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Local News

“College Month” Reminds Students to Apply for 2021-22 Financial Aid

October is a busy month for designations and proclamations. Along with being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Farm to School Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Agritourism Month, and several others, October is also “College Month”.

The proclamation is meant to remind students to make the most of financial resources available to them to make attending college a reality. Throughout the month of October, Michigan colleges will waive the National Association for College Admission Counseling application fee for any student who has demonstrated financial need.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opened on October 1 for students looking at attending college for the 2021-22 school year. The sooner the application is filled out, the better the chances of getting aid. The Blue Water College Access Network is offering a free webinar called “Scholarships and Paying for College” on October 21st. Registration is online at sccresa.org.

Michigan’s 2021 fiscal year budget includes $30 million in funding for the Michigan Reconnect program, which provides a tuition-free pathway for adults looking to earn a postsecondary certificate or associate degree. The grants are administered by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Library Branches Open to Public after 7-Month Closure

After being closed to the public since March 16, the St. Clair County Library System is back open for in-branch service. 

The library had been offering services online as well as curbside service, but as of today patrons can enter the buildings. Curbside service will continue, by appointment. 

There are a few restrictions and changes that library users will need to keep in mind. Hours will be limited to Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

There will not be an opportunity to linger at the library. Much of the seating has been removed and visits are limited to 30 minutes. The number of patrons in the buildings will be limited and precautions like masks, social distancing, and the use of plexiglass shields are required. Gathering and meeting spaces are closed until further notice. 

Computers and WIFI are available, but only in 30-minute increments. The Local History and Special Collections will be available by appointment. At this time, book donations are not being accepted. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Ceremony to Honors Captain Swanson at Garfield Elementary School

A private ceremony is being held at Garfield Elementary school today to honor the memory of Captain Roy Swanson.

Captain Swanson was a teacher at Garfield Elementary in the 1940s when it was called Garfield Junior High School.  He began teaching there after serving honorably in World War II, but he was recalled to duty in November of 1950 and tragically killed in action while serving in Korea.

A group of former students, veterans, and citizens requested the Board of Education plan a memorial to Captain Swanson, and the board agreed in February 2020.

The playground at Garfield Elementary will be dedicated to Captain Sawnson, and the students at the school will learn about him as part of their history lesson on Veterans Day.

The funds for this project were raised by local Veteran groups, and Theo Kerhoulas, Acting Superintendent of Port Huron Schools, said, “This will be a special day for the district and we look forward to sharing it with the generous Veterans who have made it possible and Captain Swanson’s family.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Do the Right Thing – OpEd from Dr. Annette Mercatante

The recent Michigan Supreme Court Ruling striking down the State of Emergency and Emergency Orders from Governor Whitmer has had many people in an uproar.  It clearly brings on a considerable amount of questions regarding authority, funding and responsibility.  However one thing is fundamentally unchanged, we have a novel virus circulating that is highly contagious, causing significant illness and death.  It has the potential, if not controlled, of destroying our economy, crippling our healthcare system, and directly causing untold pain and suffering to a large portion of our society. Are you with me here? If you don’t believe me, spend a little time with the REAL medical and epidemiological literature. This is not a joke nor a hoax.

Assuming we acknowledge the real and immediate threat of this virus, what can we do?  We can’t run, it is everywhere. We can’t hide, unless you are willing to live in a bubble with ZERO social interactions.  What we CAN do is keep the spread of the virus to a level at which we can reasonably live our lives until a better therapeutic or vaccine is available. The good news is we know how to do that; social distancing and masks, as well as aggressive disease identification and disease transmission management (isolation and quarantine). People, this strategy works! St. Clair County has enjoyed a relatively low rate of spread for over 10 weeks as we (sometimes begrudgingly) complied with the Executive Orders. It’s not the Orders that worked, it is our behavior! We can still do that regardless of what the Governor, Supreme Court, or your neighbor says! When something is going well we do not purposely upend that and go in a different direction. That is irrational and reckless.

What we CAN do is the right thing. The things that will protect your family, friends and neighbors from COVID-19.  Follow the science, the evidence.  Wear your mask and make sure your children and family does as well. Don’t gather in large groups and keep meeting remotely or outdoors whenever possible. If you’re sick, evenly mildly ill, get tested for COVID-19. Don’t go to work or play with other people while you are ill. Wash your hands. Follow public health guidance; if you are told to quarantine please do so. Answer our phone calls and help us identify potential sources of further diseases spread.  All of these things work! The only reason laws are put in place is because people don’t follow these solid and effective suggestions.  If you do the right thing, we don’t need to argue about who has the authority to make the rules. The St. Clair County Health Department will follow the data. If the virus is spreading more rapidly and threatening our schools, healthcare systems, businesses, and communities, we will utilize whatever powers and resources we can to try and stop it.  Don’t let that happen.

Yours in Health,

Annette Mercatante, MD, MPH
Medical Health Officer
St. Clair County Health Department

Nessel Charges 7 for Allegedly Targeting Law Enforcement Officers and Acts of Terrorism

Lansing, MI — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel – in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Andrew Birge, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Matthew Schneider, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Michigan State Police – announced today a joint law enforcement effort that, after months of work, culminated Wednesday night in the execution of a series of search warrants and arrest warrants – both in-state and out-of-state – related to acts of terrorism under Michigan state law.

The suspects, now under arrest, are alleged to have called on the groups’ members to identify the home addresses of law enforcement officers in order to target them; made threats of violence to instigate a civil war leading to societal collapse; and engaged in the planning and training for an operation to attack the state Capitol building and kidnap government officials, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“There has been a disturbing increase in anti-government rhetoric and the re-emergence of groups that embrace extremist ideologies,” Attorney General Nessel said. “These groups often seek to recruit new members by seizing on a moment of civil unrest and using it to advance their agenda of self-reliance and armed resistance. This is more than just political disagreement or passionate advocacy, some of these groups’ mission is simply to create chaos and inflict harm upon others.”

Through the efforts of more than 200 state and federal law enforcement officials  – including experts from outside of Michigan – officers executed a series of search warrants and arrest warrants in more than a dozen cities around the state, including, Belleville, Cadillac, Canton, Charlotte, Clarkston, Grand Rapids, Luther, Munith, Orion Township, Ovid, Portage, Shelby Township and Waterford.

“Michigan law enforcement officers are united in our commitment to rooting out terrorism in any form and we will take swift action against anyone seeking to cause violence or harm in our state,” stated Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police. “Michigan residents can assist us in this mission by speaking up if you see suspicious activity or become aware of someone making threats. No tip is too small; don’t wait until it’s too late. Tips can be submitted confidentially 24/7 online at our website.”

In total, 19 state felony charges were filed by the Attorney General against seven individuals known to be members of the militia group, Wolverine Watchmen or associates of Wolverine Watchmen.

Six individuals were also charged by U.S. Attorney Birge with separate, federal felony charges as a result of the execution of the warrants.

The following individuals were charged by Attorney General Nessel as part of the joint law enforcement effort:

  • Paul Bellar, 21, of Milford:
    • Providing material support for terrorist acts – a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine;
    • Gang membership – a 20-year felony, which may be served as a consecutive sentence; and
    • Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
  • Shawn Fix, 38, of Belleville:
    • Providing material support for terrorist acts – a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine; and
    • Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
  • Eric Molitor, 36, of Cadillac:
    • Providing material support for terrorist acts – a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine; and
    • Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
  • Michael Null, 38, of Plainwell:
    • Providing material support for terrorist acts – a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine; and
    • Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
  • William Null, 38, of Shelbyville:
    • Providing material support for terrorist acts – a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine; and
    • Carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
  • Pete Musico, 42, and Joseph Morrison, 26, who live together in Munith:
    • One count each of threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine;
    • One count each of gang membership, a 20-year felony that may be served as a consecutive sentence;
    • One count each of providing material support for terrorist acts; and
    • One count each for carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony; felony firearm – a two-year mandatory prison sentence to be served consecutively.
These charges are subject to change after a complete review of the evidence obtained through the warrants, and differ from those charges issued at the federal level.

Michael Null, William Null and Molitor were arraigned today before Antrim County Magistrate Jessica Allmand. A cash bond of $250,000 was set for William and Michael Null, while Molitor’s bond was send at $250,000, 10 percent. Their probable cause conferences are set for 1 p.m. Oct. 14, and their preliminary exams are scheduled for Oct. 21.

Musico and Morrison are expected to be arraigned at 2 p.m. in Jackson County. Fix is in custody, and his arraignment is pending in Antrim County.

“I’d like to personally thank the law enforcement officers who participated in yesterday’s arrests and those who have assisted with this investigation throughout the past several months,” Attorney General Nessel said. “Your heroic efforts have left the people of this state safer and the instruments of our government stronger. I know that I speak on behalf of Michiganders everywhere when I say we are forever grateful to you for your actions.”

Submitted by the Attorney General’s office

Blame Game Continues as Supreme Court Ruling Affects EOs

Citing the potential loss of unemployment benefits for 830,000 residents, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has asked the Michigan Supreme Court to clarify the ruling that struck down the numerous 2020 Executive Orders issued after April 30. Politics are at play as the Governor blames the Republicans in the legislature for not doing their job, while the Republicans accuse Whitmer of abuse of power and spent over half a million public dollars to prove it in court.

This week, Whitmer said, “The Supreme Court has spoken, and while I vehemently disagree with their ruling, I’m ready to work across the aisle with Republicans in the legislature where we can find common ground to slow the spread of the virus and rebuild our economy. It’s time for Republicans in the Legislature to get to work and start showing that they are taking this crisis seriously. They can start by canceling their October recess and getting back to work. Let’s work together and get this done.” 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is picking up the slack in reinstating the mask, crowd size, social distancing, and other mandates. Director Robert Gordon said, “We will use every statutory tool available to protect our state employees and the residents we serve. We also need Michiganders to do their part by wearing a mask, maintaining six feet of physical distancing, washing hands frequently, and getting their flu vaccine. We will get through this together.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland