DNR Will Be Looking for Impaired Boaters July 4th Weekend

Summer in the Blue Water Area often means boating and fun on the water. Sometimes that includes toasting the short summer season with a cocktail or other adult beverage. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is warning boaters to enjoy the water responsibly.

Operation “Dry Water” is a national law enforcement campaign that enforces sober boating. It is illegal to operate a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The legal alcohol limit is the same as for operating a motor vehicle- .08%.

Lieutenant Brandon Kieft, DNR Law Enforcement Division supervisor, said, “Boaters can have a good time and enjoy the resources, but they are expected to drink responsibly and operate safely.”

Boaters are asked to be aware of kayakers, swimmers, and hidden debris. The recent rains and high waters have moved things around in the water, and boaters need to have unimpaired judgment when operating a watercraft.

The DNR says to expect to see more officers on the water over the July 4th weekend. In addition to looking for drunk boaters, they will be looking for boaters wearing life jackets properly and handing out free coupons in partnership with McDonald’s.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Report “Flood Scams” to AG

With flooding causing headaches around the region, scammers targeting weary property-owners are compounding the pain.

Michigan’s Office of the Attorney General is warning residents to be aware of price gouging, particularly from vehicle-towing companies. There are reports of vehicles being unlawfully impounded and charging unreasonable fees.

If drivers feel that their vehicle was unfairly impounded, they can file a petition in the district court with jurisdiction in the location from where the car was towed.

Flood victims are also warned to be wary of opportunistic home repair contractors who may not have any intention of getting the work done any time soon. The consumer alert warns homeowners not to fall for high-pressure schemes that require an immediate decision and payment.

There is also a warning regarding flood-damaged vehicles on the used-car market. Consumers should inspect the vehicle title to look for words like “salvaged” or “rebuilt”.

Any suspicious activity can be reported to the state’s Consumer Protection Division for investigation.

Consumer Protection Division 

P.O. Box 30213 

Lansing, MI 48909 

517-335-7599 

Fax: 517-241-3771 

Toll free: 877-765-8388 

Online complaint form 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Celebrate the 4th at the Fort

Port Huron, MI — Celebrate the 4th of July by going back in time at the Fort Gratiot Post Hospital. Fourth at the Fort is a new event hosted by Port Huron Museums at the Hospital located at Lighthouse Park.

Visitors will experience a historical day of free fun and games complete with re-enactors dressed in 1860s fashion. There will be tours of the Lighthouse and the Post Hospital with presentations on Victorian medicine, and games and stories for children.

Fourth at the Fort runs from noon to 4 PM on the 4th of July, and showcases the historical site of Fort Gratiot which was constructed in 1814 to guard the entrance of the St. Clair River. The Post Hospital is the oldest wooden building in St. Clair County, and it is being renovated by Port Huron Museums to showcase the military and medical history of the Blue Water region.

Port Huron Museums is selling raffle tickets to raise money for the renovations, and tickets are available at all Port Huron Museums sites until September 12, 2021.

Learn more at phMuseum.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Enter Stage Right Wins Federal SBA Grant

Port Huron, MI — The show will go on for Enter Stage Right, which performs on the Citadel Stage in Downtown Port Huron. They have received a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The grant will help pay overhead expenses as well as provide for upgrades to get the opening season off to a good start. The theatrical production company hasn’t been able to hold in-person shows since March 15, 2020.

Executive Director Regina Spain said, “Truly, the knowledge that no matter what, we’ll have our theatre and will be able to pay our artists takes away the fear of losing one more thing due to the pandemic. We’ve kept our artists engaged with trainings and ‘out of the box’ performances, but it’s a struggle and we’re incredibly excited to get back to our audience and community.”

 Out of 15,000 applicants, Enter Stage Right was one of the winners of the SBA grant. They are waiting on another grant from the Michigan Council of Arts & Cultural Affairs, which could provide additional benefit to the theatre.

The theatre will reopen during the first weekend of August with the “Will on the Water” production.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

VA Adds Flag Retirement Box

Port Huron, MI — The St. Clair County Department of Veterans Affairs office, located in the County Administration Building, has installed a flag retirement box for proper disposal of United States flags.

The County Administration Building is located at 200 Grand River Avenue in Suite 104.

County residents can retire flags that are no longer fit to fly because of tearing, fraying, or worn condition by folding them respectfully and dropping them off at Veterans Affairs.

According to the The United States Flag Code, the “flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.” Therefore it should be destroyed in a dignified way when it is no longer a “fitting emblem of display”.

The Department of VA will take flags from the retirement box to the American Legion post 8 to be properly disposed of in their annual ceremony.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Hunter Hospitality Family House Open Ahead of Schedule

Port Huron, MI — The community has rallied behind the creation of the new Hunter Hospitality Family House and it is now open. The opening is ahead of the projected schedule.

The house provides lodging to families with loved ones who are hospital patients or who need to stay near the hospital for ongoing treatment. The Family House is a single unit designed to be a private refuge for families.

The house has a fully stocked kitchen and laundry room and has sleeping accommodations for six people.

Executive Director of Hunter Hospitality House, Tracy Willard, said, “We couldn’t have opened the Family House without the community’s generosity. A lot of companies donated time and services.  They believe in our mission, and we’re so grateful for their help with this expansion.”

The Family House is one of three properties managed by the Port Huron non-profit. The other two houses provide bed-and-breakfast style lodging near both hospitals in the city. 

The charity was established in 2011 in memory of Hunter Willard. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be on December 7th, which would have been Hunter’s 30th birthday.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland