George James

Whitmer Requires Face Coverings for Organized Sports

In a season of constant changes, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an order requiring players to mask up at sports practice and competition.

Whitmer said, “The COVID-19 virus is easily spread through airborne particles and can affect everyone differently. By wearing a face covering when proper distancing is not possible, athletes will be better protected from contracting the virus and spreading it to family members, frontline workers, and vulnerable populations. We cannot afford to let our guard down. As we continue to fight this virus, we need to make smart and informed choices so we can beat COVID-19 together.”  

Michigan High School Athletic Association asked for clarification on the issue, and the mandate was issued on Wednesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommended against contact sports as well as activities that involve “shouting, singing, or breathing forcefully” and encouraged extensive cleaning and outdoor practicing.

Chief Medical Executive and MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, said, “For those who do choose to play organized sports, we expect you to follow these strict safety measures and wear a face covering to reduce your risk and protect the health of your teammates, coaches, officials, and loved ones.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Residents Asked to Register Bikes

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Police Department is asking residents to register their bicycles. The Blue Water Area has a lot of great places to ride a bike, but the fun is ruined if your bike is missing.

In a social media campaign, the department said that they accumulate numerous unclaimed bikes along with taking complaints for stolen bikes. If the owners can not be found, the bikes are sold at auction.

Registering bikes gives the department a way to connect recovered bikes with their rightful owners. Registering bikes is free and just takes a few minutes. 

Registrants are just asked for their name and address and information about the bike like the brand, model, serial number, and color. The registration gives police the information with which to notify you if your bike turns up at the police station as recovered property. 

The form can be completed online by clicking “Bicycle Registration” at porthuronpolice.org.

If citizens have information about stolen or lost bikes, they can call the Port Huron Police Department at 984-8415 or make a citizen’s report online. 

There is no penalty for not registering a bike in the city.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Senate Bill 745 Allocates FEMA Money for Unemployment, Invasive Carp Protection, Flood Mitigation

Michigan Senate Bill 745 was signed into law on Tuesday. The legislation appropriates $2.8 billion in federal revenues from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in several ways.

Part of the money will go toward a temporary $300 per week in added unemployment benefits to go to current beneficiaries. The extra $300 will automatically be applied for those already on unemployment.

The benefit will continue until the money runs out. Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office did not know how many weeks it would last and called on the federal government to pass a bipartisan COVID-19 recovery package. 

The rest of the appropriation will go toward keeping Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes by putting $8 million toward the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Illinois as well as toward flood mitigation efforts in Detroit and disaster cleanup from the breached dam in Gladwin and Midland counties.

In his comments on the bipartisan deal, State Budget Director Chris Kolb credited the good working relationship with appropriations chairs, Senator Jim Stamas and Representative Shane Hernandez.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Local Real Estate Market Follows Statewide Trends: Seller’s Market

Port Huron, MI — The local real estate market is reflecting statewide trends and it is truly a seller’s market. Low interest rates, sparse inventory, and a desire for more space after all that time at home have kept real estate agents busy locally and around Michigan.

Shawn Debuf, a Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Professionals in Port Huron, said, “With mortgage rates at an all-time low, and with less listings, buyers have had to become aggressive with their offers. For example, they may offer over listing price with a cash guarantee even if the home doesn’t appraise at that value.” She reported that values have increased in most areas across St. Clair County.

The website Unclutterer.com reported that nearly half of Michiganders are bored with where they live, after quarantining in the same areas for months on end. They report that “36% of city dwellers in the Great Lakes State now want to move out to the suburbs, or the country”. If they take the plunge into the real estate market, they will need to be ready to make an offer quickly, as properties are moving fast, and desirable houses don’t stay on the market for long.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Kelly Secures Nomination for Michigan Supreme Court

The race for the open seats in the Michigan Supreme Court will include a local name this year. Mary Kelly has secured the nomination for candidacy as a Supreme Court Justice.

The nomination was made by Retired Chief Justice Bob Young during the recent Michigan Republican Convention. The Convention was held virtually at the end of August with the nomination made by video. Young endorsed Kelly as a “rule of law” judge.

Kelly served for over three decades as Prosecuting Attorney in St. Clair County. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and Detroit College of Law.

Two seats on the Court will be up for grabs in 2021. Incumbent Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack is running to retain her seat, while another seat will be vacated by Justice Stephen Markman, who has aged out of the court.

Brock Swartzle, a Court of Appeals Judge, was also nominated at the Republican Convention. Swartzle and Kelly will face off against incumbent McCormack, Democrat Elizabeth Welch, and candidates from other parties for the two vacant seats.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“100 Women Who Care” Fundraiser Goes Virtual

Port Huron, MI — With restrictions on large gatherings, the Women’s Initiative of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County has had to get extra creative to continue their tradition of hosting the “100 Women Who Care” fundraiser. This year’s event, scheduled for Wednesday, September 30th, involves small groups and a phone app, but the goal is still $10,000 for local charities.

Vice President of the Community Foundation, Jackie Hanton, said that new approach was inspired by a scavenger hunt put on by the Lelito’s Legacy Foundation. Speaking of the 100 Women Event, Hanton said, “It may seem a bit intimidating that the event will be through an app on your phone, but I assure everyone who participates that it will be easy, fun and we’ll be sure you know what to do.”

For the event, small socially distant groups of two to ten women will get together in someone’s home. One person will download the app, GooseChase, and the games will begin. The scavenger hunt style game will include supporting several local non-profits.

Hanton said that the Women’s Initiative is “one big giving circle” and is encouraging local women to make their own “mini-giving circles” this year.

More information can be found at stclairfoundation.org/team-up-with-100-women-who-care-event/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland