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Local News

MPSC Reports Successful Energy Waste Reduction Programs

The Michigan Public Service Commission has released preliminary numbers from the 2019 Energy Waste Reduction efforts. It is estimated that 1.5 million megawatt hours of electricity and more than 5 million cubic feet of natural gas were saved with the effort.

Saving energy comes at a cost to the electric companies with nearly $250.7 million estimated to be spent on waste reduction projects. Gas companies spent nearly $96 million.

Since 2008, utility companies are required to implement customer programs that lower energy use and reduce the future cost of service. Energy Waste Reduction programs are meant to “reduce the energy burden, improve health outcomes and strengthen the economic security of low-income customers and communities”, according to the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Examples of Waste Reduction programs target residential lighting; heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC); weatherization; energy education; appliance recycling; and pilot programs.

A link to the full report:

2019 Energy Waste Reduction Report to the Legislature (michigan.gov)

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Photo Contest for VNA & Blue Water Hospice

The Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice has been renovating their patient rooms at the Blue Water Hospice Home, and they are asking the community to help decorate the walls. Photographers can submit photos that feature scenes from around Michigan, and winners will be credited with a placard noting their name along with having their photos shared on the organization’s Facebook page.

Here are the details and requirements for entry:

  • Photos will be enlarged to 12”x18”, only those with a minimum pixel dimension of 2400×3600 will be accepted for entry.
  • Entries will not be compensated monetarily or otherwise.
  • Themes (must not include people):
    – Lake Huron
    – Thomas Edison Park
    – Lake Ontario
    – Blue Water Bridge
    – Lake Michigan
    – Boardwalk
    – Lake Erie
    – Lighthouse (any Michigan lighthouse)
    – Lake Superior
    – Freighter
    – Lake St. Clair
    – Sailboat

To enter photos the photographer must:

    • Attach a jpg photo in an email to: marketing@vnabwh.com
    • Include in the email:
      • Your name (photographer)
      • Phone number
      • Address/City/State/Zip
      • Location of photo (which theme)
      • Title of photo

All entries must be received by March 19. Those whose photos are selected will be notified by April 1.

Ice Continues to Menace Riverfront Property Along the St. Clair River

This has been a stressful winter for many St. Clair County residents living along the southern stretch of the St. Clair River. High water, strong winds, and a whole lot of ice are causing major flooding issues on waterfront property.

The St. County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has had their hands full in 2020 and now in 2021, and they are issuing daily reports on the state of the flooding situation. A report early this week indicated that waters had risen sharply in the stretch from St. Clair to Lake Huron.

An international ice-cutting effort was underway with the U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Hollyhock and Morro Bay and Canadian Coast Guard Cutter Griffin on the job. The cutters work to try to keep the water flowing and reduce flooding. The situation is under constant monitoring by county, state, federal, and international partners.

Citizens with damage from the ice and flooding are asked to use online self-reporting options. Links to Be Ready St. Clair County can be found below. As of early this week, 22 reports of damage have been made.

https://www.facebook.com/BeReadyStClairCounty

https://www.bereadystclaircounty.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

TEC Center Virtual Open House Set for February 25th

The St. Clair County TEC Center is having a virtual Open House on Thursday, February 25th from 6-8 p.m. this year. The annual event where students get to see examples of hands-on training in various technical fields has been forced to go online.

The virtual event is aimed at tenth-graders and their families, as the program runs throughout eleventh and twelfth grades. TEC programs are available to all students in public schools in St. Clair County. High school counselors will have more information.

TEC programs include automotive technology, cosmetology, culinary arts, engineering & robotics, health careers, and several others.

The virtual open house will allow students and families to take a virtual tour, visit classrooms, explore TEC programs, and talk with teachers. They will also learn how to earn elective credit, academic credit, and college credit, along with learning how to make a TEC education into a fulfilling career.

Opportunities for an in-person “shadow” visit are available to interested students. A link to registration to the TEC Virtual Open House:

Register for the TEC Virtual Open House.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Closings for Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Closings for Wednesday, February 17th

St. Clair County:

Algonac Community Schools

Capac Community Schools

East China School District

East Shore Leadership Academy

Holy Cross Catholic

Marysville Public Schools

Memphis Community Schools

New Life Christian Academy

Port Huron Area School District – Closed for all students both Hybrid and Virtual – no Zooms

St. Clair TEC

St. Clair County CMH: St. Clair County Community Mental Health will be open. However, its CIS program closed. There will be no agency transportation available. Employees are to report to work.

St. Mary/McCormick Catholic Academy

Yale School District

 

 

 

Sanilac County

Brown City Schools

Carsonville – Port Sanilac

Croswell-Lexington Schools

Peck Community Schools

Sanilac Career Center & Special Ed

 

New COVID Variant Identified in St. Clair County

A case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 has been identified in St. Clair County. The individual has been in isolation and close contacts quarantined since initial COVID-19 diagnosis. Variant identification is learned after (initial COVID -19 diagnosis) further testing of the specimen.

The individual who tested positive is in their 70’s with no current travel history. Symptoms are mild and hospitalization is not needed at this time.

The COVID-19 virus, as expected with a coronavirus, has changed over the past year. The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant originated in the United Kingdom and has been found throughout the United States, with the first case in Michigan recorded in January. The B.1.1.7 variant spreads more easily and is believed to be more contagious. However, there is no indication that it affects the clinical outcomes or disease severity compared to the original strain.

“Since the variant is more contagious, the virus could potentially infect more people with less exposure”, said Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer of the St. Clair County Health Department. “Which is why it is imperative our community strengthen prevention measures by wearing masks, physically distancing, avoiding crowds, washing hands frequently and getting vaccinated when it becomes available to you.”

Based on available evidence, current tests and vaccines for COVID-19 also work against this new variant. Protective actions that prevent the spread of COVID-19 will also prevent the spread of the new variant B.1.1.7:

  • Wear a face mask around others
  • Keep at least 6 feet apart from others
  • Wash hands frequently
  • Avoid crowded areas or gatherings
  • Ventilate indoor spaces if around others
  • Seek testing if ill, exposed, or after travel
  • Follow isolation or quarantine guidance if ill, exposed, or waiting on test results
  • Get vaccinated when vaccine becomes available to you

Submitted by the St. Clair County Health Department