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Local News

The Secret to Getting a Secretary of State Appointment

Navigating the Michigan Secretary of State online appointment system has been frustrating for many people since the offices closed for walk-ins. Although it is possible to book an advance appointment for Secretary of State services on the State’s website, the earliest dates that are currently available are in the middle of November.

However, waiting three months to register a new vehicle may not be acceptable to your car insurance company, so here is a little trick for securing a “Same-Day” appointment on the Secretary of State’s website:

Same-Day appointments become available 24 hours in advance. They are also scheduled on the hour and in 10 minute increments throughout the hour. For example, if you log on to the Secretary of State’s website on a Monday at 10:00 AM, you will be able to make an appointment for the next day, Tuesday, at 10:00 AM.

The trick is, if there are no appointments available, keep refreshing the page every 10 minutes, or at the top of every hour, until you secure one. You can also book an appointment and repeat the process throughout the day to get a later time slot–just cancel the earlier appointment once you book a new one.

Although this system may be time-consuming for a user who needs a specific appointment time, it is the only way to prevent the consequences of driving without a license plate or getting a new driver their first license.

There are many transactions that don’t require going to a branch office, so check the Secretary of State’s website <HERE> to see if you can complete your transactions online, via mail, or at a self-service station.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Warning to Float Down Participants: Stay Out of Canada

The  Royal Canadian Mounted Police have a serious warning for those who plan to participate in the unsanctioned Float Down this Sunday: stay out of Canada.

A warning from the Mounties said, “U.S. citizens that land in Canada unintentionally will be arrested pursuant to IRPA Section 55(2) and transported back to the United States.”

U.S. citizens that land in Canada are subject to immigration laws as well as restrictions regarding controlled substances and alcohol. They will also be subject to COVID-19 screening. Wayward floaters will likely lose their coolers, flotation devices, and other property.

Fines of up to $750,000 and six months of jail time are mentioned in the warning. The border is currently closed to non-essential travel, and that includes any type of recreational boating and floating.

Over 1500 floaters landed in Canada in 2016 and were transported across the bridge back to Port Huron. The winds can be unpredictable and difficult to manage in a floating raft or inflatable. Without a paddle, floaters are at the mercy of the winds. The Ontario Royal Mounted Police have made it clear that they will be less accommodating this year than they were in 2016.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Masks on Children now Required in Daycares and Camps

Face coverings are now required on children and staff at child-care centers and camps throughout Michigan, according to the latest Executive Order from Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Day cares have never stopped operating throughout the COVID-19 crisis, and face coverings had not been required until now. Summer camps were allowed to open this summer, and while face coverings were not mandated, different camps had their own rules on face coverings.

The new order requires camp and daycare staff and children ages two and up to “mask up” on the bus. Children ages four and up must wear a face covering in indoor common spaces. All staff and all children twelve and older are required to wear a face covering when in classrooms, homes, cabins, or similar indoor small-group settings. The governor also strongly encourages that all children ages two and up wear face coverings when indoors, according to the order.

Children do not have to mask up if they cannot medically tolerate it, while eating, swimming, or doing high-intensity activities, or while physically distanced outside. Babies under the age of two are not required to wear masks.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

State Issues Warning About Deceptive Petition Drives

Petitions have been the subject of complaints to the Michigan Attorney General and Secretary of State. A warning has been issued by both offices stating that some of the petitions in circulation right now are advertised as something they are not. Petition circulators are often paid by the signature and have an incentive to garner as many signatures as possible.

Attorney General Dana Nessel, said, “Regardless of what your political stance is, I am urging anyone who is approached by a petitioner to carefully read and make every best effort to understand what you are agreeing to sign. “

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said, “For decades we’ve seen Michigan citizens intentionally deceived about ballot petitions, and particularly our most vulnerable populations. The recent increase in complaints demonstrates it’s high time for the Legislature to act to make it a crime to intentionally mislead a voter into signing a petition.”

There have recently been multiple petition drives aimed at recalling Governor Gretchen Whitmer or changing the executive powers authorized by the legislature. Several early Whitmer recall petitions were rejected by the Board of Canvassers because of the unclear petition language. The Unlock Michigan coalition is currently promoting a petition to repeal the Emergency Powers of Governor Act.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Diane Lofquist Elected as Woman’s Life Board Chair

Port Huron, MI — Janice Whipple has retired as the chair of the board of Woman’s Life Insurance Society, and Diane Lofquist was elected to assume the role at their July meeting.

Whipple served Woman’s Life as national president for 22 years, and for 30 years as chair of the board.

“It has been a great honor to have served as Chair of the Woman’s Life Insurance Society Board of Directors, and I’m proud of our many accomplishments,” said Whipple. “Diane brings tremendous knowledge of our organization and of the industry, and I am confident that with her leadership, Woman’s Life will grow and, most importantly, continue to serve the needs of our members.”

Lofquist has been a benefit member of Woman’s Life since childhood. She was employed by Woman’s Life for 38 years, serving in a variety of functions and retiring as National Secretary-Treasurer in 2008. She has been a member of the board of directors for the past six years and is an active member of Woman’s Life Club 11 in Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Great Lakes & Fresh Water Week Aug. 8-16th

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and the Southeast Michigan Partners for Clean Water along with Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) want to encourage Michigan residents to participate in Great Lakes And Fresh Water week from now until August 16th.

There is a lot to celebrate when it comes to Southeast Michigan’s abundant water resources, and there are several things we can all do to keep our waterways healthy and clean.

The One Water campaign sponsored by SEMCOG encourages public awareness of how cleaning up after your pet, properly disposing of fats, oils, and greases, and refraining from flushing disposable wipes can positively affect our water and sewer systems.

More information is available <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand