Local News

Nearly two weeks ago, thirty St. Clair County businesses were selected to receive Small Business Relief Grants from The Michigan Strategic Fund. St. Clair County was allotted $140,787 in grant monies to provide local companies working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business.

Final criteria for grant selection included: number of employees; geographical location, and the significance of the business to that specific area; the impact the grant dollars would have on helping the business; how the grant dollars will be used; effects of COVID-19 on revenue; and completeness of the applications.

A panel of judges representing the North, South, East and West Regions of the county used the applications and supplemental information companies provided to make their determinations.  Thirty businesses in twelve communities shared the $140,787 grant pool with an average award of $5,000. Additional funding opportunities for local businesses will be announced as they become available.

List of Award Recipients:

401 Diner, LLC (Cavis Grill) – Port Huron

A&D Capital LLC (Alexander’s Premier Banquet Facility and Catering) – Marysville

Blue Water Controls, LLC – Clyde

Buck’s Dixie Diner LLC – Ira Township

Dock 421 LLC – Algonac

Family First Health Care – Yale 

FHF Sports Inc.,   (ForSports Inc.) – Fort Gratiot

Fieldhouse Sports Bar and Kitchen – Marysville

Fore Lakes LLC (Solitude Links Golf Course and Banquet Center) – Kimball

Goabeach LLC  (District 43) – Port Huron

Harris Restaurants, Inc.  (Casey’s Pizza and Subs) – Port Huron

Independent Floor Covering – Fort Gratiot

Inn on Water Street – Marine City 

J&J Family Restaurant – Yale

JCHZEF1  (Algonac Flaming Grill) – Algonac

Jeff’s Rubbish – Emmett

Kate’s Downtown – Port Huron

Lakeport Tavern – Lakeport

MLW Investments  (Chef Shell’s Restaurant & Catering) – Port Huron

Port Huron Hospitality Holdings, LLC (Sperry’s Moviehouse) – Port Huron

Riviera Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge, Inc. – Marine City 

Hossain Bar & Restaurant Management LLC ( Raven Café) – Port Huron

Scoreboard N More – Algonac

Sir Speedy – Port Huron

Stevens Gables  (Atrium Café) – Port Huron

The Anchor Point Bistro – St. Clair

Vintage Tavern – Port Huron

War Water Brewery – St. Clair

Willow Ridge Golf & Ski Club, Inc.  (Bogey’s Bar & Grill) – Fort Gratiot

Wings, Etc. – Port Huron

Submitted by Tina Frazer

St. Clair County Community College received $954,739 as part of the Federal Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act recently approved by Congress. They added some emergency scholarship funds to that pool and created a $1 million emergency aid fund to assist current students.

The money is available to help existing students who are experiencing additional financial need caused by the COVID-19 crisis. It provides relief for housing, transportation, basic living needs, and other college-related costs that may affect a student’s ability to attend SC4. Students experiencing hardships due to unemployment or reduced financial support from their families are encouraged to apply. The application is available online at SC4.edu/CARES/.

Registration for fall classes at SC4 opened up on April 15th. Fall semester begins on Monday, August 24, 2020.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, local health departments and staff from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are reaching out to Michiganders who have tested positive as well as to the contacts of those individuals.

These public health staff officials are calling to check on health status, provide information about COVID-19, and share actions people should be taking to improve their health. They will also provide help for locating needed services. Officials are also collecting information to track the spread of the infection in the community.

Many people do not like to answer the phone if they don’t recognize the number, but Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy for Health, said, “We ask Michiganders to please answer these calls and return voicemails from the local health departments or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.”

Local health departments and MDHHS will not offer medication for treatment or prevention of COVID-19.  They will not ask for Medicaid or other insurance information for billing purposes, and they will not request personal financial information such as a social security number or driver’s license number. If you are concerned or have a question about a call you received please contact the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

 

When Bluewater Health requested Sarnia’s Office of Emergency Management establish a secondary site for patient care, they were likely unaware of how many people would work to accomplish the project. The field hospital needed space and beds, but it also required fabrication and installation of industrial stainless steel dividers, a sufficient power source, and many ancillary items such as curtains and bedding.

The generosity of the President of Labour Council, Jason McMichael and a multitude of helpers got the job done. Toolrite Engineering and Rock Technical Services designed and fabricated the steel dividers, and their installation was coordinated with in-kind support from LiUNA Local 1089 tradespeople. Rick Perdeaux of Toolrite Engineering says it was a team effort, “We expedited the design and work for this project, and it all came together thanks to so many caring and generous people in our community.”

If a field hospital needs to be deployed in the future, it can be mobilized quickly. Two enclosed tractor trailers were purchased for storage and transport. Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley says mobilizing the field hospital is a great example of community collaboration, “It shows that together we can do so much. We hope we will not have to use this facility, but we take comfort in knowing it is available and on standby.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

With airline travel plummeting more than 90% during the Covid-19 pandemic, airports have been hit hard. The good news is that Michigan is on the receiving end of $256 million in airport grants through the CARES Act.

The Federal Aviation Administration funding will support airports experiencing severe economic disruption caused by the pandemic. The grants will be distributed to airports to prevent, prepare for, and respond to impacts from the crisis. In total, more than 90 airports in Michigan will receive funding from the CARES Act.

Some of the airports receiving significant funding include Detroit Metropolitan slated to receive $141.8 million, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International receiving $19.1 million, Gerald R. Ford International in Grand Rapids receiving $16.2 million. Closer to home, Bishop International in Flint will receive $7.2 million.

St Clair County International Airport was not included in the grant funding. Based on preliminary assessments, the COVID-19 outbreak will cost U.S. airports at least $13.9 billion in the 2020 calendar year. This estimate is based on projections that traffic at U.S. commercial airports is expected to fall by 73% during the March to June period of this year.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 16th at 5:30 PM are as follows:

• State of Michigan: 29,263 confirmed cases; 2,093 deaths
• St. Clair County: 256 confirmed cases; 8 deaths
• Ontario: 8,961confirmed cases; 423 deaths
• Sarnia-Lambton: 128 confirmed cases; 11 deaths

A press release from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office confirmed a total of 7 inmates have tested positive for the Coronavirus at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center. Those inmates have been isolated from the general population in the facility.

In addition, two corrections deputies and one nurse at the IDC have tested positive. All three are off duty until they are recovered from the virus. “We continue to monitor inmates and staff for Coronavirus symptoms per the guidelines laid out by the CDC and the St. Clair County Emergency Operations Center,” said Sheriff Tim Donnellon. “Unfortunately, no location is immune from this virus. Our medical staff, which is on hand 24/7, will continue to work to ensure the safety of our employees and inmates.” As of today, none of those infected have needed hospitalization.

Sarnia is reporting more than one outbreak at institutions caring for the elderly. The first at Landmark Village has 23 confirmed cases, including seven staff and 16 residents. At this time, six of the eleven deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Sarnia are linked to the retirement home. An
additional institutional outbreak at Lambton Meadowview Villa located in Petrolia has also been confirmed.

Please continue to rely on reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

• 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
• St. Clair County Community Mental Health COVID-19 Support Line (810) 985-8900, available Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Lambton Public Health: https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus/
• City of Sarnia COVID-19 Hotline: 1-877-4-SARNIA (1-877-472-7642)

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand