Local News

A bill was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives last week to give drivers another option when choosing their license plates. Currently, drivers can choose to donate to a charity and have the insignia shown on their plate. There are 33 different options for license plates, from state universities to sports teams and disease awareness foundations. The revenue from the license plate options is directed to the organizations by the state treasurer. 

The ChadTough charity may be represented on license plates in the future. The ChadTough foundation is named after Chad Carr, the grandson of long time University of Michigan football coach, Lloyd Carr. The family has used Chad’s story to raise awareness about DIPG tumors, which are an especially aggressive kind of pediatric cancer that has not had a change in treatment protocol for forty years. This is the same type of tumor that took the life of Mitch Albom’s daughter, Chika, whom he wrote his most recent book about. 

DIPG tumors are diagnosed in about 300-350 children each year and are described as “the worst kind of tumor in the worst place”. The bill recommends that the ChadTough Charity be added to the list and that “money be expended on research, technology, patient support, and education regarding pediatric brain tumors”. The bill was read last week and has been referred to the Transportation Committee.

Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.

The natural gas infrastructure is scheduled for some upgrades, such as replacing aging gas mains, but this means that SEMCO Energy Gas consumers will be paying for it with a $19.9 million rate increase. Customers will see an increase of about 9.2%. The monthly customer charge will increase from $11.50 to $12.25 but some customers will get that fee credited if they qualify for a low-income assistance credit program. There will also be reductions in reconnection fees for customers who have had their gas shut off. 

The rate increase and the associated concessions are all part of a negotiation with the Michigan Public Service Commission. SEMCO had requested a rate increase exceeding $38 million. The settlement is related to corporate tax cuts from the 2017 federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As part of the agreement, SEMCO agreed not to seek another rate increase until 2023. Customers can expect to see a raise in their rates in the new year, but also a more reliable and upgraded natural gas infrastructure.

Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.

We know that there is still a little bit of 2019 left, but the Sanilac County Historic Village and Museum is looking ahead to next summer. They are looking for musicians for their celebration of the 1960s at next summer’s music festival. They are hoping to fill their indoor stages with local musicians who specialize in Woodstock era music. The festival will be held on June 27, 2020 at multiple venues on Port Sanilac. It is sponsored by the Sanilac Consortium for the Arts and the Historic Village and Museum. They are planning to take a step back in time, about sixty years to be exact, with country, folk, rock, and of course Motown on the docket. 

Musicians have plenty of time to get their acts together for next summer, but they need to let the organizers know that they are interested right away. The organizers have said to think of The Beatles, Elvis, Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Beach Boys, and more. The full details about this one of a kind music festival is on their Facebook page “Singin’ the 60’s Music Festival”. Organizers are intending to make the event the “grooviest” festival in the Thumb.\

Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.

Many Blue Water Area children will have gifts under the tree this Christmas thanks to a local couple who have been hosting Toys for Tots fundraisers for 21 years. Scott and Susan Hartfil of Fort Gratiot, did it again this year with their Bowling Fundraiser at Port Huron Lanes with proceeds benefiting Toys for Tots. The fundraiser has become an annual tradition for many people who get to both enjoy a night out and help local kids. 

Last Friday was the 21st annual event and Scott Hartfil told us how it got started. It is a pretty simple story of a man who just wanted to do some good for his community. In 1998, he attended a bowling fundraiser for his nephew’s hockey team and had so much fun that he wanted to host one himself. He just needed a cause. When he heard about Toys for Tots on the radio, the rest became history. 

Scott connected with the right people, started with a small event, and, along with his wife Susan, local coordinator Linda McLeod, and fellow organizer Misty Adair, kept the momentum going. Scott estimates they have collected about 5,000 toys over the years and raised around $80,000.

Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.

We all know it when we see it… The perfect packing snow. In Michigan, many people experience those nostalgic moments of building a snowman or having a snowball fight. With all the snow Michiganders experience each year, could you imagine snowball fights being outlawed? Well, one town in Wisconsin has actually done so. 

In Wausau, Wisconsin a person could be fined for throwing a snowball in public places like sidewalks, streets, parks, schools or even against a building. With a population of about 40,000, Wausau classifies snowballs under the same category as rocks. 

As early as 2017, people have actually received citations under the ordinance according Wausau Police Patrol Captain, Todd Baeten. The Assistant City Attorney, Tara Alfonso, stated that she has never prosecuted someone for throwing a snowball but in the interest of public safety and common sense, Mayor Robert Mielke says that you just don’t throw stuff at people. 

The logic is there, but sometimes it is all just simple fun. At least having a snowball fight at home seems as though it is still fair game. If you’re making plans to visit Wausau, Wisconsin this winter, just be sure to not throw any snowballs in public.

Adapted from the Today Show’s “Wisconsin town outlawed snowball fights” by Callie Patteson

Many local communities have jumped on the train to update their towns and Yale has been no exception. Barbara Stasik, DDA Board Member, told ebw.tv in an interview that many small communities like Yale suffered in the downturn. Some areas needed attention and local business owners are doing just that.

ebw.tv had the chance to meet some of those local owners that kickstarted the upgrades. Lawrence Carter, Owner of Carter Mechanical, has lived in the Yale area for about 14 years. Carter bought a local heating and cooling company and turned it into whatYale Spruce Up is now known as Carter Mechanical. Joe Moza, Owner of Moza Construction, did some sprucing up with his building a few years ago that led Carter to wanting him to come and update his building as well. Barbara Stasik called this a trickle down theory as many other local businesses have followed suit. 

Much like Carters, many Yale businesses were outdated and simply needed some extra love. That love is showing through as the previously pink building is now blue with more renovations to come. Learn more in this feature.