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Local News

Carriage Rides Offered at Goodells Park

Just when you may have been running out of socially distant ways to enjoy the summer, the St. Clair County Farm Museum has announced carriage rides on the grounds of the Goodells County Park.

Kim Shultz, owner of Majestic Heart Carriage Rides, said that she and her husband came up with the idea while biking around the park. They were looking for a way to keep their business going along with supporting the Farm Museum, and the collaboration was born.

The carriage rides are available on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00-5:00 p.m. starting this weekend and running through September 27. The cost is $30 per carriage ride, and can accommodate up to six people. The rides are approximately twenty minutes long with plenty of photo ops. Part of the fee will be donated to the St. Clair County Farm Museum, on the grounds of the Goodells Park. The Museum will be open for tours during that time also.

Shultz said that hand sanitizer is provided and the carriage is disinfected between rides. Rides can be scheduled by calling 810-310-0827 after 2:00 p.m. on weekdays.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

August 2020 Primary Election Results

St. Clair County, MI — Local voters came out in record numbers this year, putting the turnout rate at a 37% with 98% of precincts reporting this morning.

Although local State Representative Shane Hernandez dominated the race for the U.S. House’s 10th District in St. Clair County, his opponent, Lisa McClain, took the lead by securing Macomb County.

In a statement from Hernandez this morning, he said, “I want to congratulate Lisa McClain on her hard-fought victory. While I’m obviously disappointed with the election results, I’m encouraged that Republicans across the 10th District turned out in record numbers.”

He went on to say, “Those who know me understand that I’m not going anywhere. I look forward to continuing to represent the 83rd State House District to the best of my ability and will continue to serve in Republican politics and the conservative movement in whatever capacity I can to move our nation, state, and community forward.”

Andrew Beeler won the race for Hernandez’s seat in the Michigan House. He will run against the Democratic candidate Stephanie Armstrong-Helton for the position in November. Beeler said, “I’m extremely humbled by the results of the election and grateful for the support of the voters of the 83rd District. My team and I will continue to work hard towards the general election to ensure the 83rd District has a strong conservative leader in Lansing.”

Complete election results can be found at ElectionReporting.com <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Hunter Hospitality House Reaching Out to Community

Port Huron, MI — Hunter Hospitality House is reaching out to the community for help with their endowment fund. The fund helps keep their houses up and running, which provides free lodging to medical patients and their loved ones. They have houses near both hospitals in Port Huron.

After being closed for several weeks due to the pandemic, the non-profit was able to open on June 1st and has since served fifteen guests. According to Executive Director Tracy Willard, “Keeping young parents near their hospitalized babies, cancer patients near their treatment centers, surgical patients near the hospital the night before and then their spouses near them while they’re in the hospital, and families near their hospitalized loved ones…it’s nice to be able to help people again! Restricting the homes to one family at a time gives our guests a lot of peace of mind, too, during the pandemic.”

To keep the endowment going, a raffle is being held, with prizes like a $5000 vacation, jewelry, a technology package, a catered dinner, and a weekend getaway. The tickets cost $100 and only 300 will be sold. The winners are to be drawn August 31st.

 Tickets can be purchased at hunterhospitalityhouse.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Drive-up COVID Testing & Immunization Clinics at Schools Throughout August

St. Clair County, MI — The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) in partnership with St. Clair County schools will be offering drive-up COVID-19 community testing clinics throughout August. (These clinics will replace the Tuesday COVID-19 drive-thru clinics held at the health department).

All clinics will be held from 3:00 PM  to 7:00 PM, and all ages are welcome. PCR testing for COVID-19 testing will be provided by St. Clair County Health Department public health nurses, and no antibody testing will be offered.

Walk-up immunizations and immunization waivers will also be available for those 18 years of age and under. This will be helpful for students who need to meet back to school requirements or get caught up on their immunizations.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged for testing and immunization services! Make an appointment online at stclaircounty.org/Offices/health/Covid19.aspx  and click “Make an Appointment at a Community Testing Location”. Pre-registration can also be done over the phone by calling (810) 987-5300.

No out of pocket expenses for participants, and insurances will be billed.

Dates and locations include:

  • Monday, August 10th: Landmark Academy, 4800 Lapeer Road, Kimball
  • Tuesday, August 11th: Marysville High School, 555 E. Huron Blvd, Marysville
  • Wednesday, August 12th: Capac Jr/Sr High School, 541 N Glassford Street, Capac
  • Thursday, August 13th: Yale High School, 247 School Drive, Yale
  • Monday, August 17th: Algonac Jr/Sr High School, 5200 Taft Road, Algonac
  • Tuesday, August 18th: East China School District Administration Office,1585 Meisner Road, East China
  • Thursday, August 20th: Memphis Jr/Sr High School, 34130 Boardman Road, Memphis
  • Tuesday, August 25th: St. Edward on the Lake, 6945 Lakeshore Road, Lakeport

In addition, for the safety of staff and visitors, we kindly ask that participants do not bring any pets.

For more information about health department services visit www.scchealth.co or follow us on social media @scchdmi.

National Guard Extended Through December 31st

Lansing, MI — President Trump granted a request by Governor Whitmer to extend the use of Michigan National Guard forces for COVID-19 response through December 31, 2020. This Title 32 authority allows Guard members to receive federal pay and benefits until its expiration.

Whitmer said the Michigan National Guard has been a “crucial part of our emergency response, from conducting testing and screening, distributing personal protective equipment, and assisting at food banks across the state.”

Title 32 has been funded at 100% as a federal expense, but Trump imposed a 25% state cost share from August 21st to December 31, 2020. States who use Title 32 will have to fund the other 25% of the cost of the National Guard from their state budgets.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Puppy Scams on the Rise

With people staying home more than usual, the idea of having a cute, cuddly puppy has become popular. But those looking to add a furry member to the family are warned to be on the lookout for puppy scams.

Who would dare? According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Humane Society of the United States, plenty of scammers are out there ready to prey on unsuspecting families, and reports of puppy scams are increasing. 

Consumers are sometimes unwittingly supporting criminal and cruel illegal operations. Puppy mill operators can hide behind social distancing and complete all transactions online and deliver the animal offsite.

Molly Tamulevich, Michigan State Director for the Humane Society of the United States, said, “Taking advantage of Michiganders by exploiting our love of animals is as cruel to the people as it is to the dogs.”

Americans spend over $1 billion per year buying puppies. Nessel’s office suggests that consumers research the breed and the breeder, as well as the specific advertised puppy. Do not buy sight-unseen. Buyers should use a credit card and retain all documents and communication from the breeder, or better yet, go puppy shopping at your local shelter.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland