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Local News

State Police Asked to Enforce COVID Laws

An Executive Directive was signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer earlier this week that directed state departments and heads of autonomous agencies to do a better job of enforcing COVID-19 laws. Those laws include capacity limitations and safety protocols. It was also announced that the State Police will be enforcing COVID laws just like any other laws.

Cases of COVID-19 have risen from 15 per million to 50 per million from mid-June to late July. Whitmer fears that Michigan could move back into Phase Three if the infection rate continues on the upward trajectory. She is relying on enforcement of the prevention practices to slow the spread of the highly contagious virus. Nursing homes, meat processing plants, and agricultural housing are singled out in the directive as requiring an increase in compliance enforcement.

Departments are asked to consider revoking licenses where violations are found. According to the press release from the Governor’s office, the Michigan State Police will be enforcing the laws, such as executive orders and DHHS epidemic orders, in the same manner as any other violation of law, applying their discretion as appropriate. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Black Leadership Advisory Council Created & Racism Recognized as Public Health Crisis

On Wednesday, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-163, which creates the Black Leadership Advisory Council. The governor also signed Executive Directive 2020-9, recognizing racism as a public health crisis and taking initial steps to address it within state government.

Under the Executive Directive, the governor asked MDHHS to make health equity a major goal, as well as required implicit bias training for all state employees.

Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II said, “Today, we take the much-needed and long-overdue step of recognizing racism as a public health crisis. It is only after we have fully defined the injustice that we can begin to take steps to replace it with a greater system of justice that enables all Michiganders to pursue their fullest dreams and potential.”

The Black Leadership Advisory Council will be included among a set of diverse ethnic commissions within the state of Michigan. Although African Americans are the largest racial minority in the state, this Council is the first of its kind in Michigan to elevate Black leaders and representatives.

The Council will act in an advisory capacity to the governor and develop, review, and recommend policies and actions designed to eradicate and prevent discrimination and racial inequity in Michigan. To accomplish this goal, the Council is charged with:

  • Identifying state laws, or gaps in state law, that create or perpetuate inequities, with the goal of promoting economic growth and wealth equity for the Black community.
  • Collaborating with the governor’s office and the Black community to promote legislation and regulation that ensures equitable treatment of all Michiganders, and seeks to remedy structural inequities in this state.
  • Serving as a resource for community groups on issues, programs, sources of funding, and compliance requirements within state government in order to benefit and advance the interests of the Black community.
  • Promoting the cultural arts within the Black community through coordinated efforts, advocacy, and collaboration with state government.
  • Providing other information or advice or taking other actions as requested by the governor.

Housed within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, the Black Leadership Advisory Council will consist of 16 voting members representing Black leadership in economics, public policy, health and wellness, technology, the environment, agriculture, arts and culture, and more. It will also product an annual report on its activities.

To apply to the Black Leadership Advisory Council visit Michigan.gov/appointments and click “Black Leaders Advisory Council” from the drop menu of the application. Applications are due by Wednesday, August 19th.

 

Carriage Rides Offered at Goodells Park

Just when you may have been running out of socially distant ways to enjoy the summer, the St. Clair County Farm Museum has announced carriage rides on the grounds of the Goodells County Park.

Kim Shultz, owner of Majestic Heart Carriage Rides, said that she and her husband came up with the idea while biking around the park. They were looking for a way to keep their business going along with supporting the Farm Museum, and the collaboration was born.

The carriage rides are available on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00-5:00 p.m. starting this weekend and running through September 27. The cost is $30 per carriage ride, and can accommodate up to six people. The rides are approximately twenty minutes long with plenty of photo ops. Part of the fee will be donated to the St. Clair County Farm Museum, on the grounds of the Goodells Park. The Museum will be open for tours during that time also.

Shultz said that hand sanitizer is provided and the carriage is disinfected between rides. Rides can be scheduled by calling 810-310-0827 after 2:00 p.m. on weekdays.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

August 2020 Primary Election Results

St. Clair County, MI — Local voters came out in record numbers this year, putting the turnout rate at a 37% with 98% of precincts reporting this morning.

Although local State Representative Shane Hernandez dominated the race for the U.S. House’s 10th District in St. Clair County, his opponent, Lisa McClain, took the lead by securing Macomb County.

In a statement from Hernandez this morning, he said, “I want to congratulate Lisa McClain on her hard-fought victory. While I’m obviously disappointed with the election results, I’m encouraged that Republicans across the 10th District turned out in record numbers.”

He went on to say, “Those who know me understand that I’m not going anywhere. I look forward to continuing to represent the 83rd State House District to the best of my ability and will continue to serve in Republican politics and the conservative movement in whatever capacity I can to move our nation, state, and community forward.”

Andrew Beeler won the race for Hernandez’s seat in the Michigan House. He will run against the Democratic candidate Stephanie Armstrong-Helton for the position in November. Beeler said, “I’m extremely humbled by the results of the election and grateful for the support of the voters of the 83rd District. My team and I will continue to work hard towards the general election to ensure the 83rd District has a strong conservative leader in Lansing.”

Complete election results can be found at ElectionReporting.com <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Hunter Hospitality House Reaching Out to Community

Port Huron, MI — Hunter Hospitality House is reaching out to the community for help with their endowment fund. The fund helps keep their houses up and running, which provides free lodging to medical patients and their loved ones. They have houses near both hospitals in Port Huron.

After being closed for several weeks due to the pandemic, the non-profit was able to open on June 1st and has since served fifteen guests. According to Executive Director Tracy Willard, “Keeping young parents near their hospitalized babies, cancer patients near their treatment centers, surgical patients near the hospital the night before and then their spouses near them while they’re in the hospital, and families near their hospitalized loved ones…it’s nice to be able to help people again! Restricting the homes to one family at a time gives our guests a lot of peace of mind, too, during the pandemic.”

To keep the endowment going, a raffle is being held, with prizes like a $5000 vacation, jewelry, a technology package, a catered dinner, and a weekend getaway. The tickets cost $100 and only 300 will be sold. The winners are to be drawn August 31st.

 Tickets can be purchased at hunterhospitalityhouse.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Drive-up COVID Testing & Immunization Clinics at Schools Throughout August

St. Clair County, MI — The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) in partnership with St. Clair County schools will be offering drive-up COVID-19 community testing clinics throughout August. (These clinics will replace the Tuesday COVID-19 drive-thru clinics held at the health department).

All clinics will be held from 3:00 PM  to 7:00 PM, and all ages are welcome. PCR testing for COVID-19 testing will be provided by St. Clair County Health Department public health nurses, and no antibody testing will be offered.

Walk-up immunizations and immunization waivers will also be available for those 18 years of age and under. This will be helpful for students who need to meet back to school requirements or get caught up on their immunizations.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged for testing and immunization services! Make an appointment online at stclaircounty.org/Offices/health/Covid19.aspx  and click “Make an Appointment at a Community Testing Location”. Pre-registration can also be done over the phone by calling (810) 987-5300.

No out of pocket expenses for participants, and insurances will be billed.

Dates and locations include:

  • Monday, August 10th: Landmark Academy, 4800 Lapeer Road, Kimball
  • Tuesday, August 11th: Marysville High School, 555 E. Huron Blvd, Marysville
  • Wednesday, August 12th: Capac Jr/Sr High School, 541 N Glassford Street, Capac
  • Thursday, August 13th: Yale High School, 247 School Drive, Yale
  • Monday, August 17th: Algonac Jr/Sr High School, 5200 Taft Road, Algonac
  • Tuesday, August 18th: East China School District Administration Office,1585 Meisner Road, East China
  • Thursday, August 20th: Memphis Jr/Sr High School, 34130 Boardman Road, Memphis
  • Tuesday, August 25th: St. Edward on the Lake, 6945 Lakeshore Road, Lakeport

In addition, for the safety of staff and visitors, we kindly ask that participants do not bring any pets.

For more information about health department services visit www.scchealth.co or follow us on social media @scchdmi.