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Local News

New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to be Installed Locally, Statewide

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is granting over $1.8 million to install more charging stations for electric vehicles. The Blue Water Area is on track to have eight of those stations.

Sunrise Stores LLC received the largest disbursement of “Charge Up” grant money- $200,000- to install eight charging stations at their Fort Gratiot, Smiths Creek, Capac, and Kimball locations. Speedy Q Market in Port Huron received a $50,000 grant for two outlets. TNT Equipment in Sandusky received a grant for $70,000 to install four outlets.

The “Charge Up” grants are being awarded to install fast-charging stations that will add 88 outlets along key travel routes statewide. The new outlets are part of a plan to make it possible to travel in electric vehicles with no worries about finding a charging station across Michigan and with connection to high-traveled Midwest and Canadian Routes. The stations are for both private and commercial electric vehicles. 

The new fast-charging electric vehicle charging outlets are expected to be up and running by the end of the year. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Beeler Hosts Office Hour in Sandusky

State Representative Andrew Beeler is inviting the members of his district to join him at a Sandusky Diner for a Q & A session.

Interested persons can meet with Beeler on Saturday, May 22nd, from 11 AM to 12 PM at the Sandusky Family Diner located at 422 Sanilac Road in Sandusky.

The meeting is open to all, and Beeler will be available discuss his legislative work in the state Capitol, answer questions, and provide assistance to his constituents.

For those who would like to communicate with Beeler but can’t make the meeting, he can be reached at his office by phone at 517-373-0835 or by email at AndrewBeeler@house.mi.gov.

Beeler represents Michigan’s 83rd House district, which includes all of Sanilac County and Burtchville Township, Fort Gratiot Township, and the city of Port Huron in St. Clair County.

 

Senate Tries Again with Broadband Internet Tax Incentive Bill

In a reaction to Governor Gretchen Whitmer rejecting a similar House Bill, the Michigan State Senate has approved legislation to expand broadband access to underserved areas of the state.

Whitmer vetoed the House Bill claiming it did not provide enough coverage at high enough speeds. The Senate bill meets the speed requirements demanded by the governor in her veto explanation. The speed required is a minimum download speed of 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of at least 3.0 megabits per second.

The legislation is actually a tax bill that provides tax exemptions for entities that invest in broadband equipment to increase availability and speeds. The tax incentives are hoped to bring internet to the rural and urban areas that are lacking reliable service.

According to non-partisan state bill analysis, 94.5% of Michigan households already have the desired connectivity. Still, the need for reliable and fast internet service has affected 100% of the state as both work and school have been forced to go online for at least some of the time during the pandemic.

The bill has been presented to the Governor for approval.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Vacc to Normal Milestone Tracker” Launched to Measure Vaccination Levels

Both state and local health departments are looking to vaccination as the only path to full sports arenas and concert venues, and a return to “normal” after the pandemic. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has launched the “Vacc to Normal Milestone Tracker” to show the progress the state is making toward the goal of vaccinating as many people as possible as quickly as possible.

Yesterday, Michigan reached its first goal:  55% of residents have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Since the vaccine level is directly tied to the loosening of restrictions, Governor Whitmer announced yesterday that all in-person work can resume in two weeks or on May 24th. 

The next milestone, 60% vaccination, plus two weeks, allows for increased indoor capacity at large venues. The 65% vaccinated level lifts capacity limits but requires continued social distancing.

 Seventy percent is the magic number that lifts Gatherings and Face Masks Orders. 

A link to the “Vacc to Normal” Milestone Tracker:

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_103214-547150–,00.html

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

DTF Makes Several Arrests

Port Huron, MI — The St. Clair County Drug Task Force confiscated drugs and made several arrests last week.

According to Sheriff Mat King, an investigation into the sales of narcotics led to the execution of a search warrant in the 2500 block of Spruce Street in the city of Port Huron. 

On May 3rd at about 10:30 p.m., members of the DTF entered the home, where they located and seized about $3000 worth of methamphetamine, $750 worth of analog drugs, $600 worth of cocaine and $200 worth of fentanyl/heroin. Two Port Huron men, ages 22 and 44 were arrested and lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center. The Port Huron Police K-9 Unit assisted in the investigation.

On May 5th at about 6:00 p.m., the Drug Task Force assisted the Sheriff Road Patrol on a traffic stop at Dove Road and Minnesota Road in Port Huron Township. During a search of the vehicle, about $600 worth of cocaine and nearly $4000 in cash were located and confiscated. Two men from Port Huron, ages 51 and 52 and a 42 year old Port Huron woman were arrested and lodged at the IDC on various drug charges.

On May 6th at about 3:00 p.m., a search warrant in the 3300 block of 30th Street led to the arrest 38 year old Port Huron man. During the search, members of the Drug Task Force located and seized a handgun, ammunition and drug packaging materials. The man was lodged at the IDC and faces charges of felon in possession of a handgun and felon in possession of ammunition.

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

Michigan Unemployment Office Adds Staff, Increases Hours

Would Return to Work Grant Help Employers Fill Open Positions

The  National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is reporting that 44% of small business owners have job openings they can’t fill, and 92% of them report few or no qualified applicants are applying for their open positions.

Small business owners who attended a hearing of the House Government Operations Committee in Lansing in April, were concerned that increased unemployment benefits and the pandemic are continuing to keep people out of the work force.

Traditionally, those receiving unemployment benefits in the State of Michigan were required to prove they were searching for work. That requirement was lifted due to the pandemic, but representatives from the Unemployment Insurance Agency told the House Government Operations Committee that the requirement would be reinstated by the end of May.

NFIB Michigan State Director, Charlie Owens said the work search requirement would help employers as well as an incentive such as a “Return to Work Grant”.

“The return to work incentive would provide grants of $1,000 to workers who leave the unemployment system and return to work,” said Owens.

The incentive is included in House Bill 4420 which is currently making its way through the legislative process.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand