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Local News

Regional Opioid Town Hall to be Held Virtually on September 25

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Opioids Task Force will be holding a Flint and Thumb RegionVirtual Town Hall on September 25 to discuss the opioid epidemic in the region.

State officials want to learn more about how opioid abuse has impacted the area. MDHHS will be sharing the 2020 strategy that is in place and will be seeking feedback from the public to develop a “crisis response that is flexible; effective to fit the needs of communities from Detroit to Grand Rapids to Marquette; and informed by the experiences of Michiganders affected by the crisis”, according to a press release from the department.

The three main questions that will be asked at the town hall will be: How has the opioid epidemic affected you, your family or your community? What services, programs or policies would you recommend to help address the crisis? How can the state help combat stigma and change the narrative around opioid use disorder?

Residents can tune in to the town hall on September 25, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. by following this link. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Discount Cards Offer Deals Through 2021

There are two new discount cards available for those who shop at Downtown Port Huron businesses and in the Greater Port Huron Area. Thirty-three businesses are represented on each card, and the discounts start from the time the card is purchased through December 31, 2021.

The cards are $10 each, and the Downtown Port Huron discount card includes 10-20% discounts on stores such as MI Passion, batchmade BEAUTY, and Suzanne’s Women’s Fashions, along with $40 off for an escape room group at The Hallway Entertainment.

The Greater Port Huron discount card features some downtown locations as well, and also includes discounts to The Dorsey House, Jersey Mike’s in Ft. Gratiot, and all Dunham’s Sports locations.

Discount cards can be purchased at participating stores or through the City of Port Huron’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA).  Cards purchased through the DDA will help fund future events and promotions in Downtown Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Fall Program Schedule Set for Port Huron Recreation

After necessary adaptations amid COVID-19, the Port Huron Recreation Department will continue to  provide recreational opportunities to residents virtually. Popular fall programs such as dance, art & crafts,  cooking, and belly dance classes have been adapted to take place via ZOOM Meeting, YouTube, and Facebook.  Other successful programs will be hybrid where interaction will take place online but the program can be done safely outdoors. These include Walk Michigan, Drive-in Movies, and Halloween Stroll. 

“The goal is to keep everyone active and to have some fun during these unprecedented times,” said  Kati Gardner, Recreation Department supervisor. 

For the very first time, the department is offering its popular summer event, Walk Michigan, during  fall. The program nominates eight different routes around town where participants can take an one-to-two mile walk and receive a prize once a minimum of five routes are completed.  

Back by popular demand, free Drive-in Movies will continue at McMorran south parking with Jumanji on September 24th and Hocus Pocus on October 22. Concessions will be provided by Sperry’s Moviehouse. 

Finally, the department’s annual trick or treating event, Halloween Stroll, is being adapted to follow social distancing guidelines and to comply to outdoor gathering limits. More details on this event will soon be  released.  

“As local and state regulations evolve amid COVID-19, we will continue to look for ways to provide  our children and families with more great recreation opportunities this season,” said Nancy Winzer, Port Huron  Parks & Recreation Director. “The key is being creative,” she said. 

Registration for Walk Michigan, belly dance class, and other fall programs is available through the  department’s website at www.porthuronrec.com. For more information, participants are welcome to call the  recreation department at (810) 984-9760 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

DNR asks for Michiganders to Record their Miles for “Trails Week”

It’s Michigan Trails Week! Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources is encouraging residents to get out on the trails in Michigan between September 20th and 27th. There are 13,000 miles of state-managed trails in the state.

Paul Yauk, state trails coordinator for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, said, “Michigan’s trails are a public treasure, and they’re here for everyone.” Those who use the trails this week are asked to share their experience with the DNR. Their goal is 100,000 miles of collective trail use.

Michigan’s trails are for more than just walking. Depending on the trail, they can be used for hiking, biking, horseback riding, off-roading, and paddling if it is a water trail. The closest state-maintained trails to the Blue Water Area are at Algonac State Park, Wetzel State Recreation Area, and the Sanilac Petroglyphs. The Bridge to Bay Bike Trail is part of the State Trail system and the ten-mile long Island Loop water trail in St. Clair County is one of eight state-designated water trails.

Complete trail maps and information about logging your miles this week can be found at Michigan.gov/TrailsWeek.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Historic Redistricting Process Underway

The Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission got to work last week. The Commission was formed in response to the passage of Proposal 2 in 2018. They began with virtual orientation and information gathering.

Michigan Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, said, “Michigan’s citizens made their desire to put democracy back in the hands of the people loud and clear when they overwhelmingly passed Proposal 2.  This historic meeting is the culmination of years of citizen engagement, and months of work preparing to give our commissioners the tools they need to do this incredible work.”

The Commission is made up of four Republicans, four Democrats, and five members with no party affiliation. The members spent two days receiving instructions as to their duties and expectations and were presented with experts on the map making process.

Benson, a Democrat, keeps a public record of the process, but does not have a vote. During the preliminary meeting, the commission was charged with selecting a chairperson and determining their schedule. They have fourteen months to complete the redistricting process, with a November 1, 2021 deadline. The decisions will affect the 2022 election.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Courthouse Seeks to Quell Rumors on COVID-19 Cases

PORT HURON, MI – Since March 2020, the safety of the public and court staff has  been of highest importance. Identification of cases will continue throughout the county,  and county employees are not an exception. The court system works closely with the  St. Clair County Health Department to identify cases and exposures as well as  identifying risk reduction strategies. At this time, NO public exposures have resulted  from any identified cases within the court system. All individuals who may have been  exposed to COVID have been notified. The exposure situation was handled swiftly and  exceptionally well by court directors and leadership.

Daniel J. Kelly, Chief Judge for St. Clair County Courts, further states, “These are  challenging times we are living through today. Our main goal right now is to protect,  serve and maintain precautionary procedures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Those that have circumstances required to be handled within the court are encouraged  to continue to use remote resources, such as email, fax, telephone and the court  website when possible.

General court system inquiries, please visit: http://www.stclaircounty.org/Offices/courts

Submitted by St. Clair County