George James

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning that scammers are spoofing phone numbers of at least one local public health department in the state and calling residents to offer medication while asking for their Medicaid and Medicare numbers for billing purposes. Incoming calls to the local health department are then jamming up phonelines and delaying official business in responding to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

Reports so far have been focused on the Ionia County Health Department, but residents around the state are urged to be aware as it could happen anywhere. 

To seem more official, scammers often use a process known as “spoofing” – when a call appears to be coming from a legitimate government phone number. The caller may also sound professional and be very persuasive. Anyone who receives a phone call they suspect to be a scam should hang up the phone. No one should give out personal information to an unsolicited caller. 

Residents should also be aware of online coronavirus scams selling bogus products and providing false information on COVID-19 tests and treatments. These attempts to obtain the personal information of consumers may include emails or online posts pitching unreliable products, advice, fake tests and cures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Those who wish to make a report about potential scams, price-gouging and any other violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act can do so with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team by filing a complaint online or by calling 877-765-8388.

Three suspicious house fires are under investigation in Algonac. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Fire Investigation Unit is looking at three fires that are deemed suspicious in nature, according to a statement released on March 18. 

The first fire occurred on March 2 in the 2500 block of St. Clair River Drive. The second fire was in the 100 block of Algona. The third fire was on March 15th in the 1200 block of St. Clair Boulevard. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department reports that the fires required the Algonac Fire Department to be called with assistance from Clay Township, Ira Township, and Marine City Fire Departments. No injuries were reported, and the homes were all vacant.

Intentionally setting a fire, even in a vacant home is a felony, and can result in fines and jail time, if convicted. Anyone with any information regarding the fires is asked to contact Detective Steve Rickert with the Sheriff’s Office at (810) 987-1731.

Earlier this week, St. Clair County announced the closure of the system libraries. While there are many online offerings through the St. Clair County Library System, you do need a library card. If you don’t have a library card, you are in luck. Because it is not possible to go into the building to get a card, you can now call and get one. 

Allison Arnold, Director of the St. Clair County Library System, said that county residents can call the library and request a temporary card number. That number is what gives users access to online resources. Online resources available through the library include courses, language instruction, magazines, and newspapers. Kids can also stay busy with Starfall, which they may be familiar with from school, and Story Online which features actors reading children’s books. There is also an impressive collection of local high school yearbooks dating back to the early 1900s for some schools. 

Arnold said that staff will be assisting with getting county residents set up with library accounts and the accounts will be good until April 30th or whenever social distancing is no longer necessary. Callers will need to provide a form of ID, such as a driver’s license. The service will be available as long as employees are allowed to go to work, so don’t hesitate to sign up. Go to sccl.lib.mi.us for more information or call 810-987-7323.

Earlier this week, the St. Clair County Health Department’s Medical Health Officer, Dr. Annette Mercatante, proclaimed a Declaration of Public Health Emergency for the coronavirus, COVID-19 Outbreak. According to the department, the declaration was made to further request additional resources for the public health jurisdiction of St. Clair County in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This action follows the State of Michigan issuance of a State of Emergency made March 10. The World Health Organization (WHO) also declared a COVID-19 Pandemic on March 11. 

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer said the “intent in proclaiming a public health emergency in response to the spread of COVID-19, is to ensure maximum access to the resources necessary to keep people as safe as possible and lessen disease transmission.”

The Health Department has also announced this week the operation of  a COVID-19  Informational Hotline. The hotline allows residents to call and ask general questions regarding COVID-19. The Informational Hotline is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 4:30pm. After hours, residents can leave a message and it will be returned the next business day. The number for the hotline is (810) 966-4163.

The River Church is in the process of acquiring Kimball Elementary School. Kimball was closed last year amidst declining enrollment in the Port Huron Area School District, but declining attendance does not seem to be a concern for The River, as they are bursting at the seams.

The building has been renamed, “The River Ministry Center” and the church plans to use the spacious facility for Sunday services, Wednesday classes, conferences, and larger events. The River Ministry Center’s target date for holding services in the renovated facility is August 2020. 

The River plans to keep their current location on North River Road as an administration building and counseling center. Kim Wahl, Co-Lead Pastor of The River Church, said the reason for the expansion started when the congregation outgrew their current facility some time ago. Since, they have added services and moved to holding Sunday gatherings at McMorran Place. Wahl went on to say, “Acquiring Kimball Elementary School gives us our own space to continue growth with facilities that are beneficial for every department of ministry with The River.”

Every 10 years following the U.S. Census, district lines for political offices must be redrawn in states across the country to accurately reflect their population. In Michigan, a randomly selected commission of citizens is responsible for drawing U.S. Congressional and Michigan State House and Senate district lines.

In the November 2018 general election, Michigan voters amended the state constitution to make citizens — not legislators or special interests — responsible for drawing district lines (called “redistricting”). The commission will be composed of 13 randomly-selected Michigan registered voters: four who affiliate with the Democratic Party, four who affiliate with the Republican Party, and five who do not affiliate with either major political party.

So far, more than 3,500 notarized applications have been processed for the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, according to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. 

Applications are still being accepted through June 1, 2020. As all applications must be signed in the presence of a notary, Secretary of State offices statewide continue to offer free notary services by appointment. Appointments can be made at Michigan.gov/SOS or by calling 888-SOS-MICH. Once notarized, applications can be submitted by mail or at Secretary of State offices.

For more information and to see the updated applicant profile, visit RedistrictingMichigan.org.