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Local News

SC4’s “We Are Still Here” to Tell Story of Native History

Most students of American history know that in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue, but do they know anything about indigenous culture or pre-colonial North America? The St. Clair County Community College Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be offering a chance to get a history lesson from a different perspective with the “We are Still Here” presentation for Native American History month.

The presentation will be on November 5th from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the SC4 Fine Arts Theater on the Port Huron campus.

“We are Still Here” is being facilitated by Banashee (Joe) Cadreau and Giddigongookskwe (Jade) Green. The pair will be discussing indigenous culture in Michigan as well as in the entire United States and Canada. Michigan is the home of the “three fires” people: the Ojibwa, Odawa, and Potawatami.

Both presenters, who are members of native tribes, will tell their stories of dealing with accepting their cultures and their adolescent struggles. To reserve a seat for this free community event, email dei@sc4.edu.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron to Participate in Historic Opioid Settlement

Eleven people overdosed on drugs in the City of Port Huron this September alone. One of those overdoses was fatal. Nine of those overdoses were known to be from the use of heroin.

Port Huron could soon be getting help from the historic settlement between states’ Attorneys General and the makers and promoters of highly addictive opioid pain relievers that can lead to heroin use and substance abuse disorders.

The settlement is the result of years of negotiation and the clock is ticking to ensure participation and guarantee payout. Michigan’s Office of Attorney General acknowledges that the money won’t immediately end the opioid epidemic, but it will help local governments to “commence with meaningful change” to curb addiction, overdose, and death.

The City of Port Huron is taking the necessary steps to participate in the settlement process, according to a memo from City Manager James Freed.

The multi-billion dollar payouts will be spread out over up to 18 years and priority is given to the states which have been the most affected by opioid abuse.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDARD Finds Multiple Gas Pump “Skimmers”

Watch for fraudulent charges, especially after using credit cards at gas pumps. That is the message from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development after routine inspections turned up a number of illegal “skimmers” at gas stations.

The skimmers are located inside the credit card payment devices and are used to fraudulently “skim” credit card information for illegal use. The inspections found skimmers in eight Michigan communities. None were found in the Blue Water area at this time.

Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan warned,  “Criminals who engage in this type of illegal activity exploit and manipulate the very technology that we depend on to conduct secure financial transactions in the retail marketplace. “

Waters said, “The FBI and its local, state, and federal law enforcement partners are committed to protecting consumers, businesses, and financial institutions from fraud schemes conducted by criminal enterprises like this one.”

MDARD continues to look for skimmers during routine inspections and asks anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of such a crime to report it immediately.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Mark S. White Named 2020 Michigan Professional Emergency Manager of the Year

Mark S. White has been named the 2020 Michigan Professional Emergency Manager of the Year by the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.

White is the Deputy Director for St. Clair County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. White drafted the emergency management framework in the midst of the pandemic, which allowed for all county agencies to coordinate their efforts.

White is also credited with spearheading the Local Emergency Planning Committee in St. Clair County. The Committee brings together the resources of both public and private entities to expand resources and expertise in emergencies.

Captain Kevin Sweeney, Commander of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, said, “Mr. White’s dedication to emergency management over the last three decades has helped his community prepare for and respond to disasters, ensuring their health and safety. His continued efforts to educate others and improve emergency response statewide are more than deserving of this award.”

Mark S. White started his career in public service 35 years ago as a firefighter with the Port Huron Fire Department.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Part of Push to Preserve Local Journalism

Local journalism could be fading fast, with the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) used in writing and the competition for advertising dollars that support local media. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act of 2021, if passed, will incentivize preserving local journalism.

Attorneys General nationwide, including Michigan’s, are asking Congress to pass legislation that can help sustain local media outlets. The proposed legislation would give tax credits to those who subscribe to locally produced news and those who advertise with local media. They also propose a payroll credit for media outlets that hire local journalists.

It is difficult to get regional and relevant news for a lot of markets. The letter to Congress says, “Local news is essential to the health of our states, communities, and our democracy. Local news organizations across the country have been struggling for many years because of significantly reduced revenue and the transition to online news. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McClain Speaks About Border Crisis on House Floor

On October 21, 2021, Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) spoke on the House floor about the growing crisis at our southern border and urged the Biden Administration to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs from coming over our southwest border.

For video of the speech, click here.

Her remarks, as prepared, are below.

Once again, I come before this chamber to ask when will this administration address the ever-growing crisis at our southern border?

Every day that passes, from sun up to sun down, our nation’s immigration laws are being violated by thousands of illegal border crossers.

For the life of me, I don’t understand why our Commander and Chief refuses to go and see the mess that he and his open border policies have created.

But I’ve seen this crisis myself, so let me paint him a picture.

In Fiscal year 2020, 458 thousand illegal aliens were apprehended at our southwest border.

In Fiscal year 2021, under President Biden’s “leadership”, that number skyrocketed to 1.7 million!

Last month, more than 12,000 illegal aliens from Haiti squatted under a bridge until President Biden’s Department of Homeland Security began moving them into the interior of our country.

The problems don’t stop with people coming in illegally. Illegal drugs from the border are coming to a town near you.

In Fiscal year 2021, Border Patrol agents at the southwest border seized nearly 900 pounds of fentanyl. Doing the math, that’s enough to kill nearly 200 million people.  That’s nearly two-thirds of our country!

To all my colleagues, I beg of you: We must fix this Biden Border Crisis.  It worsens with every passing minute.

I yield back.

Submitted by Congresswoman McClain’s Office