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Local News

Canadian International Travel Restrictions Tighten

Ontario continues to be in a Provincewide shutdown which includes a Stay at Home order. Residents are discouraged from travelling outside their region or province, and new rules on International travel went into effect this week.

Currently, Canada’s airline and government have suspended all flights to and from Mexico and Caribbean countries until April 30, 2021. International commercial passenger flights coming from the United State, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America will be required to land at only four Canadian airports: Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Calgary International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport. Private/Business and charter flights from all countries are required to land at one of the four airports as well.

Proof of a negative COVID-19 test is also required to fly, and soon, all travelers arriving in Canada will have to reserve a room in a Government of Canada-approved hotel for three nights and take a COVID-19 molecular test upon arrival. The cost of accommodations and testing is the responsibility of the traveler.

The government is also planning a testing requirement for those entering the country by land, with limited exceptions for people such as commercial truckers.

Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, said, “The safety of the travelling public and the transportation industry are top priorities. Our government continues to strongly advise against non-essential travel outside Canada, and has implemented many measures to protect the health of Canadians in our transportation system. The expansion of the flight restrictions is based on decisive, public health rationale from the Public Health Agency of Canada to further protect Canadians from the health impacts of COVID-19.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Teachers to Get Rapid Covid Testing

Teachers can have easy access to COVID-19 testing with a new plan from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The idea is to get teachers tested weekly as in-person learning is expected to resume statewide on March 1st.

Rapid antigen testing has begun with approximately 300 schools and 900 staff signed up for testing at both public and private schools. The testing is free to the schools.

MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said, “Voluntary testing of educators is part of the larger state strategy of keeping students, staff and communities safe while giving children the in-person instruction that they need to learn, develop and grow. Our dedicated teachers are among the frontline workers who have stepped up during this pandemic. Giving them an opportunity to be regularly tested recognizes their sacrifices and keeps everyone safer.”

The program is modeled after the testing of coaches and athletes that was used in the fall. Of the 8,300 people tested, 69 COVID-19 infections were found. The complete plan still includes mask-wearing, ventilation improvements in schools, frequent hand washing and social distancing.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Man Arraigned on Drugs and Weapons Charges

(Port Huron) A 31 year old Port Huron man has been arraigned on multiple charges,
following a drug raid by the St. Clair County Drug Task Force.

According to Sheriff Mat King, Matthew Kimbrough was arraigned on January 29 th in
72 nd District Court in Port Huron. He is charged with possession of methamphetamine,
delivery/manufacture of promethazine/codeine, two counts of possession of a firearm by
a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon, two counts of felony firearm and
maintaining a drug house. He is also charged as a habitual 3 rd offender. Bond was set at
$50,000 cash/surety.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Drug Task Force into sales of narcotics in
the Port Huron area. That investigation led to the execution of a search warrant in the
2600 block of South Boulevard in the city of Port Huron at about 2:30 p.m. on January
27th . Once inside, members of the DTF located and seized small quantities of
methamphetamine and promethazine. Also seized was approximately $24,000 in cash,
two handguns and a 50 round magazine for a handgun. Kimbrough and a 29 year old
Port Huron woman were arrested without incident at the residence. The woman was
released pending further investigation.

Kimbrough is scheduled to be back in court for a probable cause hearing on February 16 th
at 9:00 a.m. before Judge John Monaghan in 72 nd District Court in Port Huron.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

Voter Confidence Act Announced in Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) and Congressman Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) are announced H.R. 607, the Voter Confidence Act on February 2nd. This legislation establishes a bipartisan, bicameral commission to bolster voter confidence in future federal elections and review the practices and policies of federal, state and local election officials and their impact on the security and integrity of the election.

“The Voter Confidence Act is like watching a game film on our previous election,” said Rep. McClain. “We must ensure Americans feel confident in the integrity of our voting system and I believe establishing this commission is a vital first step.”

“Reestablishing voter confidence should not be a partisan exercise. And I am hopeful it will not be. This legislation is an effort to rebuild voter’s trust in our electoral process by disseminating best practices and bringing together expert voices from across the nation. Many states, including Pennsylvania will have started to review their election laws and I am hopeful this commission will aid them in their efforts to strengthen election integrity,” said Rep. Smucker.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also unquestionably impacted last year’s election administration. This commission would share best practices for administering elections during pandemics or other national emergencies, ensuring the security of mail-in or absentee ballots and bolstering confidence in the integrity of future elections. H.R. 607 has been referred to the Committee on House Administration.

Earlier this month, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced this legislation in the Senate.

Submitted by the office of Congresswoman Lisa McClain

New Scholarship Helps Michigan Adults Obtain Associate Degree

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined with Republican and Democratic legislators to announce the launch of the $30 million Michigan Reconnect program, the largest effort in state history to ensure that more than 4.1 million Michiganders who are 25 or older and do not have a college degree will have an opportunity to earn a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate.   

“All Michiganders deserve a pathway to a good-paying job, whether they choose to pursue a college degree, technical certificate, or an apprenticeship,” Gov. Whitmer said during a virtual news conference. “Michigan Reconnect will connect thousands of Michiganders to good-paying jobs and connect businesses with the talent they need to thrive in their communities. I’m proud of the hard work that has gone into creating this historic new opportunity and look forward to continuing bipartisan work with lawmakers toward our goal of ensuring 60% of Michiganders will have a postsecondary degree by 2030.”

Michigan Reconnect will pay the cost of tuition for eligible adults who want to pursue an associate degree or skills certificate at their in-district community college. The program also offers skills scholarships to help cover the cost of tuition through more than 70 private training schools with 120 programs that offer certificates in high-demand careers in industries such as manufacturing, construction, information technology, healthcare or business management.

Michiganders can submit applications at Michigan.gov/Reconnect. The application takes less than five minutes to complete and can be done on a mobile device.

Reconnect scholarships are accepted by all Michigan community colleges and are even available to eligible adults who are already enrolled in their local community college. The program pays the remaining balance of tuition and mandatory fees after other state and federal financial aid have been applied. For those who choose to attend an out-of-district community college, Reconnect will pay the in-district portion of tuition.

Submitted by the Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer

To learn more about community college programs offered by St. Clair County Community College, visit www.sc4.edu

COVID Vaccine Pre-Registration System Expected Friday

The St. Clair County Health Department is expecting the new pre-registration system for COVID-19 vaccines to go live on Friday. With the new system, individuals will be able to sing up for email, text, and/or phone notifications when future vaccine appointments become available.

The pre-registration system is not a sign up system, and it does not reserve a future vaccine appointment. When the pre-registered individual is notified of an available appointment, they will still have to follow the instructions included in the notification to reserve an appointment.

The Health Department is still vaccinating eligible individuals in the 65 years and older group and the 1A/1B priority groups. Group 1A consists of healthcare workers and long term care residents, and 1B is mainly frontline workers and those who work in institutions or schools. Persons in those groups will be notified of vaccine opportunities by their employers.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer, stated, “The vaccine allocation we receive is turned around quickly and used within 7 days. During the week of January 21-27, we administered over 2,000 vaccinations. We expect numbers to increase as allocations improve. We look forward to offering weekly 65+ clinics and continue clinics for essential workers utilizing the upcoming pre-registration system. This new process will be a positive step hopefully alleviating stress in our (senior) population.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand