Local News

The Soo Locks are vital to Great Lakes shipping, allowing freighters to navigate between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. They have been in need of modernizing for a long time and the money has now come through from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to invest in the locks.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that they are investing $479 million to fully fund the Soo Locks. Previous allocations partially funded the $1.3 billion total cost. The new lock is planned to handle larger vessels and prevent a failure of the existing locks which would be catastrophic to the economy and national security.

Responding to the announcement, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “I applaud the US Army Corps of Engineers for making a $479 million investment in the Soo Locks to finish the project, protecting tens of thousands of jobs and uplifting our economy.” 

Over 7000 ships pass through the Soo Locks every year carrying 86 million tons of cargo. The locks enable smooth passage despite a 21-foot elevation difference between the two lakes.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

William Stefan Wahl, a 27 year old Port Huron man, was arrested and arraigned on Friday, January 21, 2022 on criminal sexual conduct charges related to underage victims. Wahl is a former youth pastor at The River Church, a nondenominational Christian church with two locations in St. Clair County.

The sheriff’s department began investigating the incidents in late 2021, and, according to a press release, the “sheriff’s office detective bureau’s investigation revealed that there were 4 victims involved with sexual  abuse allegations beginning in 2014.”

Wahl stood mute in front of the Honorable Judge Mona Armstrong when he was arraigned on the following charges:

Count 1: Criminal Sexual Conduct – Second Degree (person under thirteen, defendant 17 years of age or older) 

Count 2: Criminal Sexual Conduct -Second Degree (person under thirteen, defendant 17 years of age or older) 

Count 3: Criminal Sexual Conduct – Fourth Degree

Count 4: Criminal Sexual Conduct – Fourth Degree

Count 5: Aggravated Indecent Exposure

Count 6: Children – Distributing Sexually Explicit, Visual or Verbal Matter to a Minor

Count 7: Computers – Using to Commit a Crime  

Wahl’s bond was set at $25,000 (with no 10%), and the Sheriff’s office is asking anyone with additional information or possibly other victims to contact  Detective Wade at (810) 987-1738.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

  

   

If you’re curious about the fish that inhabit Lake St. Clair, Friends of the St. Clair River (Friends) is offering an opportunity to learn from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Lake St. Clair Fisheries Research Station.

“Fish Tales from Lake St. Clair” is a Zoom presentation featuring live presentations by biologists who study local fish populations in Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie.

Lydia Nicholas, Friends Environmental Field Technician said, “We are providing an opportunity to learn about what is going on in our local fish populations, as well as speak to the scientists themselves. It enables us to make the data from this report more accessible and relevant to everyone. We are looking forward to hearing interesting updates about our very own local legends, the Lake Sturgeon and Northern Madtom, as well as Muskellunge, Yellow perch, and spawning reef updates.”

The free presentation is Tuesday, January 25, 2022 from 6:30 – 7:30 PM, and advanced registrations is required at www.scriver.org/events or <HERE> to receive the Zoom link.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

National School Choice Week is coming up next week, and there are several celebrations planned to celebrate school choice options in Michigan.

This annual awareness campaign is designed to let parents and families know about their educational options and celebrate the many ways you can legally educate your children in your state.

According to SchoolChoiceWeek.com, “Families in Michigan can choose from traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and homeschooling.”

On Thursday, January 27th, an event is planned at the State Capitol in Lansing where students and educators will be sharing what makes their schools unique. During the event, families can explore displays, hear from speakers and supporters of educational choice, and meet legislators. The event is sponsored by Parent Advocates for Choice in Education.

As alternatives to the traditional public school system, St. Clair County has four charter schools: East Shore Leadership Academy, Landmark Academy, Virtual Learning Academy, St. Clair County Intervention Academy, and Success Virtual Learning Center. It is home to several private schools through religious organizations both denominational and non-denominational. The county also has a homeschooling support group for home educators called Christian Home Educators of the Blue Water Area.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand