Send new stories and press releases to JP at news@wgrt.com.

Local News

Beeler Tours Blue Water Bridge

State Rep. Andrew Beeler and several other state legislators on Tuesday toured the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron.

“Port Huron is a hub of international commerce and travel, and the Blue Water Bridge plays a major role in that,” said Beeler, R-Port Huron. “The bridge powers our economy and symbolizes the dependable spirit that thrives in our community.”

The Blue Water Bridge, which opened in 1938, spans the St. Clair River between Port Huron and Sarnia, Ontario. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) oversees the bridge on the United States side of the border. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as with other points of entry, ensures that people and cargo crossing the border do so in compliance with federal law.

On the tour, Beeler heard about the daily operations at the bridge and how the COVID-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions have reduced traffic across the bridge.

“I am grateful to MDOT and the CBP for the opportunity to see their facilities and learn about their work to keep the bridge safe and our border secure,” Beeler said. “It was also great to hear about the upcoming plaza expansion, which will better facilitate commercial and recreational travel to Port Huron.”

A multi-year expansion of the customs plaza is currently being planned to make customs processing more efficient.

Submitted by Rep. Beeler’s Office

Congresswoman McClain Leads Letter to Biden on Afghanistan Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, penned a letter to President Biden, alongside Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Michael Waltz (R-FL) requesting the United States maintain a military presence in Afghanistan until every American citizen is safely evacuated from the country.

“It is imperative the Biden Administration ensures every single American citizen is able to safely evacuate Afghanistan before the military leaves the country,” said Rep. McClain. “The Taliban is becoming increasingly dangerous as the August 31st deadline gets closer. Americans and our allies are in grave danger if they’re not evacuated by the end of the month.”

“We are the United States of America and we leave no one behind – no matter how perilous the situation,” said Rep. Waltz. “We cannot succumb to conditions dictated by terrorists like the Taliban and allow them to tell us who can and cannot leave. We made a commitment to both our citizens and allies to get them out safely and this administration must utilize every option available for extraction.”

“President Biden’s failed withdrawal from Afghanistan has needlessly endangered countless lives,” Stefanik said. “I am proud to stand with Congresswoman McClain to hold Biden accountable for his disastrous actions on the world stage and to demand the protection of our citizens, allies, and the Afghan people. Lives are at stake.”

For a copy of the letter, click here.

The full text of the letter is below.

August 25, 2021
The Honorable Joseph R. Biden
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue N
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Biden,

As we write to you, the situation in Afghanistan becomes ever more perilous. There are thousands of Americans and our allies trapped in a country that has fallen into the hands of the Taliban.

We as members of Congress have demanded from you, and your administration, for months your detailed plan for the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. Our requests have been either ignored or answered with vague platitudes and assurances that you were prepared for every contingency. On August 15th, the world was shown that your administration was in over its head. Now our own citizens and partners in Afghanistan are under the threat of torture and death from a barbaric, terrorist regime.

We are demanding that you take any and all necessary steps to protect our citizens, allies and the civilian population in the capitol city. We suggest you give careful consideration to either increasing the number of combat forces in the country, change the rules of engagement in Afghanistan to allow our forces to engage Taliban threats, or might we suggest you consult with Allyson Reneau on how best to navigate around the Taliban. Ms. Reneau, a 60-year-old Harvard graduate from Oklahoma, was able to fly into the region earlier this month and rescued 10 members of the all-girls robotics team in Afghanistan.

We are also requesting that you maintain a significant U.S. military presence in the country until every single American citizen is safely evacuated from Afghanistan.

This crisis was created by your failed leadership. You campaigned on being a competent operator in the arena of global affairs. Now prove it to this Congress, the American people, and the rest of the world.

Submitted by Congresswoman Lisa McClain’s Office

Blue Water Woman Magazine

Blue Water Woman Celebrates 10 Years

When Patti Samar started Blue Water Woman Magazine, she thought it would last for maybe five years. However, with the support of her husband, advertisers, and the community, she just celebrated the publication’s 10th Anniversary.

Blue Water Woman is a free quarterly magazine available at various businesses in the community. Samar just published the Fall 2021 edition which features Korissa Wilkins’ story. Wilkins was also on the cover of the first Blue Water Woman issue in 2011.

In 2011, Samar was convinced that “Korissa was the quintessential Blue Water Woman” who “represented the future”. In the last 10 years, Wilkins has worked her way up to partner and leading associate of Kramer Commercial Realty.

Samar said of Wilkins, “On the day I decided Korissa was the “future” of the Blue Water Area, I should have bought a lottery ticket. Her impact on the community is immeasurable and long lasting in both personal and professional ways.”

At the 10th Anniversary Celebration Wednesday night, Samar was emotional when she thanked her supporters for their dedication to her and the magazine.

She also celebrated the life of her dear friend, Carrie Kerbrat, who passed away in 2020. Kerbrat worked for the nonprofit organization Community Enterprises, and she was also a passionate athlete.

Kerbrat’s family started a new nonprofit called ShineOn dedicated to serving children by providing access to sports and Christmas gifts. Funds were raised at the Blue Water Woman 10th Anniversary event to contribute to ShineOn.

Learn more about Blue Water Woman <HERE>.

Learn more about ShineOn <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Court Rules Against Lawyers Who Challenged November Election

Both Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel were quick to comment on the historic ruling made by U.S. District Judge Linda Parker in the case of a group of attorneys accusing the Governor, Secretary of State, and others of participating in voter fraud. The attorneys were sanctioned and the judge referred to the action as abusive litigation.

Referring to the accusations of election fraud as the “Big Lie”, Governor Whitmer said, “Today’s ruling sends a clear message: those who seek to overturn an American election and poison the well of American democracy will face consequences.” 

Attorney General Nessel relished the victory, saying, “I’m pleased to see that the Court has ensured there is accountability for the attorneys who perpetuated meritless arguments in court. It has remained abundantly clear from the outset that this lawsuit aimed to do nothing more than undermine our democratic process.”

The 110-page opinion is posted on the Attorney General’s website and a link can be found below. The attorneys in the suit face fines, court-ordered training, and possible disbarment.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/172_opinion__order_King_733786_7.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PHS Addresses Parent Concerns

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas sent a letter to all families in the district to answer questions about upcoming procedures as the pandemic lingers on, and to address issues that have been of concern to parents.

Kerhoulas stated in the letter that the district will follow all orders from local, state, and federal authorities and that at this time masks must be worn on buses, and are encouraged, but not required, in classrooms.

Sick or exposed unvaccinated students and employees will have to stay home, and close contacts can plan on quarantining unless they can prove vaccination or a documented diagnosis in the past 90 days.

The district is not requiring vaccinations for staff. Ventilation systems have all been upgraded to meet CDC recommendations.

Addressing parent concerns about teaching critical race theory, Kerhoulas said that it is not part of the curriculum. In the letter, he said, “We support our professional teaching staff and trust them to answer student questions and guide meaningful, appropriate discussions in our classrooms.”

A link to the full letter.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bills Address Drunk Driving Records and Blood Alcohol Levels

Two House Bills were signed into law this week pertaining to driving under the influence of alcohol. House Bills 4219 and 4220 allow for expungement of certain convictions for a first violation of operating while intoxicated.

The expungement bills are intended to allow those with one conviction to apply for jobs with a clean record. To gain the clean slate, those with a conviction will need to petition the court five years after probation ends.

Safe & Just Michigan Executive Director John S. Cooper said, “Drunk driving is a serious problem in Michigan, but permanently limiting a person’s ability to work and drive based on a one-time, decades-old mistake does not make sense. People who can show that their DUI conviction was a one-time mistake should have an opportunity to make a fresh start.”  

House Bills 4308 and 4309 maintain the legal blood alcohol limit to .08. The limit was set to rise to .10 in October of this year.

State Representative Graham Filler said, “Michigan is the only state in the country not to have a firm .08 Blood Alcohol Concentration limit for operating a motor vehicle. Eliminating the sunset is not only the right thing to do, but it ensures the safety of those traveling on our roads.” 

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland