George James

This Saturday November 2, the St. Clair County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be conducting a hostile event exercise at the Marysville United Methodist Church in Marysville. St. Clair County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director, Justin Westmiller said they “are looking to actively exercise response plans regarding an active threat in a public venue.” In doing so,  the group hopes to accomplish two things with the exercise. First, they want to practice the Active Shooter Hostile Event (ASHE) plan with first responders. A public venue, like the church they are using, will help in that effort, by giving a public venue scenario. Along with the ASHE plan, area hospitals are required to participate annually in a mass trauma situation. 

The community-based exercise ensures area hospitals retain their Hospital Trauma Designation as outlined by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Residents should be aware that there will be an increased presence of emergency vehicles and personnel at the Marysville United Methodist Church tomorrow morning beginning at 7 a.m., but that there is no reason to be alarmed. Westmiller said, “St Johns River District, Lake Huron Medical Center, and McLaren Port Huron will also be involved, and Marysville Public Safety will be the Incident Commander for the event.” Normal business at the hospitals are not expected to be interrupted.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.

With hunting season gearing up and firearm deer season just around the corner, there’s a local meat market that helps the hungry in our area by processing donated deer. Jimmy Rankin Meats has participated in the Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger program for the past eight years and will continue to do so this year. Jim Rankin, owner of Jimmy Rankin Meats said his “store processed nearly 1,000 pounds of deer meat last year as part of the program.”  He also said “the processed meat is donated locally to Mid-City Nutrition.” Rankin also spoke highly about DTE employees at the Greenwood Power Plant, saying, “they continue to provide deer for the program. According to Rankin, “last year alone the employees dropped off over 50 deer.” Rankin finished by saying that, “the program has been working really well.” 

Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger was established in 1991. They are an all volunteer non-profit organization that coordinates with participating licensed game processors throughout the state as drop off locations for whitetail deer harvested by hunters during the hunting season.  Jimmy Rankin Meats is the only drop off location for the program in St. Clair County. The group estimates that since the inception of the program, nearly 640,000 pound of venison has been collected providing over 3 million meals.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.

The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) recently held their Achievement Honor Roll Awards in Lansing and one local woman was among the individuals that were honored. 

Laura Booth of Marysville received the award from the group for successfully advocating for voice crosswalks in her neighborhood. Booth spent four weeks at the BSBP Training Center to improve her independent living skills and receive mobility training.  As a client of BSBP she became eligible for the award. Laura is an advocate for herself and others and has sought services for herself through the BSBP so that she can live independently as she has a diagnosis that will leave her blind in the years to come. BSBP Director Bill Robinson said, “BSBP’s  programs and services are designed to partner with and provide support to clients so they can achieve a greater quality of life and support themselves independently.” He finished by saying, “Each BSBP client deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond the goals they’ve set for themselves.”

Booth said she was “shocked” to learn she had received the award.  Being nominated by her teacher at the BSBP, she was one of several candidates in the running for the award and was ultimately selected by the BSBP board to receive the honor. Booth said the award itself was created by blind students at the Center for the Blind, and includes braille and raised lettering on the award. The BSBP presents the award annually to individuals who are exemplary in exceeding their goals for personal success.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.

Marysville Mayor, Dan Damman attended his last city council meeting as mayor this week. Damman formally announced that he will be running in the 2020 election for Circuit Court Judge in St. Clair County. The Honorable Daniel J. Kelly, who currently holds the seat must retire at the end of 2020 because of the Michigan Constitution’s requirement of mandatory retirement for judges who reach the age of 70. 

At the city council meeting, Damman thanked those who supported him throughout the course of his time serving as a Council Member, and then as Mayor. Voters in Marysville will decide on Tuesday, November 5th who will fill those seats for the council and the Mayor’s office. Those running for the three open council seats are Michael Deising, Kathleen Hayman, Paul Wessel, and Shawn Winston. Wayne Pyden is the only candidate running for Mayor.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley

The Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County, Dan Casey was recently in Lansing as the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) held their annual Interlocal and Corporate partners meeting. Casey said that “the MEDC has the annual meeting to bring its partners up to speed on changes to programs, the budget, or other strategic initiatives.” He said, “this year, the focus was on the new MEDC strategic plan that was just approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund Board, which is appointed by the governor.

Casey explained that over the years, “the MEDC has maintained interlocal agreements with many economic development agencies in the state, and St. Clair County’s EDA has signed such an agreement.” Casey said the agreement “essentially establishes the relationship and roles of the MEDC and the local partner.” President and CEO of the MEDC, Jeff Mason presented a 5 year strategic direction of economic development in the state of Michigan at the meeting. According to the MEDC, the strategic plan that was unveiled is committed to enabling long-term economic opportunity for all Michiganders.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley

Lambs Road between Wales Center Road and Fitz Road in Wales Township is now open to traffic. Crews removed the existing bridge, installed a new aluminum arch, guardrail, and completed paving. 

At the southern end of the county, Mayer Road between Gratiot and Rattle Run Road in St. Clair Township is now closed to traffic. Crews will be removing the bridge surface, waterproofing the existing bridge deck, installing a new guardrail and more. Mayer Road is going to be closed for approximately 21 consecutive days. The suggested detour is Gratiot Road, and Rattle Run Road. Access will be maintained to local traffic within the construction zone, including homes and businesses. Access across Rattle Run Creek on Mayer Road will not be permitted. Local residents are encouraged to plan for delays due to construction. The cost of the project is estimated at $40,000.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.