Local News

Governor Whitmer wants to remind Michigan families to sign their 4-year-olds up for free preschool programs through the Great Start Readiness Program. The deadline to register for programs in St. Clair County is September 1, 2022.

Locally, families can apply for multiple early childhood education programs by filling out one application for their children who are infants up to age 5.

The application covers admission to Early Head Start, for expectant mothers and kids under 3; Head Start, for 3 or 4-year-olds; and the Great Start Readiness Program, for 4-year-olds.  All programs are state-funded and free for families.

Whitmer said, “Access to high-quality preschool makes a huge difference for kids, increasing their kindergarten readiness, putting them on track for 3rd grade reading proficiency, and boosting eventual high school graduation rates.”

Families who apply for early childhood education programs in St. Clair County should first complete the application on St. Clair County RESA’s website <HERE>.  Then they will be contacted to complete the eligibility and verification process.

Kids must have a health appraisal completed by their physician, along with proof of residency, income, and vaccination.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Port Huron’s social district is a designated, walkable area where alcoholic beverages can be purchased from participating restaurants and then carried around inside its boundaries, and James Freed, Port Huron City Manager, said it’s “having a remarkable economic impact on our downtown.”

The social district was established in August of 2020, and almost 23,000 drinks have been sold since the first restaurant started participating in September of 2020.

When a customer purchases a drink from a participating restaurant and wants to take advantage of the social district, their drink comes in a disposable cup with a social district sticker. Revenue from the social district comes from sticker sales, and there have been $11,491 worth of stickers sold since the program started.

Participating restaurants in Port Huron’s social district are Casey’s, CityFlats, Lynch’s Irish Tavern, Raven Café, Vintage Tavern, and Wing’s Etc. Sperry’s Moviehouse is in the process of being added to the list.

Freed said Port Huron’s social district helps “support more robust entertainment opportunities downtown.”

“We are glad folks are using the district responsibility,” he said. “We have had no issues.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is working to repair a water main break that affects water service to 23 communities in Southeast Michigan. An estimated 935,000 people live in affected areas, and a boil water advisory is in effect for residents in 6 Michigan counties.

According to a press release from GLWA, the break happened in a 120-inch transmission main that “is the largest in the regional water distribution system.”

Out of an abundance of caution, GLWA issued a boil water advisory for the following communities:

• The Village of Almont
• City of Auburn Hills
• Bruce Township
• Burtchville Township
• Chesterfield Township
• Clinton Township
• City of Flint
• Flint Township
• City of Imlay City
• City of Lapeer
• Lenox Township
• Macomb Township
• Mayfield Township
• Village of New Haven
• Orion Township
• City of Pontiac
• City of Rochester
• City of Rochester Hills
• Shelby Township
• City of Sterling Heights
• City of Troy
• City of Utica
• Washington Township

The details of the boil water advisory include:

• Residents must bring all water to a boil for at least one minute and
  then let it cool before using.
• Boiled, bottled or disinfected water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further notice

Burtchville Township residents are still completely without water. Water for drinking and cooking is available at Fort Gratiot Fire Department, and residents just need to bring their own containers.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

A water main break at the Metcalf Road plant of the Great Lakes Water Authority has resulted in water pressure issues and a boil water advisory for parts of Southeast Michigan.

Officials are currently meeting to discuss the plan for handling the emergency, but Everbridge (an emergency alert system) has issued a boil water advisory for households around southeast Michigan. The Macomb Township Offices have urged their residents to stop any unnecessary water usage until further notice.

Justin Westmiller, Director of the St. Clair County Department of Emergency Management said the only places in St. Clair County affected are in Burtchville Township.  There is no water at Lakeport State Park or in the entire township of Burtchville.

Great Lakes Water Authority is working on setting up water support for area residents.

Port Huron has its own water supply, so there are no issues for those who receive their water from the city.

Jorja Baldwin, St. Clair County Commissioner for District 2, said, “Due to a 120” water main break at the Great Lakes Water Authority plant on Metcalf Road in Fort Gratiot, communities in Genesee, Macomb, Lapeer and St. Clair counties are all impacted at varying degrees. In St. Clair County, only Burtchville is impacted. Burtchville is a direct connect and has no water service to residents who are on the public system at this time; this includes Lakeport State Park.”

Baldwin also said, “The SCC EOC (St. Clair County emergency Operations Center) is activated and will work with Burtchville officials to provide water trucks, bottled water, and meet other needs as they arise. Information will officially come from GLWA and SCC Emergency Management as it becomes available.”

We will report information on this story as we receive it.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Dr. Doru Bali just received the prestigious Hospice Medical Director Certified credential from the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board. He’s one of only 29 physicians in Michigan, and the only one in St. Clair County, to hold it.

As Medical Director at VNA & Blue Water Hospice since 2020, Dr. Bali said the credential speaks to the quality of care the organization’s team makes to their patients and the community.

VNA & Blue Water Hospice meets a variety of patient care needs while also supporting families with caregiver resources and groups for those experiencing grief and loss.

Learn more about VNA and Blue Water Hospice here:

https://vnabwh.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand