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

Local News

Burtchville Man Drowns at Lakeport State Park

Lakeport, MI — A 52 year old Burtchville Township man drowned yesterday afternoon while swimming in Lake Huron at the Lakeport State Park day park.

Robert Esquibel was swimming with a friend in the lake. While they were swimming, the friend noticed that Esquibel had not resurfaced after going under water. He called for help, then swam to shore to have someone call 911 shortly before 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. Deputies from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and the Burtchville Township Fire Department were called to respond.

A fire department rescue boat was put in the water and Esquibel was recovered within about 15 minutes of the call. Esquibel was taken to shore, where CPR was started by members of the fire department. Tri-
Hospital EMS arrived a short time later, and continued CPR while the man was being transported to McLaren Port Huron Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The cause of death is being investigated by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Clair County Medical Examiner’s Office. No foul play is suspected.

Harbor Impact Ministries Ready to Welcome Back Guests

Kimball, MI — Harbor Impact Ministries is happy to announce their first regular Impact Sessions scheduled for July 28th and 29th.  Impact sessions provide guests with fresh food, clothing, and personal care products along with a variety of household items.

Harbor Impact is asking people to attend the Impact days at specific times according the the first letter of their last names, their work schedule, and the type of transportation they use. The following schedules (the schedule is available on the web version of this news story at WGRT.com) will facilitate social distancing and encourage safety for everyone.

Tuesday, July 28:

  • 9 AM – 12 PM: Last name A-E
  • 2 PM – 4 PM: Last name F-L
  • 6 PM – 8 PM: Day shift workers

Wednesday July 29th:

  • 9 AM – 12 PM: Last name M-R and bus riders
  • 2 PM – 4 PM: Last name S-Z and bus riders

Blue Water Transit takes passengers to and from the old Super Kmart parking lot near Sam’s Club in Port Huron Twp. for both Wednesday sessions. The bus begins a circular route at 8:45 for the morning session and 1:45 for the afternoon session. Regular bus fare applies for the trip.

Harbor Impact has also opened its Resource Center by appointment. The resource center capitalizes on Harbor Impact Ministries’ vast support network to provide tutoring, employment, and basic skills help to meet the unique needs of its guests.

“We are looking forward to letting our guests choose from all of the wonderful donations we received as people have been cleaning out their closets during this season. “We are ready to rock and roll here!” said Barb Hanneke, Executive Director of Harbor Impact Ministries.

Donations of all kinds are welcome by appointment only. Call to schedule at 810- 662-3936 Monday – Friday from 9 AM – 12 PM.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

Pack Your Patience When Returning Cans and Bottles

Port Huron, MI — For those frustrated with long lines to return cans and bottles to get the 10-cent deposit back, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has some advice: be patient. Summer holidays, warm weather, and the lingering stockpiles of cans and bottles in garages and basements statewide have created the perfect storm for a major strain on the bottle return system.

Michigan residents have paid deposits on about $80 million worth of returnable beverage cans and bottles since the COVID-19 crisis began. The eleven-week shutdown of deposit redemption facilities set the stage for a major headache for retailers forced to redeem the deposits.

The Michigan Department of Treasury set up limits to avoid a breakdown of the processing infrastructure and the reverse logistics of deposit returns. Individuals are allowed to return no more than $25 worth of returns per day. Retailers are only allowed to accept up to 140% of their 2019 sales volume of cans and bottles with a deposit.

EGLE warns that some facilities are at maximum capacity and may have to periodically close their redemption centers  due to mandatory limits. According to EGLE, masks and social distancing are a must when making those can and bottle returns.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Political Battle Over School CARES Money Ends Up in Court

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and  five other Attorneys General are challenging U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in U.S. District Court over the allocation of CARES Act money for schools. The complaint claims that a rule issued by DeVos “would unfairly limit the ability of public schools to use federal funds provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.”

Private school funding is at the core of the differing interpretations between DeVos, a Republican appointee, and the Democratic Attorneys General. DeVos has directed funds to be allocated to all schools, regardless of perceived need, including private schools. Nessel and her colleagues contend that the money is to be spent based on Title I eligibility and that DeVos’ plan will rob the poorest schools of the money and send it to neighboring affluent private schools.

State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice joined in the outrage, saying that Devos “manufactured” formula will divert $16 million from public to nonpublic schools.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Stay Safe as Summer Temps Remain High

With temperatures across the state expected to remain in the 80s and above through next week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reminding all residents to stay cool to beat the heat.

MDHHS routinely reviews emergency department (ED) data for heat-related illness. During this past July 4 weekend, July 2 to July 5, 120 ED visits due to complaints that include heat exhaustion and heatstroke, sunburn and sun poisoning were reported. Daily temperatures this week are anticipated to again rise above 80 degrees, which generally correlates with an increase in ED visits for heat-related illness.

“It’s important Michiganders stay hydrated and out of the sun as much possible to avoid serious health complications during this hot weather,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health. “Young children, older adults and those who are have medical conditions are at increased risk for heat-related illness, so be sure to check frequently on them and others in your community who may need additional assistance.”

To prevent complications from the heat, residents are encouraged to:

  • Drink more fluids and avoid liquids with large amounts of sugar or alcohol.
  • Limit outdoor activities to when it is coolest in the morning and evening.
  • Spend time indoors in air conditioning.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
  • Wear sunscreen, as sunburn affects a body’s ability to cool down.
  • Check on elderly neighbors and relatives to determine if they need assistance.

For those without access to air conditioning, text or call Michigan 211 or contact your local health department to find out if there is a cooling center nearby. You can also spend some time at an air-conditioned store, shopping mall or other public building – even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help. Remember to follow guidance regarding COVID-19 precautions including wearing a mask or other face covering and practicing social distancing (keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from others).

In addition to staying hydrated and out of the sun, residents are reminded to never leave children or pets alone in a car even with the windows cracked. Temperatures inside a car can easily be double the temperature outside, and because a child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s they are more susceptible to heatstroke.

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are both forms of heat-related illness. Signs of heat-related illness vary but may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting, an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F) and tiredness. Heatstroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature and can result in death if not treated promptly.

The heat can also combine with air pollutants to cause high ozone levels, triggering Air Quality Alerts. People who have asthma or other breathing problems should avoid outdoor activities if an Air Quality Alert is triggered in their area.

For more information about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from heat-related illness, see the MDHHS Heat Awareness and Safety Fact Sheet, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

To learn more about Air Quality Alerts, visit AirNow.gov.

Port Huron Man Arraigned on Weapons Charges

Port Huron, MI — On Sunday, July 5, 2020 at 6:18 PM, Port Huron Police responded to a call of a large fight and a man shooting a handgun out of a car at Knox Field in the 2400 block of Cleveland. Police learned the incident stemmed from two females who have had on going issues with each other. One female is a 20 year old Port Huron resident and the other is a 32 year old Port Huron resident. 

The 20 year old female saw the 32 year old with three friends at Knox Field and initiated an argument. When the 20 year old and occupants of her vehicle learned the police were being called they proceeded to leave the area. However, a 24 year old male passenger from Port Huron pointed a handgun at the 32 year old and her friends. He then fired the handgun in the air as they drove away. A description of the vehicle was given over the police radio. 

A St. Clair County Sheriff Deputy spotted the vehicle westbound on I-94 and pulled it over. The 20 year old female and a passenger, a 32 year old male Warren resident, were taken into custody and later released. The 32 year old male shooter turned himself into police custody in the 2000 block of Stone Street. The Major Crimes Unit responded to assist road patrol and the handgun used was recovered. He was lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention Center for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Discharge of a Firearm from a Vehicle, and Felony Firearms. 

On July 7, 2020, Jesse Tyrelle Stevenson, a 24 year old Port Huron resident, was arraigned on the above charges. A $10,000 cash/surety bond was set. He is scheduled for a probable cause conference hearing on July 21, 2020 at 9 a.m. in front of the Honorable Judge Monaghan.