George James

Spring Fever Prompts Pesticide Warning from MDARD

There is a fever going viral right now, and it’s not the one you think it is. It’s SPRING FEVER. Michiganders know that green grass and sunny days will be here soon. With outdoor living on the minds of many, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development wants to get the word out regarding safe pesticide use.

Brian Verhougstraete, MDARD’s Pesticide Section Manager said, “When used correctly, pesticides are an effective tool to help control, destroy, and repel destructive pests such as insects, weeds, rodents, germs, and plant disease. If applying pesticides, always read and follow the label directions and use the recommended personal protective equipment.”

MDARD also warns against hiring just anybody to spray your property. MDARD grants the licenses to those firms that meet the required financial and experience requirements and pass the MDARD exams.

Verhougstraete warned, “Be aware of online advertisements and social media posts promoting the sale of unregistered pesticides, particularly those that claim to be 100% safe or all natural. Unregistered pesticides are not proven to be safe or effective and are unlikely to meet MDARD’s or the Environmental Protection Agency’s requirements.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PH and PHN Tie for First Place in Blue Water Quiz Bowl League

The Blue Water High School Quiz Bowl season just wrapped up with both high school teams from Port Huron Schools tying for first place in the final league standings. The League Tournament was held last Thursday at Armada High School and ended with an exciting championship match in a meeting of the minds of both Port Huron Northern and Port Huron High Schools.

Port Huron High School held the lead throughout the regular season with six season points, but Port Huron Northern won the tourney earning six tournament points. Both teams ended the season with eleven league points and tied for first place, with both taking home league trophies.

Kelly Harrington, coach for the Port Huron High team said that she is proud of the knowledge her team has, “but most importantly of the way they conducted themselves.” She said she was “proud to watch them show what it means to be from Port Huron High School.”

Michelle Dunham, the Port Huron Northern coach said she was very proud of her students and their success in both the league standings and the league tournament. Dunham notes, “They were committed to practicing and playing this season, even when it was unsure how the season might progress due to COVID.  Our team was small, but their diverse knowledge led to great success.”

The Port Huron High team is making plans to compete in the online state finals in the spring.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Fix-a-Leak Week” Focuses on Residential Water Waste Prevention

One leaky faucet can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water per year. Disadvantaged communities often have homes with more leaky faucets and therefore have higher water bills and could have lower water quality. To reduce water waste and promote environmental sustainability, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, EGLE,  has declared this “Fix-A-Leak Week.”

EGLE’s Clean Water Public Advocate, Ninah Sasy, said, “Water leaks in the home can significantly increase consumer water bills and contribute to water quality concerns. Investments in water conservation efforts in the home and our water distribution systems are key to reducing energy consumption and cost while ensuring environmental sustainability.”

The Water Week Pilot program has gotten underway, starting in Benton Harbor and Highland Park, and will eventually expand to other areas of need. According to EGLE, the program offers free in-home plumbing repairs and new water-saving fixtures. Michigan residents will be able to receive a discount on Kohler WaterSense products during the week.

A link to more information and tips on water conservation in your home:

Michigan.gov/FixaLeakWeek

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDOT Keeps Blue Water Bridge Rates the Same; Canadian Side Increases Toll

Port Huron, MI — The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced that toll rates, paid in Canadian currency, will remain the same, while the Federal Bridge Corporation, which operates the Canadian side of the bridge is raising rates. The Bridge has remained closed to non-essential travel for nearly a year.

The toll rates are adjusted on April 1st and October 1st of each year in accordance with the Blue Water Bridge parity rate adjustment policy that was effective April 1st 2016. There are no changes to the bridge fare for those paying with Canadian money, heading into Canada from the U.S.

With the current average daily exchange rate, the toll rates remain at $4 Canadian per trip for passenger vehicles, with extra axles costing another $4. Trucks and buses cost $4.25 per axle.

The rates for those paying with U.S. dollars heading into Canada are $3 for passenger vehicles and another $3 for each extra axle and $3.25 for each axle on trucks and buses.

For truckers and essential travelers heading into the U.S. from Canada, the rates are set to increase on April 1st to $5 Canadian or $3.75 U.S. per axle, as decided by the Federal Bridge Corporation, on the Canadian side.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Propane Price-Gougers Put on Notice by AG Nessel as Line 5 Shutdown Looms

For rural residents who rely on propane heat, they can end up in a jam if they run out of propane. They may feel like they have to pay whatever price is charged to fill up the tank in order to stay warm.

Propane price-gouging is actually against the law. Michigan is part of a MI Propane Plan that addresses the state’s energy needs in anticipation of the eventual shutdown of Enbridge’s Line 5, which supplies over half of the state’s propane. Part of the MI Propane Plan is to protect consumers from price-gouging.

Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “Price-gouging is against the law, and the energy industry is not exempt from those regulations. This office has taken legal action in the past to protect people from excessively high energy prices, and I will not hesitate to do so again to protect the pocketbooks of Michigan’s consumers.” 

AmeriGas has been sued by the Michigan Department of the Attorney General for violating the Consumer Protection Act and the case is heading toward trial. The complaint is that AmeriGas doubled their rate for some consumers in the past, which is illegal.

Nessel said she encourages anyone who suspects they are being taken advantage of by an energy supplier to contact her office.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lexington Boat Launch to Close for Repairs

Lexington, MI — If signs of spring make boaters think about planning summer boat trips, they will need to rethink a trip involving the Lexington boat launch. The Lexington Harbor boating access site is planned to be under construction soon and construction will extend into boating season with completion forecasted for the end of June or early July.

The area will be undergoing repaving, design, and skid pier work, with the timeline dependent on weather. The construction of new vault toilets is also part of the remodel of the facility.

The harbor will remain open during construction.

Diesel fuel sales at the harbor are currently suspended but are hoped to back online for the 2021 summer boating season. The next closest place to get marine diesel is south in Port Huron and north in Port Sanilac. Unleaded fuel is still available in Lexington.

Boaters are asked to spread the word about the Lexington boat launch so that the closure doesn’t surprise anyone and leads to disappointment. There are public launches in Port Huron and Port Sanilac that can accommodate boaters until the Lexington construction is completed.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland