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Local News

Memorial Day Moment of Silence at Noon

Port Huron, MI — Memorial Day is an opportunity for Americans to pay respect to the members of our military who lost their lives in service to our country. Even though we can’t gather in large groups or pay tribute with our traditional parades and ceremonies this year, we can all take a moment to stop and reflect on what Memorial Day means to us and our country.

At WGRT, we have two military moms on staff, so it’s natural for us to recognize the significance of this holiday for many families. The act of enlisting in the military, leaving ones family to serve our country, and the discipline required for training and deployments demand a great deal of sacrifice from service members and their families. The uncertainty of military life and the weight of responsibility borne by our service members is tremendous, and the reality that some will give their lives in service is sobering.

This Memorial Day, the staff at WGRT joins in our local moment of remembrance for military members that have fallen in service to our country. We will observe a moment of silence on our station at 12 noon today, and we ask you to join us in reflecting, honoring, and appreciating what those brave men and women sacrificed for our freedom.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Black River Canal Gate – Low Clearance

Port Huron, MI — The Black River Canal Tainter Gate is fully raised. However, due to historic high water levels, clearance from the water to the gate is only around 4ft.

Many boats and watercraft that usually could clear the gate will not be able to this season. As canal users approach the gate they should do so with caution.

Please also provide watercraft in front of you plenty of space to maneuver. Enjoy the weekend!

Submitted by James Freed, Port Huron City Manager

Whitmer Extends Safer at Home Order Until June 12, 2020

Lansing, MI — On Friday evening, Governor Whitmer released a few new updates concerning Michigan’s response to COVID-19.  They included extension of the summer gasoline waiver, extension of watercraft registrations, and an extension of Michigan’s Safer at Home order until June 12, 2020. She also extended her emergency declaration until June 19, 2020.

The summer gasoline waiver extension extends the temporary extension of Michigan’s Reid Vapor Pressure standards to prevent a gasoline shortage and subsequent high prices at the pump. Any gasoline that doesn’t meet the requirements can be distributed to retailers through May 31, 2020.

Michiganders who own a watercraft that is registered in the state or who purchase new watercraft can operate it in Michigan waters until July 31st without displaying an identifying number and decal, provided the operator of the vessel possesses a proof of purchase or equivalent evidence that the vessel was acquired after January 1, 2020. Additionally, law enforcement cannot issue tickets as a result of watercraft decals that expired after September 30, 2019. The state cannot assess late fees for expired decals as long as boaters renew their registration by July 31.

Under the recently signed Executive Order 2020-96, the Governor allowed for the immediate authorization of small gatherings of 10 people or less (as long as they practice social distancing), the reopening of retail businesses and car dealerships by appointment on May 26th, and a green light for health care providers to perform nonessential medical, dental, and veterinary procedures on May 29th. This new Executive Order (2020-100) however, extends the temporary closure of certain places of public accommodation such as theaters, gyms, and casinos until June 12th.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Blue Water Area COVID-19 Update for May 22, 2020

St. Clair County, MI — Lambton County, Ontario

Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 22nd at  9 AM are as follows:

  • State of Michigan: 53,510 confirmed cases; 5,129 deaths
  • St. Clair County: 422 confirmed cases; 33 deaths
  • Ontario: 24,187  confirmed cases;  1,993 deaths
  • Sarnia-Lambton: 243 confirmed cases; 19 deaths

Confirmed Cases in St. Clair County rose by 28 last week, and the county suffered five additional deaths. There are currently 80 active cases of COVID-19 reported in St. Clair County, and 3% of all hospital beds are being used for COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer of the St. Clair County Health Department, said that community transmission of COVID-19 in St. Clair County is currently at a stable level. As we begin the reopening of businesses next week, she is encouraged by the effort being made by local businesses and community leaders to make workplaces as safe as possible for both employees and customers. These efforts reduce the risk for transmission of COVID-19, but they do not eliminate the possibility of contracting the virus.  The best way to protect yourself and others continues to be through social distancing, proper hygiene, and wearing a mask in enclosed spaces.

The St. Clair County Health Department created a new digital dashboard (available <HERE>) for more detailed reports of COVID-19 cases, that dashboard breaks down data into several segments such as confirmed and probable cases, hospitalizations, and recovered cases.

Cases in Sarnia rose by 30 since last week, and the county suffered 2 additional deaths. There are currently 3 outbreaks reported in long term care facilities in Lambton County, and 62% of the deaths reported in Ontario were of residents in long-term care facilities.

The Ontario government is quickly moving forward with innovative research to prevent, detect, and treat COVID-19. These projects, part of the government’s $20 million Ontario COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund, focus on areas of research such as vaccine development, diagnostics, drug trials and development, and social sciences. Additionally, Ontario is leading the country with 22 clinical trials investigating COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

 

*** It is important to note that WGRT is continuing to report confirmed cases from each area, not total cases which are a combination of confirmed and probable cases. We have chosen to approach the data this way to simplify our reports and to create uniformity in the numbers we are reporting for each region, St.Clair County, Lambton County, Michigan, and Ontario.

Please continue to rely on reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Boy Scouts Will Pay Tribute Virtually This Memorial Day

Port Huron, MI — Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure every fallen hero is remembered this year with a special tribute and salute. Together, we are asking Scouts across the country to post tribute messages on veterans’ memorial pages within the Veterans Legacy Memorial – a digital memorial that houses a profile for each of the 3.7 million veterans interred in one of more than 140 national cemeteries.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced last week it will prohibit public events at national cemeteries during the holiday weekend. This includes groups, like Scouts, placing American flags at grave sites. While Michigan Crossroads Council units are currently not permitted to conduct in-person meetings, activities, and outings of any sort until further notice, we strongly encourage all Scouts and families to participate in this virtual Scout Salute.

We are calling on Scouts across the country to build on the tradition of honoring our nation’s fallen heroes this Memorial Day by posting public tributes to our veterans in partnership with the National Cemetery Administration and by participating in the National Moment of Remembrance with a special Scout salute.

Follow the steps below to participate in this important effort.

Write a Tribute for a Fallen Hero

Post at least one tribute message for a fallen hero within the Veterans Legacy Memorial – a digital memorial that houses a profile for each veteran interred at a national cemetery.

Please consider leaving a tribute for one of the fallen heroes who has passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic – at a time when customary services and funeral honors cannot safely be performed. The names of those service members are listed on the VA’s Roll of Honor webpage and then copied and pasted into the search bar within the Veterans Legacy Memorial.

All tributes are reviewed by the VA before being posted so there may be a delay before your message appears on the page.

Encourage Others to Write Tributes

Use the social-sharing feature at the top of the Veterans Legacy Memorial pages to tell your family, friends and neighbors about the fallen hero you selected and ask them to write their own tribute.

Include #ScoutSalute #NoVeteranEverDies in your post.

Customize a Memorial Poster to Hang in Your Window

Fill in the name of the fallen hero you selected and place the Memorial Poster in a window in your home for all to see.

Download Template One <HERE>

Download Template Two <HERE>

Join Our Collective Scout Salute During the National Moment of Remembrance

At 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, every Scout should salute the American flag from their driveway, sidewalk, or home in Scouting uniform and say the name of a fallen hero to honor them for their service.

At 3:01 p.m. local time, all Scouts who play the bugle or horn are invited to play “Taps” from their homes in unison with others throughout their community.

Share Photos of Your Memorial Poster and Scout Salute

Share your photos on social media now through Memorial Day using #ScoutSalute #NoVeteranEverDies.

Port Huron Beaches Open for Memorial Day With Restrictions

Port Huron — Lakeside and Lighthouse beaches will be open this weekend, and patrons can enjoy them with a few restrictions. Park amenities such as grills, picnic tables, benches, splash pads, pavilions, playground equipment, and restrooms will be closed, but porta-potties will be available.

Port Huron Parks and Rec Director Nancy Winzer said in a press release, “We strive to provide a safe environment to our residents so we can continue to keep the parks and beaches open. We are hoping to have amenities available again as soon as the spread of COVID-19 is no longer an issue.”

Lakeside beach is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM – 7 PM. 

Lighthouse beach is open Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 7 PM.

City of Port Huron residents as well as Fort Gratiot and Port Huron Township residents can park at both beaches free of charge. St. Clair County residents from other areas can purchase day parking passes for $5 at both parking booths. Non-county residents can purchase day passes for $10 at Lighthouse beach and $20 at Lakeside beach.