Local News

The Council on Aging Inc. serving St. Clair County received a special gift Monday night through the Mainstreet Memories Car Show. The Council on Aging’s Executive Director, Scott Crawford, was presented a check for $24,000 on behalf of the car show’s board of directors. According to the organization, the four year total raised for the Council on Aging from the Mainstreet Memories Car Show now equals $63,709. The donations that contributed to the gift to the Council on Aging came from car show sponsors, participants, and the community. Main Street Memories will be planning the fifth year for the show in 2020. Ron Steward, President of Mainstreet Memories, said the event had taken place years ago, but it fizzled out. He and others restarted the event in 2016, and it has grown from 200 cars the first year to over 600 cars in 2019.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel held a press conference Tuesday afternoon in Lansing to announce the resignation of the Assistant Attorney General Brian Kolodziej.  Kolodziej was hired by Bill Schuette in September of 2018 and was assigned to handle criminal sexual conduct cases. Nessel said that on September 5th her office was notified by the Michigan State Police of allegations of prosecutorial misconduct involving Mr. Kolodziej. She said the allegations centered around his alleged involvement in an improper relationship with a victim in a case assigned to him shortly after he was hired last September. Mr. Kolodziej admitted to engaging in the relationship and subsequently resigned from his employment with the Department of Attorney General in lieu of immediate termination. The Michigan State Police (MSP) opened a criminal investigation. Nessel said everyone who works in the Attorney General’s office is expected to hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative began in 2010 as a way to mitigate damage to the Great Lakes and its watersheds. The initiative was authored by Senator Debbie Stabenow to help stop the spread of Asian carp and other invasive species, but it was also designed to restore fisheries and wildlife habitats, clean up beaches, and prevent future contamination. Now, the program is set to expire in 2020. Stabenow, along with 12 U.S. Senators and 41 U.S. Representatives, including 12 members from Michigan, have introduced a new bill. The 2019 act reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for another five years and increases its funding level from $300 million to $475 million by fiscal-year 2026.  Senator Stabenow said renewing and expanding funding should be a no-brainer.

The State of Michigan is rolling out a first-ever statewide incident report for elder abuse. The Vulnerable Adult Incident Report was created to help law enforcement and prosecutors identify and prosecute instances of elder and vulnerable adult abuse. Stephen M. Guilliat, Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for St. Clair County, said a standardized report like the one being rolled out is overall a good idea. He said that more people would be apt to report elder abuse, especially if there is a confidentiality component to the standardized form. He went on to say that some in the St. Clair County Prosecutor’s office already have specialized training in the prosecution of such cases. The new form identifies important steps for responding law enforcement officers to take if there is suspected abuse to a senior or vulnerable adult whether that abuse is physical, emotional, or financial. The form will help determine if the victim is a vulnerable adult, identify if there has been physical harm, and document injuries, signs of neglect, or financial exploitation.

The small game hunting season opens on Sunday in Michigan. The statewide season opens for rabbits, snowshoe hair, ruffed grouse, fox, and gray squirrel. Woodcock season opens a week later on September 21st. A base license is required and can be purchased from an authorized retailer. The cost is $11 for Michigan residents. The DNR reminds hunters that if they are planning to hunt for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, woodcock, or waterfowl an extra stamp or endorsement is required. Toward the end of the month, Michiganders will celebrate Michigan Trails Week from September 22nd through the 29th. Michigan has more than 12,500 miles of designated trails to enjoy according to the DNR’s website. Ron Olson, DNR Parks and Recreation Chief, said Michigan’s vast and diverse trails system plays a big role in stimulating tourism and encouraging healthy lifestyles for all ages.

At the Port Huron City Council meeting Monday night, one of the last agenda items to come before city leaders was an ordinance prohibiting marijuana establishments in the city. The ordinance passed almost unanimously with councilmember Scott Worden as the only “no” vote. Port Huron City Manager James Freed led the discussion on the ordinance saying that marijuana is currently legal and will remain so for residents. The ordinance that passed temporarily halts marijuana businesses from operating in the city. Freed went on to say that city officials would like more of an opportunity to look at zoning of such businesses within the city. He said there are too many unknowns in the recreational industry. The ordinance that passed has a sunset clause and will no longer be in effect after June 30, 2020. Freed welcomed input over the next 10 months for those looking to shape the marijuana industry in Port Huron. He invited those interested in the marijuana business to contact his office and set up an appointment to discuss the issue further.