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Local News

City Council Members Could Decide Who Takes Seat

Port Huron, MI — At Monday night’s Port Huron City Council meeting, the second and final reading was given to two ordinances related to buildings on 7th Street. That means that rezoning is final, and the new owners of the Smith Family Funeral Home and the First Congregational Church can move forward with their plans to redevelop those properties.

Plans for the Smith Family Funeral home involve a multi-unit housing development, and the First Congregational Church will be transformed into a state-of-the-art medical facility.

There was a presentation for Council Members Worden and Harris to thank them for their time on City Council. Monday’s meeting was the last for both of them as they are not seeking re-election.

There has been some confusion about candidates running for Port Huron City Council who have verbally withdrawn from the race but are still  listed on the ballot, and the situation that would arise if Lisa Beedon wins her race for St. Clair County Board of Commissioners and resigns from the council. This situation assumes four open seats and four remaining candidates, therefore everyone left on the ballot would get a council seat.

This is untrue however, and Mayor Pauline Repp clarified, “The fourth person is not an automatic. By charter, they have to have received at least 25% of the total votes cast at the election. If they did not, then it is opened up to process applications from the community.” If that happens, the City Council will decide who takes the open seat.

“Only three people will be seated at the next Council meeting because Lisa does not have to resign until after that,” said Mayor Repp.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand.

 

MDOT Asks Drivers to Be Patient This Winter

As winter approaches, the Michigan Department of Transportation is preparing for keeping the roads clear during a pandemic.

MDOT shared that its goal is to clear highways to bare pavement as quickly as possible after a snowfall. But they warn that COVID might be slowing down those efforts this year if workers get sick or have to quarantine. State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said, “Over the years, maintenance workers at the state and local levels have handled everything winter could throw at them but, with the continuing threat of COVID-19, this is going to be an unprecedented winter. We’re working with local agencies and county road commissions to plan for contingencies, but we want drivers to know the pandemic could affect our ability to maintain winter levels of service.”

MDOT reminds drivers that posted speed limits don’t mean much during snowy or icy weather. Vehicle operators are to drive at a “careful and prudent” speed to maintain control of their vehicles.

MDOT has prepared a video with tips on navigating winter roads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCG85h7sm-c

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sanilac County Survey Could Lead to Better Broadband Service

Sanilac County is looking for citizen feedback on their initiative to bring high-speed internet to the entire county. The initiative includes homes, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and community organizations. The venture is being managed by the Sanilac County Broadband Committee.

Joel Wyatt, Vice Chairman of the Sanilac County Board of Commissioners, said, “For the last year, the Sanilac Board of Commissioners have discussed a county-driven initiative for reliable internet in Sanilac. This last eight months have revealed that objective being more needed than ever.  Businesses, families, churches and especially school children have a tremendous need for solid, fast internet.  It is truly becoming a critical infrastructure service.”  

All Sanilac County residents are asked to fill out the survey. The results will help with identifying areas with poor access to broadband services, as well as help determine the best places to locate equipment. The survey is part of a partnership with the national non-profit, Connected Nation, which works to “to improve lives by identifying innovative solutions for expanding access, adoption, and use of broadband and its related technologies to all people.”

The survey can be found at https://myconnectedcommunity.org/sanilac-county.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Grants Available for Eligible Teachers and Support Staff

Governor Whitmer and State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks Announced a grant program for Michigan teachers and support staff who worked additional hours during the 2019-20 school year due to COVID-19.

The Teacher COVID-19 Grant and the Support Staff COVID-19 Grant programs recognize the time and additional costs classroom teachers and support staff dedicated to their students when schools closed for in-person learning last spring.

Classroom teachers who taught full and part-time in a school district or nonprofit nonpublic school during the 2019-20 school year prior to the shutdown are eligible to receive up to $500. Paraprofessionals, aids, and other support staff can receive up to $250.

Grant funding will be implemented through the Michigan Department of Treasury and the Michigan Department of Education and checks will be sent to teachers and support staff in February 2021.

For more information on eligibility and program details visit their website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

“Five Days of Action” at YMCA to Protect Children

Port Huron, MI — The YMCA of the Blue Water Area is participating in Five Days of Action, which is a weeklong campaign designed to raise awareness and protect children from sexual abuse. The YMCA is offering tips, tools, activities, and resources that are geared toward the current climate of dealing with the pandemic.

The theme of the campaign is “One Day at a Time”. Parents are encouraged to have a conversation with their kids by playing the “What If?” game to see how they would respond to situations and teach them how to get out of bad situations. 

The campaign addresses online safety, keeping kids safe and busy during social distancing, and creating a family code of conduct.Adults are also given tips on responding to abuse and knowing where to go for help.

Last year, 428 YMCAs participated in the week-long campaign. With things being quite a bit different this year and isolation being the norm, the program is adapting with an online format at fivedaysofaction.org. Anyone can access the website to learn the valuable information about protecting our children.

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

Man With Airsoft Gun Scares Couple in Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Police Department is seeking charges against a man walking with an airsoft gun in the area of Riverside Drive and Garfield Street on October 24, 2020 around 7:30 PM.

An 18 year-old woman and a 17 year-old male were driving in the area when a man with a black handgun in his waistband appeared in the roadway. The couple sped off and contacted police.

Residents from the area said a similar incident happened in July 2020, and someone provided video footage that led police to the suspect’s house. The suspect is a 33 year-old Port Huron resident. He stated that he was carrying the airsoft gun in an attempt to slow down people who driving too fast through the area.

The airsoft gun was confiscated, and a request to charge the suspect with Disorderly Conduct was forwarded to the St. Clair County Prosecutors Office for review.