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Local News

Health Department Resumes Water Monitoring at Beaches

St. Clair County,  MI — Maintaining safe beaches in the Blue Water Area is a high priority. The St. Clair County Health Department does its part by testing water samples at eight local beaches to monitor for E. coli bacteria.

Last year, the Health Department recorded one of the healthiest beach seasons on record, and they only had to close two area beaches for three days of the season. According to the Health Department, the improvement of water quality is due to sewer separation projects, elimination of illicit discharge, and installation of green infrastructure along the 58-mile county shoreline.

The Health Department will collect water samples daily until Labor Day to monitor for safe levels of E.coli bacteria. Any advisories about public beaches will be shared on their 24-hour Water Quality Hotline at 877-504-SWIM, on the St. Clair County Beaches Facebook page, the “MyBeachCast” app for smartphones, and the Michigan BeachGuard website at  www.egle.state.mi.us/beach/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Juneteenth Celebration Day

June 19 has been designated as an official Juneteenth Celebration Day in the State of Michigan. While there is growing momentum toward making Juneteenth a national holiday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer made the declaration early this week to commemorate the 1865 abolition of slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth is a colloquial reference to June 19, 1865, the date in which enslaved people in Texas were finally made aware of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln two years earlier. In the age of instant communication, a two-year delay in relaying a life-changing message seems unfathomable, but just 155 years ago, it was reality.

In referencing the Juneteenth proclamation, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II said “We have seen Michiganders across the state continue to fight for their freedom and the freedom of others. This day, which marks when the final group of Black Americans understood that they were free, is an important reminder of the work that must continue to be done to deliver equity and opportunity to every community.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Two Serious Personal Injury Accidents in Port Huron Yesterday

Port Huron, MI — On Wednesday, June 17th, Port Huron Police Officers responded to two serious personal injury accidents in the City of Port Huron. 

The first accident was called in at 8:10 a.m. Officers were dispatched to the intersection of 13th Street and Oak Street and found a pedestrian had been struck by a motor vehicle. The driver of the motor vehicle, a 35 year old male Port Huron resident, remained on the scene and had called 911. The driver did not appear intoxicated and no arrests have been made. The crash is being investigated by members of the Port Huron Police Accident Investigative Team and the Criminal Investigative Division. 

The pedestrian, a 52 year old male Port Huron resident, was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers are attempting to make contact with his family at this time. 

The second accident occurred at 12:00 p.m. Officers were dispatched to the area of Lapeer Avenue and 20th Avenue on a report of a subject who fell off a motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle, a 31 year old male Port Huron resident, had a serious head injury and was taken to Port Huron McLaren Hospital. It is unknown what caused the crash at this time. The crash is being investigated by members of the Port Huron Police Accident Investigative Team and the Criminal Investigative Division. 

Blue Water Area Transit Returning to Normal Routes

Port Huron, MI — Things are getting back to normal for Blue Water Area Transit, as they are starting to re-open services. Buses will run fixed routes starting at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 22.

The M-29/I-94 commuter service to Mt. Clemens will begin on June 22, also. Demand Response, or Dial-a-Ride, will continue with riders calling to schedule their rides.

Riders are asked to observe safety precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19. If a bus has two doors, riders are asked to exit through the back doors only. Riders must wear face masks, and maintain social distance from the driver and other passengers. Members of the same household may sit together. Bus capacity will be reduced, so some riders may be passed by if the bus is full and will have to wait for a “stand-by” vehicle.

The suspension of fare collection ends on Monday also, with regular rates going back into effect. Rates range from 40 to 80 cents per ride.

Blue Water Area Transit is also opening the Downtown Transit Center on McMorran Boulevard and the Main Office on Lapeer Road.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Barber’s License Reinstated

Karl Manke, the 77-year old Owosso, Michigan, barber known for cutting hair in protest during the Stay at Home order, had both of his licenses restored today by an Agency order dissolving the summary suspensions orders issued against him.

These orders, along with the recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling in his favor, affirm his right to continue to cut hair and keep his barbershop open.

Karl is still facing misdemeanor criminal charges next week that were filed by the Shiawassee County Prosecutor. He will also contest the still pending formal complaint filed against him by the State in an administrative hearing on July 15, 2020.

“I am pleased with the orders issued today to reinstate my licenses so I can continue to move forward,” commented Karl.  “I still believe it is high time for all of Michigan to Stand Up, Open Up for business, and for all the people in our community to Show Up in support.”

Michigan was the last state to open up barbershops and hair salons on June 15th, after Governor Whitmer closed them for nearly three months.  Meanwhile, barbershops and salons had already re-opened in every other state without seeing any significant spike in new COVID-19 cases.

Mr. Manke’s attorney, David A. Kallman, stated, “I am glad the State now acknowledges that Mr. Manke is not a threat to the public’s health, safety and welfare and that it is not necessary to continue the suspension of his licenses. Karl is now free to cut hair and pursue his livelihood without any unjust interference.”

Federal Government Allocates $25 Million for Customs Plaza

port Huron, MI — The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $25 million for the building of the Blue Water Customs Plaza in Port Huron.

The area has waited for over a decade for the federal government to hold up their end of the deal. In the meantime, over 100 properties were demolished to prepare for the plaza, and the City of Port Huron’s $1 million mitigation deal has run out.

The project was originally planned to be a 60/40 split with the Michigan Department of Transportation picking up 40% of the cost. While the Blue Water Bridge is currently closed to non-essential traffic until July 21 due to the COVID-19 virus, it is still one of the busiest border crossings in the nation. Around 5 million vehicles go through Customs to cross the bridge between Port Huron and Sarnia yearly.

U.S. Congressman Paul Mitchell, representing Michigan’s 10th District, said, “With this announcement from the Trump Administration I am hopeful that after waiting more than 10 years this project can finally be built to benefit our economy, transportation systems, and national security.” The funding is part of the Infrastructure For Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland