George James

State Police Share Results of Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign

The Michigan State Police have released the results from the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over crackdown that took place from December 11th, 2020 to January 1st, 2021.

The increased patrols netted 159 drunk drivers and 39 drugged drivers out of 7,529 traffic stops. The enforcement was meant to get those who did too much holiday celebrating off the roads and decrease crashes and lives lost.

Michael L. Prince, Office of Highway Safety Planning said, “If you are impaired by any substance you shouldn’t drive. Motorists were asked to make responsible decisions as they celebrated the holidays and to have a plan in place to get home safely. Unfortunately, the holidays were not a merry occasion for everyone.”

The 2019 Drunk Driving Audit found that 41.9% of all fatal crashes involved alcohol, drugs, or both. A blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher will get drivers arrested, but the State Police remind drivers that they can be arrested at any blood alcohol level if the officer thinks they are impaired.

Driving while under the influence of drugs has the same penalty as drunk driving and there is no acceptable “blood alcohol level” for illegal drugs.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Poverty Task Force Makes Recommendations

The Michigan Poverty Task Force has released a new report with 35 policy recommendations. The task force was created to help lift Michigan residents out of poverty and build better lives. Forty-three percent of Michiganders live below the “basic cost of living” measure, which is $61,000 for a family of four.

The Task Force has broken the recommendations down into five categories: benefits; economics; criminal justice; health, safety, and housing; and education.

According to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, “I look forward to working across the aisle and with our many stakeholders to implement the recommendations that have the biggest impact across our state.” Whitmer has authorized a $1 million appropriation for research and planning of state programs in her budget proposal.

Kim Trent, LEO deputy director for prosperity and key staffer to the Poverty Task Force, remarked, “Creating conditions that give every Michigander access to economic opportunity and prosperity is one of the most sacred duties of state government.” 

A link to the full report:

https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-78421_97193—,00.html

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

DNR Looking for Summer Wildlife Conservationists

Looking for a job in wildlife conservation? The Michigan Department of Natural Resources might have the perfect opportunity. Now is the time to look past the snow and look ahead to summer to start applying for a seasonal job with the DNR.

DNR summer jobs are not just for college students. Jennifer Schafer, DNR Wildlife Division human resources liaison said, “These positions are a great opportunity for college students, those looking to re-enter the workforce and seniors or retirees who want to be involved in the outdoors.”

The DNR is looking for help with assisting with wildlife habitat maintenance and improvement, which may include cutting clearings and adjusting water levels; mowing, landscaping and facility maintenance; and handling tasks related to wildlife surveys, nuisance animal control and equipment operation and maintenance. Workers have the potential to gain skills to pursue a career in wildlife conservation or to just spend a fun summer outdoors.

There are currently positions open at the St. Clair Flats location, as well as throughout the state. The pay range is from $11.50 to $17.93 per hour. A link to the complete job listing:

DNR – (michigan.gov)

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MPSC Reports Successful Energy Waste Reduction Programs

The Michigan Public Service Commission has released preliminary numbers from the 2019 Energy Waste Reduction efforts. It is estimated that 1.5 million megawatt hours of electricity and more than 5 million cubic feet of natural gas were saved with the effort.

Saving energy comes at a cost to the electric companies with nearly $250.7 million estimated to be spent on waste reduction projects. Gas companies spent nearly $96 million.

Since 2008, utility companies are required to implement customer programs that lower energy use and reduce the future cost of service. Energy Waste Reduction programs are meant to “reduce the energy burden, improve health outcomes and strengthen the economic security of low-income customers and communities”, according to the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Examples of Waste Reduction programs target residential lighting; heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC); weatherization; energy education; appliance recycling; and pilot programs.

A link to the full report:

2019 Energy Waste Reduction Report to the Legislature (michigan.gov)

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Ice Continues to Menace Riverfront Property Along the St. Clair River

This has been a stressful winter for many St. Clair County residents living along the southern stretch of the St. Clair River. High water, strong winds, and a whole lot of ice are causing major flooding issues on waterfront property.

The St. County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has had their hands full in 2020 and now in 2021, and they are issuing daily reports on the state of the flooding situation. A report early this week indicated that waters had risen sharply in the stretch from St. Clair to Lake Huron.

An international ice-cutting effort was underway with the U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Hollyhock and Morro Bay and Canadian Coast Guard Cutter Griffin on the job. The cutters work to try to keep the water flowing and reduce flooding. The situation is under constant monitoring by county, state, federal, and international partners.

Citizens with damage from the ice and flooding are asked to use online self-reporting options. Links to Be Ready St. Clair County can be found below. As of early this week, 22 reports of damage have been made.

https://www.facebook.com/BeReadyStClairCounty

https://www.bereadystclaircounty.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

TEC Center Virtual Open House Set for February 25th

The St. Clair County TEC Center is having a virtual Open House on Thursday, February 25th from 6-8 p.m. this year. The annual event where students get to see examples of hands-on training in various technical fields has been forced to go online.

The virtual event is aimed at tenth-graders and their families, as the program runs throughout eleventh and twelfth grades. TEC programs are available to all students in public schools in St. Clair County. High school counselors will have more information.

TEC programs include automotive technology, cosmetology, culinary arts, engineering & robotics, health careers, and several others.

The virtual open house will allow students and families to take a virtual tour, visit classrooms, explore TEC programs, and talk with teachers. They will also learn how to earn elective credit, academic credit, and college credit, along with learning how to make a TEC education into a fulfilling career.

Opportunities for an in-person “shadow” visit are available to interested students. A link to registration to the TEC Virtual Open House:

Register for the TEC Virtual Open House.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland