Michigan State Police New Speeding Initiative Seeks To Save Lives

Michigan State Police have launched an intensified speed enforcement campaign in response to a troubling surge in speeding and fatal crashes.

Running from June 17-25th, the initiative involves county and local police agencies across the state, with the aim of curbing dangerous driving habits and saving lives.

Speeding accounts for a significant portion of traffic fatalities in Michigan, as well as across the country, contributing to one-fourth of such incidents. 

In 2021, Michigan had 237 speed-related fatalities, marking an 18.5% increase from the previous year. Nationwide, there was an 18% rise in speeding-related fatalities, totaling 11,258 deaths in 2020 compared to 9,478 in 2019.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, local roads pose a higher risk to speeders compared to highways. In 2020, a staggering 87% of all speeding-related traffic fatalities occurred on non-interstate roadways.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Promote Your Business At Blue Water Home Expo

102.3 FM WGRT in partnership with Bluewater Unlimited Promotions would like to welcome you to connect, build, and grow at their 2023 Blue Water Home Expo!

Sponsored by Advia Credit Union, the Blue Water Home Expo is the perfect event to promote your business and donate to the Lions Club for charity. The event will take place October 13th and 14th at the former Sears location in Birchwood Mall, located at 4350 24th Ave, Fort Gratiot. 

The Blue Water Home Expo is offering two options for your vendor space at 10×20 or 20×20, along with complementary radio advertising. Blue Water Home Expo will also market your business all year long on their Blue Water Home Expo website. Additionally, there will be representatives from Advia Credit Union at the event to help any of your customers with financing your sales.

To purchase your booth space, email Vicki Lemonis at: sales@wgrt.com or visit bluewaterhomeexpo.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

U.S. EPA Seeks Public Input on Ten-Mile Drain Superfund Site Cleanup Plan

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has commenced a 30-day public comment period on a proposed plan to remediate the pipes and vaults of the storm sewer system at the Ten-Mile Drain Superfund site. The EPA has identified this site in St. Clair Shores as heavily contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Under the recommended cleanup plan, crews will excavate six manhole vaults and 2,110 feet of pipe, along with contaminated bedding and backfill. These areas will then be backfilled, and new piping and manhole vaults will be installed. All excavated material will be properly disposed of at an EPA-approved off site landfill.

The meeting will be held Thursday, June 22nd, at St. Clair Shores City Council Chambers located at 27600 Jefferson Ave, St Clair Shores. The Open House will be from 5pm – 6pm, with the public meeting beginning at 6:30pm.  

For more information, visit: cumulis.epa.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Secures $61 Million Grant to Improve Internet Access in Michigan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has awarded a $61 million grant to Peninsula Fiber Network (PFN) as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The grant aims to enhance high-speed internet access in unserved and underserved communities across Michigan.

PFN, a Michigan-based company, will utilize the grant to implement the Infrastructure for Michigan’s Peninsula and Critical Crossings (IMPACC) project. This initiative will involve the installation of 535 miles of new middle-mile fiber in underserved areas throughout the state.

Governor Whitmer expressed her commitment to providing quality internet access for every Michigander, emphasizing the importance of connectivity for education, healthcare, and economic growth. 

The project includes the construction of undersea and overland fiber routes to connect various regions, from Charlevoix to Beaver Island, Benton Harbor to Chicago, Charlevoix to Grayling, Port Huron to Flint, and Benton Harbor to Grand Rapids.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell