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Local News

Nessel Urges Trump to Wear Mask While Visiting Ford Plant

President Trump is set to tour a Michigan Ford plant today that retooled to produce ventilators and personal protective equipment in response to the coronavirus pandemic.  The visit to the Ford Motor Co.’s Rawsonville manufacturing plant is his second visit to Michigan this year, according to the White House. In January, he visited a Dana Inc. facility in Warren.

Michigan is an important state for the president as he seeks a second term in this November’s election. In the 2016 election, President Trump won Michigan by the very small margin of  0.23%  over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Michigan’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel, said Wednesday that President Donald Trump has a “legal responsibility,” under state law, to wear a mask as a coronavirus precaution when he visits the  Ford Motor Co. factory.  In a letter to Trump, Nessel said, “I ask that while you are on tour you respect the great efforts of the men and women at Ford and across this state by wearing a facial covering.”

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Blue Water Summer – Not Cancelled

Port Huron, MI — It’s important to remember that everything passes. Everything has its season. All things come, and all things go. In March of 2020, we never thought we’d see the sun again, but warmer days are ahead listeners.

One of the best things about living in the Blue Water Area is the nonstop gorgeous waterfront that gives our region its name. That waterfront is also home to a string of quaint downtowns from Lexington to Algonac that serve as vacation destinations for people from all over Michigan and beyond. The best part for us natives: we don’t have to travel far to experience a summer full of sandy beaches, quiet evening strolls along a boardwalk, and a plethora of small businesses that provide tasty food, eclectic entertainment, and unique shopping experiences.

As we lament the cancellation of some of our favorite summer festivals and big events, let’s not forget that we can still have a Blue Water Summer. Maybe 2020 is the year that we truly discover the stay-cation. Here’s to a summer filled with learning to kayak the Black River, hiking in county parks, and appreciating our area’s history, beauty, and many fabulous local amenities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Lauwers Says Governor’s Plan Leaves Out Too Many Michigan Workers

LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Dan Lauwers on Monday said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s plan to allow more businesses in two northern regions of the state to reopen is a positive step, but it still unfairly restricts millions of Michigan families.

“Along with my Republican colleagues in the Legislature, I have been calling on the governor for weeks to adopt a more sensible approach to reopening Michigan’s economy,” said Lauwers, R-Brockway Township. “Today it appears the governor has finally decided to abandon her irresponsible, one-size-fits-all tactic in favor of a regional plan.

“While the governor should be commended for this improved strategy, her delayed response has come at a great price as businesses are closing and unemployment is skyrocketing. In addition, there are still too many Michigan businesses and individuals being punished by too broad of an approach.”

On Monday, Whitmer announced partial reopening plans for businesses in the Upper Peninsula and 17 counties in Northern Michigan. Under the plan, retail stores and offices, restaurants and bars could reopen starting on Friday with capacity limits and safety requirements.

“Instead of a regional approach, the governor should institute a county-by-county approach to reopening the economy safely,” Lauwers said. “There are many counties, like Sanilac and Huron, far better off than some of the counties in Region 6 that are allowed to open. Unfortunately, St. Clair County has been lumped in with Wayne and Oakland counties, which will long affect the reopening of Region 1. It’s time to look at each individual county on its own merit.”

Submitted by the office of Senator Dan Lauwers

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Reopening for Some Services

Port Huron Twp. — The St. Clair County Sheriff’s office will re-open to the public on Tuesday, May 26th. However, services will be limited.

People who need to be fingerprinted must make an appointment  by calling (810) 987-1700.  While visiting the Sheriff’s Office to be fingerprinted,  you must bring and wear a protective face mask.

Purchase permits for private sales of handguns will also be provided by appointment only.

Gun registration will remain the same.  Just drop off the registration in the box outside the front door of the Sheriff’s Office, or mail it in.

“We are pleased to be able to get back to some services for our citizens, even though it is on a limited basis,” said Sheriff Donnellon.  “We know that those we serve will use common sense and keep themselves and our employee’s safe as we start getting back to normal operations.”

The Sheriff’s Office lobby will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located at 1170 Michigan Road in Port Huron Township.

 

 

Border Closed Until June 21st to Nonessential Traffic

Port Huron, MI & Sarnia, Ontario — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in a press conference on Tuesday that the governments of Canada and the United States agreed to extend the current measures in place along the border by 30 days. Those measures prohibit nonessential travel across the border.

The Canadian Border Services Agency reported an 88% decrease in land travel across all U.S. and Canadian border crossings for the week of May 11th – May 17th. The numbers also show a 31% decrease in truck drivers entering Canada compared with the same time last year. Commercial travel has not been restricted, but the idling of manufacturing plants in both countries has been a major factor in the reduction of truck traffic.

Trudeau said the extension of the border closure to nonessential traffic is “an important decision that will keep people in both of our countries safe.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Canal Dredging and Sand Placement at Holland Beach

Port Huron, MI — Weather permitting, the contractor will begin dredging sand from the mouth of the Black River Canal today, May 20th, 2020. 

Sand dredged from Black River Canal will be placed in Lake Huron from Holland Beach to the south on Tuesday, May 26th and Wednesday May 27th, 2020, weather permitting. Due to the work, Holland Beach will be closed. 

The contractor will be utilizing Gratiot to LaSalle, and Conger to Holland to haul sand from the mouth of the Black River Canal to Holland Beach. There will be intermittent slowed and stop and go traffic in these areas. We encourage the public to not park on these streets during this time frame.