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Local News

After a Season of Cancellations, McMorran Looks Forward to the Prowlers Hitting the Ice

Port Huron, MI — McMorran Place Sports and Entertainment Center has announced that while several events have been cancelled and postponed, there is still hope for hockey season.

The tribute shows, “Old Friends, A tribute to Simon & Garfunkel” and “Rumours, The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute” have been pushed to March and May. Ticket holders can use their existing tickets for the new shows.

The Port Huron Prowlers, a minor professional ice hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League, plan to hit the ice at some point in the near future. The arena has been completely renovated, but the question remains as to how many fans can be in attendance. 

McMorran is operated by the Recreation Department under the direction of the McMorran Civic Center Authority. They are hopeful that they can start scheduling events in early 2021.

For now, entertainment is available outside of McMorran with the construction of “McMorran Beach”, where sand has been spread out and there are beach chairs and corn hole games for those who want to get out of the house and be social while following safety protocols.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Colleges Take Measures to Prevent Virus Outbreaks

Statewide, colleges are struggling with the decision to either keep students learning from home or give them the full experience of in-person class and campus life. This week, Michigan State University announced that they are transitioning from in-person to remote classes and that students will not be moving into the dorms, with few exceptions.

So far, the dorms are open at Saginaw Valley, Central, U of M, and other public universities in the state. Private colleges like Alma and Albion are planning in-person classes while practicing health precautions.

St. Clair County Community College has moved many classes online, but they are also planning to hold in-person classes in health services, engineering technology, graphic design, and lab components of certain classes.

For MSU, being the largest university in the state, the risk of having a virus outbreak outweighed the huge economic, social, and educational impacts of having an empty campus. In a letter to students, Samuel L. Stanley, Jr., MD, President of MSU, said that there will be refunds and credits for those who had already paid housing and food service bills.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Two Stores Cited for Selling Alcohol to Minors

On August 17, 2020, the Port Huron Police Department send underage decoys into 29 Port Huron retail stores licensed by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to sell alcohol.

Two establishments were not in compliance, and were cited for selling alcohol to a minor:

  • Joe’s Party Shop on Hancock St.
  • Speedway on Ravenswood Rd.

The Police Department would like to thank all of the stores who were found to be in compliance and encourages all licensed establishments to check ID to prevent the use of alcohol by minors.

 

Michigan Renaissance Festival Cancelled

The organizers of the Michigan Renaissance Festival have announced the cancellation of the 2020 Festival. Although they worked hard to develop a plan over the last five months that they believed would have resulted in a safe and healthy festival, the regulations imposed by the state regarding COVID-19 make the cancellation necessary.

In a letter on their website, the team notes that they “disagree with the current State directives that prevent a spacious outdoor venue from opening,” but, they “recognize the difficulty of the State government’s task.”

The Renaissance Festival team plans on producing events that will adhere to state guidelines, and they are working on a Renfest Food and Entertainment Parade along with a reimagined Feast of Fantasy.

The Festival will return in 2021 from August 21st – October 3rd, and all 2020 tickets will be honored in 2021.

Learn more on their website <HERE> 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Michiganders Urged to Complete Census as it Becomes Latest Political Pawn

The national census is underway as it has been every decade since 1790. The Census Bureau has shortened the collection period by one month and a coalition of states are pushing back, asking for the October 31st deadline to be restored.

Michigan and seven other states have sent a letter to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Commerce expressing their displeasure with the moved-up date to end the data collection period.

In a press release, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “It is more important than ever that we be able to reach and account for every Michigander to ensure we receive funding for essential programs to help Michiganders recover from the COVID-19 crisis and be successful over the next decade – services like child care, education, foster care, and special education.” She went on to urge residents to complete the census immediately.  

The deadline was actually extended by Congress in April as the COVID-19 crisis was just getting started. The fear is that populations that are harder to count will be passed over and the funding that is tied to population counts will not be available to states. It is estimated that Michigan has 3.3 million residents who are considered “hard to count”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Crime Victims Get Improved Service from VINE

The Michigan Division of Victim Services with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has launched an enhanced version of Michigan Victim Information and Notification Everyday (MI-VINE) that expands access to critical services for crime victims in Michigan.

MI-VINE is a free, confidential, 24-hour service that provides timely access to offender data for crime victims, their families, and the general public. VINE allows crime victims to receive notice of the custody status of an offender and provides access to reliable information about criminal cases.

Users can register to be notified of changes in the offender’s status, such as release, transfer, or escape.

MI-VINE has been serving victims since 1999 and has continued to evolve through advancements in technology. The enhanced MI-VINE service offers users innovative functionality, an improved user experience and expanded access to victim services. A key feature is the MI-VINE Service Provider Directory, which allows users to seek assistance and connect directly with both local and national victim service providers.

VINE is the nation’s leading victim notification network and provides crime victims and concerned citizens access to timely and reliable offender custody information through a toll-free telephone number, website or mobile application. Users may also register to receive automated notifications relating to changes in custody status via telephone, email or text message.

To learn more about the enhanced MI-VINE service, visit Michigan.gov/MIVINE.