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Local News

Port Huron Township Hires Randy Vesper as New Fire Chief

Randy Vesper has been named the new Fire Chief for Port Huron Township. The seasoned firefighter has come full circle in his career as he returns to St. Clair County, after starting as a volunteer firefighter with the Kenockee Township Fire Department as a teenager, retiring from the St. Clair Shores Department after 25 years of service, and now taking on the Chief role in Port Huron Township.

Along with retiring as a Battalion Chief, Vesper earned a Masters Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Vesper said he looks forward to continuing to work with firefighters and leading the department. He plans to continue the work that Chief Mainguy has done in improving response and staffing. Continued training in both fire and emergency medical training is a priority for Vesper.

Vesper said, “One of the biggest challenges facing the fire service is staffing. Port Huron Township Fire Department is not immune to those issues.  Recruitment and retention are key to building a strong department and the fire service as a whole.”

Vesper also said that interagency cooperation is important to providing service and that he looks forward to working with neighboring departments to meet the needs of the community.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Covid Cases Surge, Hospitals Filling

Michigan is at the top of the list for the resurgence of COVID-19 infections. The state leads the nation in COVID cases as the highly contagious variant runs rampant throughout the state. There is no doubt that the 4th wave of the pandemic is upon the region.

Hospitals statewide are reporting maxed out capacities, with McLaren Port Huron at 92% as of November 15th, and Lake Huron Medical Center at 74%. Lake Huron Medical Center is now restricting non-essential visits to the hospital.

Schools are doing their best to carry on with in-person instruction but some schools have had to go virtual temporarily to keep the virus from further spreading.

For families that would rather learn from home, Port Huron School District is accepting applications for a second-trimester virtual school option. Applications are due November 22.

While the 70% vaccination rate has been met in the state, and children are now eligible for vaccination, breakthrough cases are prevalent and precautions like masking and the old standby of social distancing are back just in time for the holidays.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

More Suspensions Lifted Under Clean Slate to Drive Law

If you have a suspended driver’s license, you may be getting a letter in the mail from Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Benson announced yesterday that the department lifted suspensions for more that 150,000 drivers.

In October, the Clean Slate to Drive laws went into effect and reclassified certain violations as civil infractions. Some violations that used to lead to a suspension of a driver’s license no longer do so. Anyone who had a suspension under the old laws now has a clean record and the opportunity to reinstate their license.

Those who are eligible to reinstate their license will receive a mailed letter from the Secretary of State (SOS), and a copy of the letter will be posted on their online SOS account <HERE>. Reinstatement fees, renewal fees, and application fees will apply depending on a person’s situation.

If a driver had multiple infractions, and some of those were not impacted by the Clean Slate to Drive changes, they may not be eligible to have their license reinstated.

Under the Clean Slate to Drive law, once the violations are cleared and the suspension is lifted, they will still appear as entries on a person’s driving record.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Bus Drivers Desperately Needed in Most Districts

There is a desperate need for school bus drivers. Local districts are having to cut routes and kids are the ones who get left out in the cold when buses have to be late. It is a huge disruption to instruction as well when schools are waiting on late buses and kids are absent with no ride to school.

First Student, which operates buses for the Port Huron Area School District, is advertising a $2000 sign-on bonus and other perks like a Child Ride-Along Program, paid training, and flexible hours.

Bus Driver working hours are definitely unique, with an early start to the day and a long break mid-day, but school holidays and summer vacations are also part of the schedule.

First Student takes applications from those who are over 21, have a driver’s license, and have a good driving record.

Yale Public Schools is actively looking for bus drivers as well and has had to cut some routes to accommodate staffing shortages. St. Edward on the Lake, Landmark Academy, Dean Transportation, and others are also looking for bus drivers.

Advertised pay for various districts is between $16 and $20 per hour with varied signing bonuses. Substitute drivers are also needed.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Tires and Treads Community Project to Host Old Fashioned Country Christmas

When your heart is in the right place, good things tend to lead to more good things. That couldn’t be truer for the Tires and Treads Community Project. Volunteers are hosting an Old Fashioned Country Christmas on November 28th at 6:00 p.m. at the Ruby Community Church on Abbotsford Road.

The Old Fashioned Country Christmas gives guests an opportunity to create Christmas tree ornaments to remember loved ones who have passed on. The practice has become a tradition, with people traveling long distances to memorialize their loved ones, according to Tires and Treads founder, Fran Morris.

Donations at the Old Fashioned Country Christmas will be accepted to help Tires and Treads with their ambitious projects, like stocking complete closets of new clothing, winter wear, and classroom supplies at Port Huron elementary schools. They are working with their 7th elementary school, Michigamme, this year. They also provide emergency “outfitting” for kids who need new clothes and shoes on a moment’s notice.

Along with the school project, Tires and Treads is making wishes come true for local kids who are in cancer treatment. The project gets its funding from a multitude of fun events. A link to their Facebook page, which has much more information can be found below.

https://www.facebook.com/TiresandTreadsCommunityProject/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lambton Public Health Mandates Proof of Vaccination for 12 Year Olds

Sarnia, Ontario — Lambton Public Health issued updated mandates for proving vaccination status, and starting November 30, 2021, all individuals ages 12 and older must show identification and proof of full vaccination to enter sports and recreational facilities.

Sports organizations in Lambton County should be aware of expanded vaccine eligibility for youth who are turning 12 in the first 6 months of 2022. Youth in that age group will be able to get the vaccine before they turn 12, which would allow them to continue playing sports uninterrupted.

Third doses of the vaccine are now available for individuals 70 and older, health care workers, members of the Indigenous community and their household members 18 years and older, and anyone who received two doses of AtraZeneca or one dose of the Janssen vaccine.

The Province of Ontario has shifted to a Plan to Safely Reopen and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term (available HERE).  The plan includes lifting all public health restrictions by March 2022, including the provincial requirement for proof of vaccination and the mask mandate.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand