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Local News

Gypsy Moth Caterpillars Wreak Havoc; County Looks to 2022 Prevention Strategy

The gypsy moth caterpillar invasion continues to spread through St. Clair County. The evidence can be seen in the disappearing leaves on giant oak trees. Drought conditions are no help as the trees are under tremendous stress.

Greenwood Township resident Karen Vincent told us that she and her husband, Tim, have watched the little caterpillars decimate the leaves on over forty towering oak trees on their ten-acre property over the past three weeks. They wondered why there is no county-wide mitigation strategy.

While Macomb County sprayed for gypsy moths on May 19th this year, covering entire townships as well as parks and golf courses with a naturally-occurring bacteria that kills young caterpillars, St. Clair County has not sprayed.

St. Clair County Commissioner Jorja Baldwin said there hasn’t been an infestation to this extent in decades and the Board of Commissioners is discussing what they could have done differently. They are looking at how to detect an outbreak and take action for 2022. Baldwin said they are working with the MSU Extension and discussing partnering with Macomb County to work together on preventing future outbreaks.

More information about caring for damaged trees and dealing with the infestation can be found at: 

https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/Invasive_species/Gypsy-Moth/gypsy-moth-around-home

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PHOTO CREDIT: KAREN VINCENT

Grants Will Fund Ice Skating Equipment, New Trails

Port Huron, MI — Grants from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation will add to the outdoor recreation opportunities in the city of Port Huron. One grant will fund trail improvements at Sanborn Park, and another will provide skating equipment at McMorran Place.

Sanborn Park currently has a beautiful trail that winds through the wooded area on the east side of the park. The $45,000 grant will add to the present trail and make improvements to encourage walking, jogging, and biking. The funds will also help link the trail to the Bridge to Bay regional trail system, specifically to the neighborhood and school connector going in between Holland Woods and Port Huron Northern.

The front of McMorran Place is currently under construction and the new outdoor recreation area and skating plaza should be ready in time for winter fun. The $20,000 grant for this project will help the city purchase ice skating equipment which will be available at the plaza. The equipment will help kids of all ages learn to skate at McMorran Place.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

McClain Secures Funding for Roads

Congresswoman Lisa McClain announced that she secured funding for several transportation projects in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District. The funding is part of the INVEST in America Act, and several projects will take place in St. Clair and Sanilac County.

One of the projects is the replacement of the King Road Bridge over the Belle River in China Township. Funding for this project came in at $2,299,800.

Sanilac County projects include reconstruction on M-46 and M-19, and the replacement of the Marlette Road Bridge over the South Branch of the Cass River. Funding for those projects combined will be just over $11 million.

Other projects include work on 21 mile Road in Macomb Township, and the Genesee Street Bridge in Lapeer.

McClain said, “Michigan’s roads and bridges are in dire need of repair and I’m glad the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure see several of my funding requests as critical priorities for Michiganders. I look forward to these projects being included in the final appropriations bill.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Canal Dredging Planned for Today

Port Huron, MI — Weather permitting, the contractor will begin dredging sand from the Black River Canal  entrance at Lake Huron today, Tuesday, June 15th, 2021. During the dredging operation, the Black River  Canal will be closed to recreational watercraft in the area between the tainter gate and Lake Huron. 

Following completion of the dredging work, sand dredged from Black River Canal will be  placed in Lake Huron from the north side of Lakeside Beach to the south.  

The contractor will be utilizing Gratiot Avenue to the Lakeside Beach entrance. There will be  intermittent slowed, and stop and go traffic in these areas. We encourage the public to avoid the north  end of the park during this time. 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If there are any further questions regarding  this matter, please contact the Department of Public Works 810-984-9730.

Submitted by the Department of Public Works

Simply Silverware Gives Adults with Special Needs Purpose and Paycheck

After a whole season of canceled parties and postponed weddings, Simply Silverware in St. Clair is back to work and looking forward to a bright future.

Owner Jennifer Gildenpfennig has owned and operated the business for four years, employing adults with special needs who wrap plastic silverware with napkins for customers who are hosting graduation parties, weddings, baby showers, and other events.

Gildenpfennig, who has worked as a teacher with the Macomb ISD, said that wrapping silverware started as a classroom project and then grew into an actual business. Her employees are adults with Down Syndrome, Autism, or other special needs who have aged out of other programs. Simply Silverware allows them to get a paycheck, get out of the house for a while, and have a purpose while making money.

Shae Sheppard, one of the employees, said that she likes to work. Her co-worker, Jeff Anger, expressed pride in “making piles of silverware”.

Right now, business is picking up and Gildenpfennig has dreams of opening another location elsewhere in St. Clair County and turning Simply Silverware into her full-time business. Her employees also provide gift wrapping in the holiday season and assemble party favors and wedding decorations.

You can learn more at their website, https://simplysilverware.square.site.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bridge Cards to Get Loaded with Additional Money in June

Michigan residents who rely on a Bridge Card to pay for food will be getting more money added to their card balance in June. This is the second extra payment this year and is part of the federally funded Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Nearly 700,000 households of the 1.2 million that receive the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits, in Michigan will get the addition of at least $95. This additional payment goes beyond the maximum threshold that was established in April 2020. The maximum benefit for a single person is $234, with a family of eight eligible for up to $1408 per month.

The additional payments will be added by June 22nd, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS Director, said, “As we continue to return to normal, it’s important to note that there are still many people who are struggling due to the global pandemic. MDHHS believes it is critically important to help people feed their families.”

Recipients do not need to reapply to get the benefit. It will be automatically added.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland