George James

Funding Natural Resources Trust Fund on the Ballot with Proposal 1

What is Proposal 1? It is a proposal to allow money from oil and gas mining on state-owned lands to continue to be collected in state funds for public land preservation. It allows for the State Parks Endowment Fund to cap at $800 million and subsequent money to go into the Natural Resources Trust Fund. It also specifies percentages of funding that would go into state park improvement, recreation areas, and land conservation.

Those in favor of the proposal, such as conservation and business groups, say that a yes vote puts money into the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, which has been protecting drinking water sources, natural outdoor spaces, and wildlife habitats. They say that Proposal 1 will expand the Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund.

Those against the passage of the proposal, such as the Thumb Land Conservancy, say, it’s passing “will forever reduce the amount of money spent each and every year on important land and habitat protection projects.”

Voters will decide whether to change the funding or leave it alone when they vote on Proposal 1 on November 3rd.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

National Drug Take Back Day at SCC Sheriff’s Office Saturday

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department is participating in National Drug Take Back Day this weekend. Medications can be dropped off at the Sheriff’s Office at 1170 Michigan Road between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24th.

Responsibly disposing of unneeded pills helps deter drug abuse and crime as well as help protect the environment. Sheriff Tim Donnellon said, “We encourage everyone who has pills that are unwanted or expired to bring them to our office. Disposing of the pills properly ensures they don’t end up being improperly used and keeps them out of our drinking water.”

Only pills are accepted. Liquids, syringes, patches, inhalers, and creams are not accepted. The pills are turned over to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, which incinerates them.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office has been hosting Drug Take Back Days eighteen times and has collected over 2400 pounds of pills.

If you can’t make it to the Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, you can still drop them off at the Sheriff’s Office during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Fall Carnival Planned at Carnegie Center

Port Huron, MI — As the temperature drops, outdoor options for families are starting to dry up and indoor options are few and far between. Yet, the Port Huron Museums have found a way to have a safe and fun indoor experience. 

They 2020 Fall Carnival is this Sunday, October 25th, at the Carnegie Center in Downtown Port Huron. Andrew Kercher, Director of Community Engagement for the Museum, said that there is plenty of space to spread out at the three-story building. The museum is planning indoor carnival style games geared toward elementary age children while offering cider and a campfire outside. They are maintaining social distancing and preventing large crowds by requiring advance reservations. 

The event is a fundraiser for the Museum, which has been hit hard by COVID related closures and loss of revenue. Kercher said that the silver lining to the COVID shutdown has been that it has forced them to be creative in maintaining access to local history and looking at their collections in new ways. 

The Museum is limiting capacity to twenty people per time slot during the Fall Carnival. The cost is $5 per person.

Reservations are available between noon and 3:00 p.m. They can be made through Eventbrite at phmuseum.org. 

Port Huron Museums are planning a telethon for Giving Tuesday on November 1st. Stay tuned for details as the event gets closer. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Industrial Hemp Growing Takes Root in Michigan

Michigan’s Industrial Hemp plan has been approved by the federal government. Michigan’s plan aligns with the requirements of the 2018 Farm Bill and the USDA’s interim final rule.

The Industrial Hemp Ag Pilot Program started last year and carried into this year’s growing season, involving 631 growers and 517 processors. The trial year helped shape the regulatory framework needed to diversify the operations. Hemp is used to make paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction materials, health food, and fuel.

State Senator Dan Lauwers of St. Clair County’s Brockway Township said, “Michigan’s pilot program for industrial hemp has been a great success. There is increasing interest in this crop in a wide variety of sectors. Michigan farmers will benefit greatly from being able to grow hemp, under the 2018 Farm Bill and Michigan’s USDA approved Hemp Growers Program.”

The THC level of the plants is monitored, and there are other requirements that distinguish industrial hemp from marijuana. Interested growers can go to Michigan.gov/IndustrialHemp for details.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sarnia and Brights Grove Tim Horton’s Restaurants Help Pathways Health Centre for Children

Sarnia, ON — Pathways Health Centre for Children has received a sizable donation from the Sarnia and Bright’s Grove Tim Horton’s franchises. The local restaurants donated $44,461.00 to the charity.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from this year’s campaign are being donated by the owners of the local restaurants to the charity, helping Pathways move toward its $260,000 fundraising goal.

Alison Morrison, Executive Director at Pathways Health Centre for Children, said, “Everyone needs a smile these days! This gift to Pathways made possible by strong community support of the local Tim Horton’s in their Smile Cookie Campaign couldn’t have come at a better time for our organization and the clients we serve. It is truly incredible, that during a global pandemic with such hardships experienced by citizens and businesses, that Sarnia responded so generously to the campaign, surpassing last year’s record!” 

The Smile Cookie campaign began in 1996 to help raise funds for the Hamilton Children’s Hospital in Ontario. The Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie Campaign raised a record breaking $10.56 million this year.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

The Dry Dock Provides Safe Community for those in Recovery

Port Huron, MI — 2020 has been a difficult year for a lot of people, and an even tougher year for those recovering from addiction. But, the Dry Dock Recovery Reading Room in Downtown Port Huron has persisted in providing a ray of hope for those in recovery to find acceptance and a safe, positive environment.

The Dry Dock opened in February of this year. Three brothers, Linn, Jeff, and Brad Bartlett, rented a unique space right on the Black River by the Military Street drawbridge. The brothers, who are all in recovery themselves, used their experience in the hospitality industry to make a welcoming and friendly gathering space for people in the process of conquering addiction.

The space provides not only friendly conversation and plenty of reading material, but a chance to make healthy choices in the face of isolation and loneliness, which can be amplified by the pandemic.

There is no charge to visit the Dry Dock. While the facility is not affiliated with any particular recovery program, they have information on overcoming all kinds of addictions. They also host events such as a clean and sober Boat Night, euchre games, and art and music shows.

For more information, call Linn Bartlett at (810) 941-8510 or check out their facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Dry-Dock-Recovery-Reading-Room-100292064904693/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland