George James

MDOT Stops Road Construction for Holiday Weekend

Travelers heading up north or anywhere in the state will be glad to hear that the Michigan Department of Transportation has lifted traffic restrictions to aid in easing Fourth of July travel.

Roadwork is being suspended wherever possible over the holiday weekend. Some equipment and traffic shifts or configurations will remain. The road construction pause starts at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 2nd, and goes through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6th.

More than 1.5 million Michiganders are expected to travel at least 50 miles to celebrate Independence Day this year. State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said, “With almost all remaining COVID-19 restrictions having been lifted, we expect a tremendous amount of folks to be traveling this Fourth of July holiday weekend.”

Locally, the stoplight directing one open lane will remain on M-136 through Beard Hills in Clyde Township. I-69 will have one lane open in each direction with the traffic shift between Miller Road and Stapleton Road. Eastbound ramps at Riley Center Road will remain closed. The work on the I-69 business loop in Downtown Port Huron will have one lane open in each direction.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

DNR Will Be Looking for Impaired Boaters July 4th Weekend

Summer in the Blue Water Area often means boating and fun on the water. Sometimes that includes toasting the short summer season with a cocktail or other adult beverage. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is warning boaters to enjoy the water responsibly.

Operation “Dry Water” is a national law enforcement campaign that enforces sober boating. It is illegal to operate a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The legal alcohol limit is the same as for operating a motor vehicle- .08%.

Lieutenant Brandon Kieft, DNR Law Enforcement Division supervisor, said, “Boaters can have a good time and enjoy the resources, but they are expected to drink responsibly and operate safely.”

Boaters are asked to be aware of kayakers, swimmers, and hidden debris. The recent rains and high waters have moved things around in the water, and boaters need to have unimpaired judgment when operating a watercraft.

The DNR says to expect to see more officers on the water over the July 4th weekend. In addition to looking for drunk boaters, they will be looking for boaters wearing life jackets properly and handing out free coupons in partnership with McDonald’s.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Report “Flood Scams” to AG

With flooding causing headaches around the region, scammers targeting weary property-owners are compounding the pain.

Michigan’s Office of the Attorney General is warning residents to be aware of price gouging, particularly from vehicle-towing companies. There are reports of vehicles being unlawfully impounded and charging unreasonable fees.

If drivers feel that their vehicle was unfairly impounded, they can file a petition in the district court with jurisdiction in the location from where the car was towed.

Flood victims are also warned to be wary of opportunistic home repair contractors who may not have any intention of getting the work done any time soon. The consumer alert warns homeowners not to fall for high-pressure schemes that require an immediate decision and payment.

There is also a warning regarding flood-damaged vehicles on the used-car market. Consumers should inspect the vehicle title to look for words like “salvaged” or “rebuilt”.

Any suspicious activity can be reported to the state’s Consumer Protection Division for investigation.

Consumer Protection Division 

P.O. Box 30213 

Lansing, MI 48909 

517-335-7599 

Fax: 517-241-3771 

Toll free: 877-765-8388 

Online complaint form 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Enter Stage Right Wins Federal SBA Grant

Port Huron, MI — The show will go on for Enter Stage Right, which performs on the Citadel Stage in Downtown Port Huron. They have received a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The grant will help pay overhead expenses as well as provide for upgrades to get the opening season off to a good start. The theatrical production company hasn’t been able to hold in-person shows since March 15, 2020.

Executive Director Regina Spain said, “Truly, the knowledge that no matter what, we’ll have our theatre and will be able to pay our artists takes away the fear of losing one more thing due to the pandemic. We’ve kept our artists engaged with trainings and ‘out of the box’ performances, but it’s a struggle and we’re incredibly excited to get back to our audience and community.”

 Out of 15,000 applicants, Enter Stage Right was one of the winners of the SBA grant. They are waiting on another grant from the Michigan Council of Arts & Cultural Affairs, which could provide additional benefit to the theatre.

The theatre will reopen during the first weekend of August with the “Will on the Water” production.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Hunter Hospitality Family House Open Ahead of Schedule

Port Huron, MI — The community has rallied behind the creation of the new Hunter Hospitality Family House and it is now open. The opening is ahead of the projected schedule.

The house provides lodging to families with loved ones who are hospital patients or who need to stay near the hospital for ongoing treatment. The Family House is a single unit designed to be a private refuge for families.

The house has a fully stocked kitchen and laundry room and has sleeping accommodations for six people.

Executive Director of Hunter Hospitality House, Tracy Willard, said, “We couldn’t have opened the Family House without the community’s generosity. A lot of companies donated time and services.  They believe in our mission, and we’re so grateful for their help with this expansion.”

The Family House is one of three properties managed by the Port Huron non-profit. The other two houses provide bed-and-breakfast style lodging near both hospitals in the city. 

The charity was established in 2011 in memory of Hunter Willard. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be on December 7th, which would have been Hunter’s 30th birthday.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDHHS Recommends “Layering” Mitigation Strategies for Schools

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued its recommendations for preventing COVID-19 transmission when kids and teachers go back to school in the fall.

MDHHS recommends “layering” strategies to reduce transmission. Those “layers” include promoting vaccination, wearing well-fitting masks, and social distancing, along with screening, testing, and contact tracing.

Maintaining healthy environments with regular cleaning and better ventilation are also recommended. Hand-washing and covering coughs and sneezes remain part of the plan to stay healthy.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said, “I am pleased with the progress of our vaccination efforts in Michigan, with 56% of Michiganders age 12 and older having received at least their first dose of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.”

Khaldun went on to say, “These vaccines are the reason transmission of the virus in Michigan is at the lowest point in a year. However, as the school environment brings together large groups of individuals who may not yet be vaccinated, MDHHS is issuing this guidance to help protect Michiganders of all ages.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

 Photo credit:  Emily Goudy, Photos by Emily