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Local News

Laws Extend License and Registration Expiration Dates

Driver’s license expired, but no appointment scheduled at the Secretary of State? Don’t worry; new laws have been signed to expand the validation of licenses and state IDs.

Expirations on vehicle registrations, driver licenses, and state IDs have been extended by 120 days after an original expiration date between March 31 and August 1st of this year. Late fees are waived and will be refunded if needed.

Senate Bill 507 extends the validity of an operator’s or chauffeur’s license. Senate Bill 508 extends the validity of enhanced driver’s licenses and IDs, and Senate Bill 509 extends the expiration dates on ID cards.

After signing the bills last week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the laws “put Michigan drivers first”.

With a backlog of people waiting for appointments, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said, “We are glad to be entering a new era of services at our offices that are more efficient and convenient than ever before.”

Benson said all SOS offices are open to any residents, which they can access by “walking up or scheduling their visits online or by phone.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Law Removes Requirement to Provide Phone Books

Say goodbye to telephone directories, or “phone books”. If you remember the days of getting wound up in a ten-foot-long phone cord and understand terms like “busy signal” and “collect calling”, you probably remember the days of easily looking up a phone number in a phone book. You probably also know the words to all the New Kids on the Block songs and have a set of encyclopedias on your bookshelf.

Michigan Senate Bill 372 has sent telephone directory publishing the way of party lines and rotary dials, by removing the requirement to provide a phone book from the Michigan Telecommunications Act.

The Bill was introduced by State Senators Horn, Hollier, and Schmidt, as well as local State Senator Dan Lauwers. The bill was supported by AT & T, Frontier Communications, and Telecommunications Associations of Michigan.

The bill also addresses something from a bygone era, 1-900 numbers, saying that telephone service providers must provide “the option of having access to 900 prefix services blocked”.  Once popular in the 1980s and 90s, 1-900 numbers are functionally obsolete with the development of the internet, but there are still a few “premium numbers” in use.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Runaway Bride 5K On August 14th

The Runaway Bride 5K run and 2 mile walk is coming up on Saturday, August 14th at the Double Tree by Hilton in Port Huron. This is one of the most unique runs in the area with participants dressed in wedding themed attire to raise money for A Beautiful Me.

Registration is now open for runners and walkers at ABeautifulMe.com, and raffle tickets are also on sale for a week-long condo vacation for 6 on Hilton Head Island.

Karen Palka, A Beautiful Me’s Founder and Executive Director, said, “Our beloved ‘Ruby the Runner’ has been seen around town with a new friend named ‘Wally the Walker. A mock wedding is held at the start of our fun run and each year Ruby has run from her groom – as she had cold feet. We will patiently wait to see if Ruby will take Wally’s hand in marriage this year – or run to start the race.”

All proceeds from The Runaway Bride benefit girls in the community by providing confidence-building programs and workshops.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Health Dept. Number Being Spoofed

The St. Clair County Health Department has been receiving reports from residents and non-residents that callers claiming to be from the health department has been occurring today. This practice is commonly known as spoofing. Spoofing allows it to appear as if the caller is dialing from a recognizable number to encourage you to pick up the phone.

Callers reported being asked for information such as Medicare/Medicaid account details or protected health information.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer stated, said. “It is important residents remember they should never give personal and confidential information to unsolicited callers. We would not ask for account information, like social security numbers, passwords, and so forth. Simply hang up and report the call to our office.”

No one should give out personal information to an unsolicited caller.

Mercatante continued, “If there is a concern by an individual who has been spoofed, we encourage them to contact us immediately to confirm if our department is attempting to contact them.”

Those who wish to make a report about these calls can do so by contacting the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. A complaint can be filed online at mi.gov/agcomplaints or by calling 877-765-8388.

Home Invasions on Gratiot Avenue

On Friday, July 30th around 11:30 p.m. homeowners in the 3800 block of Gratiot Avenue  heard noises inside their home and scared away suspects that had broken in. Once police were called, other neighbors came forward advising they had scared suspects away after the  suspects attempted to open a locked door.

Further investigation revealed another home in this  block was also entered by the suspects where items were stolen. Vehicles, garages, and  bedrooms were rummaged through. Road patrol officers and detectives collected evidence and the suspects remain at large. 

The suspects were described as younger white males with  masks over their faces. 

If you have any information regarding these home invasions or have video surveillance/Ring  camera in this area call the Port Huron Police Department Criminal Investigative Division at  (810) 984-9715 or CAPTURE at (810) 987-6688.

Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and the message/tip  to 847411 or by downloading the Port Huron PD app on an apple or android device. Tips can  also be emailed by clicking on the CAPTURE link at www.porthuronpolice.org. 

Please be diligent in locking up your vehicles and residences. Ensure windows are locked as well to prevent home invasions and thefts.

Look Out for Harmful Algal Blooms in the Water

Harmful algal blooms are kind of a big deal. They are naturally present in local waters but can cause serious harm to people and pets if ingested, thanks to cyanobacteria.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said, “Before going in the water, we recommend Michiganders look for visible algal blooms or scums on any lake, and that people and pets stay out of water in areas that look affected.”

Harmful algal blooms look like scums or mats, spilled paint or pea soup, or colored streaks on the water’s surface.

Symptoms of harmful algal bloom exposure in humans include rashes, runny eyes or nose, asthma-like symptoms, and gastrointestinal problems. Serious reactions require immediate medical attention. Dogs are especially susceptible to harm from exposure.

Algal blooms happen when the water nutrient level is too high. Prevention includes maintaining natural shorelines, keeping fertilizers away from the water, and keeping pet waste and detergents with phosphates out of the water.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland