George James

Effort to Stop Nestle’ Water Bottling Loses Appeal to EGLE

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, EGLE, has dismissed a case that challenged the permit that allowed Nestle’ Waters North America to increase water withdrawals. The company was granted a permit to ramp up water withdrawals from a source near Evart, Michigan, in 2018.

Currently, the company pays $200 to draw 130 million gallons of water per year. EGLE dismissed the appeal on the grounds that it should have been filed in circuit court.

EGLE Director Liesl Clark said, “EGLE remains committed to protecting our state’s valuable water resources, but as a regulatory agency we must act within our statutory authority. The Safe Drinking Water Act only allows EGLE to hold contested case hearings under very limited circumstances which are not present in this case.”

Clark went on to blame the previous administration for allowing the permit in the first place and called on the legislative branch to “update regulations to give the agency more authority over water withdrawals for bottled water and royalties to compensate Michiganders for the commercial use of the state’s freshwater resources.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sperry’s Santa Spectacle Kicks Off Holiday Season

Port Huron, MI — There’s no Santa Parade this year, but that doesn’t mean kids won’t get a chance to see Santa and feel the magic of the holiday season. Port Huron Recreation Department will be organizing Sperry’s Drive-Thru Santa Spectacle on Friday, November 27th from 6 -8 p.m.

The Rec Department is not letting COVID take away the annual holiday kick-off. The drive-thru event is hoped to bring all of the lights and beauty of the season without the worries of maintaining social distance at a crowded public event.

Spectacle participants will be driving through Pine Grove Park, which will be donning the lights of the season. Typical parade attractions will be positioned along the route with Jolly old Saint Nick himself stationed at the end of the route.

The route starts at the south entrance of Pine Grove Park and ends at the north end of the park. Side streets will be closed. 

 To keep things running smoothly on the night of the drive-thru event, the Rec Department asks that you sign up for a time slot. The event is free to attend.

Light displays are sponsored by local businesses. The displays will be up from November 25th until January 2nd. 

https://rec.porthuron.org/ViewCourseActivityDetails.aspx… 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

United Way of St. Clair County Needs Help with Community Campaign

The 2020 Community Campaign of the United Way is seeking help to reach its goals this year, like every year. The campaign’s goal is to reach 15,000 St. Clair County residents. So far, they are able to help around 5,622, according to their most recent estimates.

The United Way says, “Each of us has the ability to make a difference in someone’s life.  When we band together, we amplify that effect and make a significant impact on our entire community; creating lasting change for the common good.  An enjoyable quality of life for all; that is the goal.”

The United Way funds 39 essential health and human service endeavors countywide. They have adapted to the unique needs brought on by the sudden change to the workplace and life in general while we all live with Covid-19.

Payroll deduction pledging is still an option, as are single contributions that can be made anytime throughout the year.

According to the United Way, “This is your opportunity to leave your fingerprints on a legacy of change that will resonate for generations to come.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

www.uwstclair.org/Contribute

UWSCC’s Finance Director at (810) 985-8169

Macomb “Closes the Book” on the Massive Sinkhole Saga

You may recall the memorable story from Christmas Eve 2016 when a massive sinkhole developed in Macomb County causing houses to actually start collapsing into the ground. After massive repairs to what was called the worst infrastructure disaster in Macomb County history, the whole ordeal has finally been settled with a $12.5 million payout.

The contractors who made the mistakes that led to the disaster were taken to court, and their insurance companies finally made the payment.

Former Congresswomen turned Macomb Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller said that the money will be used to continue improvements in the area so that something like that never happens again. Miller said that the payment “closes the book” on the whole ordeal.

Four modern homes in the affected subdivision were condemned in the process and many businesses suffered as the area was closed to traffic for a year. The eleven-foot-wide pipe that was 55 feet underground had to be completely rebuilt. The whole emergency repair project cost around $75 million and was a warning to the whole region to be vigilant about infrastructure integrity.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Utility Scam Awareness Week Reminds to Be Wary of Phone Scams

It’s Utility Scam Awareness Week. Yes, that’s a thing. It’s a thing because unfortunately criminals prey upon vulnerable people and education is the best way to combat the scammers.

The observance is sponsored by “Utilities United Against Scams” which represents both U.S. and Canadian utilities and trade organizations. This is the time of year when scam calls rise, as the threat of utility shut-off in the colder months is more frightening.

Obvious red flags include requests for payment in the form of gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or Bitcoin. But even more subtle scare tactics should be suspected as fraudulent. MPSC Chair Dan Scripps said, “We want Michiganders to know that utility companies do not use coercive scare tactics over the phone to force customers to pay bills, and they won’t tell you your service will be shut off immediately without a payment. That kind of behavior is a dead giveaway that the caller is a scammer.”  

If utility users think they may have fallen victim to one of these scams, they should contact the police immediately. Scammers often target seniors, who should stay particularly vigilant. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Mahogany Kayak Being Raffled by St. Mary/McCormick School

Port Huron, MI — Imagine floating down the Black River in a custom-built mahogany kayak. Plastic kayaks do the job, but there is something about a wooden kayak that makes one feel more connected to nature.

The Parent-Teacher Organization at St. Mary/McCormick Catholic Academy in Port Huron hopes that the desire to get a little closer to our natural waterways will prompt ticket sales with their Mahogany Kayak Raffle. The Port Huron school normally has a large “Fall Harvest” auction fundraiser in November, but this is not a normal year.

In lieu of a large gathering, the organizers thought the Kayak Raffle would be a good way to continue the fall fundraising tradition. St. Mary PTO President, Emily Herbert said, “This is an opportunity for people to support a local organization while having the chance to win a truly unique and one-of-a-kind piece of maritime artwork that is functional and visually stunning. “

The kayak is built by a local wooden boat restorer who is heading up The Mill Room, a new cooperative community wood-working space in downtown Port Huron. The kayak is valued at $3000. Tickets cost $100 each.

Tickets can be purchased at stmarysraffle.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland