George James

MDARD Awards Benefit Thumb Wine Producer, Bean Co-op

A select group of Michigan agribusinesses has received grants from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Two of the businesses are located in the Thumb and have impacts on the region.

Cooperative Elevator Company of Pigeon and Youngblood Vineyard of Ray Township each received grants.

MDARD Director Gary McDowell said, “With this funding, these businesses will be able to increase production and product quality, focus on scalability, and create good-paying jobs for Michiganders.”    

Cooperative Elevator Company is a farmer-owned cooperative of 1,100 patron-owners that provides agricultural production supplies and marketing services for the Thumb’s farmers. They will be using the grant money to expand processing in their bean plant, implement new technology, and fill four new positions.

Youngblood Vineyard is a thriving vineyard that grows six different grape varieties and processes 100% estate-grown wine on-site. The grant will fund four new positions at the family-owned winery and increase production as well as increase their event hosting capabilities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

COVID-19 Antiviral Oral Meds are Now Available

New antiviral medications are now available in Michigan for those who test positive for COVID-19. The medications, Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, are treatments for mild to moderate COVID infections.

The medication has been shown to reduce symptoms and the risk of hospitalization in people who have conditions that put them at high risk of severe illness. The drugs need to be given within five days of onset of symptoms.

The medications are distributed using Priority Eligibility Criteria. Those at the highest risk, such as elderly, pregnant, or immunocompromised patients are at the front of the line to get the treatment.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive said, “We urge Michiganders to talk to their health care provider if they test positive for COVID-19 to determine the best treatment course. However, it’s important to remember these drugs are still in limited supply and are not a substitution for protecting yourself by getting vaccinated and wearing a mask in public places.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PIPES Act Legislation Introduced to Keep Disposable Wipes Out of Sewer Systems

The PIPES Act legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Democratic Congressman Dan Lowenthal of California and local Republican Representative Lisa McLain of Michigan’s 10th District. PIPES stands for “Protecting Infrastructure and Promoting Environmental Stewardship”.

The Act pertains to disposable wipes that are causing severe damage to municipal sewer systems. The Act would establish standards for “flushability”.

Representative McClain said that the PIPES Act would help address the “damage to our sewage systems made by wipes that have caused massive clogs that can’t be easily removed.”

If passed, the legislation would impose penalties on manufacturers who do not comply with the labeling standards.

A longtime critic of flushable wipes, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller said, “This is extremely important legislation to help us all protect our critical underground infrastructure. Packaging on all wipes should clearly say ‘Do Not Flush.’ They may be flushable but they are not biodegradable and these wipes are wreaking havoc on our sewers.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Snowy Owls Make Annual Appearance

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reminding Michiganders that the elusive Great Snowy Owl could be making an appearance in backyards around the state. Catching a glimpse of the rare, large bird is a highlight of the winter for many bird watchers.

The DNR warns that winter is a stressful time for the bird that spends most of its time in the arctic tundra. Being around humans and urban landscapes are unfamiliar experiences for the owls. Great snowy owls face threats like collision with vehicles and power lines, ingestion of rodent poison, and invasion of their personal space from curious humans.

The DNR says to give snowy owls space. Expect to use binoculars to view the seasonal visitors. If you make the owl fly away, you got too close.

While it might be tempting to call in the owl with audio recordings, don’t do it. Hearing another owl’s call is very stressful for Great Snowy Owls.

Finally, leave “live baiting” to professionals. This is only done for the sake of the owls and can be harmful if used for photography. Owls will start hanging around dangerous places to get easy meals and it will ultimately be detrimental to the owl.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

City Proposes Addressing Housing Needs, Sidewalk Accessibility, and Cruise Ship Docking

Port Huron City Manager James Freed has presented the proposed goals and priorities for the city of Port Huron. The list covers nine initiatives.

The city administration plans to address housing concerns by developing a community housing strategy to look at current and future housing needs along with addressing workforce housing needs in the community.

As the city prepares to spend the windfall of one-time funding from the American Rescue Plan, investment into city assets like Palmer Park, McMorran, and Department of Public Works facilities are on the docket.

Those who try to navigate the city on foot or in a wheelchair or motorized device will be interested to hear the plan to enhance crosswalks to make them more accessible.

Citizen engagement town halls, sidewalk improvements, improved signage for visitors trying to find their way in the city, and business corridor improvements are also on the list, but the most unique item may be the plan to work with regional stakeholders on docking for the Viking Cruise Line Great Lakes Cruise scheduled for 2023.

Stay tuned to WGRT as these proposals develop.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland