Local News

The United States Flag requires attention and care whenever it is displayed. When that flag is 30 feet tall by 60 feet long and hung from the tower of the Mackinac Bridge, it’s even tougher.  The flag that will hang from the Mackinac Bridge again this year was purchased in 2016. The first time it was hung,  it required stopping traffic and roughly a dozen staff to unroll it as it was hoisted beneath the tower.  This Thursday, when the maintenance staff of the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) unfurls the flag for Independence Day, most of the work is expected to be done with an ingenious new reel which was designed and built in-house.   

MBA Maintenance Supervisor Ned McLennan led the effort to hang the flag.  McLennan devised a way to store the flag similar to a roll-up window curtain and lower it using a remote control, which requires only one person to operate. With the use of the reel, bridge traffic won’t be required to stop. The device stores the flag and protects it from the elements when not in use. McLennan learned that rolling large flags for storage is acceptable by flag etiquette standards.  If you’re traveling to the U.P this holiday, be sure to look out for that flag on the Mackinac Bridge…it will be hard to miss.  

A 23-year-old Mt. Clemens man is in custody following a stabbing in Americana Estates Mobile Home Park in Casco Township last night. According to St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon, deputies were called to an address on Bart Drive shortly before 11:00 to investigate a stabbing that had just occurred.  When they arrived, they found the victim, who was bleeding profusely, outside a residence on Bart Drive. Deputies were told an unknown assailant had run up to the victim and stabbed him multiple times.  The suspect then ran from the area.

The victim, a 20-year-old man from Casco Township, was transported by Richmond-Lenox EMS to an area hospital, where he was last reported in stable condition.

Deputies interviewed witnesses to the attack and eventually were able to find out the name of the suspect.  Further investigation led deputies to another residence in the park, where they were able to locate and apprehend the suspect, who is currently on parole.

The suspect was transported to the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center, where he is expected to face charges including felonious assault and obstructing police.  He is also being held on a parole violation and a misdemeanor warrant out of Macomb County.

Blue Water Area Transit introduced a new historic trolley on Tuesday, July 2nd, in celebration of the 35th season of historic trolley tours in downtown Port Huron. The new 2019 aqua blue trolley is the fifth to enter the fleet since 1984, and the new ride features a low floorboard, which is ADA compliant to accommodate all of its passengers.

Passengers pay a ten-cent fare, which is the amount patrons paid in 1866 for the area’s first local transit service. The trolley tour swings by museums, churches, beaches, the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, and other historic landmarks. It travels through the heart of Port Huron and along the riverfront for a panoramic view of the Blue Water Bridges and the Thomas Edison statue and train depot. Trolley tours run through the summer Monday through Saturday, beginning at noon to 5 pm on each hour until September 7. Autumn tours are on Saturdays and will continue from September 9 until October 12. For more information or to see the trolley routes, visit the Blue Water Area Transit website at bwbus.com

This Fourth of July holiday, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is removing lane restrictions on more than two-thirds of its road and bridge projects statewide to ease traffic delays for holiday travelers. AAA Michigan estimates about 1.7 million people from Michigan are expected to travel during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, a 4.4 percent increase from 2018. Of that number, AAA estimates that 1.4 million Michiganders will be taking to the road during the holiday to celebrate America’s independence.

Beginning at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, and continuing until 6 a.m. Monday, July 8, 101 out of 143 projects statewide will have lane restrictions removed. While motorists will see suspended operations in most MDOT construction zones for the weekend, drivers are advised that equipment and certain traffic configurations may remain in place, like temporary shifts or shoulder closures.  For up-to-date information on MDOT projects, visit Michigan.gov-drive.

The 4th of July holiday can be a fun time for family and friends to enjoy cookouts, fireworks shows, or a variety of outdoor activities.  However, in the midst of the excitement, our four-legged friends can get sidelined. On their Facebook page, the Blue Water Area Humane Society shared a few tips on how to help your pet enjoy the holiday festivities. 

Did you know that more pets get lost on July 4th than any other day of the year? Be sure your pet has its collar on with an up-to-date ID, and keep a current photo of your pet. Also, try to exercise your pet early in the day before the party begins. During cookouts, ask guests to play with your dog or cat to keep them distracted while involving them in the event.  Be sure to clean up fireworks so your pup doesn’t try to eat anything they shouldn’t. You can play music, turn fans on, and create ambient noise to keep your pet distracted, or give them a favorite treat to praise good behavior. Whatever you do, remember that your pet sees the world differently than you do. Applying these simple tips will help make the 4th of July a more positive experience for all of you!

Law enforcement officers from police departments, sheriff’s offices, and the Michigan State Police are encouraging motorists to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday in a safe way. Beginning July 1st through the 14th, law enforcement is cracking down on impaired drivers over a two week period during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Officials want to remind drivers that any form of impaired driving is illegal.

During the crackdown, officers will be on the lookout for motorists under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, although motorists can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer believes they are impaired. Michigan has what is commonly referred to as a zero-tolerance drugged driving law. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is supported with federal traffic safety funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.