Blue Water Audubon Society Collaborates With St. Clair County Parks For 124th Annual Christmas Bird Count
The Blue Water Audubon Society is teaming up with the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission to host the Christmas Bird Count in the Port Huron area this holiday season.
Celebrating its 124th year, the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count stands as one of the nation’s oldest and largest community science initiatives. Taking place on Sunday, December 17th, volunteers are crucial for spotting, identifying, and recording bird sightings in designated areas across St. Clair County. Novice volunteers will partner with experienced birders, while others can contribute by counting birds at their backyard feeders. The data collected aids global bird conservation efforts.
To volunteer or inquire, contact Christmas Count Co-coordinator Gerry Pink at: gepink63@gmail.com or (810) 367-3195.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
Urgent Rabies Alert Issued For Skunk Purchasers In Michigan; State Agencies Collaborate For Public Safety
The Michigan departments of Health and Human Service, Natural Resources, and Agriculture and Rural Development are partnering with local health departments to notify Michigan residents about potential rabies exposure from skunks purchased in the past six months.
A skunk acquired from Countryside Feather Farm/Rose’s Skunks in Attica, MI or a connected Chesterfield Township/New Baltimore seller, tested positive for rabies on Nov. 29th. Authorities suspect that rehabilitated wild skunks may have mingled with captive ones at the New Baltimore location.
Possession of skunks requires a permit from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and illegal activities are under investigation. Residents who bought skunks from these facilities are urged to contact veterinarians for examinations due to rabies risks, with public health officials emphasizing immediate action if signs of illness or death occur.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
Sunsation Products Expands Operations In St. Clair County, Investing $7.7 Million In State-Of-The-Art Facility
The Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County is delighted to announce the expansion of Sunsation Products, a renowned family-owned boat manufacturer.
Specializing in high-performance center console boats, Sunsation is the sole boat builder in the region, prompting the need for a new facility due to surging customer demand. Investing $7.7 million, the company plans to construct a cutting-edge manufacturing facility and create 20 high-paying jobs.
Founded in 1982, Sunsation’s success story began in a small garage near the original Chris Craft factory. Despite considering out-of-state options, Sunsation opted to stay in Michigan, leveraging the state’s prominence as the third-largest marine market in the U.S.
The expansion is supported by a $350,000 Michigan Business Development Program grant and a 50% property tax abatement from Cottrellville Township, reinforcing Sunsation’s commitment to community growth.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
Governor Whitmer Pioneers Green Initiative: Michigan’s State Fleet To Go Zero-Emission By 2040
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed Executive Directive 2023-5, ushering in a bold initiative to shift the State of Michigan’s entire fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). The move is anticipated to curb air pollution, drive demand for locally manufactured electric vehicles, and slash fuel and maintenance costs.
Governor Whitmer lauded Michigan’s automakers for their role in the global shift towards ZEVs, asserting that the state is setting an example by committing to transition its state-owned fleet by 2040. The directive mandates state agencies to initiate the conversion process, with a goal of adopting ZEVs for light-duty vehicles by 2033 and for medium and heavy-duty vehicles by 2040.
The initiative also prioritizes vehicles with higher mileage, focuses on communities historically impacted by pollution, installs charging infrastructure in high-density areas, and establishes clear exemption criteria for specific fleet vehicles.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell