Local News

Two former Art Van employees have filed a federal lawsuit after losing their healthcare in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Todd Stewart, a former manager at the Lakeside location, and Jennifer Sawle, filed for class action status on behalf of themselves and others who are adversely impacted. They alleged that Art Van violated the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act) which requires companies to provide at least 60 calendar days advance written notice of a plant closing or mass layoff that affects 50 or more people.

Art Van shut down stores on March 19th, just two weeks after the company announced it was closing all stores. In Warren, where the headquarters are located, more than 260 people were employed. More than 3,000 employees worked for the company.  According to the complaint, about 700 employees  “were terminated without cause as part of, or as the result of, mass layoffs or plant closings” ordered by Art Van beginning March 4th.

Archie “Art” Van Elslander founded Art Van in 1959, opening his first store in East Detroit. Van Elslander’s furniture first business was a 4,000 square-foot space on Gratiot Avenue and 10 Mile Road. He expanded to three stores in that same year, and a fourth store opened in 1960.  When they closed, the now bankrupt business had 169 locations in 9 states, including the store in Port Huron that opened in 2002.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

The federal REAL ID Act required Michigan residents to obtain a REAL-ID compliant driver’s license or state ID by October 1st 2020, but the enforcement deadline has been extended. The new deadline for  REAL ID enforcement is October 1st, 2021.

Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf stated, “The federal, state and local response to the spread of the Coronavirus here in the United States necessitates a delay in this deadline. Our state and local partners are working tirelessly with the Administration to flatten the curve and, therefore, we want to remove any impediments to response and recovery efforts. States across the country are temporarily closing or restricting access to DMVs. This action will preclude millions of people from applying for and receiving their REAL ID. Extending the deadline will also allow the Department to work with Congress to implement needed changes to expedite the issuance of REAL IDs once the current health crisis concludes.”

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson expressed gratitude for the extension, saying “This extension reduces the immediate pressure on Michiganders to get a REAL ID compliant credential and should help prevent crowds rushing to get them when our offices reopen.”

Information on REAL-ID for Michigan residents is available on the Secretary of State’s website.

President Trump approved Governor Whitmer’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration in Michigan. The approval came last night and was preceded by a back and forth between Trump and Whitmer that gained attention on social media and news outlets.

The Disaster Declaration means that Michigan can now participate in FEMA programming for relief and support services. Funding was specifically approved for the Crisis Counseling Program to provide services for those whose mental health has been impacted by the spread of COVID-19 and Emergency Protective Measures which includes funding for Emergency Operation Center related costs, medical supplies, and personal protective equipment among other things.

Governor Whitmer sent the request for the declaration to the president on Thursday. It was a broad request for aid, and not every category has been approved.  “This is a good start, and it will help us protect Michiganders and slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Whitmer. “I’m hopeful that the president will review my request for individual assistance programs that would provide meals to families who need them and rental assistance and temporary housing for families. I look forward to the federal government’s continued partnership as we work to fight this virus.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

A 40 year old Port Huron resident was arrested today for five counts of armed robbery. The arrest occurred in the Village Manor Apartments in the 3100 block of Electric Avenue in Port Huron.

Law enforcement has been working on this case since the first crime was committed at the Speedway gas station on Ravenswood Road in Port Huron on November 28th, 2019. The suspect went on to commit four other armed robberies over the course of three months at the same Speedway gas station, Family Video on 10th Street, Quality Inn and Suites on Yeager St., and the Speedy Q on Water Street.

If you have any information about this crime, you can call CAPTURE’s anonymous tip line at (810) 987-6688 or email police at www.porthuronpolice.org by clicking on the CAPTURE icon.

As of 4 PM Friday afternoon, Michigan is reporting 3,657 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 92 deaths. St. Clair County has 15 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The Health Department is no longer reporting details about the age and hospitalization status of the new cases. 

Ken Cummings, President/CEO of Tri-Hospital EMS, member of the Emergency Operations Center team, strongly encourages the following; “If you call 911 for a medical emergency, please provide accurate information on any health symptoms you or your loved one is experiencing. When EMS arrives, you will be asked this again before staff enter your home. This is important in order to protect workers so they can take the necessary precautions and stay safe.”

Captain Mat King, from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, member of the Emergency Operations Center team, is also encouraging, “Follow the Governor’s Executive Order to stay in as much as possible. If you are out and come in contact with law enforcement officials, be aware you will be asked to share any health symptoms in order for officers to properly protect themselves from potential exposure.”

The St. Clair County Emergency Operations Center functions as a centralized coordination of emergency resources to provide overall policy and guidance for strategic objectives related to the COVID-19 situation.

Please follow reputable sources for information:

• • Centers for Disease Control:  cdc.gov/coronavirus
  • State of Michigan: Michigan.gov/coronavirus  or Info Hotline  1-888-535-6136 Daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov
  • St. Clair County Health Department: COVID-19 Info Hotline (810) 966-4163 Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org

The McLaren Port Huron Foundation has set up a fund for COVID-19 response in answer to community members wanting to help. In a recent statement, the Foundation said “So many of you have reached out with offers of cash contributions and supply donations to support caregivers and patients during the unique times in which we find ourselves.” 

Through the new fund, the hospital is accepting donations from individuals who would like to support efforts to deal with cost and supply needs related to COVID-19. Donations would fund hospital-grade supplies such as N95 masks, PAPRs, and other items through their suppliers. The Foundation is assuring that, “100 percent of your financial donation will go toward helping McLaren Port Huron caregivers and patients involved in the fight against the virus.” More information can be found at mclaren.org/phfoundation.