Local News

On Thursday morning, Croswell Lexington High School administration received a report of an unspecified “bomb threat” after classes started at the school. School officials immediately called law enforcement to assist in the matter and then moved students to the athletic stadium where they were supervised by staff. Law enforcement officers with trained K-9 conducted a sweep of the school, and additional law enforcement officers were also at the stadium. No bomb was found, and today a school resource officer identified and questioned the 14-year-old girl who was behind the threat. The school is asking anyone with information regarding this or any other threat to use Michigan’s OK2Say website. The website is designed for citizens to leave confidential tips. In a separate event, there was a partial power outage at both the Middle and High School. Power was later restored to both buildings. 

City Flats Hotel was full of excited chatter Wednesday night as local ladies greeted friends old and new. The 300 Women Who Care event is an annual fundraiser with a fun twist. The event is hosted by the Women’s Initiative of the St. Clair County Community Foundation and celebrates women and philanthropy by pooling the resources of the attendees and awarding three grants to local nonprofits at the end of the event. Each ticket purchased included a vote for a nonprofit. The votes were tallied, and the top two grants, $6,500 and $2,500, were awarded to A Beautiful Me and the YMCA of the Blue Water Area respectively.

The process for determining the third-place winner gave the guests a chance to familiarize themselves with the work of The Friends of the St. Clair River, Mid-City Nutrition, Hunter Hospitality House, The Child Abuse and Neglect Council, and The Blue Water Little Black Dress Cancer Fundraiser. Representatives from those organizations had two-minutes to pitch their mission and vision to the crowd. After that, attendees voted for which charity would receive the remaining grant, and Mid-City Nutrition was awarded the final $1,000.

The Women’s Initiative’s mission is to educate, engage, and empower women to participate in philanthropic opportunities, and their event achieved that by providing women in the Blue Water Area with a chance to do some collaborative giving. The effect of that giving will make a difference in the lives of the girls and women influenced by A Beautiful Me, the families who learn and grow at the YMCA, and the many people who sit down for a meal together each day at Mid-City Nutrition. That’s truly girl power at its best.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The City of St. Clair will be hosting an open community forum Thursday evening to present first impressions about the city’s strengths and weaknesses through the eyes of first-time visitors. FIT, which is short for the First Impressions Tourism assessment, is a comprehensive community assessment the City of St. Clair successfully applied to participate in last year. Overall, FIT helps communities learn about their strengths and weaknesses through the eyes of first-time visitors. This is done through an assessment aimed at leading development, based on program results.

The final FIT assessment involves assessing the community, developing community leadership, sharing results in an open community forum, and providing suggestions to drive community action. Results of the assessment will be shared at the forum this evening. Residents and community leaders will be present to hear findings and listen to suggestions. The event is free, but space is limited and attendees are asked to register on the MSU Extension website. The event will take place at Pine Shores Golf Course at 6 p.m. 

St. Clair County is host to about 65,000 homes and approximately 30,000 have an onsite decentralized sewage system. This is known to many as a septic system. With nearly half of St. Clair County’s homes having a septic system, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Septic Smart Week is a good reminder for local residents. Through the campaign, the agency’s aim is to educate homeowners and communities about the proper care and maintenance of septic systems. They’re doing that with a few catchy sayings.

First, the EPA says “Think at the Sink” and avoid pouring fats, greases, solids, and harsh chemicals down the drain. Second, avoid flushing diaper wipes or other items meant for the trash can. Also, did you know you should shield your septic field by diverting rain and surface water away from the field while also avoid planting or parking a car on the area? Anyone with a septic field should protect and inspect the septic system regularly and test well water regularly. It is important advice as the weather heads into the colder Michigan months. 

Three break-ins over the past week in the Kimball Township area motivated St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon to encourage residents to lock their doors and windows. In each of the three incidents, a suspect entered through an unlocked door or window. The first incident happened last Wednesday when a homeowner in the 7000 block of Sparling Road called to report that she woke up in the morning and discovered her purse had been stolen out of her kitchen. She told deputies that she had left her back door open. 

The second intrusion took place in the early morning hours of Saturday. A homeowner in the 1500 block of Leland Road startled an intruder, who ran from the house with the woman’s purse. She also had an unlocked door. Finally, on Tuesday morning, a man living in a home in the 5000 block of Ravenswood woke up to discover a ripped window screen. His girlfriend came out and found that her purse had been stolen. The suspect had come in through the kitchen window. Donnellon said his office is advising all residents to ensure that they lock all windows and doors when leaving the residence, or before going to bed. The sheriff also said that they are asking anyone who sees any type of suspicious activity around their house or neighbor’s house to call 911 immediately. Citizens can also call the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office with information about the crimes at 810-985-8115

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reporting four new cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) on the west side of Michigan. Two of those cases were fatal, bringing the total number of cases of EEE to seven in the state. The two recent fatalities occurred in Cass and VanBuren counties, while the first reported case happened in Kalamazoo County. With the new cases, the area of concern is expanding, and the state is urging all Michigan residents to use mosquito repellent with DEET, cover exposed extremities, and empty standing water that can serve as breeding grounds for the insects.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy for Health, said Michigan is experiencing the worst Eastern Equine Encephalitis outbreak in more than a decade. The mosquito-borne illness is one of the most dangerous in the United States, with a 33% fatality rate in people who become ill. Individuals become infected with EEE from the bite of a mosquito carrying the viruses. The illness poses the greatest risk to children under 15 years old and older adults over 50. Signs of EEE include sudden onset of fever, chills, and body and joint aches which can progress to severe encephalitis, resulting in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures, and paralysis. The mosquito-borne disease will continue to be a threat until the first frost.