Local News

Buses in the Blue Water Area are still running, but by Demand-Response, or “Dial-a-Ride”, only. Beginning Tuesday, regular Blue Water Area Transit routes were suspended. The suspension is part of the mandated effort to allow only essential travel and help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

Some people rely on the bus to get to their employment at workplaces that are deemed essential, or to pick up food and medicine, and the bus system is still there for them. The hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Riders are asked to enter and exit the bus via the back door and to maintain at least six feet between riders. Bus rides are free at this time. The Downtown Transit Center and the main office of Blue Water Area Transit are closed, but the Dial-a Ride line is being answered.

In their statement, the Blue Water Area Transit asks riders to stay home unless they are designated as a critical infrastructure worker or are travelling for essential goods and services. The number for dispatch of the Demand-Response bus is 810-987-7373, Option 2.

Michigan is reporting 1,791 confirmed cases, including 24 deaths.  St. Clair County remains at eight (8) confirmed cases. St. Clair County Health Department is monitoring 33 people under investigation and monitoring 59 people which includes travelers, and contacts to suspect and confirmed cases.

Addressing Common Community Concerns

1. For more information regarding whether you are considered an essential worker or not, first contact your employer.  Some employers may also provide letters for essential employees.  If you receive a letter, keep it in your vehicle however, people will not be stopped by law enforcement to provide proof. For guidance on essential workforce, visit, www.cisa.gov or e-mail  CISA.CAT@cisa.dhs.gov .
2. Due to the heavy volume of testing, results may not be available for 10 business days or longer. Results can be obtained from the testing facility.  The St. Clair County Health Department does not have access to all of the results.

For further information visit: cdc.gov/coronavirus; Michigan.gov/coronavirus; or scchealth.co.  A general St. Clair County COVID-19 Informational Hotline is available Monday through Friday, (810) 966-4163, 8:00am-4:30pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org. The State of Michigan hotline is 1-888-535-6136 and is operational daily 8:00am – 5:00pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov.

This information was submitted by the Joint Information Center on 3/24/20

Polka Dot Pandas Boutique in Downtown Port Huron is leading an effort to get hand-sewn masks made for local medical personnel who are dealing with and preparing for the COVID-19 pandemic. Cloth masks can be washed and reused and are helpful in preserving the supply of N95 masks. 

Tricia Comtois, spokesperson for the family-owned business said that they decided to close their downtown business completely and dedicate their efforts to producing the masks and coordinating efforts with their network of home seamstresses. The response has been mighty as the community tries to find ways to help. 

The masks are not for sale, and orders are not being taken for personal masks. Donating money for the purchase of fabric is helpful, and there is a Paypal link on their Facebook page, “Port Huron Pandas.” Details are on Polka Dot Pandas’ Facebook page. Once the masks are sewn, they will be delivered to the Be Ready St. Clair County Emergency Response Team who decides which medical facilities need them. Comtois said the response has been overwhelming and directs interested donors or sewers to her updates on the Facebook page.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) received preliminary approval over the weekend from the U.S. Department of Education to waive a number of federal requirements for statewide student testing and school accountability.

State Board of Education President Dr. Casandra Ulbrich and State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos on March 17, to urge the secretary to grant a nationwide waiver of statewide student assessments in favor of focusing on the more immediate needs of children.

The U.S. Department of Education responded last Friday by offering every state the opportunity to submit expedited waiver requests for a number of federal testing and accountability requirements. MDE submitted its request late Friday afternoon.

Dr. Rice noted in the letter for the waiver that the school closures are in response to extraordinary circumstances for which a national emergency has been declared and that the school closures “will protect the health and safety of students, staff, and our communities.” Michigan’s annual M-STEP tests are scheduled to begin the week of April 13 and run through May 28.

If the public or local school districts would like to comment on this federal assessment and accountability waiver request, they can do so through the email address mde-essa@michigan.gov.

The Treasury Department and the IRS have extended the filing deadline for 2019 federal income taxes to July 15, in response to the financial crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to local tax advisor, Jo Lynn Manns, CPA with UHY in Port Huron, the extension applies to corporate and individual filings, which were due on April 15. First quarter estimated tax filings have been extended to July 15, also, while second quarter remains at June 15, pending further policy updates. 

Taxes on income from self-employment are included in the July 15 extension. The payroll tax deadline has not been extended. For those expecting a refund, the IRS advises to file now, if you haven’t already. At this time, refunds are not officially delayed, and “The IRS is continuing to process tax returns, issue refunds and help taxpayers to the greatest extent possible,” according to IRS.gov.

All Taxpayer Assistance Centers nationwide have been closed. At this time, there have been no changes to the April 15 deadline for state taxes, but that could change anytime. Further details and updated information on tax deadlines can be found at IRS.gov.

As of 3-23-20 at 4:00 PM, the State of Michigan is reporting 1,328 confirmed cases, including 15 deaths.  St. Clair County is now reporting eight (8) confirmed cases. The new case is a 68 y/o male, hospitalized, with no travel history. St. Clair County Health Department is monitoring 35 suspect cases and monitoring 63 people which includes travelers and contacts to suspect and confirmed cases.

Justin Westmiller, St. Clair County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director stated, “It is extremely important that our community heed the governor’s order to “stay at home, stay safe.”  This will help to halt the transmission of COVID-19 and allow everyone to return to a normal way of life much sooner.  Essential workers are still needed for the health, safety and security of our county.

The St. Clair County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) continues interagency coordination, information sharing, decision making and response planning efforts. The EOC will remain active throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency.

For further information visit: cdc.gov/coronavirus; Michigan.gov/coronavirus; or scchealth.co.  A general St. Clair County COVID-19 Informational Hotline is available Monday through Friday, (810) 966-4163, 8:00am-4:30pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org. The State of Michigan hotline is 1-888-535-6136 and is operational daily 8:00am – 5:00pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov.

This information was submitted via a press release from the Joint Information Center.