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Local News

Online Sports Betting and Casinos Break Records with Michigan Debut

If you tried out online sports betting or casinos this year, you are part of history. Michigan’s venture into legal online sports betting and online casinos has been one for the record books. Sports betting debuted with $115 million in bets in the first ten days, according to numbers from the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Online casinos posted $29.4 million in gross receipts.

Michigan generated more money than any other state. Analysts with PlayMichigan, which analyzes online gaming operations, said, “The circumstances for Michigan’s online launch could not have been better ahead of two of the biggest sports betting holidays of the year.”

Sports betting accounted for 76% of the state’s online gambling, but online casinos did pretty well also, generating over $4 million in tax revenue in first ten days.

Gambling operations seem to have confidence in Michiganders’ taste for gambling. PlayMichigan analysts said that launching with 10 operators ready to go from the beginning was unlike anything else they had seen before.

While revenue for the actual betting operators was down due to the massive amount of advertising they have been doing in Michigan, PlayMichigan’s analysts said that it shows just how much confidence operators have in the future of the Michigan market.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SCCHD COVID Testing at Marysville Clinic

Port Huron, MI — The St. Clair County Health Department offers all COVID-19 testing at an offsite clinic located at  1168 Gratiot Blvd, in Marysville. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8:30am 3:30pm and Fridays 8:30am – 12:00 pm.

Appointments can be self-scheduled on the health department website, www.scchealth.co click  on the “COVID-19 Testing Link” or call (810) 987-5300 for assistance.

Testing helps public health officials identify COVID-19 infection in our community, isolate positive cases, and find close contacts for follow-up monitoring. Some people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms and don’t know they have it. They can continue spreading the virus and can cause  serious illness in others.

Testing information: 

  • Free/No out of pocket costs
  • Dependent on an individual’s needs, multiple testing methods are available ∙ Seek testing if you have been exposed, sick or traveling
  • All ages welcome
  • No screening needed
  • No doctor’s order needed
  • Please bring a form of ID to the appointment
  • COVID-19 vaccinations are NOT provided at this location

Submitted by the St. Clair County Health Department

SC4 Presents “Victim or Creator: Changing Your Mindset”

Port Huron, MI — St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron is offering a presentation called “Victim or Creator: Changing Your Mindset”. The 60-minute chat via Zoom will be held on Friday, February 26th at 2:00 p.m.

The guest speaker, Caleb S. Boswell, will be exploring the thoughts and language that people use internally. Mr. Boswell is described as having a “passion for mental wellness and education”. The presentation will be challenging the “victim” versus “creator” mindset.

Boswell is a Student Advisor at Washtenaw Community College and has experience with promoting college access and personal development. He works to promote mental wellness and benefits of therapy with the hashtag #TherapyIsNormal and is a facilitator of “The Healing Collective”.

The presentation is open to students, faculty, staff, and community and is sponsored by SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

To get the login information, email dei@sc4.edu.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lauwers Asks for “Common Sense” with MDHHS Orders

Michigan State Senator Dan Lauwers is heading up an effort to get some clarity and consistency in Executive Orders when dealing with the rules for local government meetings. Current regulations restrict in-person meetings, which can create a burden on people who are just trying to do their jobs.

Lauwers pointed out that local Boards of Review are required to meet on March 2nd, but are restricted to gatherings of no more than ten people and no more than two households. While meeting online has been an answer to restrictions on gatherings for nearly a year, it is not always possible in the 25th Senate District, with vast rural areas in St. Clair, Sanilac, and Huron counties, that Lauwers represents.

In a letter to Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lauwers said, “State government should not be issuing and enforcing orders that limit residents’ access to their local elected officials and the community entities necessary to carry out the functions of municipal life. It is the responsibility of government to consider the impact of its policies and account for unintended consequences. In short, it is the responsibility of government to use common sense.”

The letter was signed by nine State Senators.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Winter Storms Affect Blood Supply

When winter storms move across the area, they affect more than road safety and school schedules. The American Red Cross is reporting a decline in blood products from donation shortfalls caused by heavy snow, freezing temperatures, and ice storms both here in Michigan and across the country.

Blood donations help patients in a variety of ways in hospitals for both emergency situations and routine surgeries. One recent recipient of donated blood, Tina Rocco, began hemorrhaging badly after welcoming her new baby by C-section and was saved by her medical team and several pints of blood.

“You never truly know when you, or someone you know, might need [a blood transfusion],” said Rocco.

The need for blood is constant, but even more so during periods of serious weather that reduce donations. Currently, the American Red Cross is urging health individuals, especially those with type O blood, to give now and ensure the availability of this life-saving treatment for future patients.

Learn more at RedCrossBlood.org or visit the Events page at WGRT.com <HERE> for a list of blood drives in the Blue Water Area.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

3 Arraigned in DTF Raid

Port Huron, MI — More than $5000 worth of crack cocaine was seized, along with other drugs during a pair of St. Clair County Drug Task Force raids on February 16th.

According to Sheriff Mat King, members of the DTF conducted an investigation into the sales of narcotics in the Port Huron area.  The investigation culminated with a search warrant being executed in the 1300 block of Nelson Street and another in the 1300 block of Water Street in the city of Port Huron at about 9:00 p.m. last Tuesday.

Once inside the residence, members of the Drug Task Force located and seized $5300 worth of crack cocaine, along with powder cocaine, analogue pills and cash.

Three people have been arraigned in 72nd District Court following their arrest during the raids.  Dion Johnson, a 39 year old Port Huron man is charged with delivery/manufacture of less than 50 grams of cocaine, possession of less than 25 grams of cocaine, possession of analogue drugs, maintaining a drug house, driving while license suspended second offense and being a habitual 4th offender.  Johnson’s bond was set at $125,000 cash/surety.  Fifty year old Anthony Stevenson of Port Huron is charged with possession of less than 25 grams of cocaine, maintaining a drug house, driving while license suspended 2nd offense and being a habitual 4th offender.  His bond was set at $25,000 cash/surety.  Erin Holt, a 43 year old Port Huron woman is charged with possession of less than 25 grams of cocaine, possession of analogue drugs and maintaining a drug house.  Her bond was set at $10,000 cash/surety.

All three are scheduled to be back in court for probable cause hearings before Judge John Monaghan on March 2nd at 9:00 a.m.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team also assisted in the raids.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force