places we are creating. Hence, these two projects would work together.”

All plans are subject to review by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

State Levies $3 Million Fine Against RNDC Liquor Supplier

An historic fine has been levied against the liquor distributor who caused a lot of headaches for local bar and restaurant owners over the past year. But, the $3 million fine will stay in the hands of the state.

Starting around this time last year, bar and restaurant owners were starting to have missing bottles in their orders and were not able to serve all of the cocktails on their menus. There was not an actual product shortage, but more a lack of organization from the supplier, Republic National Distributing Company, or RNDC.

Michigan’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel, said, “The State will not tolerate vendor mismanagement that results in financial hardship which impacts the livelihood of liquor retailers across Michigan.”

When asked where the $3 million fine will go, Jeannie Vogel, Public Information Officer for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission said that the money goes into the state’s General Fund and the remedial measures like audits and more accountability will help ensure adequate stock and timely delivery to retailers.  The fine is intended to offset losses to the state due to the shortages and delivery issues, according to Vogel.

RNDC acknowledged all 88 violations of the Liquor Control Code in the settlement.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sparling Road Bridge and Dove Road Roundabout Projects Begin Next Week

Port Huron, MI — Road work is underway in St. Clair County on Sparling Road in Wales Township and at the intersection of Dove and Range Roads near I-94.

Sparling Road, between Goodells Road and Emerson Road will be closed to traffic starting the week of July 13th. The work will consist of both road and bridge improvements. The work is expected to be completed in late August. Detour routes will be posted, but local access will be maintained.

Construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of Dove Road, Range Road, and the Eastbound I-94 exit begins July 16th and is expected to go through the beginning of September. The intersection will be completely closed. Eastbound I-94 traffic is advised to exit in Marysville.

According to the St. Clair County Road Commission, access to and from Westbound I-94 will be maintained, and access to the Eastbound I-94 on-ramp will also be maintained but only from north of the intersection.

The Sparling Road work has a $310,600 price tag, while the Roundabout project has a $1.16 million dollar estimated cost.  Both projects are financed with local, state, and federal funds.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland