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Local News

Construction on 16th and Howard Streets

Port Huron, MI —  The City of Port Huron will be making improvements to 16th street between Gillett Street and Howard Street and to 24th Street between Cleveland Street and Dove Street.

The improvements on 16th Street will include a complete road reconstruction, water main replacement, and new sidewalk and drive approaches. The improvements on 24th Street will include concrete panel replacements and sidewalk ramp improvements. 

These improvements will be complete by the middle of November. Detour routes will be posted. 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If there are any further questions regarding this matter, please contact the Department of Public Works.

State to Use $25 Million in CARES Act Money to Reimburse PPE Purchases

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is spending $25 million in federal CARES Actmoney on personal protective equipment, or PPE, for frontline workers and patients.

The Michigan PPE Program gives money to places like long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, outpatient medical facilities, home health care providers, dental offices, pharmacies, EMS providers, funeral and mortuary services, long-term acute care hospitals, and residential congregate facilities.

The facilities will have to front the money first, as payments are actually reimbursements for eligible items. Businesses can get up to $250,000 in grant money, depending on the number of client-facing workers each day.

MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said, “Michigan’s providers are on the front lines every day, delivering essential health care services and caring for our loved ones. This grant program helps ease the financial burden of buying PPE, ensuring all facilities can afford the supplies they need to keep themselves and their patients safe.” 

The deadline to apply for the grant is September 8th. More information, along with the application can be found at mihealth.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Help with Paying Energy Bills Available

Don’t wait for a shut off notice if you can’t pay your energy bill. That’s the message from the Michigan Public Service Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services.

There is help available, but residents need to seek it early. The first step is to contact your energy provider, like DTE, SEMCO, or a local propane supplier, to see what they can do to help with payment plans. There is also assistance available through the State Emergency Relief Program and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP).

Michigan Public Service Commission Chair, Dan Scripps, said, “There are still MEAP funds available to assist customers in need of energy assistance and self-sufficiency services. Also, the amount of funding available per person was increased from $2,000 to $3,000, but goes back down after Sept. 30, so it’s important that customers seek assistance right away if they have a past due account or are struggling to pay their energy bills.”

The fastest way to access the energy bill help is to go to Michigan.gov/mibridges or to dial 211 or go to mi211.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Citizen Mistakes Construction Worker for Suspicious Person at YMCA

Port Huron, MI — On Monday, August 31, 2020 at 7:59 a.m., a citizen observed a suspicious male dressed in tactical clothes with a mask on enter the west side entrance of the YMCA, 1525 3rd Street, Port Huron. About fifteen minutes later the citizen called Central Dispatch and advised what was observed. The citizen believed the suspicious male was armed and placed the call to 911 with good intent. 

Police responded inside the building. Employees and children participating in daycare were secured in a safe area. Port Huron Police Patrol, Criminal Investigative Division along with members of the Michigan State Police, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and Marysville Police created a perimeter outside the building. Officers checked the building while the construction crew was interviewed. 

Citizens picking up or dropping off their children were advised to wait until the building was secure. After the building was thoroughly searched, video footage revealed the suspicious person described was the construction worker who was unarmed when he entered the building 

The YMCA is back open for daycare. We would like to thank the YMCA for their cooperation and their safety procedures and protocols that they have in place. 

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

United Way Awards Funds for Legal Services

The United Way of St. Clair County (UWSCC) established their Emergency Services -COVID-19 Relief fund early in the pandemic. The fund helps organizations address the unique needs they are facing specific to COVID-19.

Their latest grant from the fund went to Lakeshore Legal Aid to provide subsidized legal services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Lakeshore Legal Aid has identified an increased need for their services from abuse survivors due to the pandemic, and the grant will allow them to lessen the survivors’ hardships by providing free services while they are recovering and getting back on their feet.

To learn more about the United Way of St. Clair County’s Emergency Services Fund – COVID-19 Relief or to apply for funding, visit their website <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Revised Order Clarifies Symptoms that Require Employees to Stay Home

An Executive Order outlining revised COVID-19 employee protections was signed late last week. The revision addresses concerns that were voiced by business owners as to the expanded definition of symptoms in the previous order.

Brian Calley, former Lieutenant Governor and President of the Small Business Association of Michigan, said, “As we had anticipated, the Governor has issued a new executive order to replace EO 2020-166, which we had concerns with.”

The new order clears up confusion over the need to stay home with symptoms from known medical conditions as required in the previous order. According to Executive Order 2020-172, the possible COVID symptoms include a fever, an uncontrolled cough, and shortness of breath; or at least two of the following not explained by a known medical or physical condition: loss of taste or smell, muscle aches (“myalgia”), sore throat, severe headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.  

Governor Whitmer said that the order was necessary as the $600 unemployment benefit was running out and workers may be inclined to go to work sick. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland