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Local News

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. 

Local Military Service Members Added to Monument in Pine Grove Park

Port Huron, MI — This Memorial Day, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs will recognize 27 local fallen heroes from World Wars I and II, along with the Korean, Vietnam, and Iraq wars. Their names will be added to the Pine Grove Tablet memorial monument in Pine Grove Park.

Daniel J. Crocker, retired State Director of Veterans Services, Department of Michigan of Veterans of Foreign Wars, said, “Last year we had the distinct opportunity to have 21 names added to the tablets. At that time, I was about 60% done with my research. As the research continued, I continue to identify more county residents that lost their life because of their service to our country.  At this stage, I think we have found almost all but cannot honestly say that we will not find more in the future.  Of the 27 names that have been added, three were identified through the Blue Water Area Fallen Heroes Community Banner Project spearheaded by Mr. Ed Weichsler.  The bottom line is that 27 former servicemen with ties to St. Clair County who paid the supreme sacrifice on the altar of freedom will finally and forever be memorialized on the sacred tablets located in Pine Grove Park.  Never to be forgotten anymore.  This is truly the largest number that has been added since the Vietnam War.”

The following service members will be remembered and honored:

World War I

Private First-Class Gabriel H. Dibble, Marine City

Private John A. Fraley, Casco Township

Private Edward C. Hastings, Wadhams

Captain Harold G. Ross, Port Huron

World War II

Private First-Class David D. Bryce, Port Huron

Private John A. Cartwright, Algonac

Private Rolla W. Caskie, Port Huron

Private Robert T. Chandler, Ira Township

Corporal Frederick N. Cryderman, Port Huron

Private First-Class Donald L. Diebel, Port Huron

Staff Sergeant Stanley H. Firth, Port Huron

Captain Jack S. Gerrie, Port Huron

Private John Grenenko, Port Huron

Private First-Class Frank S. Gubala, Marine City

Private John C. Haxer, Marine City

Carpenters Mate 3rd Class Thomas J. Herman, Avoca

Private First-Class Raymond D. Hill, Jr., Marine City

Ships Cook 1st Class Richard E. Hoetger, Marine City

Private First-Class James E. Lindsay Jr., Port Huron

Private Harry J. Massman, Port Huron

Lieutenant Ray W. Sherman, Port Huron

Sergeant Marvin L. Stolp, St. Clair

Staff Sergeant Michael J. Tanowigch, Yale

Private Carl F. Williams, Marysville

Korean

Corporal Richard M. King, Algonac

Vietnam

Private First-Class Allan D. Timmerman, Port Huron

Iraq

Lance Corporal Thomas P. Echols, St. Clair

If you are a family member, friend or acquaintance of a St. Clair County service member who died while serving their country, the committee is looking for photos of over 580 service members to add to the Blue Water Fallen Heroes Community Banner Program. Call the banner message line at (810) 985-2007 for information on how to submit your photograph.

Despite the cancellation of the Memorial Day parade in Downtown Port Huron, The Department of Veteran’s affairs is asking community members to observe a moment of silence on Monday, May 25th at 12 noon to show respect for our fallen heroes.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Vote by Mail Applications Coming Soon

All registered voters in the State of Michigan will have a chance to vote by mail in the August and November elections. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced yesterday that applications will be mailed to all registered Michiganders.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, people have been more concerned with the safety of voting in person. The May 5th election experienced a record breaking turnout of 25% with 99% of votes cast by mail or drop box. Typical voter turnout for May elections is around 12%.

Registered voters will receive an application to vote by mail from the Bureau of Elections which will include instructions. The application will need to be signed and mailed back to their local clerk. Voters can find the application online at Michigan.gov/vote where they can also register to vote and join the permanent absent voter list so they can always have the option to vote by mail.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Shopping Local Farmer’s Markets May Reduce Stress

With many areas of life feeling chaotic since March, where you choose to shop is one thing you can control. As weather begins to warm up, many people are anticipating the opening of farmer’s markets and roadside produce stands as more enjoyable and less stressful options for picking up essential food items.

Amanda Shreve, Executive Director for the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), said “Michigan is home to more than 300 farmers markets. Each market will make important decisions about how and when to open for the season with the safety of their vendors, employees and patrons in mind.”

MIFMA provided their farm market network with online tools to help establish and communicate standard safety practices for farmer’s markets in light of COVID-19. Shopping local markets offers positive benefits such as knowing where your food comes from, reducing waste from excess packaging, shipping and handling, and supporting local economies.

Visit the Michigan Farm Market Association’s website <HERE>  to find a market in your community. The Vantage Point Farmer’s Market is slated to open on May 30th and continue on Saturdays until Fall.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Michigan’s Up North Businesses Can Reopen on Friday

LANSING, Mich. — Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-92, allowing two regions of Michigan to reopen retail businesses, office work that cannot be done remotely, and restaurants and bars with limited seating. The two regions are both in the northern part of the state—specifically, MERC regions 6 and 8, as detailed in the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan to re-engage Michigan’s economy.

Businesses in Regions 6 and 8 can reopen on Friday, May 22nd. Cities, villages, and townships may choose to take a more cautious course if they wish: the order does not abridge their authority to restrict the operations of restaurants or bars, including limiting such establishments to outdoor seating.  

“This is a big step, but we must all remember to continue doing our part to protect ourselves and our families from the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Whitmer. “It’s crucial that all businesses do everything in their power to protect their workers, customers, and their families. And as we approach Memorial Day weekend, I encourage everyone to be smart and be safe. My team and I will continue to work around the clock to protect the people of Michigan.” 

“The data shows that these regions in Michigan are seeing consistent encouraging trends when it comes to the number of cases, deaths, and the percent of tests that are positive for COVID-19,” said MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “It’s important to note that these businesses must take special precautions to protect Michiganders. I also encourage everyone to continue to wear a mask in public, maintain a 6 foot distance from others, and to remain vigilant in washing their hands often.  This will help prevent a second surge in cases in our state.” 

All businesses that will reopen in regions 6 and 8 must adopt the safety measures outlined in Executive Order 2020-91. That means they must, among other things, provide COVID-19 training to workers that covers, at a minimum, workplace infection-control practices, the proper use of PPE, steps workers must take to notify the business or operation of any symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, and how to report unsafe working conditions. Restaurants and bars will also have to limit capacity to 50% of their normal seating, to keep groups at least six feet from one another, to require their servers to wear face coverings, and to follow rigorous disinfection protocols. 

Region 6 in the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan includes the following counties: Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, and Emmet. 

Region 8 in the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan includes the following counties: Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton, Keweenaw, Iron, Baraga, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee, Delta, Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, Mackinac, and Chippewa.