Local News

The ban on deer baiting in Michigan will remain for the time being. Last month we reported about an attempt in the legislature to remove the ban, which was enacted to prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in deer and elk herds, as well as domestic livestock. While the bill made it through both the House and the Senate, it was ultimately vetoed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. 

The Governor explained her decision as an effort to protect the beef and dairy industries in Michigan, as well as to protect public health. She says that the authority to enact or lift a ban on baiting should remain with the Department of Natural Resources. 

The ban on baiting remains in effect for the entire lower peninsula and parts of the upper peninsula. Leaving piles of carrots, corn, and other agricultural products for deer to eat on both private and public property is prohibited. 

The Department of Natural Resources describes chronic wasting disease as a contagious, neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose. It causes a degeneration of the brain resulting in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and death. \

Sixty cases of Chronic Wasting Disease were confirmed in deer in six lower peninsula counties, but none have been reported in the Blue Water Area at this time.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

December 26 is not only a day for Santa Claus to catch his breath, but a public holiday known as Boxing Day in the United Kingdom and other British Commonwealth countries such as Australia, New Zealand and our northern Canadian neighbors. 

In spite of its peculiar name, Boxing Day has nothing to do with actual boxing, the trashing of empty boxes left over from Christmas or the return of unwanted presents to department stores. 

According to the History Channel, the “term is of British origin, and the Oxford English Dictionary traces its earliest print attribution to 1833, four years before Charles Dickens referred to it in ‘The Pickwick Papers.’ The exact roots of the holiday name are unknown, but there are two leading theories, both of which are connected to charity traditionally distributed to lower classes on the day after Christmas.”

Although the practice of charitable giving on December 26 has faded with charity now being given in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the Boxing Day name has endured. These days, December 26 is a popular holiday in the Commonwealth countries for watching sports such as soccer and cricket, shopping and visiting friends. If you plan to head north over the border today, remember, it’s a holiday and most businesses and government buildings will be closed.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The St. Clair Inn announced its official opening last weekend to the delight of many residents in the Blue Water Area and beyond. On Saturday, December 21, the historic grounds welcomed the first public guests to book overnight reservations, check out the 1926 restaurant and more.  

Guests now have the ability to enjoy 42 renovated historical guest rooms, in the same English Tudor styling that the Inn is known for. The 1926 Restaurant also offers guests local farm-to-table meat and produce. This three-meal-a day restaurant, featuring Executive Chef Jacob Verstegen, made its debut Saturday evening to the delight of many guests trying it for the first time. Going forward, the restaurant is now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Since the start of the historic renovation in 2015, local residents and many people all over the country have anticipated the opening. There are still rooms set to be finished, but the public can now make overnight guest rooms reservations or purchase gift certificates.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The opioid crisis is a pervasive menace for many local communities, as it drains public resources and taxes first response systems, not to mention its devastating effect on users and their families. 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is continuing efforts to remedy the complex situation. The organization has been working to reduce the stigma of the disease by referencing dependence as “opioid use disorder” and has made changes to expedite access to medicines that help with withdrawal. Now, another effort is underway with a series of townhall meetings hosted by the MDHHS and the Opioids Task Force, with the goal of seeking feedback from residents. 

According to a statement from MDHHS, “The state’s strategy addresses three key areas: preventing opioid misuse, ensuring individuals using opioids can access high-quality recovery treatment and reducing the harm caused by opioids to individuals and their communities.” 

Michigan has also gone after the source of many opioids by filing an historic lawsuit against companies such as Walgreens, Cardinal Health, and others, citing them for irresponsible distribution, failure to monitor orders, and cooperation with “pill mills”. The suit was filed in Wayne County Circuit Court and seeks to recoup funds spent on added law enforcement and rehabilitation expenses related to opioid abuse incurred by the state. To get involved in the Town Halls and see the full schedule of meetings, visit Michigan.gov.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Watching children react to opening Christmas presents that are exactly what they asked for, is sure to make anyone smile. Most kids want things that they can play with but, there is actually proof out there that not all kids want toys for Christmas. 

Last year, a little boy named Sawyer went viral for his reaction to getting exactly what he wanted for Christmas. The little boy asked his aunt to get him, you guessed it… Ketchup! When asked to get such a gift, Sawyer’s aunt, Morgan Deichert, delivered. She did not disappoint and neither did Sawyer’s reaction. 

With over 5 million views on the video, Sawyer can be seen overcome with joy about his present. As Sawyer pulls a bottle of ketchup the size of his head out of a box, his family watches as he is delighted about the gift. Many people who watched the video are in agreement with his reaction as some say that ketchup is the best condiment and goes on everything. 

Who would have thought a kid could be so excited about a condiment? If you’re not sure what to get your child or children for Christmas, maybe try asking if they want ketchup! 

Adapted from the Today Show’s “Boy’s reaction to getting ketchup for Christmas is pure holiday joy” by Erica Chayes Wida.

During the holiday season, listening to Christmas music is usually a must. Many people have some classic favorites each year, but this year one song has made a comeback. After 25 years since its release, Mariah Carey’s, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” became a number one single. 

The song was released in 1994 and Billboard announced that the song hit the top of the Hot 100 chart for the first time since it came out. Carey has spent a “record-extending” 80 weeks total at the top of Hot 100 charts throughout her career. Christmas definitely came early for the celebrity as the song has never been at the very top of the multigenre chart before, but has been doing so for 38 weeks now. 

Many people are familiar with the song and can’t help but sing along to the catchy tune each holiday season. It is always great to have a classic song make its way back up to the top, especially right in time for Christmas. 

Adapted from the Today Show’s “Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ hits No. 1 after 25 years” by Doha Madani.