Local News

The Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Project Committee of Port Huron and the Diving With A Purpose Organization have postponed the dedication of the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial. The event was scheduled to take place in August, but is being postponed for the time being. The groups have every intention of resuming their goal of erecting a monument to the airmen at a later date.

The goal of the memorial is to bring national attention to the accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen of WWII and to memorialize the pilots who perished in accidents in the Port Huron area. The memorial will be placed at the Flag Plaza along the St. Clair River near the Blue Water Bridge.

The Tuskegee Airmen were relatively unknown in this area until the wreckage from the aircraft of Flight Officer Nathaniel P. Rayburg and 2nd Lt. Frank H. Moody were discovered in Lake Huron and the St. Clair River.

Anita R. Ashford, Coordinating Lead for the memorial in Port Huron, said in a press release, “Our thanks to the many supporters and partners who have helped us thus far in our efforts to make this Tuskegee Airmen Monument a reality for our city. We are ONLY on hold!” The committee will notify the community when the dedication is rescheduled, so we can collectively celebrate the brave men who sacrificed their lives for our country.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The Coronavirus Pandemic has a lot of retirees concerned about their retirement nest egg. In a recent news story, WGRT reported that people on Social Security have no reason to fear a loss of benefits.  The recently passed Cares Act provides other provisions that are designed to further help people who have retirement plans.

The new law expands the definition of hardship withdrawals from retirement plans, allowing for withdrawals of up to $100,000 and waiving the 10% penalty on hardship withdrawals. The new law also increases loan limits to $100,000 or 100% of a participant’s vested account balance and extends repayment periods for both new and existing loans.

The Cares Act also temporarily waives Required Minimum Distribution rules for 2020, allowing individuals to keep more funds in their retirement plans if they wish. WGRT spoke with Dan Krauskopf,  Investment Executive with Beacon Wealth Group in Marysville, and host of the Wise Investor on WGRT. Dan advised people to remember their long term financial plan and not react on emotion. He reminds us that today’s news, headlines, and fears will pass. It is also a great time to consider a Roth conversion.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 7th at 5:00 PM are as follows:

• State of Michigan: 18,970 confirmed cases; 845 deaths
• St. Clair County: 129 confirmed cases; 3 county resident deaths (There was also 1 death in a county hospital of an out-of-county resident)
• Ontario: 4,726 confirmed cases; 153 deaths
• Sarnia-Lambton: 86 confirmed cases; 8 deaths

For nearly 30 years it has been the mission of WGRT to keep our community entertained and informed.  Our commitment to that mission remains as strong as ever during the Covid-19 pandemic.  We are continuing to broadcast 24/7, plus we are strengthening our social media presence. While our office is closed to the public for the time being, our staff continues to work hard to bring you the timely news updates and great music you’ve come to expect.

Because of our technology we were well prepared to work from home, so we are able to continue serving our listeners and our advertisers without interruption. General Manager Marty Doorn says, “We are especially appreciative of our advertisers who have continued to advertise.  It is huge help that enables our staff to keep working.”  There are many ways you can stay informed and entertained by Your Great Music Station … listen on your radio at 102.3 FM, listen live on your smart phone, computer or tablet at wgrt.com, or download the WGRT app on Google Play or the App Store.

Spero Pregnancy Center provides support services to men and women in our community who are facing an unexpected pregnancy. These are essential services that still exist in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to reduce risk and protect its staff and volunteers, Spero is currently open by appointment only. Women who need services are encouraged to call the center at (810) 985-HOPE to consult with staff by phone instead of walking in to the clinic.

Spero partners with OptionLine and Heartbeat International to connect with clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Women facing an unplanned pregnancy may be especially concerned right now that their unborn baby could experience infection or complications if they contract COVID-19, but the World Health Organization reports that, “to date, the virus has not been found in samples of amniotic fluid or breastmilk.”

Jennifer MacDonald, Executive Director of Spero Pregnancy Center, understands that health and financial concerns are weighing down expectant mothers and fathers even more than usual right now. She said, “We are here to continue to equip and encourage mothers, fathers and families, asking them to pause and look to the long-term future for their babies. There is no evidence of COVID passing to a pre-born baby.”

Spero is there to help; they are connecting their clients with material assistance and continuing their Earn While You Learn mentoring classes through an online system. Their staff is also performing pregnancy tests and ultrasounds for clients who schedule appointments.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The St. Clair County Health Department received notification of a 3rd county resident who died from COVID-19 complications. WGRT is reporting confirmed cases as reported by the St. Clair County Health Department, Lambton Public Health, and The Ontario Ministry of Health.

Confirmed cases as of April 6th at 5:30 PM are as follows:

• State of Michigan: 17,221 confirmed cases; 727 deaths
• St. Clair County: 114 confirmed cases; 3 county resident deaths (There was also 1 death in a county hospital of an out-of-county resident)
• Ontario: 4,347 confirmed cases; 132 deaths
• Sarnia-Lambton: 80 confirmed cases; 8 deaths

A person may transmit COVID-19 without knowing they are infected. It is now recommended that individuals wear a cloth face covering whenever they are in public to protect those around them. To ensure that surgical masks and N-95 respirators remain available for medical personnel, the CDC recommends homemade masks for personal use.

Masks can be made from 100% cotton material such as t-shirts and bandanas. They should not be placed on children under 2 years old, anyone having trouble breathing, or someone who is unconscious and unable to remove it without assistance. Masks do not protect you from becoming infected. The best way to prevent infection is to stay home, wash your hands properly, and avoid touching your face.

Please continue to reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

• Centers for Disease Control:  cdc.gov/coronavirus
• State of Michigan: Michigan.gov/coronavirus  or Info Hotline  1-888-535-6136 Daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov
• St. Clair County Health Department: COVID-19 Info Hotline (810) 966-4163 Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org
• St. Clair County Community Mental Health COVID-19 Support Line (810) 985-8900, available Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Lambton Public Health: https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus/
• City of Sarnia COVID-19 Hotline: 1-877-4-SARNIA (1-877-472-7642)

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand