Digital License Plates Now Available For Michigan Drivers
The future of license plates is here. Digital license plates are now approved for use in Michigan.
The company responsible for the digital license plates goes by the name Reviver. Having their product approved in California, and Arizona, Michigan is just the third state to be granted the use of the digital plates. The state of Texas also allows use of the digital plates, but only for commercial use.
Reviver refers to them as RPlates, they have some cool features that come with a monthly subscription fee of $20 to $25. One of the best features is that the plate acts as a tracking device. If your car is ever moved or stolen, the vehicle will alert you through the Reviver app. It also allows a light or dark mode, display customization, and it can even display warnings such as Amber Alerts.
For more information on Rplates visit: reviver.com.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
The Salvation Army Begins Its Christmas Assistance Registration
The holidays are fast approaching. For many families, it’s a struggle to provide the basic necessities, which doesn’t leave much room for purchasing gifts at Christmas time. The Salvation Army will hold its Christmas Assistance Registration, beginning this week for those who wish to participate.
Beginning today October 17th, until November 4th, visit the Salvation Army in person to fill out your application. Times are Mon-Fri from 9 AM – 4 PM. Applicants will be required to fill out information such as income, members of household, and general contact information.
If you or someone you know can benefit from the Salvation Army Christmas Assistance, or would like to donate, visit: porthuronsa.org
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
Flock Safety Cameras Help Law Enforcement Officers Fight Crime
Several municipalities in the Thumb area have begun using Flock Safety cameras to improve public safety, and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office plans to install their system soon.
Flock Safety cameras provide 24/7 monitoring of roadways with technology that reads license plates and also, according to the manufacturer, gives officers the objective evidence they need to investigate and solve a crime.
The cameras have already helped solve crimes in St. Clair County, including the release of a kidnapping victim from East China in June of this year. In that case, police were able to locate the suspect’s car at an Ohio hotel after it was detected in the Flock Safety alert system which notifies law enforcement when a suspect’s vehicle is recognized by a camera.
St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King said the county’s Flock cameras will be installed soon, and he and fellow law enforcement officers feel positive about adding them to their tool kit.
King feels the cameras act as a “force multiplier” by providing stationary surveillance equivalent to having an officer stationed in that spot.
Flock Safety makes products for a variety of situations including neighborhood security, school safety, and private property, along with products designed for law enforcement agencies. They report a 70% reduction in crime where there cameras are employed.
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
Gordie Howe International Bridge Completion Encounters Slight Delay
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said the opening date was changed to 2025, but officials from WDBA, the agency overseeing the project, say they “continue to work toward opening the bridge to traffic by the contracted date of the end of 2024.”
10/14/22: One of Michigan’s largest projects has been met with a slight delay in completion, but it is still making progress.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will connect the United States and Canada, is set to be the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America. It will span the Detroit River, connecting Windsor and Detroit. The span of the bridge is set to be 1.5 miles long, and it features a 12-foot-wide pedestrian and cycling path.
Originally scheduled to open near the end of 2024, construction has been delayed due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite setbacks, WDBA, the agency overseeing the project, said, “The contractor (Bridging North America) is obligated to meet the contract date specified in the Project Agreement and make adjustments to their construction approach to manage any delays they encounter.”
Find out more information about the bridge and its construction at: michigan.gov/mdot/projects-studies/special-constuction/gordie-howe-international-bridge
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
Nov. 8th General Election Is Approaching
If you are a registered voter, you only have four weeks left until the polls open and you can cast your vote in Michigan’s general elections.
For those who are registered voters, but won’t be able to make it to the polls, you may vote by mail with an absentee ballot. There are more than 1.6 million absentee ballots requested this year, a 171% increase since the 2018 election of the same time period.
Voters who are eligible to register, but have yet to do so, may register online up until October 24th. Voters may also vote in person at their local polling locations on Election Day, November 8th, from 7 AM – 8 PM.
For more information on how to vote and more visit: Michigan.gov/vote.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell