George James

New Blue Water Bridge Commuter Pass Offers Lower Toll

Crossing the Blue Water Bridge has been restricted since the start of the pandemic. There are some updates to the crossing restrictions and a new program for international commuters.

The Michigan Department of Transportation advises that travelers always check with either U.S. Customs and Border Patrol or Canada Border Services to get the latest travel rules. They should also start expecting longer wait times and congestion at the border.

Some of the changes instituted during COVID-19 restrictions have become permanent. Cash is no longer accepted for eastbound travelers. Only commercial cards, debit or credit cards, and the new Edge Commuter Pass are accepted.  

In explaining the commuter pass, Blue Water Bridge Administrator Amy Winn-VanHoeck said, “Our commuter pass program is a newer addition and one we are thrilled to now be offering our customers. The reduced toll rate using this commuter pass makes it very reasonable for customers, and the ease of using the pre-paid pass automated toll lane will help to streamline processes and offers a different method of payment now that we have opted to continue to forgo the use of cash.”

The commuter pass rate is $2.50 per non-commercial vehicle.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sarnia Police: Stop Calling 911 for Coyote Sightings

The Sarnia Police are asking residents to deal with wildlife without calling 911. There has been an increase in calls to the 911 dispatch service regarding the spotting of coyotes, deer, and raccoons.

The Sarnia Police remind residents that raccoons in the trash can or coyotes in the street do not constitute an emergency. Police will not respond to sightings of wildlife.

Police may respond if an animal is injured or acting aggressively toward humans. Sarnia Animal Control may then get involved as well.

If a wild animal is making a home in a yard or in the neighborhood, residents will need to contact a pest control company to trap and deal with the animals in an appropriate manner.

Coyotes have been of particular concern in the area, but they generally try to avoid human contact. The Sarnia Police suggest driving the coyotes away by yelling “go away” in a firm voice, banging pots, spraying a water hose, or throwing objects toward the coyote. Flashlights and motion-activated lights can also scare off coyotes.

Bears are a different story, and have been spotted in Lambton County. Bear sightings can be reported to the BearWise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Museums for All Offers Reduced Admission Fees to Port Huron Museums

The Port Huron Museums are part of the Museums for All program. The program supports lowered admission rates for low-income families.

What does Museums for All mean? The initiative “encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits.” All kinds of cultural institutions are included in Museums for All, including the Thomas Edison Museum, Carnegie Center, and the Huron Lightship.

Admission to the Port Huron Museums is generally $10 per person per site or $28 for a multi-site pass. With Museums for All, tickets are just $3 per person for those who present a Bridge Card or prove eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Museums for All allows for free or reduced admission to over 700 museums nationwide. Over 3 million visits have been facilitated by Museums for All since 2014. Museums for All was started by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency based in Washington, DC. It is administered by the Association of Children’s Museums through a cooperative agreement with IMLS.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lake Bonisteel Music Association Fest at Pine Grove Park August 7th

A popular summer tradition in the Blue Water Area, the BlueChiliGrass Festival, is off the calendar for another year, but a new tradition is getting started. The Lake Bonisteel Music Association, which put on BlueChiliGrass, is hosting a music festival this weekend, Saturday, August 7th, from noon to 8:00 p.m. at Pine Grove Park.

LBMA Fest is family-friendly and will feature live music. Right now, there are nine musical acts on the playlist. There will also be arts and craft vendors.

Food and non-alcoholic beverage vendors will be on site. All that guests need to bring is a lawn chair. Entrance to the music festival is free.

In addition to hearing a variety of music in one of the most beautiful settings in Port Huron, Pine Grove Park, there will be an instrument “petting zoo” where kids can try out different musical instruments.

The Lake Bonisteel Music Association promotes cultural activities in the Blue Water Area with a focus on arts and music. The association has been hosting family-friendly cultural events since 2011. A link to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LakeBonisteelMusic/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLain and Huizenga Demand Answers from DOJ on Nursing Home COVID Deaths

Two Michigan Representatives in Congress, Lisa McLain and Bill Huizenga, both Republicans, sent a letter to the Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz demanding answers to several questions.

McLain and Huizenga are requesting a formal investigation and want to know who made the final decision to forgo investigation, what data exonerated Governor Gretchen Whitmer of any wrongdoing, if there was any contact with the Whitmer Administration and the Department of Justice, and whether anyone from the Office of President Biden was in contact with the DOJ regarding the Michigan inquiry.

The questions all have to do with the decision to place COVID-19 patients into long-term care facilities, and the subsequent infection and death of thousands of nursing home patients.

Congresswoman Lisa McLain said, “Thousands of Michigan families deserve to know why the State of Michigan and Governor Whitmer chose to put their loved ones’ lives at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. She continued, “We are demanding answers because no one seems to want to investigate Governor Whitmer’s mishandlings of this crisis.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Anxious Teens Can Sign Up for Free Virtual Support Group

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is offering free group counseling to teens who may be feeling anxious about going back to school. The sessions are online virtual support groups.

The pandemic has been especially hard for teenagers and the thought of going back to in-person school and all the social interactions that go with it can be very stressful for teens. It is a common worry.

The group counseling sessions are for teens aged 14-17. They can share their feelings and concerns with other teens and listen to their experiences. A trained “Stay Well” counselor will moderate the sessions and facilitate the meetings.

The emotional support groups are not meant to take the place of mental health treatment. No personal information will be retained.

Teens can sign up for one of four sessions that are held on every Wednesday in August at 4:00 p.m. 

MDHHS also has a 24/7 counseling telephone line that is staffed by a Michigan “Stay Well” counselor.

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcpcu6rqDooGdJDuHvQba3_y1TJc0BH3XU2?fbclid=IwAR1ZE5vak0jztfkMfdRV5wGXHSgWCmSEo2qdjQFh-YZDNSnoJp2OsB9oS1s

Dial 1-888-535-6136 and press “8”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland