Weatherization Program Helps Reduce Energy Costs

Help is available for low-income Michigan residents who need help winterizing their homes. It might still feel like summer, but winter is on its way, and along with it, high heating costs. Winterization can help reduce household energy costs.

Blue Water Community Action is the provider of the winterization service in St. Clair County. Those who sign up for the program will have trained energy auditors use energy audit software and advanced diagnostic equipment to create a comprehensive energy analysis of their homes.

After analysis, the most cost-effective ways to reduce heating costs are then determined and trained contractors install the energy-efficient health and safety improvements. Examples of improvements are insulation, air sealing, lighting upgrades, and water-saving measures. Safety issues like CO2 exposure, ventilation problems, and system efficiency are also addressed. Improved health outcomes like reduced asthma triggers have been attained with the program.

There are income eligibility requirements and homes must be in adequate condition to handle the upgrades.

Anyone interested in applying for the Weatherization Assistance Program can contact their local provider. 

More information about home energy savings can be found by visiting the websites below that cover:

Air Sealing your home. 

Energy Efficiency Tips from Consumers Energy. 

The Energy Saver Guide from Energy.gov. 

Twenty-five Quick and Easy Energy Saving Tips from Direct Energy. 

Energy Efficiency Tips for Renters and Homeowners from Energy.gov.

Training for those working in the Weatherization Assistance Program is provided by the Michigan Training and Education Center. For more information about the training, visit www.MichiganTEC.org. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Friends of the St. Clair River to Present Improvements in Drinking Water Source

The community is invited to a presentation by the Friends of the St. Clair River on the health of the water used for the area’s drinking water supply.

Chemical spills in the 1980s sparked a “Drinking Water Impairment for the St. Clair River Area of Concern”. There are misconceptions about what that designation means and the presentation is a chance to clear things up. It will be held on Tuesday, October 19th, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom. It is free to attend.

A survey was done by the Friends of the St. Clair River this spring to gather residents’ perceptions of the quality of their drinking water and to gauge the understanding of where municipal water comes from and the safety of that supply.

Results of the survey will be shared at the presentation. Water professionals will share information about the treatment process and industry partners on both the U.S. and Canadian sides of the St. Clair River will be on hand to share the progress made over the last three decades.

Sheri Faust of the Friends of the St. Clair River said, “Protecting drinking water is a complex responsibility, and in the case of the St. Clair River, it’s an international responsibility.”

Registration is required at www.scriver.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Border Reopening in November

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued  a statement on the Michigan-Canada border reopening for vaccinated travelers beginning next month.

Whitmer said, “The relationship between Michigan and Canada is one built on trade, travel, and friendship. I am grateful to the government of Canada and our federal partners for coming together to reopen the Michigan-Canada border. I look forward to welcoming our neighbors as they cross the Ambassador Bridge or Detroit-Windsor Tunnel into Detroit, the Blue Water Bridge into Port Huron, or the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge into Sault Ste. Marie.”

She went on to say, “By reopening the border, we can build on Michigan’s economic momentum. We had the third-highest GDP growth in the second quarter of 2021 and have a $3.5 billion surplus to invest in our families, communities, and small businesses. I look forward to collaborating with our Canadian friends to emerge from the pandemic and usher in a new era of economic prosperity.”

Submitted by Governor Whitmer’s Office

Matt Brooks Converts Port Huron Alley Into Social Club

Matt Brooks, Entrepreneur and owner of several local businesses, wanted to create a space for games and social activity on the south end of downtown Port Huron. His newest venture, Jackleg Games & Social Club will fill that desire.

Jackleg Games & Social Club is an outdoor venue located behind Foundry at 1219 Military Street. Its neighbors to the west are The Hatch, a co-working space owned by Brooks, and The Hallway Entertainment, owned by Carol Hall and home to several escape rooms and Kid City.

The space has been outfitted with custom seating, fire pits, string lights, and cozy landscaping to help visitors feel like they are stepping into a friend’s backyard. The definition of the word “jackleg” is unskilled or amateur, so Brooks hopes people keep that in mind while having fun at the new venue.

In the future, there will be a membership program where members can use the space and access the games such as giant Jenga, Connect Four, and corn hole, but, for now, those interested can check out the space while attending a couple of upcoming events.

The next event is a Blue Water Chamber of Commerce Business After Five on Thursday, October 14th from 5-7 PM. The event will take place at Jackleg Games & Social Club and includes music by Dave Liniarski.

On Saturday, October 16, 2021 Foundry is hosting a Halloween Party that includes raku pottery, an outdoor pottery firing experience. Visitors to that event will get to see Jackleg’s space as it connects to the alley behind Foundry.

When asked what he has in mind for the future of Jackleg Games & Social Club, Brooks said, “We look forward to hosting food trucks and playing wild and crazy games.” He also said the winter weather won’t stop them, and they plan to have leagues in the spring.

To learn more, follow Jackleg Games & Social Club on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/jacklegporthuron

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Photo Cred: Jackleg Games & Social Club – Photo by Cecelia Schuler – Downtown Imaging Co.

Croswell Received Clean Water Grant

Governor Gretchen Whitmer awarded more than $14 million in grants under the umbrella of the MI Clean Water plan to help 28 Michigan cities, villages and townships better ensure safe, clean tap water for residents.

“By making critical investments in our water infrastructure, we can create thousands of good-paying jobs and protect access to safe drinking water and drive down costs for families and communities,” said Governor Whitmer. “The MI Clean Water plan is a game-changer for Michigan and we should continue building on it to replace all lead service lines statewide, tackle toxic contaminants, and lower utility bills for families.”

The grants, issued through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) support work including replacing lead service lines, enhancing water affordability plans, and connecting homes with contaminated drinking water wells to safe community water supplies.

In our area, the City of Croswell received a $323,756  Drinking Water Asset Management (DWAM) grant.

Submitted by Governor Whitmer’s Office

Voter Fraud Charges Announced by AG

Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel commented on the charges, saying, “These cases highlight the scrutiny applications and ballots undergo throughout the election process, as well as the thorough investigative process that ensues when instances of attempted fraud are suspected. 

The three people charged included a Macomb County nursing home employee who filled out voter applications without consent of the voters, a Wayne County grandmother who filled out an absentee ballot for her grandson who also voted in person, and a legal guardian who fraudulently obtained ballots for legally incapacitated individuals in both Wayne and Oakland counties.

Signature matching and security checks revealed the fraudulent applications or ballots. If found guilty, the penalties range from 90-day misdemeanors to five-year felonies for each charge.

Nessel said, “I appreciate our partners at the Department of State and Michigan State Police who brought these cases to us. These collaborative investigations assist in maintaining the integrity of our elections. We will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who attempts to undermine our elections.” 

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland