Send new stories and press releases to JP at news@wgrt.com.

Local News

Lauwers Bill Updates Hemp Laws

A bill to update Michigan’s hemp laws, introduced by State Senator Dan Lauwers of Brockway Township, has been approved by the Senate. The bill was crafted by Lauwers, a Republican who represents the 25th District, to amend the Michigan Hemp Growers Act to comply with the updated USDA final rule. 

Senate Bill 186 allows Michigan’s hemp industry to continue to grow. Hemp is used in fabrics, textiles, yarns, paper, and home furnishings, among other uses. CBD oil is derived from industrial hemp plants. 

The bill has many technical aspects pertaining to the regulation of hemp growers. Growers need to be registered with the United States Department of Agriculture and have to maintain acceptable levels of THC, which is the psychoactive component of cannabis. 

Hemp farming has the potential to be a lucrative crop in Michigan and can contribute to the economy, but not without Michigan’s regulations being in line with the federal government. 

Lauwers said, “Updating state law to continue to produce hemp products will give the Michigan agricultural industry a great advantage.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Dr. Jason Whateley McLaren

Dr. Jason Whateley Joins McClaren Medical Group

Ft. Gratiot, MI — Dr. Jason Whateley, D.O. has recently joined the team at Ft. Gratiot Internal Medicine on Lakeshore Road in Ft. Gratiot. He is the newest primary care physician in the McLaren Medical Group.

Dr. Whateley is board certified in internal medicine and has previously practiced medicine in Rochester, MI and Washington, MI. In a YouTube video featuring an interview with Dr. Whateley, he said, when it comes to patient care, he’s, “pretty down to earth” and likes to engage his patients in their own treatment plans.

“I like to explain to them what their disease is, so they understand. [Then] they know what we are doing, and they can make choices in their care also,” said Dr. Whateley, a 5 star-rated physician on healthgrades.com.

Dr. Whateley is accepting new patients, and he accepts most insurances including Medicare. Contact Ft. Gratiot Internal Medicine at 810-385-6370 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Porch Lights On from 8:00-9:00 p.m. in Remembrance of Lives Lost to COVID

It’s been a year since the first case of COVID-19 was found in Michigan and everything changed from that moment on.

According to statistics from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there have been over 11 million COVID tests done in the state, with over 658,000 cases of infection either confirmed or probable.

Of those infected, over 16,000 deaths were attributed to COVID. St. Clair County has lost 261 people to COVID according to MDHHS records.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist asked Michigan residents to turn their porch lights on today from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. in remembrance of the lives lost.  

Lt. Governor Gilchrist said, “It’s been one year since COVID-19 was found in Michigan, and as a result, this virus has changed almost every aspect of our daily lives, but despite its darkness, we have seen the brightest light shine in the determined resolve of each other during these trying times. The simple act of turning on our lights is a way to remember and honor those we have lost and show that we’re all in this together and we will emerge from this crisis, together.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Thank a Farmer: It’s Food and Agriculture Month

March is Michigan Food and Agriculture Month. The designation is meant to highlight the diversity of Michigan agricultural products that are both grown and processed in the state, along with the diversity of microclimates and soil types that are unique to Michigan. It also honors those who work to feed the world.

Statewide, Michigan agriculture employs 805,000 people and contributes over $104 billion to the economy. The total market value of St. Clair County’s agricultural products was estimated at over $80 million in 2017, according to the most recent available data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

MDARD Director Gary McDowell said, “Most events and activities for this year’s Michigan Food and Agriculture Month will be offered virtually due to the pandemic, but there will be many opportunities to learn more about how the food and agriculture industry impacts and improves the lives of each of us.”

National Agriculture Day will be celebrated on March 24th, but Michigan State University will be offering programming all month, and the inaugural issue of Michigan Agriculture Magazine will be published this month and distributed at Michigan Welcome Centers and agricultural events.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McClain Meeting Constituents for Town Halls

Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) announced she will be holding town halls on March 15th and 16th.

During the town hall tour, McClain will visit with constituents in Harbor Beach, Port Austin, Caseville, New Baltimore, Marine City and Marysville.

Full details on the town halls are below.

Monday, March 15, 2021:

9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Harbor Beach City Hall

766 State St.

Harbor Beach, MI 48441

 

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Port Austin Township Hall

8751 North Hellems Road

Port Austin, MI 48467

 

12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Caseville City Hall

6767 Main Street

Caseville, MI

Tuesday, March 16, 2021:

9:30 a.m.– 10: 15 a.m.

New Baltimore Civic Club

36551 Main Street

New Baltimore, MI 48047

 

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Marine City Chamber

480 South Water Street

Marine City, MI

 

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Marysville Community Center

867 East Huron Boulevard

Marysville, MI 48040

Learn more about Congresswoman McClain <HERE>.

SOS Website & Self-Service Stations Down During Upgrade

Michigan — The Michigan Secretary of State’s website and online services are getting a major upgrade. Subsequently, self-service stations and web services such as online appointment booking and services provided online will not be available from 5 PM Thursday, March 11th  until 9 AM Tuesday March 16th.

The service outage will enable the combining of millions of records into one new, integrated system. This will lead to new services for driver’s license and state ID transactions to be done online or at self-service stations which will eliminate the need for as many in-person visits to Secretary of State offices.

After the upgrade goes into effect at 9 AM on March 16th, drivers will be able to resume using the Secretary of State’s website and self-service stations for all prior transactions along with renewing or replacing an enhanced driver’s license or state ID (if a new photo isn’t required) and add a motorcycle endorsement to their eligible driver’s license.

Self-service stations will also have options to request and print out a temporary driver’s license or State ID and sign up for the State’s organ donor registry.

To learn more, visit:  Michigan.gov/SOS

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand