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Local News

Police Looking for Person of Interest in Grayfox Homicide

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Police Department along with the St. Clair County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim of the homicide on the Grayfox (a former Navy vessel) which was discovered on June 23, 2020. The victim has been identified as William Michael Orlow, a 44 year old male Port Huron resident. 

They are looking for a person of interest, Reginald Cu-Nu Grasty, who was a caretaker on the vessel. Last known contact with him was in January 2020. Reginald is homeless and has lived in Port Huron, but is believed to be in the Detroit area. 

Person of interest: Reginald Cu-Nu Grasty, date of birth: 10/10/1977 Description: black male, 5-10, 190 lbs., black hair, brown eyes 

If you have knowledge of this crime, call the Port Huron Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (810) 984-5383. Anonymous tips can be received through the CAPTURE Hotline at (810) 987-6688, emailed through www.porthuronpolice.org, or texted by downloading the Port Huron PD app on apple or android devices. Texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and their message/tip to 847411.

Two Arrested in Port Huron Twp. Drug Bust

Port Huron Twp., MI — Two Port Huron men are lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center after being arrested by the St. Clair County Drug Task Force on June 29th.

According to St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon, the DTF conducted an investigation into the sales of narcotics in the Port Huron area.  That investigation led to members of the Drug Task Force making contact with subjects inside a vehicle at the 40th Street Pond in Port Huron Township at about 8:30 Monday night.  The driver of the vehicle had a valid parole absconder warrant.

As a result of the investigation and a search of the suspect’s vehicle, nearly $1000 worth of methamphetamine was seized, along with analogue drugs, heroin, a .22 semiautomatic handgun, drug paraphernalia, and more than $2500 in cash.

The arrestees, ages 29 and 22, are expected to be arraigned today on charges including possession of methamphetamine, possession of analogues, possession of heroin, felon in possession of a firearm and parole violation.

Coast Guard Asks Boaters to Stay Sober on the Water

Port Huron, MI — The Safe Boating Campaign and the U.S. Coast Guard are reminding boaters that drinking and boating can be a deadly combination. Getting out on the water and partaking of adult beverages may be a hallmark of the July 4th holiday for many, but both passengers and operators are asked to practice moderation.

Peg Phillips, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council, said, “Operating a boat – or even being a passenger – is incredibly risky while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drunken passengers can easily fall overboard, swim near the propeller, lean over the side, or stand up in small boats causing the boat to capsize.”

The Coast Guard is partnering with law enforcement for Operation Dry Water which includes both heightened enforcement and awareness of boating under the influence. Since the Operation’s inception in 2009, over 4,000 boaters under the influence of alcohol or drugs have been removed from the water. Consequences of getting cited for impaired boating range from a misdemeanor with a fine as low as $100 up to a felony with significant jail time and hefty fines if injury or death results or if minors are involved.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PTM Corp GM Supplier Quality Excellence Award

PTM Corporation Receives GM Supplier Quality Excellence Award

Fair Haven, MI –General Motors Corporation grants an award to suppliers that meet and exceed its rigorous quality performance standards. PTM Corporation, a metal stamping plant in Fair Haven, MI, secured the GM Suppliers Quality Excellence Award for 2019.

The production facility at PTM Corporation passed an audit by GM that included a comprehensive quality assessment covering all facets of production. GM requires defect-free parts, on-time product delivery, and reaching quality standards above its minimum requirements.

Donna Russell-Kuhr, President, CEO and Co-Owner of PTM, said, “It makes me extremely proud for PTM to receive the GM 2019 Quality Excellence Award. This is a direct reflection of the wonderfully diversified and talented associates we employ who live our PTM Code Item #1 “Deliver exceptional performance and peace of mind to our customers.”

PTM has produced millions of metal stampings for its clients since 1972. They specialize in detail part design, prototype, tool build, and high-volume production.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

State AG Warns of Unemployment Scammers

Port Huron, MI — Beware of unemployment scams. Filing for unemployment continues to be a headache for many Michiganders. Making matters worse, scammers are looking to prey on desperate out-of-work residents. The scammers are using social media, especially Facebook, to offer their “help” with the benefits process.

According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, the offer to help may actually be a ploy to get applicants to commit fraud. She said, “Do not under any circumstance pay a fee or offer up your personal information to someone on social media.” 

Besides requesting fees, these criminals can be seeking personal information to commit identity theft and to steal benefits. They may also be offering false information that can lead to denial of benefits or even criminal or administrative penalties.

Unemployment offices are still closed statewide, and residents seeking benefits must file by phone or online. Suspected fraud resulted in 340,000 accounts being frozen in early June. A state task force is now working on weeding out fraudulent claims from those of the truly jobless.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Whitmer: Bars Must Close Indoor Seating by 11 PM Tonight

Lansing, MI— Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-143 closing indoor service at bars throughout most of lower Michigan to protect the progress Michigan has made against COVID-19. Regions 6 and 8, which include the Upper Peninsula and much of northern Michigan, are excluded from the order, and bars statewide can continue to serve outdoors. The governor also signed a package of bills allowing cocktails-to-go at bars and restaurants to help these businesses serve more Michiganders during this time.

Over the past week, every region in Michigan has seen an uptick in new cases, and daily case counts now exceed 20 cases per million in the Grand Rapids, Lansing and Kalamazoo regions. Nearly 25% of diagnoses in June were of people ages 20 to 29, up from roughly 16% in May. That shift aligns with national trends, and the evidence suggests that young people may be driving a new phase of the pandemic.

As bars have reopened for indoor service across the country, some have been linked to a growing number of large outbreaks. In Michigan, for example, health officials in Ingham County have linked 107 confirmed COVID-19 cases to an outbreak in a single bar in East Lansing.

Bars are often crowded, indoors and poorly ventilated — all of which make it easy to spread COVID-19 from person to person. Bars also encourage mingling among groups and facilitate close contact over an extended period of time. They are noisy, requiring raised voices and allowing for more projection of viral droplets. And they serve alcohol, which reduces inhibitions and decreases compliance with mask use and physical distancing rules.

The governor’s order applies to establishments with on-premises retailer liquor licenses that earn more than 70% of their gross receipts from alcohol sales. That means that most brewpubs, distilleries, and vineyards can stay open indoors. Traditional bars, nightclubs, and strip clubs will have to end indoor service.

Governor Whitmer today also signed Senate Bill 942 and House Bills 5781 and 5811 into law, which allow bars and restaurants to sell cocktails-to-go and expand social districts to allow for more outdoor seating and areas for people to safely congregate while practicing physical distancing.

“Bars will not have to close down completely, but may still offer outdoor seating and use creative methods like cocktails-to-go in hopes that we can bring our numbers down,” Governor Whitmer said. “I am hopeful providing options for cocktails-to-go and expanded social districts will ensure these businesses can remain open and Michiganders can safely and responsibly enjoy their summer outdoors.”