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Local News

DTF Arrested 9 Young Men During a Raid on Vanness St.

The St. Clair County Drug Task Force seized about $30,000 worth of methamphetamine during a raid Tuesday night.

According to Sheriff Tim Donnellon, the DTF was conducting an investigation into the sales of illicit drugs, which led them to execute a search warrant in the 2500 block of Vanness Street around 7:00 p.m. on May 5th.  Once inside, they located and seized the meth, along with $900 worth of ecstasy, $400 worth of crack cocaine and $300 worth of analogue pills.  They also seized two handguns, a rifle, a sawed off shotgun, cash and drug paraphernalia.

Members of the Drug Task Force arrested 9 men, ranging in age from 17-24 years old and took two minor boys, ages 14 and 16 into custody.  They were all later released pending warrants.  Those arrested face charges including possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession with intent to deliver ecstasy and felony firearm.

UAW Workers Preparing to go Back to Work

U.S. automakers are making plans to start reopening North American factories on May 18th as  part of a gradual return to normal operations.  However, that date still depends on the lifting of restrictions imposed by Michigan’s governor.

Currently Michigan’s “Stay at Home” order is in effect until May 15th.  All Detroit automakers will likely open about the same time because Big Three workers are represented by the same union.

The United Auto Workers Union President Rory Gamble, in talks with auto makers, said, “These talks are fluid and ongoing to ensure safe protocols are followed when the companies reopen.”

Auto plants have been shut down since mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. At least 25 employees at auto facilities represented by the UAW have died from the virus. Last week, Whitmer hinted that auto plants may soon reopen as the curve of cases continues to flatten. She said the reopening could take place as long as auto makers can ensure employees feel safe.

The UAW said in a press release that workers will return to auto plants starting May 18th, and it has agreed on safety procedures to protect them.

Mike Manly, CEO of Fiat Chrysler, told employees in a letter, “We are ready to restart. We have a comprehensive plan to get our operations up and running again, drawing on global best practices and at all times ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees. I firmly believe that our company is in a position where, as the market recovers, we can get back to  that positive momentum we were experiencing prior to this pandemic.”

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Virtual Cocktail Party to Support McLaren Port Huron Foundation

This year, the McLaren Port Huron Foundation has announced  that the popular “Cocktails for a Cause” fundraiser is coming back.  However, this year it will be going virtual!

McLaren Port Huron Foundation is partnering with McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation and Karmanos Cancer Institute to bring Cocktails for a Cause to everyone’s home! People are invited to check out full details at www.mclaren.org/phcocktail.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the McLaren Port Huron COVID-19 Relief Fund. This fund will allow the McLaren Port Huron Foundation to provide support to our hospital and caregivers for needs related to COVID-19. They are committed to giving the best possible care to our patients.

Foundation officials guarantee that 100 percent of contributions will go toward helping McLaren Port Huron caregivers and patients involved in the fight against the virus.

Lynn Griffor, Foundation Executive Director, told WGRT, “During these unprecedented times, we have seen St. Clair County come together in extraordinary ways. So, cheers to brighter days ahead and let’s share a cocktail or mocktail together for healthcare workers in our community!”

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Cruising Downtown Port Huron May Make a Comeback

If you were a teen in the ’90s, you probably remember cruising downtown Port Huron just about every weekend in the summer. Groups of young people and car lovers would pile into their vehicles and flood the streets listening to their radios, enjoying a summer night in the city, and maybe even participating in a little car-to-car flirtation. Those days may be making a comeback.

As COVID-19 mitigation continues to force social distancing, people are craving something to get them out of their houses safely. Drive-by birthday parties, spontaneous parades to encourage frontline workers, and Operation Transformation’s drive-in community prayer service demonstrate that one of the places people feel safest is inside their own vehicles.

Currently, there is a huge push for drive in theaters to reopen, and musicians in Denmark have even held outdoor concerts to an audience of neatly spaced cars in a giant parking lot. Locally, Luke and Sindy Marion, owners of several downtown businesses, have initiated a car parade downtown to celebrate Mother’s Day.

This Sunday, from 2-3 PM, the downtown business district would love to help you reminisce about those days cruising up and down Main Street or experience it for the first time. Vehicles should meet at Vantage Point to line up, and participants are asked to stay in their vehicles at all times.

With all the negative effects resulting from the COVID-19 virus, it’s important to relish the positive when it shows up. Even if you can’t make it this Sunday, with low prices at the gas pump, sunny days in the forecast, and a community that’s longing for safe socialization, we hope you’ll get a chance to hop in the car, turn on your radios, and cruise down memory lane.

More details about the Mother’s Day Car Parade can be found <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Mitchell Suing Whitmer in Federal Court

Republican Congressman Paul Mitchell is suing Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in federal court, claiming many of her recent actions violate the Constitution. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

Mitchell’s lawsuit challenges the Governor’s declaration of a State of Emergency without legislative approval, and her use of executive orders. The lawsuit also names Michigan Health Department director Robert Gordon as a defendant for issuing an emergency order under the public health code requiring everyone in Michigan to comply with the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order and for issuing the rule establishing a $1,000 fine for violating that order.

Governor Whitmer has cited a 1946 state law that she says gives the governor sole authority to decide when an emergency has ended. Republicans in the legislature cite a 1975 law limiting a governor’s emergency declaration to 28 days without legislative approval. The “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order is now in place until May 15th.  The Legislature has passed a resolution allowing legislative leaders to sue the Governor in state court over her use of emergency powers.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

13th Street Closed Between Water and Lapeer

Beginning Wednesday, May 6, 2020 the City of Port Huron will complete improvements to 13th Street between Water Street and Lapeer Avenue.

Improvements already finished included new concrete curb and gutter, sidewalks and drive approaches and water main replacement. This work will complete the asphalt paving. This project is partially funded with a federal grant and the voter approved street millage funds. 

13th Street will be closed to thru traffic until approximately the last week in May.