Local News

The River Church is in the process of acquiring Kimball Elementary School. Kimball was closed last year amidst declining enrollment in the Port Huron Area School District, but declining attendance does not seem to be a concern for The River, as they are bursting at the seams.

The building has been renamed, “The River Ministry Center” and the church plans to use the spacious facility for Sunday services, Wednesday classes, conferences, and larger events. The River Ministry Center’s target date for holding services in the renovated facility is August 2020. 

The River plans to keep their current location on North River Road as an administration building and counseling center. Kim Wahl, Co-Lead Pastor of The River Church, said the reason for the expansion started when the congregation outgrew their current facility some time ago. Since, they have added services and moved to holding Sunday gatherings at McMorran Place. Wahl went on to say, “Acquiring Kimball Elementary School gives us our own space to continue growth with facilities that are beneficial for every department of ministry with The River.”

Every 10 years following the U.S. Census, district lines for political offices must be redrawn in states across the country to accurately reflect their population. In Michigan, a randomly selected commission of citizens is responsible for drawing U.S. Congressional and Michigan State House and Senate district lines.

In the November 2018 general election, Michigan voters amended the state constitution to make citizens — not legislators or special interests — responsible for drawing district lines (called “redistricting”). The commission will be composed of 13 randomly-selected Michigan registered voters: four who affiliate with the Democratic Party, four who affiliate with the Republican Party, and five who do not affiliate with either major political party.

So far, more than 3,500 notarized applications have been processed for the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, according to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. 

Applications are still being accepted through June 1, 2020. As all applications must be signed in the presence of a notary, Secretary of State offices statewide continue to offer free notary services by appointment. Appointments can be made at Michigan.gov/SOS or by calling 888-SOS-MICH. Once notarized, applications can be submitted by mail or at Secretary of State offices.

For more information and to see the updated applicant profile, visit RedistrictingMichigan.org.

A local fitness enthusiast and personal trainer is using technology to reach out to clients and anyone else as his gym, along with all gyms, has been closed down for COVID-19 prevention. 

Casey Goryl, owner of CBA Fitness at 810 Lapeer Avenue in Port Huron has started recording a daily workout video that anyone can do in their own home. You don’t need any equipment, just a computer or ipad or phone and a Facebook account. 

The exercise uses your own body weight for resistance.  Goryl said he plans to record the videos every morning at 6:00 a.m. for as long as needed in this “whole new world” of social distancing. Goryl told us that when everybody else was buying toilet paper, he was researching what people can do to boost their immune systems in the face of a global pandemic. He found that moderate exercise, healthy eating, and a positive attitude can increase antibodies. While the gym is closed, Goryl is offering in-home personal training, using recommended precautions, along with the daily livestream.

Other gyms such as PlanetFitness have also begun offering workout resources online due to the Governor’s Executive Order to close many businesses for the time being.

The wheels of justice are still turning, but they are doing so behind closed doors and with safety precautions in place. Both St. Clair and Sanilac County Courts have issued press releases stating their amended operations to comply with COVID-19 community spread mitigation orders. 

St. Clair County courts were still open as of Tuesday afternoon, but have encouraged adjournments for vulnerable persons. They are also limiting person to person contact and encouraging people to use phone, fax, and email as much as possible. Many adjournments are expected, and notices have been mailed out. 

The courts do still need to be contacted for adjournment requests. Those with a St. Clair County court date between now and April 6 should note that they are not off the hook for court appearances. They need to contact the court, or risk default in a civil trial or a bench warrant in a criminal trial. 

In Sanilac County, the courthouse is completely closed to the public through April 6. Jury trials in Sanilac County have been adjourned. The Sanilac County Jail is allowing on-line video visitation, but no personal visits. Residents will also need to put off getting fingerprinted, purchasing permits, or any other business until after April 6, or further notice.

Unemployment benefits in the State of Michigan have been expanded under an Executive Order that is now in effect. These benefits now apply to:

• Workers who have an unanticipated family care responsibility, including those who have childcare responsibilities due to school closures, or those who are forced to care for loved ones who become ill. 
• Workers who are sick, quarantined, or immunocompromised and who do not have access to paid family and medical leave or are laid off. 
• First responders in the public health community who become ill or are quarantined due to exposure to COVID-19.

Governor Whitmer said, “This executive order will provide immediate relief to those who can’t go to work, and who rely on their paycheck to put food on the table for themselves and their families.” The Governor is urging “everyone to make smart choices at this time, and to do everything in their power to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.” 

The State is also seeking solutions for self-employed workers and independent contractors who traditionally do not have access to unemployment insurance. Access to benefits for unemployed workers will also be extended with benefits increasing from 20 to 26 weeks, the application eligibility period increasing from 14 to 28 days,  and the normal in-person registration and work search requirements suspended.  

Eligible employees should apply for unemployment benefits online at Michigan.gov/UIA or 1-866-500-0017.

Amid continued uncertainty for the country, many big name businesses are stepping up services or suspending shutoffs for the near future. Among the latest announcements include DTE Energy and Comcast.

DTE announced that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, they “are suspending shutoffs for non-payment for those customers who are low income eligible, effective immediately through April 5. This timing could be extended depending on the impact that the virus has on communities.” DTE also said that, “Those customers enrolled in the Senior Winter Protection Program have had their end dates automatically extended through May 3 without additional actions required on their part.”

Customers who are impacted by COVID-19 — those with a sudden loss of income or medical condition — as well as vulnerable senior citizens, are encouraged to contact DTE to determine eligibility for the payment assistance program.

Comcast has also announced several initiatives aimed at helping Americans in this unprecedented time. Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. The internet provider has also promised not to disconnect a customer’s internet service or assess late fees if they contact the company to notify Comcast that they can’t pay their bills during this period.