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Local News

EPA Grants Michigan $1.9 Million to Test Drinking Water for Lead

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has been awarded a $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for lead testing of drinking water at schools and child care facilities across the state.

EGLE is working with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to prioritize funding to areas of the state where blood lead levels are high and schools are unable to pay for testing. Invitations have been sent to schools and child care facilities that meet the criteria of the grant program.

Selected schools and child care facilities will have their drinking water tested and EGLE and DHHS will work with the facilities to remove or remediate locations with elevated lead results.

Michigan residents over the age of 18 can become a Clean Water Ambassador for their community by visiting Michigan.gov/CleanWater. Clean Water Ambassadors are actively engaged in clean drinking water initiatives around the state.

 

Detroit Area Siblings Missing Since June

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Warren Police Department in Michigan are asking for the public’s help in finding these missing teen siblings.

Arianna and Elijah Johnson were last seen at their home in Detroit, Michigan on June 26, 2020. They have not been seen since. They could still be in the Detroit area.

Arianna Johnson is 17 years old, 4’11 tall, and weighs about 128 lbs. She has black hair and brown eyes.

Elijah Johnson is 16 years old, 5’4 tall, and weighs about 178 lbs. He has black hair and brown eyes. 

If anyone has information about Elijah and Arianna Johnson, you are urged to contact the Warren Police Department at 1-586-574-4700, or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST, that’s 1-800-843-5678.

 

Police Volunteers Will Honor 9/11 Fallen at International Flag Plaza

Port Huron, MI — The public 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony planned for this Friday has been cancelled, but two Port Huron Police Volunteers will still show their respect at the International Flag Plaza on Thomas Edison Parkway. The volunteers will be standing in silence from 8 AM to 11 AM and alternately holding the Thin Blue Line flag and the Thin Red Line flag to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice 19 years ago.

On September 11, 2001, 72 police officers and 343 firefighters gave their lives running unselfishly toward the destruction caused by the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon just outside Washington D.C.

Almost 3,000 people were killed during the attacks which initiated major U.S. efforts to combat terrorism around the world over the last 19 years.

Despite the cancellation of the local remembrance ceremony, the Port Huron Police Department honors the officers, firefighters, and Emergency Medical Technicians who died that day. They have not been forgotten.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

First Human Case of West Nile Virus for 2020 in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported the first human case of West Nile Virus for 2020 in a Wayne County resident last week. The mosquito-borne disease becomes a risk for humans when infected birds, animals, and mosquito pools are detected in an area.

So far this year, two birds have tested positive for WNV from Oakland and Lapeer counties. Five counties in Michigan have WNV positive mosquito pools: Arenac, Kent, Lapeer, Oakland and Saginaw.

Most people who become infected with West Nile Virus will not develop any symptoms of illness, but about one in 150 people will become severely ill.

The best protection from West Nile Virus is to avoid contact with infected mosquitoes. When spending time outdoors, wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and long pants, and apply insect repellent to clothing and exposed skin.  Eliminate standing water that could become breeding sites for mosquitoes, and maintain window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Local Real Estate Market Follows Statewide Trends: Seller’s Market

Port Huron, MI — The local real estate market is reflecting statewide trends and it is truly a seller’s market. Low interest rates, sparse inventory, and a desire for more space after all that time at home have kept real estate agents busy locally and around Michigan.

Shawn Debuf, a Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Professionals in Port Huron, said, “With mortgage rates at an all-time low, and with less listings, buyers have had to become aggressive with their offers. For example, they may offer over listing price with a cash guarantee even if the home doesn’t appraise at that value.” She reported that values have increased in most areas across St. Clair County.

The website Unclutterer.com reported that nearly half of Michiganders are bored with where they live, after quarantining in the same areas for months on end. They report that “36% of city dwellers in the Great Lakes State now want to move out to the suburbs, or the country”. If they take the plunge into the real estate market, they will need to be ready to make an offer quickly, as properties are moving fast, and desirable houses don’t stay on the market for long.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Kelly Secures Nomination for Michigan Supreme Court

The race for the open seats in the Michigan Supreme Court will include a local name this year. Mary Kelly has secured the nomination for candidacy as a Supreme Court Justice.

The nomination was made by Retired Chief Justice Bob Young during the recent Michigan Republican Convention. The Convention was held virtually at the end of August with the nomination made by video. Young endorsed Kelly as a “rule of law” judge.

Kelly served for over three decades as Prosecuting Attorney in St. Clair County. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and Detroit College of Law.

Two seats on the Court will be up for grabs in 2021. Incumbent Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack is running to retain her seat, while another seat will be vacated by Justice Stephen Markman, who has aged out of the court.

Brock Swartzle, a Court of Appeals Judge, was also nominated at the Republican Convention. Swartzle and Kelly will face off against incumbent McCormack, Democrat Elizabeth Welch, and candidates from other parties for the two vacant seats.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland