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Local News

Industrial Hemp Growing Takes Root in Michigan

Michigan’s Industrial Hemp plan has been approved by the federal government. Michigan’s plan aligns with the requirements of the 2018 Farm Bill and the USDA’s interim final rule.

The Industrial Hemp Ag Pilot Program started last year and carried into this year’s growing season, involving 631 growers and 517 processors. The trial year helped shape the regulatory framework needed to diversify the operations. Hemp is used to make paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction materials, health food, and fuel.

State Senator Dan Lauwers of St. Clair County’s Brockway Township said, “Michigan’s pilot program for industrial hemp has been a great success. There is increasing interest in this crop in a wide variety of sectors. Michigan farmers will benefit greatly from being able to grow hemp, under the 2018 Farm Bill and Michigan’s USDA approved Hemp Growers Program.”

The THC level of the plants is monitored, and there are other requirements that distinguish industrial hemp from marijuana. Interested growers can go to Michigan.gov/IndustrialHemp for details.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sarnia and Brights Grove Tim Horton’s Restaurants Help Pathways Health Centre for Children

Sarnia, ON — Pathways Health Centre for Children has received a sizable donation from the Sarnia and Bright’s Grove Tim Horton’s franchises. The local restaurants donated $44,461.00 to the charity.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from this year’s campaign are being donated by the owners of the local restaurants to the charity, helping Pathways move toward its $260,000 fundraising goal.

Alison Morrison, Executive Director at Pathways Health Centre for Children, said, “Everyone needs a smile these days! This gift to Pathways made possible by strong community support of the local Tim Horton’s in their Smile Cookie Campaign couldn’t have come at a better time for our organization and the clients we serve. It is truly incredible, that during a global pandemic with such hardships experienced by citizens and businesses, that Sarnia responded so generously to the campaign, surpassing last year’s record!” 

The Smile Cookie campaign began in 1996 to help raise funds for the Hamilton Children’s Hospital in Ontario. The Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie Campaign raised a record breaking $10.56 million this year.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Kimball Twp. Man Taken Into Custody After Standoff

 A man who barricaded himself inside his home for about three and a half hours yesterday afternoon was taken into custody.

According to St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon, deputies were called to a home in the 5000 block of Burma Road shortly before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday for what was described as an argument between husband and wife.  Deputies were also told that the 48 year old man fired a gun inside the home.  The 39 year old wife left the residence with their two teenage children and met deputies on the roadway.

The Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT) was called to the residence and began negotiating with the man to come out of the home.  He finally complied and came out shortly before 7:00 Tuesday night.

The man was transported by Tri-Hospital EMS to Lake Huron Medical Center for a mental health evaluation.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the residence to remove firearms from the home pending the outcome of the mental evaluation.

The Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and Michigan State Police also assisted at the scene. 

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

The Dry Dock Provides Safe Community for those in Recovery

Port Huron, MI — 2020 has been a difficult year for a lot of people, and an even tougher year for those recovering from addiction. But, the Dry Dock Recovery Reading Room in Downtown Port Huron has persisted in providing a ray of hope for those in recovery to find acceptance and a safe, positive environment.

The Dry Dock opened in February of this year. Three brothers, Linn, Jeff, and Brad Bartlett, rented a unique space right on the Black River by the Military Street drawbridge. The brothers, who are all in recovery themselves, used their experience in the hospitality industry to make a welcoming and friendly gathering space for people in the process of conquering addiction.

The space provides not only friendly conversation and plenty of reading material, but a chance to make healthy choices in the face of isolation and loneliness, which can be amplified by the pandemic.

There is no charge to visit the Dry Dock. While the facility is not affiliated with any particular recovery program, they have information on overcoming all kinds of addictions. They also host events such as a clean and sober Boat Night, euchre games, and art and music shows.

For more information, call Linn Bartlett at (810) 941-8510 or check out their facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Dry-Dock-Recovery-Reading-Room-100292064904693/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Health Department Urges Caution at Social Gatherings as COVID-19 Cases Increase

The St. Clair County Health Department is urging the public to follow safety practices while attending social gatherings. Cases of COVID-19 are on the rise in St. Clair County, and in the last two weeks the average number of new cases has increased by 55%.

The Health Department is reporting that 20% of cases are tied to social events which indicates that people are not following public health guidance when gathering.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer, St. Clair County Health Department, said in a press release, “As St. Clair County residents and as proud Americans, we know what we have to do to slow the spread of transmission because we did it before. We came together at the beginning of the pandemic and effectively drove down the case counts by wearing masks, maintaining six feet of social distance from others, and practicing proper handwashing.”

As of Tuesday morning, there were 253 active cases of COVID-19 in St. Clair County, up 69 cases from our report last week. As cases increase the Health Department is also asking individuals to respond to public health nurses when they reach out for contact tracing purposes. Nurses will never ask for sensitive information related to insurance, credit cards, or social security numbers.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Manke Cleared of All Criminal Charges

All criminal charges against Owosso barber Karl Manke have been dropped. Shiawassee County Prosecutor Scott Koerner dismissed the charges as a result of the Michigan Supreme Court’s recent ruling that Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders prohibiting Mr. Manke from opening his barber shop and cutting hair were unconstitutional.

Mr. Manke no longer faces jail time, fines, or a criminal record for continuing to work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In a press release, Mr. Manke said, “I appreciate the Prosecutor dismissing all criminal charges against me in light of the Supreme Court’s decision. It is definitely a weight off my shoulders. I just want to earn a living, and I am not a health threat to anyone.”

There is still a case against Manke regarding administrative licensing action, and his trial is set to resume on November 19, 2020. Governor Whitmer’s administration is fighting to revoke Manke’s barber license for violating the EOs, but Mr. Manke is requesting that charges be dismissed since the EO’s were deemed unlawful and unenforceable.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand