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Local News

Blue Water Bridge Commuters Switching to Cashless Toll Payment

For those crossing the Blue Water Bridge regularly, take note that the tokens are being phased out and the Edge Pass will soon be the only way to get the discounted commuter rate.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is enrolling customers in the Edge Pass Program which will be linked to debit or credit cards. Cash is getting phased out at the border crossing.

The Edge Pass will provide a reduced rate of $2.50 per toll for non-commercial vehicles heading east on the Blue Water Bridge. Edge Pass users will have access to a dedicated toll lane and will be able to monitor their accounts online 24 hours a day.

Tokens will no longer be accepted as of July 1st, 2022. There is a token redemption program available through the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited, which manages operations on the Canadian side of the bridge. There are many tokens still in circulation. The tokens can be exchanged at the Blue Water Bridge Corporate Centre in Point Edward, Ontario, the Exchange House at Blue Water Bridge, and the Duty Free Store at Blue Water Bridge.

The token exchange will credit ConneXion accounts for westbound travel on the Blue Water Bridge.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

WMU Athletes Win with Settlement Over Vaccine Mandates

A court battle over athletes at Western Michigan University having the right to refuse a mandated vaccine has reached a conclusion with a settlement. An injunction has been issued by Federal District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney to allow the sixteen athletes to continue playing intercollegiate sports while refusing the Covid-19 vaccine.

A prior injunction had also been upheld with the opinion reading that the athlete’s First Amendment rights were being violated as they objected to the vaccine requirement on religious grounds.

Western Michigan University will have to pay the legal fees of the students and allow them to play with no requirement to be vaccinated, but the athletes will have to abide by testing and masking protocols.

The suit was filed on behalf of the athletes by the Great Lakes Justice Center, which is a non-profit focused on First Amendment cases.

David A. Kallman, Senior Counsel with GLJC, said, “We are pleased that WMU has agreed to resolve this matter, that our clients’ religious convictions were vindicated, and that they can continue to be part of their teams, be with their teammates, and compete for WMU at the highest level in a safe manner.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

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