George James

The Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County, Dan Casey was recently in Lansing as the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) held their annual Interlocal and Corporate partners meeting. Casey said that “the MEDC has the annual meeting to bring its partners up to speed on changes to programs, the budget, or other strategic initiatives.” He said, “this year, the focus was on the new MEDC strategic plan that was just approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund Board, which is appointed by the governor.

Casey explained that over the years, “the MEDC has maintained interlocal agreements with many economic development agencies in the state, and St. Clair County’s EDA has signed such an agreement.” Casey said the agreement “essentially establishes the relationship and roles of the MEDC and the local partner.” President and CEO of the MEDC, Jeff Mason presented a 5 year strategic direction of economic development in the state of Michigan at the meeting. According to the MEDC, the strategic plan that was unveiled is committed to enabling long-term economic opportunity for all Michiganders.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley

Lambs Road between Wales Center Road and Fitz Road in Wales Township is now open to traffic. Crews removed the existing bridge, installed a new aluminum arch, guardrail, and completed paving. 

At the southern end of the county, Mayer Road between Gratiot and Rattle Run Road in St. Clair Township is now closed to traffic. Crews will be removing the bridge surface, waterproofing the existing bridge deck, installing a new guardrail and more. Mayer Road is going to be closed for approximately 21 consecutive days. The suggested detour is Gratiot Road, and Rattle Run Road. Access will be maintained to local traffic within the construction zone, including homes and businesses. Access across Rattle Run Creek on Mayer Road will not be permitted. Local residents are encouraged to plan for delays due to construction. The cost of the project is estimated at $40,000.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

November 5th will mark election day for several communities around the area. Residents in St. Clair and Fort Gratiot will have items to vote on in the upcoming Tuesday election. In St. Clair, voters are being asked to increase their millage by one mill to provide funds to defray the cost of retirement and pension programs for city employees.  The ballot says that it is a renewal of the millage previously approved for that purpose. 

A millage vote will also take place in Fort Gratiot. Voters will be asked for funding to continue to provide police protection for residents. The 2.5 mill increase will raise approximately one-million dollars in its first year. Those monies will be exclusively earmarked to police protection within the township. The increase would be for a five-year period ending in 2023, and would replace a 2.0 millage that voters had previously approved. That millage expired in 2018.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

As the weather is getting colder, and snow is in the forecast, there are individuals in the area that need help to dress warm this winter.  Linda Acton, Store Manager for Kids in Distress in St. Clair, sees the need firsthand. She said the organization, in a regular day, sees between 60 and 80 kids who need clothing.  With winter coming, she said that number climbed to 114 on just one day. 

Kids in Distress is a non-profit organization based in St. Clair that has a mission to help children and teens. The organization provides clothing and hygiene items free of charge if an adolescent is unexpectedly removed from home.  The child or teen may be entering foster care, shelter, or might be left homeless by a fire among other possibilities. Children and teens can get a referral for the free clothing from several local agencies. 

Currently, Kids in Distress says they are in desperate need of boys and girls clothes sizes 5 through 12. They also need coats that will fit boys, girls, men, and women through 3x. The organization is also accepting boots sizes 1 through men’s size 13 and girls size 1 through 12.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.

The Marysville A&W on Gratiot Boulevard in Marysville will soon be having their grand opening celebration. Renovations have been ongoing, and Assistant General Manager of the A & W, Isaac Graham, said the restaurant has been in the soft opening phase over the past few months. Graham said now “everything is up and running, providing the best service possible.” The celebration begins on Thursday, November 7th with a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. with the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce. The event will continue until Sunday, November 10th. 

During the grand opening celebrations, patrons are invited to bring canned goods to support the Marysville Food Pantry and Marysville Elementary Schools. Anyone who brings in canned goods and makes a purchase will get a free, small root beer float. On Saturday and Sunday, it will be a kid’s weekend as the A&W Mascot, “Rooty,” will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for pictures. There will also be prizes and giveaways while supplies last. Those who donate canned goods over the weekend will also be entered to win a custom Yeti cooler, Visa gift cards, and more.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has changed the traffic light in downtown Lexington. In the past, the light was a flashing yellow light for the north south route on M-25 after 11 PM which resulted in slowed north-south traffic. Recently, MDOT changed the light to a flashing red that will make a 4-way stop at the intersection after 11 pm at night. Lexington Village Manager Holly Tatman said MDOT stopped by the village offices and let officials know the light had been changed by the state agency. Tatman said she “believes it may make the intersection safer in the evening hours.” Officials from the Village want residents to know that the decision to change the light was an MDOT determination and not a decision made by officials at the Village of Lexington.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.