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Local News

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

Local Teens Make Video to Raise Awareness of Teen Dating Violence

Port Huron, MI — To raise awareness of teen dating violence, Blue Water Safe Horizons partnered with the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County to create a video with teens giving other teens the skills to identify unhealthy relationships before they become violent.

Zak Kerhoulas, Chair of the Youth Advisory Council, said, “The St. Clair County YAC is constantly trying to address the youth in our community’s needs, and as February was National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, we partnered with Blue Water Safe Horizons to create educational resources for teens in our area who may be struggling with unhealthy or abusive relationships.”

Kerhoulas said that the Council hopes that the video educates those who don’t know much about the signs of dating violence and directs teens who may feel trapped in an abusive relationship to local resources that can provide help.

Elizabeth Sawielski, Executive Director of Blue Water Safe Horizons, said, “The YAC team did such an amazing job on this video and was such an unexpected gift to the community. What a great way to raise awareness! Teens educating the community about teen dating violence and abuse is such an impactful way to get the message out there.”

A link to the short video:

https://www.facebook.com/BWSafeHorizons/videos/746698956028375

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

More People Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine

St. Clair County , MI — On March 1st, food processing and agricultural workers became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and on March 8th, individuals 50 and older with medical conditions or disabilities and family members and caregivers of children with special health care needs also became eligible.

Getting the vaccine is still subject to the supply available to our county, but individuals in the newly added eligibility groups should begin registering for the vaccine if they haven’t already.

Those interested in the COVID-19 vaccine can register at multiple locations such as the Health Department, Meijer, Rite Aide, and Walgreens,  in order to secure the first vaccine that becomes available. A link to all vaccine providers in St. Clair County is available <HERE>.

If a person registers with multiple locations and then secures a vaccine appointment, they can simply decline appointments offered by the other providers, delete their profiles with those providers, or contact the providers directly to be removed from the system.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand