Local News

St. Clair County Community College announced a  new partnership this week with a statewide initiative to help students connect with the resources they need to meet basic needs. 

As part of the Michigan Community College Association, the college will share in a $442,000 grant intended to try to improve college success rates by making sure that students are fed, housed, and have adequate transportation and childcare to meet their educational goals. The effort, called, MI-BEST, or Michigan- Building Economic Stability Today is funded by the ECMC Foundation, a Los-Angeles based group whose mission is to “inspire and facilitate improvements that affect educational outcomes—especially among underserved populations—through evidence-based innovation.” The program will run through June 2022. 

According to national survey findings, 45% of college students self-reported food insecurity and 56% reported insecurity with finding affordable housing. Seventeen percent had been homeless. SC4 is aiming to reduce those numbers by using the grant money to support a team that will address the issues. The college has other similar initiatives underway including providing students with nutritional food options via free Skippers Snacks bins located around campus.

A new state law that went into effect on January 1st may have serious effects on those who use the Healthy Michigan Plan Health Insurance, also known as Medicaid. There are currently 11,462 individuals on the books as recipients in St. Clair County and 2,688 in Sanilac County. The new law will require those who receive the insurance to report to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as to their employment status. 

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer for the St. Clair County Health Department said she expects local effects related to the new requirement  “…will reduce the number of people with health insurance, both short term and long term.” Mercatante believes, “This will not be an advantage to [the] community or to the state as Medicaid expansion has improved several factors in the health ecosystem.” Mercatante cited data from a similar program in Arkansas that resulted in over 18,000 people losing coverage when the work reporting requirement was enacted. 

The new Michigan law requires recipients to report that they have completed at least 80 hours of employment or other activities like job searches, volunteering, internships, or rehab with certain exceptions. Recipients that will be affected should have received notification by mail. More information is available at www.michigan.gov/mdhhs.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

A new St. Clair County Jail Administrator has been appointed after the retirement of Captain Tom Bliss who stepped down from the position January 1st. Bliss was hired in December 2010 and saw the jail through many improvements such as video visitation for friends and families of inmates, a new medical contract designed to save taxpayers and updates to the video camera system in the jail. Overall, Bliss is retiring with more than 40 years of service in the corrections field. 

Taking the captain’s place is the newly appointed Tracy DeCaussin. DeCaussin, who most recently served as the executive assistant to Bliss, has taken over leadership of the 491 bed facility. 

Tracy began her career in 1998 and has worked in many capacities. In the last fifteen years, she has worked directly for three St. Clair County jail administrators, giving her extensive knowledge and experience with the many facets of the position.

DeCaussin is the fourth jail administrator since the Intervention and Detention Center opened in 2005.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Did you see the “big pig” rolling around Port Huron yesterday? The 18-foot giant hog could be seen near Sixth and Court Street late afternoon following a tour through the thumb. According to Scott Tillman, State Coordinator for Don’t Touch Term Limits, the display is meant to protest attempts by lobbyists and state legislators to change Michigan’s term limits. 

In November 2019, a group of lobbyists and former legislators filed a lawsuit to overturn Michigan’s term limits. According to a new poll conducted by Pulse Research, and commissioned by U.S. Term Limits (USTL), a supermajority of Michigan voters supports keeping the state’s current 6 and 8-year term limits. The poll found that 69 percent of Michigan voters oppose changes to term limits which would enable legislators to stay in office longer. 

Don’t Touch Term Limits! is a grassroots, non-partisan, non-profit organization formed to “defend the 1992 vote of the people of Michigan for term limits.” The display also made stops throughout the day in Sebewaing, Bad Axe and Sandusky.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The St. Clair police department has announced a Safe Space meetup location at the Police and City Hall building on North Carney Drive. In partnership with the Cargill Cares program and MDK Alarm Systems, the department was able to purchase three high-definition cameras for 100% coverage of the parking lot. 

The Safe Space provides local residents with a location they can purchase and exchange items bought or sold on Craig’s List, Facebook Marketplace, Let Go, or any other social media marketplace. According to the police department, individuals can expect to find signage within a week in the northwest area of the parking lot advising of the Safe Space. For individuals with questions, the department advises to contact 810-329-5710.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

It may not be ready yet, due to mild temps, but Marine City is telling local residents to “stay tuned.” A public ice rink has been installed at Nautical Mile Park on S. Water St. and is expected to be ready to use within the month. According to a recent Facebook post, as soon as the ice is safe,  an open to the public date will be announced. 

The ice rink has been a long time coming for Marine City. Since at least 2016, the Marine City Commission has considered ice rinks throughout the city, but ran into roadblocks brining the visions to reality. In the past, concerns about the cost and specifications of the rink prevented some members of the commission from voting to approve the purchase.

The current rink is already set up and just waiting for winter weather to make its arrival.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.