Traffic to Canada Flowing Again

According to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office, traffic is flowing again on eastbound I-94 and I-69 after days of serious backups. Barricades that were placed on eastbound entrance ramps were removed this morning allowing travelers to utilize local freeways without restriction.

Wait times to enter Canada at the Blue Water Bridge were 2 hours for commercial vehicles and no delays for personal vehicles as of 10 AM this morning.

Traffic was backed up for miles in St. Clair County on and off since Monday as truckers attempted to utilize the Blue Water Bridge to enter Canada due to closure of the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit.

The Ambassador Bridge was closed in response to a protest by truckers who are opposed to government mandates that prevent them from cross-border travel unless they are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Protestors insist they will not stop until COVID-19 mandates and restrictions are lifted.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County Drug Task Force Map Drug Map

Drug Task Force Releases 2021 Drug Map

The St. Clair County Drug Task Force released their drug crime map for 2021 which enables citizens to see where in the county illicit drug activity took place.

The map, available <HERE>, has a zoom feature that focuses in on streets and neighborhoods, allowing users to see drug activity in their neighborhoods. More information about the crimes is available, by clicking on the map markers.

Sheriff Mat King said, ““Even as the Covid-19 pandemic continued throughout last year, the Drug Task Force continued to bring drug dealers to justice. Getting drugs and weapons off the streets of our community helps to make St. Clair County a great place to visit, live and raise a family.”

King encourages citizens to help get drugs off the street by contacting the Drug Task Force if they notice illegal narcotic activity.

Anonymous tips can be left for law enforcement at (800) 243-DRUG

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

Winter Bird Blast Feb. 19th at County Building

The Winter Bird Blast is planned for Saturday, February 19th from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the St. Clair County Administration Building. The annual event is in its 7th year.

The event is totally free and is a highlight of the season for those who need a nature fix in the heart of winter.

The day starts with a trail overview and bird talk from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. with Bird Walks from 10:30 to noon. Participants can drive to viewing spots in Port Huron and Marysville.

The Winter Bird Blast is made possible by the Blue Water Audubon Society, St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning staff, St. Clair-Macomb Birding Trail, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Attending the Winter Bird Blast is free and registration is not required. Just show up and be prepared for the outdoor portion of the event with appropriate warm clothing. Binoculars for bird viewing are recommended.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Make Sure You Have Insurance Coverage for Winter Weather Hazards

Are you covered if winter weather wreaks havoc on your home or vehicle? The message from the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is that if you don’t know, you need to find out.

DIFS Director Anita Fox says, “Dealing with damage to a home or vehicle caused by severe weather is stressful enough, so we encourage Michiganders to review their insurance coverage before experiencing a loss to protect themselves financially.

Fox said, “If you are unsure of your policy coverages, contact your insurance agent or company today. Understanding your insurance coverage can provide considerable peace of mind in the event of severe weather damage.”

The Department offered tips on keeping your property safe including keeping your home heated to at least 65 degrees to prevent frozen pipes, keeping gutters clear to prevent ice damming, and taking care of trees that could lead to branches falling on the house.

Auto owners are required to have coverage that protects property in the case of sliding off the road and causing damage. Drivers are warned not to park under snow-covered tree limbs to avoid severe vehicle damage.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDARD Awards Benefit Thumb Wine Producer, Bean Co-op

A select group of Michigan agribusinesses has received grants from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Two of the businesses are located in the Thumb and have impacts on the region.

Cooperative Elevator Company of Pigeon and Youngblood Vineyard of Ray Township each received grants.

MDARD Director Gary McDowell said, “With this funding, these businesses will be able to increase production and product quality, focus on scalability, and create good-paying jobs for Michiganders.”    

Cooperative Elevator Company is a farmer-owned cooperative of 1,100 patron-owners that provides agricultural production supplies and marketing services for the Thumb’s farmers. They will be using the grant money to expand processing in their bean plant, implement new technology, and fill four new positions.

Youngblood Vineyard is a thriving vineyard that grows six different grape varieties and processes 100% estate-grown wine on-site. The grant will fund four new positions at the family-owned winery and increase production as well as increase their event hosting capabilities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

COVID-19 Antiviral Oral Meds are Now Available

New antiviral medications are now available in Michigan for those who test positive for COVID-19. The medications, Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, are treatments for mild to moderate COVID infections.

The medication has been shown to reduce symptoms and the risk of hospitalization in people who have conditions that put them at high risk of severe illness. The drugs need to be given within five days of onset of symptoms.

The medications are distributed using Priority Eligibility Criteria. Those at the highest risk, such as elderly, pregnant, or immunocompromised patients are at the front of the line to get the treatment.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive said, “We urge Michiganders to talk to their health care provider if they test positive for COVID-19 to determine the best treatment course. However, it’s important to remember these drugs are still in limited supply and are not a substitution for protecting yourself by getting vaccinated and wearing a mask in public places.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland