George James

Nutrition Services to Continue with New School Year at PHS

Last week, Port Huron Schools Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas sent a letter to all families and staff in the district, explaining policies and procedures for the upcoming school year. School starts on September 7th.

Kerhoulas made special note of the way in which the district addressed nutrition over the last school year and how it will feed children in the district this year. He shared that the district served 1.8 million meals to students and families during the ongoing pandemic.

Breakfast and lunch are available to all students in the district, with no proof of income needed. All students in every school, from preschool to high school can eat up to two meals a day at school.

Those families who choose virtual school for their children can pick up five-day meal packs at Port Huron Northern High School or Port Huron High School on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., except for the first week of school on which distribution will be on Tuesday.

The Food and Nutrition Department Staff will be recognized for their tireless work in feeding students during the Crosstown Showdown on October 8th.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Court Rules Against Lawyers Who Challenged November Election

Both Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel were quick to comment on the historic ruling made by U.S. District Judge Linda Parker in the case of a group of attorneys accusing the Governor, Secretary of State, and others of participating in voter fraud. The attorneys were sanctioned and the judge referred to the action as abusive litigation.

Referring to the accusations of election fraud as the “Big Lie”, Governor Whitmer said, “Today’s ruling sends a clear message: those who seek to overturn an American election and poison the well of American democracy will face consequences.” 

Attorney General Nessel relished the victory, saying, “I’m pleased to see that the Court has ensured there is accountability for the attorneys who perpetuated meritless arguments in court. It has remained abundantly clear from the outset that this lawsuit aimed to do nothing more than undermine our democratic process.”

The 110-page opinion is posted on the Attorney General’s website and a link can be found below. The attorneys in the suit face fines, court-ordered training, and possible disbarment.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/172_opinion__order_King_733786_7.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PHS Addresses Parent Concerns

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas sent a letter to all families in the district to answer questions about upcoming procedures as the pandemic lingers on, and to address issues that have been of concern to parents.

Kerhoulas stated in the letter that the district will follow all orders from local, state, and federal authorities and that at this time masks must be worn on buses, and are encouraged, but not required, in classrooms.

Sick or exposed unvaccinated students and employees will have to stay home, and close contacts can plan on quarantining unless they can prove vaccination or a documented diagnosis in the past 90 days.

The district is not requiring vaccinations for staff. Ventilation systems have all been upgraded to meet CDC recommendations.

Addressing parent concerns about teaching critical race theory, Kerhoulas said that it is not part of the curriculum. In the letter, he said, “We support our professional teaching staff and trust them to answer student questions and guide meaningful, appropriate discussions in our classrooms.”

A link to the full letter.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bills Address Drunk Driving Records and Blood Alcohol Levels

Two House Bills were signed into law this week pertaining to driving under the influence of alcohol. House Bills 4219 and 4220 allow for expungement of certain convictions for a first violation of operating while intoxicated.

The expungement bills are intended to allow those with one conviction to apply for jobs with a clean record. To gain the clean slate, those with a conviction will need to petition the court five years after probation ends.

Safe & Just Michigan Executive Director John S. Cooper said, “Drunk driving is a serious problem in Michigan, but permanently limiting a person’s ability to work and drive based on a one-time, decades-old mistake does not make sense. People who can show that their DUI conviction was a one-time mistake should have an opportunity to make a fresh start.”  

House Bills 4308 and 4309 maintain the legal blood alcohol limit to .08. The limit was set to rise to .10 in October of this year.

State Representative Graham Filler said, “Michigan is the only state in the country not to have a firm .08 Blood Alcohol Concentration limit for operating a motor vehicle. Eliminating the sunset is not only the right thing to do, but it ensures the safety of those traveling on our roads.” 

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Roundabout Coming to M-136 & North Road 

Another roundabout, or traffic circle, could be coming to St. Clair County. The Michigan Department of Transportation is holding a virtual meeting open to the public on August 31st at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the future construction of a roundabout at the M-136 and North Road intersection in Clyde Township.

The intersection at the end of Keewahdin Road, which is part of a stretch of M-136, and North Road currently has a stoplight. MDOT is in the design phase of the project. Construction is planned for 2023.

A roundabout is being proposed to improve safety and traffic operations.

The virtual meeting is open to MDOT staff and contractors, community stakeholders, local businesses, and interested residents. The meeting will start with a brief presentation and then have a question and answer session. Questions can be submitted using a chat tool.

The public is asked to help MDOT recognize and address any concerns related to the construction of the roundabout. Comments and questions can be submitted using an online comment form, by mail, or by email.

Click here to join the meeting

To join by phone without using Internet, call 248-509-0316.

Conference ID: 255 348 474#

COMMENT FORM: Public input is being sought to help MDOT recognize and address any concerns that may result from this project. Please provide comments and questions using the online comment form, or by mail or e-mail to MDOT Public Involvement and Hearings Officer Monica Monsma at MonsmaM@Michigan.gov or:

Monica Monsma

MDOT Environmental Services Section

P.O. Box 30050 

Lansing, MI 48909 

517-335-4381

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Resources Ready for Veterans and Refugees Amidst Chaos in Afghanistan

The situation in Afghanistan is changing rapidly. The state of Michigan is preparing for the possibility of providing a home for those who have to leave Afghanistan and make a new home somewhere else.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a press release last week, “Michigan’s greatest strength is—and always has been—our people. We have a rich history of multiculturalism—from the Dutch who settled in the West, to the Finns who mined the North, to the Middle-Easterners who made Dearborn a flourishing center for Arab culture, and countless others who make us who we are. People from around the world have come to Michigan over centuries for good-paying jobs, a high-quality education for their kids, and the right to live and worship freely. “

Whitmer is waiting to hear more from the U.S. State Department, but Michigan’s departments and agencies are gearing up to provide support to those Afghans who may be calling Michigan home.

Whitmer also reached out to Michigan’s veterans who may be struggling with the images of chaos in the land in which so many sacrifices were made. Whitmer said, “You answered the call to serve your country and now we have a duty to serve you.” 

A link to resources for veterans:

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (1-800-MICH-VET) 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland