Local News

In a recent release the St Clair County Emergency Operations Center is strongly encouraging Harsens Island residents to reduce the environmental impacts to the island.  Residents are urged to reduce all water consumption. Residents are also being encouraged to heavily reduce waste water generation by limiting the use of kitchen and restroom facilities and avoid pouring liquids down drains. Those individuals who are using drinking water wells should shut down the pump to protect the house from contamination from flood waters.  All chemicals, fuel sources, cleaning solvents, etc. should be removed from lower cabinets and stored in a higher location.  Domestic and farm animals should be sheltered in a location away from flooded areas.  Health Department and local governmental officials are continuing to monitor the situation and will update as more information becomes available.

In a recent email from Port Huron City Manager James Freed, he expressed concern due to the water levels in the Blue Water Area.  Officials made statements about the St. Clair River, stating it is noteworthy that anytime we get a “wind event” (SCA , Gale or Storm), most likely from 350 to 070 degrees or 190 to 270 degrees, all of the St. Clair river gauges go up a solid 2 to 6 inches which further exacerbates the problems. The NWS will issue a Lakeshore Flood Advisory for
SCC+ conditions with onshore flow for either Lake Huron or Lake St. Clair.  In the text of the Advisory…the National Weather Service will state something like, “the high water levels of the Great Lakes are already creating potential flooding issues for the St. Clair River communities from St. Clair south to Harsens Island. The strong NE/SW winds are expected add to this flood threat”.    The rising water levels will raise the Canal and Black River.  We don’t expect issues in the Canal District, however, some boats that were  able to fit under the Canal Gate last season may not fit this season.   Also, contractors are working to raise the docks in the Marina, as many are now under water.  Freed says, we have not seen water levels this high since the early 1980’s.

Sen. Dan Lauwers, R-Brockway Township, has announced that he will conduct an office hour this Friday, May 24.  Coffee hours are open to residents of the 25th Senate District to express their opinions or concerns about state government or to request assistance with a state issue.  Lauwers will be available to meet with constituents Friday, May 24 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Cracker Barrel, at 2303 Water Street in Port Huron. Lauwers represents the 25th Senate District, which includes Huron, St. Clair and Sanilac counties, and Armada Township, Memphis, New Baltimore, Richmond and Richmond Township in Macomb County.  For more information, please contact Lauwers’ office toll-free at 1-855-347-8025 or by email atSenDLauwers@Senate.Michigan.gov. Residents unable to attend the office hours may write Lauwers at Sen. Dan Lauwers, P. O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909-7536

Memorial Day is almost here, unofficially kicking off the boating season in Michigan.  Boaters, this season especially, are being asked to be extremely mindful of the no wake zones on the waterways of St. Clair County.  “The high water levels have the potential to cause a lot of damage to property, if boaters aren’t following the rules,” said St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon. “Our Marine Patrol Deputies will be strictly enforcing the no-wake laws throughout the county.”  According to the U.S. Army Corps of engineers, water levels on Lake Huron are expected to be the highest since 1986 and near record levels. The St. Clair River is currently near flooding levels, especially in southern St. Clair County. Other rivers in St. Clair County are also experiencing much higher than normal levels.  No wake zone maps for both the Port Huron area and southern St. Clair County can be found in this news story at wgrt.com.  Anyone who would like a PDF copy of the maps can e-mail Deputy Steve Campau at scampau@stclaircounty.org.

Are you wondering why meetings seem to stagnate time and time again? Looking for strategies to better engage your audience(s) during meetings? Want to know why and how to engage stakeholders regarding a contentious issue? Engaging stakeholders and having meaningful discussions when there is disagreement on any issue requires careful thought and preparation.  Join Michigan State University Extension’s Government and Community Vitality Educators for a two-hour workshop designed to provide a series of strategies on how to better engage your audience and ensure ideas are captured using a variety of community engagement tools. Using fiscal sustainability examples for the evening’s context, Educators for this evening workshop will explore the12 steps to effective decision making, the “groan zone” model, and allow for participants to apply material learned using a potential contentious issue like the annual budget process as context.  Consider your attendance at this educational program where we will provide specific good meeting techniques and strategies moving towards good decision making as a matter of public policy.  The last day to register is June 4th, 2019. Participants should register for the program here – https://events.anr.msu.edu/TipsforLEMGG .  Event is on Thursday, June 6, 2019, from 6-8 pm in the Don Dodge Auditorium in the St. Clair County Administration Building at 200 Grand River Avenue, Port Huron.  Space is limited and registration is required for this free event.