George James

Sex Offender Registration Act Ruled Unconstitutional

After nine years of litigation, the Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that the 2011 Sex Offenders Registration Act is unconstitutional ex post facto punishment. What does that mean?

According to a press release from the State Appellate Defender Office, it means that many of the Act’s requirements cannot be imposed against those whose offenses requiring registration came before the enactment of the 2011 Sex Offenders Registration Act.

Referencing the case People v Paul Betts, State Appellate Defender Jessica Zimbelman said, “The Court correctly recognized the extreme and unconstitutional burden placed on nearly 40,000 Michiganders by requiring registration with no determination as to who actually poses a risk to the public.”

The decision was based on the court’s view that being on the Sex Offender Registry restricts where registrants can live, work, and loiter and is comparable to shaming. The court also felt that the registry resembles parole, given the “significant amount of supervision by the state” and it imposes onerous burdens, all without any evidence of reducing crime.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Buy Michigan” Week Brings Attention to Local Economies

It’s “Buy Michigan” Week. The week, July 28th through August 4th, is designated as a time to focus on supporting and growing the Michigan economy by purchasing locally produced or sold goods.

The pandemic hit small businesses hard, and many are struggling to recover. The effort is underway by the Governor’s office to get people to buy local to continue to build up the economy.

William J. Hallan, President and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association said, “Small businesses like local retailers are the backbone of Michigan’s vibrant economy. As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, we encourage all Michiganders to keep their money in the Mitten by shopping local, and we thank the Administration for reminding residents of the importance of supporting the local retailers and businesses who make Michigan’s downtowns great places to shop and visit.” 

State government has allocated much of the federal Covid relief money toward small business recovery, with 23 programs on the books right now, and 25,000 companies receiving some type of support.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sanilac County 4-H Fair Coming Up: August 8-14

For those who missed the St. Clair County 4-H and Youth Fair, or those who want more county fair action, the 2021 Sanilac County 4-H Fair is coming up. The annual fair will be held at the Sanilac County Fairgrounds in Sandusky from August 8th to 14th.

Fair admission costs $15 per person per day and includes all carnival rides and grandstand admission. A Mega Pass costs $55 and can be used all day every day from August 10th through 14th. That’s a lot of carnival rides. The Mega Passes need to be purchased prior to the fair, by August 8th, and can be purchased from the Sanilac County 4H Fair Baord Office.

The Grandstand events include the Flying Star Rodeo on both Monday and Tuesday nights. Wednesday night features the USA Bump-N-Run and Thursday is the USA Figure 8 Race. Friday is the night for Tractor and Pickup Pulls. Saturday brings the crowd favorite, the Demolition Derby. All Grandstand events start at 7:00 p.m.

Of course, the main attractions at the Fair are the 4-H projects that the youth and their families have worked so hard on all year long. More information can be found at sanilaccounty4hfair.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDARD Warns Against Unlicensed Mosquito Control Applicators

The mosquito population is incredibly healthy this year and that is bad news for people who want to be outdoors pretty much any time of day, but especially dusk and nighttime. Spraying yards and public spaces with pesticides is becoming popular. With all consumer trends, scam warnings are quick to be issued once criminals see an opportunity.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, MDARD, has issued a warning and published an official list of approved companies that are licensed, insured, and authorized to apply pesticides registered by MDARD.

A legitimate mosquito control company will provide the name of the applicator that performed the service, the time and date of the application, a description of the target pest to be controlled, a list of pesticides applied, any warnings or restrictions, and detailed information about the risks and benefits.

Brian Verhougstraete, MDARD’s Pesticide Section Manager said, “Licensed mosquito control companies and their certified applicators have demonstrated they have the knowledge to use pesticides safely and effectively. Utilizing properly licensed and certified applicators protects public health while these professionals work to keep mosquitoes in check around your home.”

https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-2390_98204_107610—,00.html

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Affordable Housing Being Addressed with Federal and Private Money

Looking for a place to rent or buy? If so, you know that reasonably priced housing is hard to find, state-wide. Affordable housing is at the center of a new proposal from the Governor’s office. The proposal would spend $100 million in federal relief money and $380 million in private funding to create new housing.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer called the investment “transformational” and said that the investment will “make a huge difference in the lives of Michiganders because a home is the foundation for long-term prosperity.”

The Governor has proposed moving $100 million of federal money into the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund which to works to meet the affordable housing needs of low-income households and to revitalize downtown areas in Michigan.   

MSHDA Acting Executive Director Gary Heidel said, “The current magnitude of the housing shortage is so large that solving the supply problem will take significant coordination of both public and private resources, coordination that the Housing and Community Development Fund was designed to do.” 

The investment is aimed at “missing middle” housing for those moving from low-income to middle-income housing and at workforce housing.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Leadership Needed for Port Huron and Detroit Railroad Historical Society

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron and Detroit Railroad Historical Society is looking for a whole new Board of Directors. The Board needs to be in place by August 28th, 2021 or the Society will dissolve.

In a social media post to members and friends, it was explained that new members are being sought for the positions of President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Historical Society is reeling from a painful chapter in which a former treasurer was convicted of embezzling substantial funds from the Society.

According to the statement made by the Port Huron and Detroit Railroad Historical Society, the minimal state requirements of a new Executive Board will need to be met or the Society will file for permanent closure of the non-profit. 

The Society was created in 2008 to preserve and protect the buildings affiliated with the Port Huron and Detroit Railroad Company and to preserve the history of other railroads in Michigan. Events such as the Tunnel City Railway Show have brought train enthusiasts of all ages together to celebrate the area’s rich rail history. 

Those interested in a Board position: contact@phdrailroad.org 

A letter of intent can be mailed to 2100 32nd Street Port Huron, MI 48060

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland