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Local News

Huron Lightship to Remain Rust-free Thanks to City Funding

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Museum always makes the best of whatever surprises are thrown at it and managing a freak natural disaster is no exception. When a meteotsunami hit Lake Huron in July of 2020, the Huron Lightship sustained serious damage. The sudden and devastating erosion destroyed the mechanical systems and caused an unwelcome moat to appear.

Andrew Kercher, Manager of Community Engagement for Port Huron Museums, said that the City of Port Huron is helping the Museum with the restoration of the cathodic system that was exposed with the storm. The system is a series of cathodes that attract rust away from the ship, allowing it to remain intact while being buried partially underground for the past half-century.

If there was any silver lining to the unexpected excavation, it’s that the cathodic system, which needed eventual replacement anyway, was able to be accessed. Further work will be needed to shore up the erosion and stabilize the buried ship. Kercher said he is grateful for the partnership with the City of Port Huron.

The Huron Lightship, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year, is planned to be open for visitors after Memorial Day. Full schedules can be found at phmuseum.org.

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

REAL ID Enforcement Date Extended to May 2023

The Department of Homeland Security has been urging travelers to get their REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards for some time in anticipation of the October 2021 enforcement date. Due to the challenges state agencies have had during the COVID-19 pandemic, the enforcement date has been extended to May 3, 2023.

Many states have cancelled and/or limited in-person service at their licensing agencies and state governments have extended the deadlines for renewing licenses during the pandemic. As a result, DHS reports that only 43% of state ids and driver’s licenses are currently REAL ID compliant.

The 19-month extension will enable individuals, states, and the Department of Homeland Security more time to implement and adjust to the changing requirements.

All U.S. travelers planning to fly domestically or visit a Federal facility after May 3, 2023 will have to have a REAL ID compliant id card. All enhanced driver’s licenses and state ID cards are already REAL ID compliant.

To receive or convert a Michigan driver’s license or identification card to REAL-ID, you must  show two forms of documentation: one with your social security number such as a social security card, W-2, or pay stub, and one showing citizenship, naturalization, or residency status such as a certified birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or valid U.S. or foreign passport.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Michigan Loses Congressional Seat after Census Apportionment

Results of the 2020 United States Census regarding Congressional Apportionment have been finalized and published. Michigan joined six other states in losing a seat in the United States House of Representatives once the seats were apportioned to balance the 435 seats. The newly apportioned congressional seats will be realized in January 2023.

Michigan currently has 14 congressional seats but will go down to 13, as well as losing a vote in the electoral college, which decides presidential elections.

Getting Michigan residents to fill out the census during a pandemic was a major effort in 2020, with that congressional seat and electoral college votes seat on the line. Michigan came up just short of the needed population count, relative to other states, to keep the seat and the vote.

Michigan’s population grew by about 2% over the past decade, making it one of the slowest growing states in the nation. Utah, Idaho, and Texas saw the highest growth rates.

Michigan’s population is counted at just over 10 million people.

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said “The American public deserves a big thank you for its overwhelming response to the 2020 Census. Despite many challenges, our nation completed a census for the 24th time.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDOT Plans M-136 Bridge Construction

The bridge over the Black River in Beard Hills is going to get a facelift and it will cause some disruption to a popular route for commuters from the rural parts of northern St. Clair County and for those who enjoy a scenic drive.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced that improvements to M-136 in Clyde Township will start on May 3rd and will continue into August of 2021.

The entire project is a $1.3 million investment by MDOT. The work includes resurfacing, joint replacements, railing replacements, concrete patching, and repairs to the bridge approach. The work is expected to complete structural improvements to the bridge, improve the driving surface, and extend the life of the roadway.

MDOT reports that traffic will be maintained throughout the work period, except for two weekends, where the road will be completely closed. A temporary signal will be in place, but the bridge will need to be closed in each direction in late May and late June, just during a weekend. The closures will be announced in advance.

A link to a map of the project can be found at:

https://mdotjboss.state.mi.us/MiDrive/map?constZone=true&lat=43.05166125334461&lon=-82.59658074378936&zoom=14

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sheriff’s Office Seeking Information on Suspicious Death

Port Huron Township, MI — The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance regarding a suspicious death.

Deputies were called to the 3000 block of Howard Street at about 12:30 Tuesday afternoon for a dead body found in a field.  When they arrived, they were directed by a witness to a vacant lot, where the body of a man was located.  

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office were able to determine the identity of the body, a 34 year old white male from Port Huron Township.  A preliminary investigation determined that the man had died in another location and was later transported to the field, where he was left.

The investigation regarding the cause and manner of death is ongoing.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Kelsey Wade at (810) 987-1738.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

Friends of the St. Clair River Wins EGLE Water Monitoring Grant

When is the last time you thought about macroinvertebrates? They are actually pretty important, as they are monitored to determine the health of rivers and streams. The Friends of the St. Clair River organization has received a $2000 grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to continue their work in monitoring the health of our vitally important waterways.

Sheri Faust, President of Friends of the St. Clair River, said, “This grant revitalizes our Stream Leaders program from 2008 with the St. Clair County Health Department. It’s exciting to receive funding since this is the first opportunity that became available in the MiCorp Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program after a long funding hiatus.”

The grants went to organizations that were just starting out with stream monitoring as well as veteran stream monitoring agencies like Friends of the St. Clair River, who received a maintenance grant to help them continue monitoring the health of the river.

Faust said that they will be adding five new testing sites to the existing 12 sites. She said the grant will help train volunteers, provide education, and guide management actions to keep our rivers healthy.

The grants are funded by water protection fundraising license plates.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland