High-Speed Internet to Reach Unserved Communities

High-speed internet will be coming to the underserved areas in Michigan if the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office is able to accomplish its goals.

The initiative was awarded $15.3 million through the Connecting Michigan Communities Grant program. The funding will go toward twenty projects that service 6700 locations. The economic benefit is projected at $12.4 million annually.

Locally, service in Cottrellville and St. Clair Townships are part of the state-wide initiative.

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist said, “We will continue to invest in expanding infrastructure to allow all Michiganders the opportunity to access high-speed internet. The funding in the CMIC grant will increase access for families and better connect people, communities, and businesses across Michigan.”

The high-speed internet access is intended to expand service to unserved areas in the state and enhance the ability to connect for personal, professional, and educational purposes.

The projects are meant to increase digital literacy by providing training to residents and businesses and working with community organizations to promote e-learning, job, and workforce training. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bayview Mackinac Race This Saturday

The City of Port Huron is getting ready to host the kickoff of the 2021 Bayview Mackinac Race this week and celebrate with Boat Week activities.

The first Port Huron to Mackinac race happened in 1925 when a group of 15-20 yachts made their way from Detroit to Port Huron for a series of boat races called a regatta. Following the event, a group of sailors from the Bayview Yacht Club decided to hold a race from Port Huron to Mackinac on July 25th, 1925.

The first race started with 12 yachts but sooner after they began, thunderstorms on Lake Huron started taking their toll on the racers. Only 6 boats finished that original race.

This year’s race is the 97th consecutive Bayview Mackinac Race, and spectators can watch the boats parade out of the Black River starting at 8 AM on Saturday, July 24th. There are also several other advantageous places along the St. Clair River to watch the boats head to the lake, such as Keifer Park and along the Blue Water Bridge.

Details about Boat Week activities in the City of Port Huron are available here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/3053998494818911/

Details about events at the Port Huron Yacht Club are here:

https://phyc.org/current/boat-week/boat-week-schedule#.YPGOt-hKiUm

Updates for racers are available here:

https://www.bycmack.com/raceupdates.cfm

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

 

Return Absentee Ballots In Person or Via Drop Box

With just over two weeks to go, Michigan voters in the 54 counties with elections on Aug. 3 should now return their absentee ballots in person or via drop box. This includes voters in the City of Port Huron.

“Michigan citizens have a number of options to vote,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “Whether it’s voting absentee by mail or at their local clerk, drop box, or in person on Election Day, voters can be confident no matter how they choose to exercise their rights, the process will be safe and secure and their vote will be counted and their voices heard.”

Those who do not yet have a ballot are encouraged to visit their local election clerk’s office, where they can be issued one, vote it, and return it to the clerk in the same visit. Those who already have a ballot at home should fill it out, sign the back of the envelope and return it in person or via drop box as soon as possible.

Registered voters can vote early with an absentee ballot at their clerk office now through August 2, or at their polling place on Election Day, August 3. Those who haven’t registered can register online through next Monday, July 19, or register and vote in one trip to their clerk office now through 8 p.m. on Election Day, August 3.

The August 3rd election in the city of Port Huron only includes one issue: a proposal to amend the citizen initiative regarding marihuana that passed on November 3, 2020. The amendment would expedite medical marihuana licensing in the City. It would also ensure the City remains in compliance with State Law in order to reduce lawsuits against the City and to avoid wasting City funds.

 

Port Huron Woman Suspected of Home Invasion, Assault, Arson

On July 16, 2021 at 3:07 p.m. the Port Huron Police Department Road Patrol responded to the 1100  block of Gillett Street regarding an assault. Officers did speak with the victim, a 48 year female  from Port Huron who stated that the suspect, being a 50 year old female from Port Huron had  broken into her home and assaulted her with a hammer. 

Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect who was inside of the victim’s residence, but  was refusing to answer the door or come out. As officers set up a perimeter around the residence,  waiting for additional officers to arrive, officers observed smoke coming from both the front and rear of the residence. Officers immediately requested Port Huron Fire Department to respond to the  scene. Officers then observed flames coming from the residence. 

Due to the immediate circumstances and knowing that the suspect was still inside, officers  attempted to make entry into the residence but could not due to the heavy smoke. The suspect eventually jumped from a second story window onto some cars and was taken into custody by  officers. 

The fire was extinguished by the Port Huron Fire Department and the crime scene was turned over  to members of the Port Huron Police Department Criminal Investigative Division and the Port  Huron Fire Department – Fire Marshal.  

The suspect was transported by Tri-Hospital EMS to a local hospital for medical treatment from the  smoke/fire and second story jump. Charges will be requested for the suspect through the St. Clair  County Prosecutors Office for Home Invasion, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Arson  

If you have knowledge of this crime call the Port Huron Police Department at (810) 984-8415 or the Port Huron Police Department’s Criminal Investigative Division at (810) 984-9711.  

Anonymous tips can be received through the CAPTURE Hotline at (810) 987-6688, emailed through  www.porthuronpolice.org, or texted by downloading the Port Huron PD app on apple or android devices.  Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and their message/tip to  847411. 

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

Next Michigan State Park Could Be in Downtown Flint

For Blue Water Area residents looking for a day trip, there could be new recreational opportunities just an hour’s drive away. Plans are underway to create a new Michigan State Park in Flint. The new park would be located at a former industrial site, Chevy Commons. The proposed park needs to be approved by the legislature.

The possible state park would run along the Flint River and would connect to local neighborhoods, U of M-Flint, and Kettering University. It would also connect to the Flint Farmer’s Market, the Flint Cultural Center Campus, and the Iron Belle Trail.

The plan includes non-motorized trails, playscapes, accessible open spaces, fishing opportunities, and canoe and kayak launches. The estimated cost is $26.2 million and would be paid for with money from the federally funded American Recovery Plan.

If approved, the park would be Michigan’s 104th State Park and Genesee County’s first. Flint was identified as lacking a “signature park” in the 2021 DNR Public Land Strategy report.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Secretary of State Expand Hours & Appointments

Starting Monday, July 19th through September 30, 2021, Michigan Secretary of State Branches are offering extended business hours and more appointments for in-person services.

Branch offices will stay open until 6 PM on Mondays and Thursdays and open at 8 AM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Visits to the branch offices can be scheduled at the Office of the Secretary of State’s website at michigan.gov/sos, and the best time to schedule appointments for the following week is on Wednesday at 2 PM when they become available.

Appointments can also be scheduled by phone at 888-MICH-SOS.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said the department is working to offer more efficient and convenient service and will continue working with the legislature to expand online and self-service station options so Michiganders don’t have to visit branch offices at all.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand