George James

MDOT Reminds to Keep Snow Out of Roads When Clearing Driveways

Winter weather is here and with it comes a few reminders from the Michigan Department of Transportation. Snow that is cleared from driveways can not obstruct the vision of drivers. It also should not be pushed into the road.

The Michigan Vehicle Code prohibits “the obstruction of safety vision by removal or deposit of snow, ice, or slush.” MDOT says that this includes the end of driveways where drivers could have a hard time seeing past the mountains of snow.

State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said, “Piling snow at the end of a driveway may be convenient, but makes it difficult for drivers to make sure it’s safe to pull out onto the highway, and tough for drivers to see other vehicles waiting to pull out.”

Ajegba said, “Our crews work to keep the shoulders clear and knock down snowbanks at intersections for motorist safety, and residents and business owners need to do the same at their driveways.”

Pushing snow across a roadway also causes problems as it leaves a trail that can end up being slippery for drivers.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Health Department Needs Help with Monoclonal Antibody Clinic

The St. Clair County Health Department is putting out a call for volunteers to staff its Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Center.

Medical staff that are trained and experienced with intravenous infusion are needed as well as medical support staff. The support staff will assist with patient monitoring and vitals.

The dramatic uptick in Covid Cases in the area has caused the treatment center to be activated in the county. Volunteer medical staff are needed on Tuesdays and Fridays in December from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The monoclonal antibody infusion therapy is considered to be highly effective as it reduces viral loads and can consequently lessen symptom severity. The lessened symptoms can prevent hospitalizations by 70%, according to a memo published by the health department.

Patients are referred to the clinic by their health care provider and are generally considered to be at high risk of requiring hospitalization if symptoms progress.

Volunteers need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and will be provided with personal protection equipment and on-site training.

Visit mivolunteerregistry.org or email: dlois@stclaircounty.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

State Police Increase Patrols on I-94 This Week

There are more police on I-94 this week and they are keeping an eye on commercial vehicles. The Michigan State Police announced the “Eyes on 94” operation that will be increasing enforcement on the Interstate 94 highway throughout this week. The operation is being carried out in cooperation with the Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio State law enforcement agencies.

The focus will be on violations made by commercial vehicles that could contribute to crashes, like distracted driving, following too close, improper passing, speeding, and improper lane use.

Captain Richard Arnold of the Michigan State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division said, “This enforcement effort is a great example of the commitment by the MSP, Indiana State Police, Illinois State Police, and the Ohio Highway Patrol to reach our common goal of increasing traffic safety and reducing crashes.”

Arnold said that the operation is increasing awareness by being highly visible this week. The State Police said that I-94 is prone to weather-related crashes at this time of year, especially involving interstate commercial vehicle drivers.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Flying into the U.S.? Covid Testing Required within One Day of Travel

Anyone flying into the United States needs to take a Covid test. The new rule went into effect Monday. It applies even to Americans flying home from abroad.

The testing needs to be done no more than one day before air travel into the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control. The discovery of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus has prompted the new testing requirement.

The only way to get out of the testing is to have documentation proving that you were infected with Covid within the last 90 days and to be cleared for travel by a public health official or licensed healthcare provider.

The testing applies to anyone age two and older who is flying into the U.S., whether vaccinated or not. The rule does not apply to land crossings, just air travel.

Rapid tests are acceptable, as are home tests, but only if done under the supervision of a telehealth official. If travelers test positive, they will not be allowed to fly and will have to isolate in whatever country they are in. Those who refuse testing may not be allowed to board flights into the U.S.

For more information, go to the News section of WGRT.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

$400 Auto insurance Refunds on the Way

Checks should be in the mail in a few months in the amount of $400 per vehicle as Michigan refunds a portion of auto insurance premiums. The money is coming out of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association fund.

A bipartisan auto insurance reform law was passed in 2019. Those receiving the care from catastrophic claims are not pleased with the cut in benefits that are part of the auto reform laws.

Tom Judd, president of the Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council said, “Michigan consumers are absolutely owed a refund on their premiums, because auto insurance companies have gotten away with gouging them for years. But make no mistake: This move cannot be taken as an excuse to shirk the responsibility of caring for victims of catastrophic auto accidents, who paid for no-fault insurance through their premiums.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “These refunds and the recently announced statewide average rate reductions are lowering costs for every Michigan driver.”

Three billion dollars in auto insurance refunds are expected to be refunded to consumers in the second quarter of 2022.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLain’s Patient Advocacy Tracker Act Bill Gets Senate Companion Bill

Bipartisan efforts to increase transparency and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs has led to the introduction of Senate bills to complement U.S. Representative Lisa McLain’ s Patient Advocate Tracker.

McLain, a Republican representing Michigan’s 10th District, which includes most of the Thumb Region, said, “The Patient Advocate Tracker Act is commonsense legislation that will make the VA more transparent and cause less frustrations for our veterans. Veterans deserve the best healthcare possible, and when they receive subpar care, they need to be able to easily report complaints to their patient advocate, track it and get the best outcome possible. This bill will simplify the process and help them track their complaint.”

McLain’s bill was introduced in late October and is awaiting being sent to committee.

A companion Senate bill has been sponsored by Republican John Kennedy of Louisiana and Democrat Raphael Warnock of Georgia. The bills are meant to fast-track getting care concerns to the right person and eliminate the delays to advocacy due to unnecessary bureaucracy in the Veterans Administration.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland