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Local News

Driver’s Licenses Won’t Expire Until June

This Monday Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order temporarily extending the expiration date of valid driver’s licenses, state identification cards, and commercial vehicle registrations that would otherwise expire.

“In times of crisis and uncertainty, the last thing you want to think about is having to renew your driver’s license or state ID card,” Whitmer said. “It is my sincere hope this order gives all Michiganders with expiring identification some peace of mind….” This executive order went into effect on April 13th, but it does not apply to drivers with suspended or revoked licenses.

The order temporarily extends commercial vehicle registrations, including temporary registrations to June 30th.  Driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and commercial driver’s licenses set to expire between March 1st and May 31st are also extended to June 30th.  Under the temporary order, penalties for driving with a recently expired but otherwise valid registration are also suspended.  All Secretary of State offices in Michigan are currently closed, making it impossible for residents to renew in person or online.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Testing Ramping Up Soon – Sarnia Tracking Complaints of Violators

Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 15th at 5:30 PM are as follows:

  • State of Michigan: 28,059 confirmed cases; 1,921 deaths
  • St. Clair County: 234 confirmed cases; 8 deaths
  • Ontario: 8,447 confirmed cases; 385 deaths
  • Sarnia-Lambton: 119 confirmed cases; 11 deaths

In a virtual town hall meeting for St. Clair County organized by the Blue Water Chamber of Commerce today, Justin Westmiller, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director, said that he understands testing is a problem in our area. He was hopeful that testing capabilities would be ramping up soon as county officials are working to establish testing services at our local hospitals.

The City of Sarnia has had great success with the COVID-19 reporting hotline, and by continuing to work together through these difficult times, we will stop the spread of COVID-19. By-Law Enforcement has received the following number of complaints and concerns lodged through the COVID-19 reporting system to date:

• Total number of complaints received: 473
• Total number of emails received: 416
• Total number of phone calls received: 57

Please note the above numbers do not include calls that were received through the Sarnia Police Services and dispatched to By-Law Staff or investigated by the Sarnia Police Services.

Please continue to rely on reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Corner of Grand River Ave Port Huron photo by C. Wiegand

Clothing Stores Hit Hard by Shutdown

The coronavirus pandemic spreading around the world is leaving economic destruction in its path. Restaurants across St. Clair County and Lambton County have closed. Local auto showrooms are closed. Small businesses of every sort have been shuttered. However, clothing stores that were already struggling may feel the long-term impact even more than others.

Retailers were poised to sell their spring line of clothing, but they still have much of their winter clothing in stock. With schools and businesses closed and social gatherings and large celebrations essentially banned, the impact is compounded. Birchwood Mall in Fort Gratiot wass already reeling from the closure of many of its larger anchor stores, and small stores in downtown Port Huron, like The Closet, MI Passion, District 43, and Patrick & James were just starting to get established.

An interview this week with Anita Varty of MI Passion revealed the creative measures shop owners are putting in place to stay afloat. Anita is increasing her social media presence, taking online orders, and doing curbside or porch delivery for her customers. Her grand re-opening was interrupted by the pandemic, but she is staying positive and looking forward to welcoming customers into her new space at 217 Huron Avenue next to Kate’s Downtown.

Karen Palka, from The Closet by A Beautiful Me, a specialty dress store in downtown Port Huron, told WGRT that she remains optimistic that business will bounce back. Her team is also focusing on increasing The Closet’s social media presence and encouraging the business owners and community members around them. The Closet will be showcasing several nonprofits in their window display to promote community spirit and encourage gratitude.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Shell Donates Chemical for Production of Hand Sanitizer

Canada’s only producer of a key chemical used in manufacturing hand sanitizer is located in Corunna, just south of Sarnia.  Shell’s Corunna refinery is donating 125,000 litres of the key chemical to the Canadian government free of charge.

The donation  is being made to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for use in the health-care sector, and their exclusive focus right now is the manufacture of hand sanitizer. The volume of isopropyl alcohol, or IPA, to be donated over the next three months is enough to create nearly one-million 12-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer.

Shell’s Corunna refinery, normally sells the chemical to a few customers in the United States that, in turn, manufacture hand sanitizer for stores across Canada and the U.S.  The  chemical produced in Sarnia is also being sold to other customers who use it for health-related purposes.  The CDC recommends the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol as the preferred form of hand hygiene.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

As we cope with the COVID-19 crisis, many of us need a reminder that other social problems continue to take place and can even accelerate in times like these. April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and essential services are still in place that can help victims get the help they need.

Christina Flood, Executive Director of Healing Hearts Home, said, “The quarantine, labeled “Stay Safe, Stay Home”, is adversely affecting the overall safety and health of those who are most vulnerable. Especially, for individuals living in unsafe homes. They are at risk while they are in isolation, due to the fact that they are not physically visible and are separated from mandated reporters and others who can help them be safe in their home. We all must work together. If you suspect someone is being abused, know someone is being abused, or are being abused yourself, please call the Michigan abuse hotline at 855-444-3911.”

Michigan’s Sexual Assault Hotline 855-VOICES4 provides 24/7 immediate crisis counseling and referrals to community based sexual assault programs across the state. There was an extension to the hotline added last year that now allows survivors to text 8666-238-1454 for support.

Sexual assault is broadly defined as any form of unwanted sexual contact obtained without consent. National statistics show that one in three women and one in six men experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime. In times of crisis, abuse rates may actually increase as financial pressures, stress, and social distancing directives put additional strain on the poor coping skills and the addictive behaviors of abusers.

For local options, contact:

Blue Water Safe Horizons Crisis Line: 888-985-5538 www.bwsh.org

Healing Hearts Home: 586-727-0674 www.healingheartshome.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

_COVID-19 Community Update Tuesday 4_14_2020

Boat Launch in Sarnia Closing & St. Clair County Virtual Town Hall Planned

Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 14th at 5:30 PM are as follows:

  • State of Michigan: 27,001 confirmed cases; 1,768 deaths
  • St. Clair County: 223 confirmed cases; 7 deaths
  • Ontario: 7,953 confirmed cases; 334 deaths
  • Sarnia-Lambton: 119 confirmed cases; 11 deaths

The Blue Water Chamber of Commerce is hosting a virtual St. Clair County Town Hall Meeting on April 15th featuring speakers from several sectors of business, government, and emergency management to discuss how the County is responding to the pandemic. Information obtained in that meeting will be featured in the COVID-19 Blue Water Area Community Update tomorrow.

The City of Sarnia decided to close the boat launch at Sarnia Bay in Centennial Park. It will be closed as of 10 PM tonight. The Province of Ontario has extended the State of Emergency which ensures the continuation of all emergency orders currently in effect until April 23, 2020.

Please continue to reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand