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Local News

State Employees Returning to Work Get Workplace Protections

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an Executive Directive late last week meant to protect state employees from COVID-19, which is reported to be on the rise in the state. The order requires state departments and autonomous agencies to tighten up their policies and procedures to protect workers returning to work.

Whitmer said, “Our state employees’ tireless efforts on our behalf have saved lives and protected our most vulnerable communities, and we must ensure that when they return to work, they can feel safe from the spread of COVID-19. This executive directive will ensure that every state workplace implements strict safety measures to protect our state employees, their families, and Michiganders everywhere from this virus. I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to protect the people of Michigan from the spread of COVID-19.” 

According to the directive, return-to-work policies must address, at a minimum, personal protection equipment, social distancing, cleaning, employee screening, procedures for returning employees to work areas, and communication to employees on policies. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Funding Natural Resources Trust Fund on the Ballot with Proposal 1

What is Proposal 1? It is a proposal to allow money from oil and gas mining on state-owned lands to continue to be collected in state funds for public land preservation. It allows for the State Parks Endowment Fund to cap at $800 million and subsequent money to go into the Natural Resources Trust Fund. It also specifies percentages of funding that would go into state park improvement, recreation areas, and land conservation.

Those in favor of the proposal, such as conservation and business groups, say that a yes vote puts money into the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, which has been protecting drinking water sources, natural outdoor spaces, and wildlife habitats. They say that Proposal 1 will expand the Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund.

Those against the passage of the proposal, such as the Thumb Land Conservancy, say, it’s passing “will forever reduce the amount of money spent each and every year on important land and habitat protection projects.”

Voters will decide whether to change the funding or leave it alone when they vote on Proposal 1 on November 3rd.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

CDC Issues Travel Recommendations for Holidays

The CDC issued recommendations for those who will be traveling during the holidays. They are asking people to consider the risks before making travel plans and consider issues that may increase their risks when deciding where to go, how to travel, and where to stay.

The lowest risk form of travel is, of course, staying home altogether or taking a short, scenic road trip with members of your own household. The highest risk is taking a flight with layovers or travelling on a cruise ship or river boat.

The CDC recommends limiting your interactions with others while travelling because close, person-to-person contact is the main way COVID-19 spreads. When contact with others is necessary, they recommend wearing a mask in all areas of airports, hotels, restaurants, and campgrounds.

Beyond social distancing, mask-wearing, and handwashing, some practical things travelers can do are choosing to travel in a personal or rental vehicle, staying in a vacation rental with only members of your own household, and choosing drive-throughs or carry out options for meals.

More information is available on the CDC’s website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

National Drug Take Back Day at SCC Sheriff’s Office Saturday

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department is participating in National Drug Take Back Day this weekend. Medications can be dropped off at the Sheriff’s Office at 1170 Michigan Road between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24th.

Responsibly disposing of unneeded pills helps deter drug abuse and crime as well as help protect the environment. Sheriff Tim Donnellon said, “We encourage everyone who has pills that are unwanted or expired to bring them to our office. Disposing of the pills properly ensures they don’t end up being improperly used and keeps them out of our drinking water.”

Only pills are accepted. Liquids, syringes, patches, inhalers, and creams are not accepted. The pills are turned over to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, which incinerates them.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office has been hosting Drug Take Back Days eighteen times and has collected over 2400 pounds of pills.

If you can’t make it to the Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, you can still drop them off at the Sheriff’s Office during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Fall Carnival Planned at Carnegie Center

Port Huron, MI — As the temperature drops, outdoor options for families are starting to dry up and indoor options are few and far between. Yet, the Port Huron Museums have found a way to have a safe and fun indoor experience. 

They 2020 Fall Carnival is this Sunday, October 25th, at the Carnegie Center in Downtown Port Huron. Andrew Kercher, Director of Community Engagement for the Museum, said that there is plenty of space to spread out at the three-story building. The museum is planning indoor carnival style games geared toward elementary age children while offering cider and a campfire outside. They are maintaining social distancing and preventing large crowds by requiring advance reservations. 

The event is a fundraiser for the Museum, which has been hit hard by COVID related closures and loss of revenue. Kercher said that the silver lining to the COVID shutdown has been that it has forced them to be creative in maintaining access to local history and looking at their collections in new ways. 

The Museum is limiting capacity to twenty people per time slot during the Fall Carnival. The cost is $5 per person.

Reservations are available between noon and 3:00 p.m. They can be made through Eventbrite at phmuseum.org. 

Port Huron Museums are planning a telethon for Giving Tuesday on November 1st. Stay tuned for details as the event gets closer. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sheriff Donnellon Retiring Early to take New Position

Sheriff Tim Donellon was elected St. Clair County Sheriff in 2008, and he will end his term a little early to take a new position with the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). His new position is scheduled to begin on November 9th.

The MGCB’s mission is to ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the state of Michigan. They provide for the licensing, regulation, and control of casino gaming operations, and they regulate pari-mutuel horse racing and casino-style charitable gaming among other things.

Sheriff Donnellon has been active in the community and is thankful for its support. “We in St. Clair County law enforcement are blessed to have the backing of the citizens to do our job,” said Sheriff Donnellon.  “I will be forever thankful for your kindness and thoughtfulness throughout my career, ” said Donnellon.

Donnellon planned to retire in January after finishing his term, and current Sheriff’s Office Captain Mat King is running unopposed for his position. A board made up of Prosecutor Mike Wendling, Probate Judge Elwood Brown, and County Clerk Jay DeBoyer, will choose a replacement for Donnellon to serve in the interim before King takes the position January 1st.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand