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Local News

Libraries Planning for Curbside Service Starting June 29

Port Huron, MI —St. Clair County libraries are finally opening after a three-month closure due to the COVID-19 crisis. June 29th is the anticipated opening day for rolling out curbside pickup for the St. Clair County Library System.

In an announcement, Allison Arnold, Director of the Library System, said that her staff is getting protocols in place to provide for the safety of both patrons and library teams. Staff has returned to the buildings to get started on providing service at all of the branches.

Getting back in business is no easy task as there are tens of thousands of items checked out. It will take some time to process all those returns. Items will be quarantined for 72 hours before they go back into circulation.

If you have a stack of library books at home, don’t worry, due dates have been extended. In the meantime, all of the online options are still available, as they always are and can be accessed through the library website using a library card number. Also, if you have used books to donate, hold onto those until the library staff gets through the backlog of checked out books.

More information about the library’s gradual return to in-person service will be made available as decisions are made. The St. Clair County Library System has eleven branches throughout the county.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan’s Voting by Mail Process Called into Question

The option to vote by mail was guaranteed by a constitutional amendment that was passed as a ballot proposal in 2016. Yet, voting by mail has become a lightning rod for political debate.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recently testified before the United States House Judiciary Committee in response to questions about the integrity of the absentee ballot request form that was mailed to every registered voter.

When addressing concerns over potential voter fraud, Benson cited the success of the May election, saying that “the result was that turnout doubled what it normally is for a May local election, and 99% of voters cast their ballots by mail or at a ballot dropbox.  Voting in person was available, safe, and absent of any crowds or lines. There were zero reports of fraud.” Benson, a Democrat, went on to warn about efforts to cast doubts on the process, saying, “Facts must prevail over fear.”

Still, a lawsuit was filed in federal court on Tuesday, accusing Benson and sixteen county clerks of poorly maintaining eligible voter records and undermining confidence in the integrity of the voting process. The suit was filed by Tony Daunt, a Republican Activist and Executive Director of the Michigan Freedom Fund.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Collecting COVID-19” Needs Your Pandemic Story

Michigan — Few would argue that 2020 has been a typical year. Most would say it has had its generation-defining moments, and it is only June. Michigan residents can now document their own experiences with the global pandemic as part of the “Collecting COVID-19” project sponsored by The Michigan History Center.

Residents can submit their stories and even objects to become a part of the permanent archives of the State of Michigan. The idea for the project came from the realization that there are many government records from the 1918 influenza epidemic, but little is known about how average people dealt with the crisis. Thus, the “Collecting COVID-19” Project was created.

For inspiration, a list of questions is posted on the Michigan History Center website, and residents can download documents, audio and video recordings, and photos right from the website. The project is also looking for objects like name badges from front line workers, hand-sewn masks, signs from stores regarding sold-out items, and other things that are unique to the COVID-19 crisis.

To find out more and to become a part of the record of history, visit michigan.gov/mhc.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDARD Encourages Mosquito Control

Michigan — As summer traditions get erased from the calendar and plans get cancelled by COVID-19, there is one thing you can still count on as the days get longer and the temperatures get higher: mosquitoes. Michiganders are being warned about mosquitos and the unpleasant diseases that they like to share.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) asks residents to do their part to first prevent mosquitos, and then to avoid getting bit. Think of standing water as a baby nursery for mosquitos and get rid of it. Short grass and greenery reduce resting opportunities for adult mosquitoes, according to MDARD, so stay on top of lawn maintenance.

When trying to keep mosquitos off of yourself and your family, MDARD claims that chemical-based repellents like DEET and Picaridin are safe. Eucalyptus oil is also endorsed. 

Fogging and spraying of yards can provide temporary relief from the annoying and dangerous insects, but a long-term solution is application of mosquito control by a licensed professional pesticide applicator. More information, along with a list of licensed professionals can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/mdard.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

New Headquarters in the Works for St. Clair County EDA

St. Clair County, MI — The St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance may be moving to a shiny new building if everything goes as planned. The EDA has published a request for proposals for architectural services to get started on designing a new headquarters in downtown Port Huron. They are hoping to move the process along and get a recommendation to the EDA Board of Directors on June 15.

The EDA is currently housed in the Municipal Office Center on the riverfront in Port Huron. The new building is intended to be built at 1712 Military Street. An empty home sits on the property now and would be razed to make room for a parking lot, three story building, and outdoor seating area, according to the proposal.

With an estimated price tag of $2.7 million for entire project, the EDA plans to take advantage of funds available from the CARES Grant Act. The building could be up to 14,000 square feet, containing EDA offices, a business service center with a training room, and an “incubator” area for startup and second stage companies. A rooftop patio and social spaces are also in the plans.

A conceptual plan and more information can be found at the EDA’s website, edascc.com.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Playgrounds are Now Open; Splash Pads to Open Soon

Port Huron, MI — With the stay at home order lifted, Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department wasted no time in opening playgrounds and revamping their plan for summer. Splash pads, sport courts, pavilions, and restrooms at city beaches will be open soon.

There are many details involved in the reopening of park amenities, and the parks department is working daily to get things ready. Information on what is ready for use will be available on the Parks and Rec’s Facebook page and website, which are updated frequently.

Although legally allowed, Sanborn and Court Street pools will not open this summer. Parks and Recreation Department issued a statement saying, “Nobody is as disappointed as us to make this hard decision. Our aquatics program requires over 100 seasonal workers that were not hired for the season. We are simply unable to open the pools in a safe manner on such short notice.”

Camp Palmer and the Palmer Park Recreation Center are still closed and the department will reassess the operation of the Palmer Park Recreation Center in the coming weeks. Face-to-face programming may again appear this summer, and the online offerings will remain.

Residents are asked to use common sense and follow CDC guidelines when using the parks such as bringing hand sanitizer and continuing to practice social distancing.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland