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Local News

MDOT Warns Drivers to Watch for Pedestrians In the Dark

The Michigan Department of Transportation urges drivers to exercise extra caution especially in the first weeks after the time change. When clocks “fall back” an hour, like they do every fall, accidents tend to increase. Darkness comes early and walkers, runners, and cyclists tend to still be out.

A University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute study shows that pedestrians are especially at risk of injury in that first hour of darkness after the time change. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that most pedestrian and cyclist fatalities happened in the first three hours of darkness, starting around 6:00 p.m.

State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba warns, “Drivers need to realize that after the time change it may be more challenging to see people walking, running, or bicycling as they will be much less noticeable. To ensure visibility, pedestrians, joggers, and bicyclists are encouraged to wear brighter-colored clothing with reflective material. Drivers need to eliminate distractions, slow down, and focus fully on the task of driving.”

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Dog License Renewals Available at City and Twp. Offices

If you are a St. Clair County resident who has a dog registered with the county, you can now renew your dog license at some city and township offices. City of Marysville and Memphis treasurers can perform license renewals to any dog owner who resides in St. Clair County. The service is also available in Berlin, Casco, Clay, Columbus, Grant. Greenwood, Mussey, Riley, and Wales Townships.

To renew your dog license at a city or township office, you must take a copy of the dog’s current rabies certificate from a licensed veterinarian along with payment for the renewal.

First-time licensing of a newly acquired dog must still be done directly through St. Clair County Animal Control, either online or in-person, at the County Animal Control Office or the County Treasurer’s Office. All dogs over 4 months of age must be rabies vaccinated and licensed according to State Law.

For more information visit Animal Control’s website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Voter Information For Final Days of 2020 Election

In the final days that voters can cast ballots in the presidential election, here are the critical pieces of information voters need to know.

Michigan.gov/Vote: Michiganders can check their registration, find their local clerk offices, drop boxes and polling place, and track their absentee ballot at the state’s official website.

Registration through Election Day: Eligible citizens can register to vote and then vote an absentee ballot in one trip to their city or township clerk’s office now through Election Day, Nov. 3. As long as they are in line by 8 p.m. on Election Day they must be allowed to register and vote. To register within 14 days of the election, a voter must bring a document verifying residency, like a utility bill, school ID or government mail with their address (digital copies are acceptable).

Early Voting by Absentee Ballot at City or Township Clerk’s Office: City and township clerk offices are required to be open at least eight hours this weekend, and will be open Monday as well. Registered voters can request and submit absentee ballots in one trip. The deadline is 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.

Return Absentee Ballots ASAP: Voters who have an absentee ballot already should fill it out, sign the back of the envelope and hand-deliver it to their city or township clerk’s office or drop box as soon as possible, and no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Voters must bring their ballot to a drop box in their jurisdiction.

Track Absentee Ballots: Voters can track their absentee ballot to determine when it was sent to them and, after they’ve submitted it, if it was received at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Missing Absentee Ballot: If a voter requested an absentee ballot and it never arrived or they lost it, they should go to their clerk’s office immediately to request and submit one in person. If they cannot do so due to health reasons, they should contact their clerk immediately.

Requested Absentee but Want to Vote at Polls: If a voter requested and received an absentee ballot but decided they would prefer to vote at their polling place, they should bring the absentee ballot with them to the polls. Once there, they can surrender it for a new ballot that they will fill out and place in the tabulation machine.

Submitted Absentee Ballot but Want to Change Vote: Voters who already submitted an absentee ballot but want to change or cancel their vote should go to their city or township clerk’s office as soon as possible, and no later than 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. On Election Day, voters who have already cast an absentee ballot will not be able to change or cancel it.

Polling Places Will Be Safe, Clean and Accessible: Masks, gloves, sanitizer, and protocols for hygiene and social distancing have been provided to election jurisdictions statewide. Election workers are required to wear masks and voters are strongly encouraged to do so. All polling places must have Voter Assist Terminals for any voter who wants to use one.

Voter Intimidation is Illegal: Anyone who experiences or witnesses voter intimidation, harassment or coercion of any kind should report it immediately to an election worker or their election clerk’s office. Intimidating a voter with a firearm or any other weapon or menacing behavior is a felony under existing law enforceable by local law enforcement.

All Valid Absentee Ballots Will Be Counted Fairly: To be valid, absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day on Nov. 3, and have a signature that matches the one on the voter’s file with the clerk. Absentee ballots are counted by pairs of election workers – one from each major political party – to ensure they are counted without political bias and in accordance with the law.

Complete Election Results Won’t Come Tuesday: Absentee ballots take longer to process and count than ballots cast at polling places. And unlike other states, Michigan law provides very limited ability for clerks to prepare them ahead of Election Day. Because of this, and the significant increase in voters casting absentee ballots, it could take until Friday, Nov. 6, for all ballots to be counted. Depending on how close the races are, this likely means that outcomes will not be determined on Tuesday.

Submitted by Michigan Secretary of State

Courts Move Some Cases to Video

Citing the rise in COVID cases in the county, the St. Clair County Court System has made some changes to try to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 amongst its staff and those who have business with the courts. As of Friday, October 30th, the court started implementing some restrictions on who may enter the courthouse.

72nd District Court Judge Mona Armstrong addressed the precautions, saying, “The staff here in the courthouse have been extremely diligent in making sure we keep the public safe while in this building. Unfortunately, the rising rate within the county has required us to take a step back, as mandated by the state. As we have since this all started in March, we will continue to do everything humanly possible to continue to keep court cases moving on behalf of the parties involved while maintaining required safety measures.”

Many court hearings are transitioning to video, but some will still require in-person attendance. The Court will make sure that the affected parties know whether they are on the docket for in-person or video appearances.

The County asks that paperwork be completed online as much as possible and that questions about restrictions are asked of the appropriate departments before court dates.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bruce Seymore EDA St. Clair County MEDA Award

Bruce Seymore of EDA of St. Clair County Receives MEDA Award

Bruce Seymore II, Director of Business and Community Services at the Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County was awarded the Robert Sieghart Award for Enthusiasm for the Economic Development Profession from the Michigan Economic Development Agency (MEDA) at their annual meeting.

The Sieghart award goes to a person who enjoys economic development and understands the importance of the profession to all communities. They are especially interested in bringing more professionals into the fold with their passion and dedication, and they know more jobs and investment in a community will benefit the entire state.

Bruce Seymore St. clair County EDA MEDA Award Winner
Bruce Seymore, EDA St. Clair County, Receives Robert Sieghart Award for Enthusiasm from MEDA at Their Virtual Meeting in October 2020

Carolyn Bennett, Economic Development Manager at DTE Energy, who nominated Bruce, said, “Bruce has done an outstanding job with communicating the recent incentive programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have helped assist 100’s of businesses with the CARES Act information being shared through DTE Energy. Bruce is always willing to assist businesses in St. Clair Country and helps promote economic development throughout the state of Michigan.”

Bruce has been on the team at the EDA of St. Clair County for 11 years. Dan Casey, CEO of the EDA St. Clair County, said,  “In a crisis, communication is key.  EDA was committed to providing the most relevant information to area businesses so they could make the adjustments to their operations, to keep their doors open and solve problems.  Bruce’s effort was critical to this process because of the relationships and trust that companies have in his knowledge and abilities.  I’m very excited for him for winning this award and appreciative of the great team we have at EDA that shares his commitment.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

MPSC Looks Ahead to Winter Energy Use

The Michigan Public Service Commission has released the 2020-2021 Winter Energy Appraisal. The report projects a rise in home heating fuel demand and a decrease in overall energy demand.

Energy use followed an unprecedented pattern in 2020, as residents worked from home and business energy use was driven down. The Michigan Public Service Commission admits “the pandemic has thrown a curveball” to their typical forecasting efforts.

The MPSC predicts a significant decline in industrial use of natural gas, but an increase in residential, as 77% of Michigan homes use natural gas for heat. Overall demand is expected to decline.

Propane prices are not moving a whole lot right now, while gasoline is down about 46 cents per gallon from this time last year. Demand for gasoline has declined for the first time since 2012.

Electricity demand is expected to decline slightly, with no reason to believe there will be shortages or excessive demand on the power grid, but individual bills may be higher as people are simply home more and using more electricity in their homes.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland