George James

MSP: “Drive Slow on Ice and Snow”

Driving in the snow is unavoidable in the Blue Water Area, but accidents due to the weather can be avoidable with precautions. The Michigan State Police have some tips for winter drivers.

The State Police report that over 220,000 accidents occurred during winter weather over the past four years with 370 fatalities, sadly. The main advice from the MSP is to “Drive Slow on Ice and Snow”. Most accidents can be prevented with reduced speed.

The MSP also say to be prepared for driving by clearing the snow off of your vehicle. That means having a snow brush or ice scraper on hand and taking the time to use it. Having safe tires is critical, as that is literally where the rubber meets the road when it comes to safe driving.

The MSP advises keeping six to ten car lengths between your car and snowplows. Don’t try to pass a snowplow and move over for stopped snowplows if possible. If you get in a crash with a snowplow, the plow will win as they weigh around 30 tons.

For more information about winter driving: https://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-72297_64773_22760-539923–,00.html

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Be Prepared for Winter Driving with an Emergency Kit

Having emergency items in your vehicle and being able to help yourself lessens the strain on first responders during weather events. The Port Huron Police Department recently published an infographic that lists the essentials for an Emergency Supply Kit.

Make sure to have a cell phone charger, a first aid kit, and jumper cables all the time. Emergency water and snacks are also good in case you are stuck in your car for an extended period of time, as are flashlights and blankets.

Never go out in the snow and cold without warm gear like hats, gloves, and boots, and don’t forget that Michigan essential, an ice-scraper. It’s good to have a full tank of gas when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Drivers with snow tires or tire chains will fare better in treacherous conditions.

Cat litter? Yes. Having a bag of cat litter or sand in your car provides you with something to pour around a spinning tire to gain traction on snow or ice. If that doesn’t work, having a tow rope will come in handy if you need a little more help to get out of a slippery spot.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Website Tracks Gas Price Gouging, Card Skimming

The website, Michigan.gov/gasinfo, is a new consumer protection resource monitored by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

MDARD Director Gary McDowell said, “One of MDARD’s key goals is ensuring consumers are getting both the quality and quantity of the gas they’re buying, and we appreciate those stations who continue to put customers first.”

McDowell said, “Our Laboratory Division’s Weights and Measures Program regulates the sale of motor fuel and prevents economic harm by looking for credit card skimmers and ensuring pumps are accurate. MDARD employees are committed to making sure Michiganders are protected, especially over the holidays.” 

The new website gives instructions for making a complaint about gas price gouging and has information on how to detect gas pump credit card skimmers that can steal financial information.

One stop website launched – www.michigan.gov/gasinfo

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Tell Us Your Favorite Christmas Song and Movie

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the music and movies of the season. Everyone has their favorite, but there are some common songs and films that everyone seems to love.

The most popular Christmas song, “White Christmas”, recorded by Bing Crosby in 1942, has sold over 50 million copies, but Mariah Carey’s 1994 hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is at the top of every list of modern favorites.

Christmas is a time for love, but there are seasonal songs that everyone loves to hate. At the bottom of the favorite Christmas song list are both “Christmas Shoes” and Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmas Time”.

As far as Christmas movies go, people are generally in the “National Lampoons Christmas Vacation” camp or the “A Christmas Story” camp. But the 1946 classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, holds the top Christmas movie spot on nearly every national list.

“Miracle on 34th Street”, “Home Alone”, and the various renditions of the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol” are also perennial favorites.

Listeners can go to WGRT’s Facebook page to tell us what your favorite Christmas music and movies are. Happy Holidays!

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

What’s Your Favorite Christmas Cookie?

Cookies are hot right now. Bev Taylor, the owner of Port Huron’s Royal-T Cakery, said that cookies are flying off the shelves of her bakery.

When asked what the most popular cookie is this year, Taylor said sugar cookies are all the rage. Usually, chocolate chunk cookies are the most sought-after, but everyone seems to want sugar cookies during the holiday season.

Blue Water Area consumers are just slightly different from the national trends when it comes to cookie preferences, according to a recent survey from YouGov.

Nationally, chocolate chip edges out sugar cookies, with fudge coming in third. Whether or not fudge is a cookie is a debate for another time.

Those peanut butter cookies with the Hershey’s Kiss in the center have been a holiday staple for at least 50 years and they are near the top of the list this year as well.

Toward the bottom of the list are old standbys like jam print cookies and pfeffernusse. While most cookies are a variation of the mixture of butter and sugar and flour, throwing in flavors like anise and chai will land the cookie at the bottom of the list, where chocolate tends to land the confection at the top.

What’s your favorite? Go to WGRT’s Facebook page and leave your answer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland