George James

High-Speed Internet to Reach Unserved Communities

High-speed internet will be coming to the underserved areas in Michigan if the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office is able to accomplish its goals.

The initiative was awarded $15.3 million through the Connecting Michigan Communities Grant program. The funding will go toward twenty projects that service 6700 locations. The economic benefit is projected at $12.4 million annually.

Locally, service in Cottrellville and St. Clair Townships are part of the state-wide initiative.

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist said, “We will continue to invest in expanding infrastructure to allow all Michiganders the opportunity to access high-speed internet. The funding in the CMIC grant will increase access for families and better connect people, communities, and businesses across Michigan.”

The high-speed internet access is intended to expand service to unserved areas in the state and enhance the ability to connect for personal, professional, and educational purposes.

The projects are meant to increase digital literacy by providing training to residents and businesses and working with community organizations to promote e-learning, job, and workforce training. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Next Michigan State Park Could Be in Downtown Flint

For Blue Water Area residents looking for a day trip, there could be new recreational opportunities just an hour’s drive away. Plans are underway to create a new Michigan State Park in Flint. The new park would be located at a former industrial site, Chevy Commons. The proposed park needs to be approved by the legislature.

The possible state park would run along the Flint River and would connect to local neighborhoods, U of M-Flint, and Kettering University. It would also connect to the Flint Farmer’s Market, the Flint Cultural Center Campus, and the Iron Belle Trail.

The plan includes non-motorized trails, playscapes, accessible open spaces, fishing opportunities, and canoe and kayak launches. The estimated cost is $26.2 million and would be paid for with money from the federally funded American Recovery Plan.

If approved, the park would be Michigan’s 104th State Park and Genesee County’s first. Flint was identified as lacking a “signature park” in the 2021 DNR Public Land Strategy report.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Laws Strengthen School Bus Safety

School bus safety is at the heart of several new bills signed into law this week. House bills 4201 and 4203 prohibit anyone to board a school bus without permission from the driver. They establish a $500 civil fine for stepping onto the bus without authorization.

State Representative Jack O’Malley, who sponsored the bill, said, “We have made the school buildings safer. These bills now bring focus on the weakest link, the school bus. We will have better enforcement of those who ignore the stop arm. Also, the boarding with permission brings the respect our drivers need while keeping our kids safe.” 

House Bills 4202 and 4204 allow school buses to have a stop-arm camera system and to be able to use evidence from the cameras to show drivers failing to stop for busses with their red lights flashing.

State Representative Tyrone Carter, the bills’ sponsor, said, “These bills prioritize student safety. I am grateful for the bipartisan support in empowering our students.”  

Drivers are required to stop for busses with red lights flashing and remain completely stopped until the lights stop flashing.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Belle Isle Aquarium Reopens July 16

The Belle Isle Aquarium is reopening after an extensive closure. The Aquarium will open at 10:00 a.m. on July 16th.

The Aquarium, located on Belle Isle, a Michigan State Park in Detroit, has been closed for sixteen months. The Aquarium has undergone $1.2 million in renovations, taking advantage of the forced closure due to COVID to make some much-needed upgrades. The renovations set the stage for future generations to learn about aquatic life and enjoy the beautiful setting. 

Opened in 1904, the Belle Isle Aquarium is an architectural wonder, designed by Albert Kahn. It is the oldest aquarium in the country.

Visiting the Aquarium is free, but donations are gladly accepted. Visitors will need a State Parks pass to enter the island.

The Aquarium improvements include “enhancing the quality of the visitor experience, upgrading exhibits, stabilizing critical life support systems, and modernizing behind the scenes infrastructure” according to their announcement.

The Aquarium is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Traffic Shifts Planned for I-69 Road Work

Interstate 69 in St. Clair County is at the heart of the Rebuilding Michigan program that is targeting roads that are critical to the state’s economy and carry heavy traffic loads. While the work is going on, drivers will need to be prepared for new traffic shifts and closures of lanes and ramps.

The Michigan Department of Transportation says that the investment in roads is aimed at making longer useful lives of the roads and improving the condition of the state’s infrastructure. The work is planned to make the roads smoother and improve the driving experience.

The work going on right now involves moving the eastbound I-69 traffic onto the newly built lanes on the eastbound roadbed. The eastbound Riley Center Road ramps will reopen.

The westbound ramps at M-19 near Emmett will be closed and detoured. The ramps will be closed through October of this year.

Next week, the westbound traffic will be shifted to the eastbound roadway and the westbound ramp at Riley Center will be closed and detoured.

The latest work on I-69 started over the weekend and is scheduled to be completed in November of 2022. The project has a $38 million price tag.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland