George James

MDOT Seeks Public Comments on Five-Year Transportation Plan

For those who have an opinion on the condition of Michigan roads, the time is now for getting their voices heard. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is giving residents a chance to make public comments on the 2021-2025 transportation program.

The Five-Year Transportation Program is updated annually and includes mobility initiatives, revenues, and specific projects planned for the next two years. The plan includes work on M-25 in Port Huron, rehabbing the road surface of I-69 between Taylor Road and M-19 in 2022, and various other local projects.

Part of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s campaign hinged on her promise to “fix the damn roads” and bond financing has been employed to help finance the endeavor. Two billion dollars were spent on Michigan roads in 2020. $3.6 billion is scheduled to be spent on roads in 2021 with $1.4 billion coming from Rebuilding Michigan bond financing.

Comments from the public will be accepted until February 25, 2021. Comments can be e-mailed to MDOT-Five-Year-Program@Michigan.gov.

A link to the five-year plan and an interactive map with planned projects:

www.Michigan.gov/MDOT5YearProgram

Alternative formats, such as print, large type and language translation, are available upon request. Comments will be accepted now until Feb. 25, and can be e-mailed to MDOT-Five-Year-Program@Michigan.gov or directed to:

Lina Chapman

Michigan Department of Transportation

Systems Evaluation and Program Development Unit

425 W. Ottawa St.

P.O. Box 30050

Lansing, MI 48909

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

See You In Court: Port Huron Rejects MIOSHA Citations and Fine

Port Huron, MI — A local legal drama is brewing as the City of Port Huron is taking on the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) regarding a $6,300 fine issued after receiving several citations for not following COVID-19 prevention protocol.

The citation was issued after a complaint was filed. MIOSHA accused the City of “violations of COVID-19 workplace safety requirements including failure to require face coverings, not conducting daily entry self-screening protocols for employees, not training employees on COVID-19, and failing to maintain records of the daily entry self-screening protocols.”, according to MIOSHA records.

MIOSHA dismissed one of the charges, but is not backing down on a portion of the penalty. The City has asked for a court date to hash it out in front of an independent administrative law judge.

The City denies all charges and points out that there have been no workplace COVID-19 outbreaks. They also dismissed the legitimacy of MIOSHA to levy fines after the Governor’s Executive Orders were ruled unconstitutional by the Michigan Supreme Court.

City Manager James Freed called the citations “baseless and not with legal merit”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLaren Festival Of Trees Money To Go Toward Lung Cancer Equipment

Port Huron, MI — McLaren Port Huron’s Festival of Trees  2020 was a totally different event from the three-day event of years past, but the scaled-back adaptation was still a success. 

The 2020 version had seventeen trees displayed at the windows of the hospital that the community could enjoy safely from outside. Donors still came through with sponsorships and raffle ticket purchases, netting $65,000 for the hospital’s Foundation. 

The proceeds from the Festival of Trees are going toward the purchase of equipment to diagnose and treat lung cancer – an endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy device. The device should be ready for use this summer.

Dr. Vasken Artinian, a pulmonary critical care specialist, said that this tool will improve patient care and outcomes and using it is the procedure of choice. He said, “It really complements our full-service cancer program at McLaren Port Huron and is an opportunity to ensure patients can remain in the community for diagnosis and treatment.”

Both Dr. Artinian and Sara Tait, Director of the McLaren Port Huron Foundation, expressed gratitude to the community for their generosity and support.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Championship Disc Golf Course In the Works at Columbus County Park

Columbus County Park in St. Clair County is about to become home to a state-of-the-art Disc Golf Course. The cutting-edge course design work has been completed and the construction of the course is underway.

Jeff Bauman, a professional disc golf course designer, has been charged with the creation of the course. Bauman said the course will have something for everyone, with “Gold Level” long tees and “Fun Level” short tees. He said the course will challenge the best players, yet be fun for beginners.

Bauman said fifteen volunteers were ready to work at 8:00 last Saturday morning, in 17-degree temperatures. The projected June completion date could be moved up because of the hard-working volunteers and the enthusiasm for the project. Information about volunteer opportunities can be found at the Columbus County Park Disc Golf Course Facebook page.

Bauman said that interest in disc golfing “has really exploded” as people are looking for outdoor recreation during the pandemic. Bauman recommended PDGA.com for more information about getting started with disc golfing.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SCC RESA Great Start Program Earns Blue Ribbon Status

The St. Clair County Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) has announced that their Great Start Home Visiting Program has earned Blue Ribbon Affiliate Status with the Parents as Teachers National Center. The Status is the highest designation given by the Quality Endorsement and Improvement Process of the Parents as Teachers organization.

Parents as Teachers is a national organization based in St. Louis, Missouri, that “builds strong communities, thriving families and children who are healthy, safe and ready to learn by matching parents and caregivers with trained professionals who make regular personal home visits during a child’s earliest years in life, from prenatal through kindergarten.”

The St. Clair County RESA program offers free home visits with their Great Start program following the Parents as Teachers model. Participating families receive personal visits from a parent educator, participation in early learning group activities, a network of community resources, and child health and development screenings.

A link to more information and Great Start sign-up details:

http://sccresa.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=13039614&fbclid=IwAR1LVlMCgbT0PglSa5mbqoN7PhKBgmYqVj0yndBX7EqsVEkUiq1vnZ3YhOI

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Local Non-Profit, A Beautiful Me, Awarded DTE Grant

The DTE Foundation has awarded a $1500 grant to A Beautiful Me, a local non-profit, to support the Pen Pal Program. DTE gives out millions of dollars in grants to organizations throughout its service area, as one of the largest corporate citizens in Michigan.

Lynette Dowler, president of the DTE Foundation, said, “A Beautiful Me – through its Pen Pal program – continues to serve as a stabilizing and inspiring force during an uncertain, lonely time for many young women. At the DTE Foundation, we know supported, nurtured youth are the bedrock of strong, vital communities.” 

Fowler went on to say, “And we know our partnership with A Beautiful Me, and the senses of pride, confidence and camaraderie it instills in young women – our future leaders – will continue to set them up for personal and professional success for years to come.”

With most kids spending a lot of time at home and social interactions curtailed by COVID-19 restrictions, getting a letter in the mail can be a real thrill. The Pen Pal Program has reached 700 youth with the work of 40 volunteers.

More information about the program and the work of A Beautiful Me can be found at abeautifulme.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland