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Local News

Stay Home, Stay Safe Extended Until May 15th with Some Restrictions Lifted

LANSING, Mich – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-59, extending her “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through May 15. The new order will require people to wear homemade face coverings when they enter enclosed public spaces. It will also lift some restrictions on outdoor activities and allow some workers who perform previously suspended activities to go back to work.

“Data shows that most Michiganders are doing their part by staying home and staying safe. That’s good, but we must keep it up. Social distancing is our best weapon to defeat this enemy,” said Governor Whitmer. “With new COVID-19 cases leveling off, however, we are lifting some of the restrictions put in place in the previous order. I want to be crystal clear: the overarching message today is still the same. We must all do our part by staying home and staying safe as much as possible.” 

“The numbers we’ve seen in the past week have shown a plateau in positive cases, but Michiganders must continue doing their part to fight this virus and protect their families,” said MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “The governor has taken a number of critical steps to protect Michigan families, and this order today will allow that work to continue. We will keep monitoring the data closely and work with our partners across state government to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.” 

The order will require people to wear homemade, non-medical grade face coverings when they enter enclosed public spaces. It will also require employers to provide at least cloth face coverings to their employees. People won’t have to wear face coverings when they’re taking a walk in the neighborhood, but when they go to the grocery store, they should be wearing one. Under the order, however, no one will be subject to criminal penalty for going without a mask. 

The new executive order will also allow some workers who perform very previously suspended activities to go back on the job. Landscapers, lawn-service companies, and nurseries can return to work, subject to strict social distancing. Retailers to that do not sell necessary supplies may reopen for curbside pick-up and for delivery. Big box stores can reopen “closed areas,” like garden centers. And bike repair and maintenance can come back online.

At the same time, the order will ease up on some restrictions on members of the public. It will, for example, allow motorized boating and golf (but no golf carts), consistent with sound social distancing. It will also permit individuals to travel between their residences, though such travel during the epidemic is strongly discouraged. And it will clarify that state parks remain open, as they have been throughout the emergency. 

The governor’s actions today are in close alignment with other Midwest states. On April 16, Governor Whitmer announced that she and Governors Mike DeWine (OH), Tony Evers (WI), Tim Walz (MN), JB Pritzker (IL), Eric Holcomb (IN), and Andy Beshear (KY) will work in close coordination to reopen the economy in the Midwest region. The governor is committed to continuing to work closely with other governors to protect families and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

 

To view Executive Order 2020-59, Click the link below:

Submitted by the Office of Gov. Whitmer

US – Canadian Border Closure Extended

The United States and Canada have agreed to keep the border closed for nonessential travel for another 30 days, pushing any possible date for reopening to the latter part of May. Both countries announced the extension on Saturday , April 18th.

The restrictions on the world’s longest boarder took effect on March 21st, with only trade and other travel deemed essential to continue. The partial ban was to expire soon, but both countries have decided it is still not safe to allow traffic to fully resume.

“This is an important decision and one that will keep people on both sides of the border safe,” Trudeau told a news conference outside the residence where he has been living and working in recent weeks. Passenger travel between the US and Canada at the Blue Water Bridge has declined significantly since restrictions were put into place last month. The border typically sees between 2700 – 3200 passenger cars pass through each day, currently they are averaging between 110-125.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Nominate a PHASD Staff Member for This Year’s Awards

For its sixth consecutive year, Port Huron Schools launches its district-wide staff award campaign and is requesting nominations for Advocator, Innovator and Educator of the Year. Anyone in the Port Huron community can complete the brief nomination form on their website <HERE>  and specify the particular area of excellence for the individual they are recognizing.

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Jamie Cain encourages parents, students and
fellow educators to nominate someone they feel is deserving of this accolade and who
exhibits the best in our district’s mission actions. He noted: “This year is obviously
unique and it is more crucial than ever to recognize our dedicated staff of wonderful
professionals who continue to positively impact their students amidst a global pandemic. Our staff puts students first and this crisis has really highlighted what an amazing job they do no matter the challenges.”

The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, May 20. Winners will be surprised in their
classrooms in the early fall of the 2020-21 school year.

Port Huron Schools has proudly partnered in this endeavor since it began with
DoubleTree by Hilton Port Huron. The hotel has generously provided prizes for the
winners including a one-night stay at the hotel and Freighters Eatery & Taproom has
provided a gift certificate.

2019 Winners Were:
Advocator – Rayna Palmer, Secretary, Central Middle School
Innovator – Tracee Blake, Administrator, Early Childhood Center
Educator – Judy Fiedler, 5th Grade Teacher, Crull Elementary School

Submitted by Port Huron Schools

AP Exams Available from Home

When school was in session, many high school students were taking advanced placement (AP) classes. AP classes prepare students to take the College Board AP exams in the spring which could earn them college credit if they pass. In response to school closures across the country, College Board initiated online AP prep classes and they are hosting spring AP exams online.

Lauri Benton, Senior Director for Counselor Community Engagement at College Board, is excited about the online exam option for students. “Students who worked hard all year to prepare for these exams do not have to worry about missing out on college credit, ” she said. Students can prepare for the exams with multiple tools offered by College Board on their website and on YouTube. The timed exams will take place online May 11th-22nd.

Students can register for the exams, discover prep material, and learn about fees and college credit by visiting College Board’s website <HERE>. Khan Academy is also the official practice partner for AP and offers online study material in each AP subject <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Sheriff Donnellon Not Seeking Re-election

Sheriff Tim Donnellon is currently serving his third term as the St. Clair County Sheriff, and he has decided not to seek re-election this fall. After three decades of service in law enforcement, he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and pursuing other opportunities. 

Donnellon began his career with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office in 1988. He served as Deputy, Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant before being elected Sheriff in 2008. In his first year in the position, the county faced major budget deficits and lay-off’s were inevitable. He was forced to reorganize the entire department. “It was a very difficult time for everyone; we had to make some really tough decisions,” said Donnellon.

As the county deals with the current COVID-19 situation, Donellon has been facing the issues related to it head on. “In my three plus decades of service to this office I cannot recall a more difficult time or environment to work in, yet all of the employees continue to rise to the occasion. I couldn’t be more proud of them than I am today,” he said. 

Captain Mat King from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office filed to run for the position in the November election. Donnellon feels confident that he is leaving the office in good hands.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

MI Cases Over 35,000 – Sarnia Cancelling Curbside Large-Item Collection

Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 23rd at 5:30 PM are as follows:

  • State of Michigan: 35,291 confirmed cases; 2,977 deaths
  • St. Clair County: 322 confirmed cases; 18 deaths
  • Ontario: 12,879 confirmed cases; 713 deaths
  • Sarnia-Lambton: 159 confirmed cases; 14 deaths

An update from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office reported that the number of inmates who have tested positive for the Coronavirus at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center remains at 7. Those inmates have been isolated from the general population in the facility. In addition, two corrections deputies and one nurse at the IDC had tested positive last week, and now there is an additional deputy with the virus. All four staff members are off duty until they are recovered. None of the cases have required hospitalization.

The City of Sarnia would like to notify the public of the decision to cancel the City-wide curbside collection of large items, scheduled for May 4th -8th , in order to limit workers risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Large item pick-up often requires two staff to work in close proximity and requires additional handling of material beyond typical waste collection. More information about the alternatives available can be found on the city’s website: Sarnia.ca by clicking on the Garbage and Recycling link under the Living Here section.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand