The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was called out in frigid temperatures to recover a snowmobile that went through the ice on Black River Sunday afternoon.  According to Sheriff Tim Donnellon, the call came in about 4:15 p.m. Sunday that a snowmobile went through the ice near the I-94 overpass.  The owner of the snowmobile was not injured. Members of the Dive Team went to the area, where temperatures were near zero and wind chill was well below zero.  A dive tender was sent out onto the river on an ice sled to examine the hole where the snowmobile broke through.  It was determined at that time that the ice was too thin to safely allow divers and tenders to work.  A decision was made to cut a hole at the edge of the river and send divers out to retrieve the snowmobile, which was in about 14 feet of water, 130 feet from shore.  A diver went out and attached a cable from a tow truck to the snowmobile, which was then pulled out of the water.  This was a dangerous recovery for the Dive Team.  The diver’s regulator started to freeze in the open position and had to have warm water poured over it to get it working again.   Diver’s safety lines were freezing stiff when they exited the water.  Chain saws used to cut the ice were also freezing when the tenders stopped cutting.  The snowmobile was recovered about 2 ½ hours after it broke through. The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone to be practice ice safety this winter.  The general rule for clear ice is at least 4 inches to walk on the ice or to ice fish and 5-6 inches of ice for a snowmobile.

Congressman Paul Mitchell released the following statement after being selected by the Republican Steering Committee to serve on the House Armed Services Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the 116^thCongress. Congressman Mitchell served on both committees in the 115^th Congress. The Republican Conference must now ratify the Steering Committee’s decision.  Mithchell says he is “excited to return to work on the House Armed Services Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the 116^th Congress because of their importance to our district. “One of our government’s most important functions is to provide for the common defense and the 10^th District of Michigan, home to Selfridge Air National Guard Base and many members of the national security and defense industries, plays a huge role in our nation’s defense. Last Congress, we were able to work in a bipartisan manner to ensure readiness, maintain equipment, and restore our military’s capabilities. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I worked hard to pass an FAA reauthorization and a Water Resources and Development bill, upgrade the Soo Locks, protect our Great Lakes from Asian Carp and other invasive species, and more. I look forward to serving on both committees these next two years, and working with my colleagues to secure our nation and continue improving life for all Americans.”  “I am glad Congressman Mitchell is returning to the House Armed Services Committee,” said House Armed Services Ranking Member Mac Thornberry (TX-13). “Paul is a strong advocate for the military needs of his district including Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and our brave servicemembers in uniform serving across the world. I look forward to continuing our work together to ensure our military remains on the cutting edge of our fight against all threats with the resources, training, and equipment they need to succeed.”  “I’m pleased to welcome Congressman Mitchell back to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (MO-06). “He is a strong advocate for transportation and infrastructure improvements in his district, in Michigan, and across our nation. With his business background, he brings great experience and a keen understanding of the issues to the table, and I look forward to working with him.”

On February 11, 2019, The YMCA of the Blue Water Area will begin offering LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a research-based physical activity and well being initiative that helps people affected by cancer reach their holistic health goals.  The LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program is available to cancer survivors in the Blue Water Area and will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:30 PM. During this pilot program participants can select either day but are encouraged to participate in both. The program is offered for free to both Y members and the general community.  “Research shows exercise is the simplest way for cancer survivors to reduce fatigue, improve their mood and bounce back from the debilitating effects of cancer treatment more quickly,” said Greg Lee, President and CEO of the LIVESTRONG® Foundation. “But there weren’t enough programs to help people affected by cancer reach their health and well-being goals, so LIVESTRONG and the Y joined forces to create LIVESTRONG at the YMCA. The Y is the perfect collaborator because of its national reach, commitment to meeting the needs of all community members and history of program innovation in support of health and  wellness.”  As part of LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, the Y engages cancer survivors through an approach that focuses on the whole person. Participants work with trained Y staff to build muscle mass and strength, increase flexibility and endurance, and improve functional ability. In addition to physical benefits, the program also focuses on the emotional well-being of survivors by providing a supportive community environment where people affected by cancer can connect during treatment and beyond.  “We are excited to collaborate with LIVESTRONG to offer those who have been diagnosed with cancer the support they need to build both emotional and physical strength,” said Jenny McElwain, Healthy Living Program Director for the YMCA. “With a mission centered on
balance, the Y strives to be a leading voice on health and well-being for our community by providing resources and guidance so that all people, no matter what their circumstance, can achieve greater health and well-being in spirit, mind and body.” LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is part of a multi-year collaboration between YMCA of the USA, the
national resource office for the Y, and the LIVESTRONG Foundation, the organization created to serve people living with cancer and empower communities to take action. The foundation is a leader in the global movement on behalf of 32 million people around the world living with cancer today. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, launched in 2008, is designed to improve the health and day-to-day quality of life for the country’s growing population of cancer survivors and their families. To date, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is offered at over 375 Ys around the
country, and more than 25,000 cancer survivors have participated in the program nationwide.  For more information contact Jenny McElwain at (810) 987-6400, ext. 117 or jmcelwain@bluewaterymca.com.

Friends of the St. Clair River has launched “Cookies, Conservation and Conversations”, a 3-part winter workshop series, that kicks-off Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the St. Clair County Administration Building Auditorium, 200 Grand River Avenue in Port Huron. These free, family-friendly presentations are held once a month from January to March, begin at 6:00 p.m. and last 45 minutes.

“Respect the Insect: Basic Insect Biology” – Wednesday, January 30, 6:00 p.m.

“Ducks Unlimited” – Wednesday, February 27, 6:00 p.m.

“March Madness” – Wednesday, March, 27, 6:00 p.m.

The first winter workshop, “Basic Insect Biology”, will be led by Tom Dennis, a local naturalist and Times Herald columnist. Tom will discuss basic insect characteristics, compare beneficial and harmful insects, and the role insects serve in our environment. Pollinators are increasingly disappearing due, in part, to habitat loss and pesticide use. Understanding the importance of insects is the first step in their protection and preventing further decline.  Friends of the St. Clair River is the Blue Water Area’s largest environmental non-profit organization that inspires citizen action through stewardship, monitoring and education to restore, protect and enhance the St. Clair River and its watersheds. For more information visit www.scriver.org, “Friends of the St. Clair River” on Facebook and @bwriverwalk.

Homeland Security and St. Clair County Emergency Management Director Jeff Friedland reported to WGRT that there is minor flooding due to an ice jam, downriver in the Algonac area.  Friedland says one cutter is working, as of this writing (1:20 p.m. January 21), and two more are on their way to the area.  Emergency Management along with the U.S. Coast Guard are monitoring the situation as the cutter works.   Friedland further stated that if anyone is experiencing an emergency situation, to please call 9-1-1, as, the Emergency Management offices are closed today  in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and the offices are closed.