Sheriff Mat King Earns “Go To Bat” Award from Community Mental Health Association of Michigan

The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan has awarded St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King the “Go To Bat” Award. King was nominated by St. Clair County Community Mental Health.

The award goes to a person who “exemplifies extraordinary concern, advocacy, and leadership aimed at improving the quality and quantity of community-based mental health services for persons with a mental illness or intellectual/ developmental disability”, according to the Association.

Sheriff King was nominated because of his continued collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office and CMH, including the use of the Mobile Crisis Unit for assistance with mental health issues, and for getting Sheriff’s Office staff the mental health resources that they need.

King requires his staff to get Mental Health First Aid Training and has been an advocate for the county’s Mental Health Court and Recovery Court. King was recognized for his advocacy for the public mental health system by meeting with lawmakers in the nation’s capital.

The Award was given at the CMHAM Spring Conference.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Belle Isle Survey Addresses Ideas For Old Zoo Area

Belle Isle is just about an hour’s drive from the Blue Water area. If you are interested in having your voice heard regarding improving the State Park in Detroit, there is a new survey being conducted by the Michigan State University School of Planning, Design, and Construction and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Recreation Division.

Belle Isle has undergone some improvements recently, such as the opening of the Ralph Wilson Gateway and Trail, which is the southern trailhead for the 2,000-mile Iron Belle Trail, the longest state-designated trail in the nation, stretching from Detroit to Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula.

The Belle Isle Aquarium reopened last summer after a lengthy renovation project. 

The survey specifically addresses the old zoo area on Belle Isle. There are several designs and priorities that survey participants can review and rank. The themes include history, sustainable ecosystems, outdoor education, creative and performing arts, and interactive outdoor adventures and concessions.

The survey needs to be completed by July 4th.

A link to the survey can be found below.

Belle Isle Survey

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Trolley Ready for Passengers

The Blue Water Area Transit trolley is back, and residents and visitors can take a 5 or 10 cent ride around the city of Port Huron.

The trolley offers a one-hour ride that takes passengers to over 50 points of interest around the area. The regular fare is 10 cents per rider, but senior citizens (60 and up) and persons with disability or valid Medicare cards can ride for 5 cents.

To take a full tour, passengers can catch a ride at the Downtown Blue Water Transit Bus Center across from McMorran place and stay on for the whole ride or get on and off at 17 points along the route.

Dave McElroy, Blue Water Transit general manager, said, “The Trolley offers an overview of local history aboard an old-time trolley vehicle for only 10 cents which is the amount patrons paid in 1886 for the area’s first local transit service!”

For a full list of boarding points and the places to see along the trolley route, visit BWbus.com/blue-water-trolley.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Blue Water Cruise Weekend June 23-26th, 2022

Plans for Blue Water Cruise weekend are set for a full four days of fun in Ft. Gratiot. The event kicks off with a carnival at Birchwood Mall on Thursday, June 23rd and runs through Sunday, June 26th.

Cruise Night is set for Friday, June 24th from 6:30 – 10 PM. Although construction on Pine Grove Avenue may slow things down, organizers are encouraging cruisers to be patient or use alternate routes to get back and forth.

The Keith Peterson Memorial Car Show is Saturday, June 25th at Birchwood Mall. Registration begins at 8:30 AM, and the show is open to the public from 10 AM – 3 PM. Those attending the show should enter the mall parking lot on Keewahdin Road, and the day will also include live music and vendors.

The Fireworks show is planned for Saturday, June 26th at dusk, and viewing is available all along 24th Avenue including from the parking lots at Meijer, Walmart, and Birchwood Mall.

For more information, or to register your car for the show before June 15th, visit BlueWaterCruiseWeekend.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

New Law Makes Mental Health Care More Accessible

A bill to make mental health care more accessible, regardless of income level, has been signed into state law. The bill, introduced by State Representative Mary Whiteford, a Casco Township Republican, was signed into law this week and takes immediate effect.

The law requires department and community mental health services programs to determine the ability to pay in accordance with the federal sliding fee discount program. The program applies to inpatient psychiatric services of less than 61 days, all non-residential services, and all services to minors. The federal poverty guidelines would be used to determine eligibility in the “sliding fee” program.

Whiteford said, “As I listen to community mental health organizations around the state, I’ve learned how important it is to hire and retain mental health professionals. HB 5165 will truly help our communities.” 

Upon signing the bipartisan legislation, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “To get more Michiganders the help they need, we need to tackle the two primary challenges around mental health: cost and supply.”

Whitmer said the new law will ensure Michiganders in more communities have access to the support they need to thrive.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Griswold Road to Get an Upgrade

Another local road construction project is starting next week. Griswold Road between Allen Road and the I-69 business loop is scheduled for an upgrade beginning June 13th and lasting about two weeks.

Griswold Road’s existing asphalt will be milled and resurfaced. There will also be the placing of aggregate road shoulders, along with new pavement markings and reconstruction of the railroad crossing.

The portion of road between Michigan Road and 32nd Street will be completely closed to traffic for approximately one week. Detours will be posted. There will be daytime lane closures between Allen and Michigan Roads.

The project has an estimated total construction cost of nearly $398,000 and is paid for by the Federal Highway Administration and the St. Clair County Road Commission. The main contractor is Ace-Saginaw Paving Company.

The Road Commission asks that drivers cooperate in keeping access open for local residents and emergency vehicles on Griswold Road and that drivers exercise patience in the construction zone.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland