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Local News

EPA Grant to Pay for School Water Testing

The State of Michigan has received a $1.9 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to test for lead in school drinking water.

While public drinking fountains are generally turned off during the pandemic, they will be turned on again at some point, and the state is working to ensure that the water will be totally safe.

The grant is part of the nearly $70 million EPA Voluntary Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care program. The funding is being prioritized to go toward schools in areas where children’s blood levels have tested higher, where schools can’t afford their own testing, and where communities have questioned the safety of the water.

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Clean Water Public Advocate Ninah Sasy said, “Seeking opportunities to collaborate with state agencies and federal partners supports our mission of providing cleaner drinking water to all Michiganders. This governmental collaboration combined with our public outreach and Clean Water Ambassador program creates an environment where we can quickly get funding and resources to the communities most in need.”

Residents can sign up to be a “Clean Water Ambassador” at michigan.gov/cleanwater.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Main Street Ensemble Grand Opening September 14th

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron’s newest clothing store, Main Street Ensemble, is having their Grand Opening on Monday, September 14th.

The store will offer upscale vintage and thrifted clothing. A representative of the store said, “Our goal is to share our love of fashion with Port Huron, while helping spread sustainable habits by encouraging people to buy their clothing second hand instead of new. Overall, we want to be a hub where people can come hang out, feel safe, and find some cool clothes to wear.”

Main Street Ensemble is located at 207 Huron Avenue in the block where several other clothing stores, like Polka Dot Pandas, Spa 223, MiPassion, and Patrick & James Menswear are located. The space with restored hardwood and original brick keeps with the vintage vibe and supports the mission to “Resell, Recycle, Repurpose”.

The venture intends to “push the boundaries in fashion and culture, while working toward creating a better place for us all to live” according to their mission statement.

Details about appointments for consignment items and upcoming special events can be found on Main Street Ensemble’s Facebook page.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Whitmer Requires Face Coverings for Organized Sports

In a season of constant changes, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an order requiring players to mask up at sports practice and competition.

Whitmer said, “The COVID-19 virus is easily spread through airborne particles and can affect everyone differently. By wearing a face covering when proper distancing is not possible, athletes will be better protected from contracting the virus and spreading it to family members, frontline workers, and vulnerable populations. We cannot afford to let our guard down. As we continue to fight this virus, we need to make smart and informed choices so we can beat COVID-19 together.”  

Michigan High School Athletic Association asked for clarification on the issue, and the mandate was issued on Wednesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommended against contact sports as well as activities that involve “shouting, singing, or breathing forcefully” and encouraged extensive cleaning and outdoor practicing.

Chief Medical Executive and MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, said, “For those who do choose to play organized sports, we expect you to follow these strict safety measures and wear a face covering to reduce your risk and protect the health of your teammates, coaches, officials, and loved ones.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Residents Asked to Register Bikes

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Police Department is asking residents to register their bicycles. The Blue Water Area has a lot of great places to ride a bike, but the fun is ruined if your bike is missing.

In a social media campaign, the department said that they accumulate numerous unclaimed bikes along with taking complaints for stolen bikes. If the owners can not be found, the bikes are sold at auction.

Registering bikes gives the department a way to connect recovered bikes with their rightful owners. Registering bikes is free and just takes a few minutes. 

Registrants are just asked for their name and address and information about the bike like the brand, model, serial number, and color. The registration gives police the information with which to notify you if your bike turns up at the police station as recovered property. 

The form can be completed online by clicking “Bicycle Registration” at porthuronpolice.org.

If citizens have information about stolen or lost bikes, they can call the Port Huron Police Department at 984-8415 or make a citizen’s report online. 

There is no penalty for not registering a bike in the city.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Teen a Finalist for 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year

Oakland County, MI — Alina Morse, and Oakland County teenager, was 7 years old when she set out to find a candy that wouldn’t ruin her teeth. That was the beginning of Zolli® Candy, an all-natural, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and non-GMO candy that curbs your sweet tooth while improving oral health.

Zolli® Candy hit store shelves in 2014 when Alina was nine, and the line is now sold at over 25,000 retailers. In August 2020, Inc. Magazine named the company the nation’s Fastest Growing Private Candy Company, and now Alina has been named a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year for the Michigan and Northwest Ohio region.

Entrepreneur of the Year is a competitive award program for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies, and the nominees are evaluated by a panel of independent judges. If Alina wins the regional award in October, she will be eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards  in November.

To learn more about Alina and Zolli® Candy, visit ZolliCandy.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Senate Bill 745 Allocates FEMA Money for Unemployment, Invasive Carp Protection, Flood Mitigation

Michigan Senate Bill 745 was signed into law on Tuesday. The legislation appropriates $2.8 billion in federal revenues from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in several ways.

Part of the money will go toward a temporary $300 per week in added unemployment benefits to go to current beneficiaries. The extra $300 will automatically be applied for those already on unemployment.

The benefit will continue until the money runs out. Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office did not know how many weeks it would last and called on the federal government to pass a bipartisan COVID-19 recovery package. 

The rest of the appropriation will go toward keeping Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes by putting $8 million toward the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Illinois as well as toward flood mitigation efforts in Detroit and disaster cleanup from the breached dam in Gladwin and Midland counties.

In his comments on the bipartisan deal, State Budget Director Chris Kolb credited the good working relationship with appropriations chairs, Senator Jim Stamas and Representative Shane Hernandez.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland