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Local News

State Levies $3 Million Fine Against RNDC Liquor Supplier

An historic fine has been levied against the liquor distributor who caused a lot of headaches for local bar and restaurant owners over the past year. But, the $3 million fine will stay in the hands of the state.

Starting around this time last year, bar and restaurant owners were starting to have missing bottles in their orders and were not able to serve all of the cocktails on their menus. There was not an actual product shortage, but more a lack of organization from the supplier, Republic National Distributing Company, or RNDC.

Michigan’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel, said, “The State will not tolerate vendor mismanagement that results in financial hardship which impacts the livelihood of liquor retailers across Michigan.”

When asked where the $3 million fine will go, Jeannie Vogel, Public Information Officer for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission said that the money goes into the state’s General Fund and the remedial measures like audits and more accountability will help ensure adequate stock and timely delivery to retailers.  The fine is intended to offset losses to the state due to the shortages and delivery issues, according to Vogel.

RNDC acknowledged all 88 violations of the Liquor Control Code in the settlement.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sparling Road Bridge and Dove Road Roundabout Projects Begin Next Week

Port Huron, MI — Road work is underway in St. Clair County on Sparling Road in Wales Township and at the intersection of Dove and Range Roads near I-94.

Sparling Road, between Goodells Road and Emerson Road will be closed to traffic starting the week of July 13th. The work will consist of both road and bridge improvements. The work is expected to be completed in late August. Detour routes will be posted, but local access will be maintained.

Construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of Dove Road, Range Road, and the Eastbound I-94 exit begins July 16th and is expected to go through the beginning of September. The intersection will be completely closed. Eastbound I-94 traffic is advised to exit in Marysville.

According to the St. Clair County Road Commission, access to and from Westbound I-94 will be maintained, and access to the Eastbound I-94 on-ramp will also be maintained but only from north of the intersection.

The Sparling Road work has a $310,600 price tag, while the Roundabout project has a $1.16 million dollar estimated cost.  Both projects are financed with local, state, and federal funds.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Burtchville Man Drowns at Lakeport State Park

Lakeport, MI — A 52 year old Burtchville Township man drowned yesterday afternoon while swimming in Lake Huron at the Lakeport State Park day park.

Robert Esquibel was swimming with a friend in the lake. While they were swimming, the friend noticed that Esquibel had not resurfaced after going under water. He called for help, then swam to shore to have someone call 911 shortly before 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. Deputies from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and the Burtchville Township Fire Department were called to respond.

A fire department rescue boat was put in the water and Esquibel was recovered within about 15 minutes of the call. Esquibel was taken to shore, where CPR was started by members of the fire department. Tri-
Hospital EMS arrived a short time later, and continued CPR while the man was being transported to McLaren Port Huron Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The cause of death is being investigated by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Clair County Medical Examiner’s Office. No foul play is suspected.

Harbor Impact Ministries Ready to Welcome Back Guests

Kimball, MI — Harbor Impact Ministries is happy to announce their first regular Impact Sessions scheduled for July 28th and 29th.  Impact sessions provide guests with fresh food, clothing, and personal care products along with a variety of household items.

Harbor Impact is asking people to attend the Impact days at specific times according the the first letter of their last names, their work schedule, and the type of transportation they use. The following schedules (the schedule is available on the web version of this news story at WGRT.com) will facilitate social distancing and encourage safety for everyone.

Tuesday, July 28:

  • 9 AM – 12 PM: Last name A-E
  • 2 PM – 4 PM: Last name F-L
  • 6 PM – 8 PM: Day shift workers

Wednesday July 29th:

  • 9 AM – 12 PM: Last name M-R and bus riders
  • 2 PM – 4 PM: Last name S-Z and bus riders

Blue Water Transit takes passengers to and from the old Super Kmart parking lot near Sam’s Club in Port Huron Twp. for both Wednesday sessions. The bus begins a circular route at 8:45 for the morning session and 1:45 for the afternoon session. Regular bus fare applies for the trip.

Harbor Impact has also opened its Resource Center by appointment. The resource center capitalizes on Harbor Impact Ministries’ vast support network to provide tutoring, employment, and basic skills help to meet the unique needs of its guests.

“We are looking forward to letting our guests choose from all of the wonderful donations we received as people have been cleaning out their closets during this season. “We are ready to rock and roll here!” said Barb Hanneke, Executive Director of Harbor Impact Ministries.

Donations of all kinds are welcome by appointment only. Call to schedule at 810- 662-3936 Monday – Friday from 9 AM – 12 PM.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

Pack Your Patience When Returning Cans and Bottles

Port Huron, MI — For those frustrated with long lines to return cans and bottles to get the 10-cent deposit back, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has some advice: be patient. Summer holidays, warm weather, and the lingering stockpiles of cans and bottles in garages and basements statewide have created the perfect storm for a major strain on the bottle return system.

Michigan residents have paid deposits on about $80 million worth of returnable beverage cans and bottles since the COVID-19 crisis began. The eleven-week shutdown of deposit redemption facilities set the stage for a major headache for retailers forced to redeem the deposits.

The Michigan Department of Treasury set up limits to avoid a breakdown of the processing infrastructure and the reverse logistics of deposit returns. Individuals are allowed to return no more than $25 worth of returns per day. Retailers are only allowed to accept up to 140% of their 2019 sales volume of cans and bottles with a deposit.

EGLE warns that some facilities are at maximum capacity and may have to periodically close their redemption centers  due to mandatory limits. According to EGLE, masks and social distancing are a must when making those can and bottle returns.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Political Battle Over School CARES Money Ends Up in Court

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and  five other Attorneys General are challenging U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in U.S. District Court over the allocation of CARES Act money for schools. The complaint claims that a rule issued by DeVos “would unfairly limit the ability of public schools to use federal funds provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.”

Private school funding is at the core of the differing interpretations between DeVos, a Republican appointee, and the Democratic Attorneys General. DeVos has directed funds to be allocated to all schools, regardless of perceived need, including private schools. Nessel and her colleagues contend that the money is to be spent based on Title I eligibility and that DeVos’ plan will rob the poorest schools of the money and send it to neighboring affluent private schools.

State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice joined in the outrage, saying that Devos “manufactured” formula will divert $16 million from public to nonpublic schools.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland