George James

Michigan Welcome Centers Back Open for Tourists

Michigan Welcome Centers will be open for business this Memorial Day Weekend. Over one million Michigan residents are predicted to hit the road according to AAA. This is a 57% increase from last year when people were sticking close to home and gatherings were strictly limited.

Safety measures will still be in place at Welcome Centers, but the resumption of in-person work allows them to be staffed.

Paul Ajegba, MDOT’s State Transportation Director said, “MDOT Welcome Centers play a key role in highlighting all Michigan has to offer both to in-state and out-of-state travelers. Our knowledgeable Welcome Center staff have a wealth of Pure Michigan information to help travelers find the destinations, events and activities they’re looking for.”

The Canadian border is still closed to tourists and non-essential travel. While the high-volume Welcome Centers are offering free and rapid COVID testing along with maps and brochures, the Port Huron Welcome Center is not. 

Dave Lorenz, vice president of MEDC’s Travel Michigan, said, “Our Welcome Centers play a critical role in ensuring a positive ‘first impression’ visitor experience, and the safe reopening of the Welcome Centers is great news for the industry.”           

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Live Look” Brings Working Artists to Downtown Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — Downtown Port Huron already has a growing arts scene, but it is taking another step into getting the community even more involved in creative expression. The Live Look series will give a glimpse into the creative process as artists work on their pieces in plain view.

Downtown Development Authority Director Cynthia Cutright said that the Live Look will be held in conjunction with the Shop, Rock ‘n Stroll which takes place every Friday from June 4th through September 3rd from 6-8 p.m. in Downtown Port Huron.

Cutright said, “The goal is the highlight artists, makers, and creators that we have right here in the Blue Water Area.”

Cutright said that artists are being compensated for their contributions by a grant from the Arts Committee of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. This type of art initiative is the first of its kind in the area and was inspired by local artist and business owner, Jody Parmann.

The first artist will be Shannon Wheeler, who will be demonstrating her woodburning art at Quay Street Park on June 4th. The June schedule is filled, but the DDA is looking for more artists to round out the rest of the summer.

Interested artists can go to the Downtown Port Huron Facebook page for more information.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Jail Officers Act Fast to Save Inmate

Port Huron, MI — The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office has credited four officers with saving the life of an inmate at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center. The inmate was trying to take his own life but the act of desperation was thankfully interrupted by the officers.

The incident occurred on April 1st when Deputy Rick Rodriguez first noticed the inmate in trouble and immediately called for help. Deputies Gerald Dove, Robert Taylor, Andrew Smith, and Sergeant Kyle Prone responded quickly and were able to rescue the inmate. The officers gave medical treatment until medical staff took over.

St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King said, “The quick actions of the deputies involved saved the life of the inmate. I am proud to present them with the Sheriff’s Office Life-Saving Award.”

Deputy Rodriguez received a Life-Saving Award in December of last year for a similar rescue. He was credited with saving the life of another inmate who was attempting to take his own life.

The St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center provides mental health screening and help along with addiction and behavioral programming. Spiritual and psychological counseling services are also available to inmates.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MIOSHA Updates Rules for Workplaces

The COVID-19 mitigation rules for workplaces have been updated once again on the unpredictable path to “normalcy”. 

On Monday, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration made some updates to the emergency rules that have been dictating how businesses operate for over a year. They had been under pressure from business interests and the legislature to do so. 

The new rules remove the requirement that employers must allow employees to work from home if possible. 

Other changes include allowing fully vaccinated employees to go mask-free, removing industry-specific requirements, and aligning cleaning recommendations to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control. Employers are still required to have a written COVID-19 preparedness and response plan.

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Acting Director Susan Corbin said, “These updated emergency rules will give workers and businesses the clarity and confidence they need to bring our economy back to full-strength.” 

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel said, “We continue to move toward normalcy as more and more Michiganders get vaccinated.”

The state vaccination rate is currently around 55%.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Reconnect Aims to Fill Skilled Trades Jobs

The Michigan Reconnect program has surpassed its goal and has 70,000 residents on track to get a tuition-free Associate degree or skills certificate. The price tag for the program is $30 million.

Susan Corbin, acting director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, said, “Providing hardworking Michiganders with the skills to fill a high-demand career, puts more money in their pockets and creates a better quality of life for them and their families.”  

In addition to tuition, the program is providing help with things like childcare and transportation through partnerships with Michigan Works!, MI Bridges, and community colleges.

There’s also help with getting matched with a job once the education has been achieved. Ben Damerow, director of Michigan Works! Southwest said, “The Michigan Works! network is the go-to resource for matching skilled talent with employers needing to fill jobs that support the local and regional economy.” 

Professional trades need workers. Over half a million job openings are predicted to be ready for workers by 2028.

For more information, go to visit michigan.gov/Reconnect.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

National Safe Boating Week: Wear Life Jackets

It’s National Safe Boating Week! Boat trips are a way of life in the Blue Water Area, but even seasoned boaters sometimes need a safety reminder.

Wearing a life jacket can be the difference between life and death and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourages all boaters, especially youth boaters, to wear their life jackets any time they are on a boat.

The DNR’s top rules are to wear a life jacket and to boat sober. The DNR also suggests making sure your boat is operating properly before leaving shore, having a float plan, and carrying a two-way communication device. Boaters are also asked to stay alert, as conditions on the water can change quickly.

When it comes to life jackets, boaters have many excuses for why they aren’t wearing one. The National Safe Boating Council says having life jackets on board is not the same as wearing them. Being a strong swimmer is not an excuse either, as plenty of strong swimmers become drowning victims. For those who don’t like the bulkiness of life jackets, there are new styles that look like suspenders or a belt pack and inflate when needed.

For more information, go to safeboatingcampaign.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland