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Local News

Secretary of State Expand Hours & Appointments

Starting Monday, July 19th through September 30, 2021, Michigan Secretary of State Branches are offering extended business hours and more appointments for in-person services.

Branch offices will stay open until 6 PM on Mondays and Thursdays and open at 8 AM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Visits to the branch offices can be scheduled at the Office of the Secretary of State’s website at michigan.gov/sos, and the best time to schedule appointments for the following week is on Wednesday at 2 PM when they become available.

Appointments can also be scheduled by phone at 888-MICH-SOS.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said the department is working to offer more efficient and convenient service and will continue working with the legislature to expand online and self-service station options so Michiganders don’t have to visit branch offices at all.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

New Laws Strengthen School Bus Safety

School bus safety is at the heart of several new bills signed into law this week. House bills 4201 and 4203 prohibit anyone to board a school bus without permission from the driver. They establish a $500 civil fine for stepping onto the bus without authorization.

State Representative Jack O’Malley, who sponsored the bill, said, “We have made the school buildings safer. These bills now bring focus on the weakest link, the school bus. We will have better enforcement of those who ignore the stop arm. Also, the boarding with permission brings the respect our drivers need while keeping our kids safe.” 

House Bills 4202 and 4204 allow school buses to have a stop-arm camera system and to be able to use evidence from the cameras to show drivers failing to stop for busses with their red lights flashing.

State Representative Tyrone Carter, the bills’ sponsor, said, “These bills prioritize student safety. I am grateful for the bipartisan support in empowering our students.”  

Drivers are required to stop for busses with red lights flashing and remain completely stopped until the lights stop flashing.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Unlock Michigan’s Petition Approved

The Michigan Senate on Thursday approved the Unlock Michigan citizen-led petition to repeal the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governor Act.

The vote came two days after the Board of State Canvassers certified the petition’s signatures.

“This is a great day for the people of Michigan,” said Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Lauwers, R-Brockway Township. “Never again should any governor be able to ignore the constitution and abuse the power of the office to effectively shut down the state in perpetuity and disrupt the lives and livelihoods of Michigan residents without their consent. In our system of government, the rule of law reigns supreme — no one is above it. With today’s vote, we are standing with the over half a million concerned residents who stood up for what so many have given their lives for — our constitutional republic. Together we face challenges and together we shall overcome them, and today’s vote ensures that we can.”

Last year, the state Supreme Court ruled Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s subsequent emergency orders issued after the initial 30-day order were unconstitutional.

Prior to the court ruling, Whitmer vetoed Senate legislation that would have limited a governor’s emergency powers without legislative approval.

The Unlock Michigan petition now goes to the House of Representatives for approval.

The governor has no authority to veto or otherwise block the petition if approved by both chambers of the Legislature.

Submitted by Senator San Lauwers

Man Arrested in Marine City for Attempted Murder

On July 15, 2021 at 12:35 a.m. the Port Huron Police Department Road Patrol responded to the  2500 block of Wright St. regarding shots fired.

When officers arrived in the area, they spoke with the victim, a 48 year old male resident of Port Huron, who indicated that the suspect, a 47 year old male from Marine City, had fired a handgun at the victim and the victim’s vehicle.  The victim was uninjured and the victim’s vehicle was not struck by gunfire. Evidence located at the scene verified that a firearm had been discharged. 

It was determined that there were initial threats made by the suspect to shoot-up the victim’s girlfriend’s home in the City of Port Huron.  

The Port Huron Police Department Major Crimes Unit was called out to assist with the  investigation. 

On July 15, 2021 at approximately 4:30 a.m. the Port Huron Police Department Major Crimes  Unit and Special Response Team, with the assistance from the Marine City Police Department,  St. Clair County Sheriff Office, Michigan State Police, and the St. Clair Police Department  executed a search warrant in the 500 block of Belle River Avenue in Marine City. The 47 year  male suspect was located and taken into custody without incident. 

The suspect was taken to the Port Huron Police Department and interviewed. He was ultimately  lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention Center on the charges of Attempted Murder and  Felony Firearm.  

If you have knowledge of this crime call the Port Huron Police Department at (810) 984-8415 or the  Port Huron Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (810) 984-5383.  

Anonymous tips can be received through the CAPTURE Hotline at (810) 987-6688, emailed through  www.porthuronpolice.org, or texted by downloading the Port Huron PD app on apple or android  devices. Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and their  message/tip to 847411. 

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

Back Pack Giveaway Coming in August

Back to School 2021 is coming to St. Clair County in August for St. Clair County families who need a little boost to get ready for the classroom.

The Back to School program is provided to low-income residents of St. Clair County through the Blue Water Community Action Agency.

The event will provide backpacks filled with schools supplies for elementary and middle school children and preschool packs for youngers kids. All events are drive-throughs, so participants can stay inside their cars.

Wednesday August 11th, there will be Back to School Events at Blue Water Community Action on Lapeer Road in Port Huron from 10:30 AM – 12:20 PM, and at Capac Elementary School from 10 AM – 11:30 AM.

On Thursday August 12th, there will be an event at the East China Administration Building from 3 – 6 PM

On Tuesday, August 24th, Yale Elementary will have a Back to School Event from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM.

Contact Blue Water Community Action to learn more: www.bwcaa.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

New State Park Coming to Flint

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced plans to create a new Michigan state park in the City of Flint by utilizing federal relief dollars from President Biden’s American Recovery Plan.

This would mark the first state park in Genesee County, the only county in Michigan without land that is managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and when completed would become Michigan’s 104th state park.

The governor’s proposed investment, which requires approval from the Legislature, would develop a park that would be anchored at Chevy Commons and expanded along the Flint River corridor to seamlessly connect the park to local neighborhoods, businesses, and institutions, such as the University of Michigan-Flint, the Flint Farmers’ Market, and the Iron Belle Trail.

Although plans are in their earliest stages, the new park could include non-motorized trails, unique playscapes, accessible open spaces, fishing platforms, and canoe and kayak launches into the Flint River.

A timeline for completion and further funding still needs to be developed, but the commitment of state funding will prove a critical catalyst in pushing the project forward.

Submitted by Governor Whitmer’s Office