New Law Gives Local Road Authorities Power to Make Construction Zones Safer
With road construction season underway, a new bill has been signed into law to protect the construction workers who are making Michigan’s roads and bridges safer.
House Bill 5286 was signed into law last week. The bill gives the Michigan Department of Transportation, county road commissions, or local road authorities the authority to implement traffic control measures. They are also able to use a digital message board to display the reduced speed limit required to protect safety.
The bill’s sponsor, State Representative Mark Huizinga, a Republican from Walker, said, “Having drivers reduce their speed when workers are present can decrease the likelihood of a tragic accident, but sometimes drivers don’t see the road crews until they are too close. By allowing for these modified signs, we can inform drivers about the presence of workers so they can follow the law and protect lives.”
Construction labor unions are endorsing the bill, saying that it will help improve worker safety as the state works to rebuild its infrastructure.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair Awarded Young Professionals Grant
The Young Professionals Initiative is a grant program that is meant to reduce youth unemployment and put young people aged 14 to 24 on the path to self-sufficiency.
The local Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair branch has been granted $184,996. Statewide, $4 million were granted to sixteen agencies that assist with employment.
Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training said, “This funding allows our Michigan Works! partners to take a localized approach to support young adults, helping us close equity gaps, address talent shortages, and remove barriers to employment.”
Participants in the programs will be provided with career preparation for high-demand industries like construction, healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing.
The program aligns with Michigan’s “Sixty by 30” goal of having at least 60% of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030 and to have long-term sustainable employment.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Project Blue Light to Deter Crime, Build Relationships
Blue lights are going to be going up around town, and there’s a good reason. The Port Huron Police Department is partnering with local businesses to deter crime with Project Blue Light.
The lights signal a relationship between law enforcement and Port Huron bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, stores, and gas stations that have surveillance equipment that meets the standards required by the project.
Lieutenant Jeremy Young said that the point of the Project is to deter crime and build relationships with local businesses. The businesses that agree to have the lights installed agree to partner with police to use their existing surveillance equipment to help the police increase response time and solve crimes if they occur in the vicinity.
Lieutenant Young said, “Ultimately, this program uses advanced surveillance as a deterrent.” Young emphasized that the police are not able to watch live footage, and they only have access to the private property of the businesses with the permission of the business.
So far, many businesses have signed on to the program and residents should start seeing the blue lights in the coming weeks.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Westphal Commended for Bravery
A St. Clair County Sheriff’s Deputy was recently recognized for extreme bravery and for carrying out a successful apprehension to get a dangerous felon into custody.
Deputy Mike Westphal, a nineteen-year veteran, was presented with a St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Department Citation last week for his apprehension of an armed suspect who had multiple felony warrants outstanding.
The incident for which Westphal was recognized occurred in December of 2021. Deputy Westphal set up surveillance and ended up pursuing the subject on foot. The subject pulled a gun on Deputy Westphal, at which point, Westphal requested backup and switched from taser to gun. Westphal continued to pursue the subject on foot and eventually from his patrol vehicle. He was able to apprehend the subject and remove the gun, and eventually place the subject under arrest.
St. Clair County Sherriff Mat King said, “I am very proud of Mike and his decision making in an extremely stressful situation. After reviewing the bodycam footage, I found Mike’s actions to be very brave and professional with a suspect who pointed a handgun at him.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Construction on I-94 Bridge Starts Saturday
Starting Saturday, April 2, 2022, westbound I-94 will be detoured to create an alternate route around the bridge near the Blue Water Bridge Plaza. Throughout the weekend, a maintenance crew will be working on the westbound I-94 bridge, which runs over the abandoned eastbound I-94 bridge.
Construction on the westbound I-94 bridge will begin at 6 AM Saturday and should be complete by 7 AM on Monday, April 4, 2022.
Detours will be posted to direct traffic around the area via the I-94 Business Loop, Hancock Street, Pine Grove Avenue/Huron Avenue/Military Street, and westbound Griswold Street. Travelers headed west out of the Port Huron Area should enter I-94 at Water Street or farther west to avoid construction.
Work on the bridge will improve the driving surface and extend the life of the bridge.
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand