Send new stories and press releases to JP at news@wgrt.com.

Local News

Whitmer: Indoor Dining Resumes Feb 1st

In a press conference today, Governor Whitmer stated that due to positive trends in COVID-19 cases MDHHS is lifting the ban on indoor dining as of February 1st.

Restaurants must limit the amount of people indoors to 25% of their normal capacity along with collecting names and phone numbers of their patrons for contact tracing purposes. Ventilation systems must be in working order, and the state is providing grant money for businesses that need to update their systems.

Along with opening indoor dining, concessions at entertainment venues may also resume, and gathering limits will be increased at funerals and outdoor gatherings. The only activities that will remain closed after February 1st are night clubs, contact sports, and water parks.

A full reading of the order with detailed guidelines and restrictions is available <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Kasey Wolak McLaren Port Huron Employee of the month

McLaren Port Huron December Employee of the Month

Kasey Wolak has been named the Employee of the Month for December. Wolak has worked at McLaren Port Huron for 13 years and is currently a unit assistant on 4 South.

Wolak was nominated by her peers because she exemplifies the hospital values. Her customer service skills are amazing. She goes above and beyond to help patients and visitors, making their visit to the hospital better. Wolak is sincerely compassionate and caring, ready and willing to help anyone who needs it. Her coworkers look forward to working with her because she is always happy, helpful, and a joy to work with. Wolak is friendly, happy, bright, has a positive attitude and smiles all the time. She is an example of what all employees should strive to be and is without a doubt worthy of this award.

This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.

Submitted by McLaren Port Huron.

State Invests in Skilled Trade Training with “Going PRO Talent Fund”

The State of Michigan has granted over $39 million affecting 30,000 workers state-wide to secure employment, gain industry-recognized credentials, and earn strong wages. The money went to more than 850 Michigan businesses in the form of training grants from the “Going PRO Talent Fund”.

Susan Corbin, the acting director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), said, “With 545,000 professional trades job openings expected through the year 2026, this fund plays a vital role in helping Michigan employers meet their talent needs by investing in homegrown workers.” 

According to LEO, the training must fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer and lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and recognized by industry to be part of the program.

The Going Pro Talent Fund grants are available through Michigan Works! Agencies and are part of Governor Whitmer’s Sixty by 30 goal, which aims to increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree to 60 percent by 2030. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Grayfox Murder Suspect Arrested in Detroit

The Port Huron Police Department has announced the location and subsequent arrest of suspected murderer Reginald Cu-Nu Grasty. Grasty is suspected in the murder of William Michael Orlow, whose body was discovered on the Grayfox, a former Navy vessel that was docked on the St. Clair River near the Blue Water Riverwalk in June.

The search for Grasty has been ongoing with a warrant issued in December. Grasty was thought to be homeless somewhere in the Detroit area. No motive or details on the relationship between the suspect and the deceased were provided. The death was determined to be the result of trauma.

Grasty was apprehended by U.S. Marshalls in Detroit and was handed over to the custody of the Port Huron Police Department. Grasty was questioned and arraigned on charges of open murder and Disinterment/Mutilation of a Corpse. He is lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention Center.

Bond was set at $750,000 with a Probable Cause Conference set for February 2nd in front of Judge Mona Armstrong.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

National School Choice Week Celebrates Educational Options

National School Choice Week has been celebrated since 2011, and it’s America’s largest celebration of educational choice. This year’s events will take place virtually, and the kickoff is scheduled for January 25th at noon.

Michigan families, schools, and organizations are hosting over 1,000 virtual celebrations across the state from January 25 – 30th. The events are non-partisan, non-political, and not related to any legislative advocacy campaign. They are simply opportunities for Michigan families to raise awareness about school choice.

In Michigan, families can choose a variety of options for educating their children. Students can be enrolled in public, private, charter, or magnet schools, or they can be educated at home through online academies or homeschooling. Parents are free to choose which option works best for their families.

More information about school choice and National School Choice Week is available at schoolchoiceweek.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Bridge Card Recipients Getting a 15% Increase

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Benefits will increase 15% per month for Michiganders eligible for the program. The first of the additional payments will be added to Bridge Cards by the end of January and continue each month ending in June.

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow led the initiative for the increase and it was approved by congress as part of the Congressional relief bill.

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or by calling a customer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.