Mark S. White Named 2020 Michigan Professional Emergency Manager of the Year

Mark S. White has been named the 2020 Michigan Professional Emergency Manager of the Year by the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.

White is the Deputy Director for St. Clair County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. White drafted the emergency management framework in the midst of the pandemic, which allowed for all county agencies to coordinate their efforts.

White is also credited with spearheading the Local Emergency Planning Committee in St. Clair County. The Committee brings together the resources of both public and private entities to expand resources and expertise in emergencies.

Captain Kevin Sweeney, Commander of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, said, “Mr. White’s dedication to emergency management over the last three decades has helped his community prepare for and respond to disasters, ensuring their health and safety. His continued efforts to educate others and improve emergency response statewide are more than deserving of this award.”

Mark S. White started his career in public service 35 years ago as a firefighter with the Port Huron Fire Department.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Part of Push to Preserve Local Journalism

Local journalism could be fading fast, with the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) used in writing and the competition for advertising dollars that support local media. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act of 2021, if passed, will incentivize preserving local journalism.

Attorneys General nationwide, including Michigan’s, are asking Congress to pass legislation that can help sustain local media outlets. The proposed legislation would give tax credits to those who subscribe to locally produced news and those who advertise with local media. They also propose a payroll credit for media outlets that hire local journalists.

It is difficult to get regional and relevant news for a lot of markets. The letter to Congress says, “Local news is essential to the health of our states, communities, and our democracy. Local news organizations across the country have been struggling for many years because of significantly reduced revenue and the transition to online news. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McClain Speaks About Border Crisis on House Floor

On October 21, 2021, Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) spoke on the House floor about the growing crisis at our southern border and urged the Biden Administration to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs from coming over our southwest border.

For video of the speech, click here.

Her remarks, as prepared, are below.

Once again, I come before this chamber to ask when will this administration address the ever-growing crisis at our southern border?

Every day that passes, from sun up to sun down, our nation’s immigration laws are being violated by thousands of illegal border crossers.

For the life of me, I don’t understand why our Commander and Chief refuses to go and see the mess that he and his open border policies have created.

But I’ve seen this crisis myself, so let me paint him a picture.

In Fiscal year 2020, 458 thousand illegal aliens were apprehended at our southwest border.

In Fiscal year 2021, under President Biden’s “leadership”, that number skyrocketed to 1.7 million!

Last month, more than 12,000 illegal aliens from Haiti squatted under a bridge until President Biden’s Department of Homeland Security began moving them into the interior of our country.

The problems don’t stop with people coming in illegally. Illegal drugs from the border are coming to a town near you.

In Fiscal year 2021, Border Patrol agents at the southwest border seized nearly 900 pounds of fentanyl. Doing the math, that’s enough to kill nearly 200 million people.  That’s nearly two-thirds of our country!

To all my colleagues, I beg of you: We must fix this Biden Border Crisis.  It worsens with every passing minute.

I yield back.

Submitted by Congresswoman McClain’s Office

DTF Seizes Drugs in Port Huron Raid

Port Huron, MI — The St. Clair County Drug Task Force seized multiple drugs and a gun during a raid in the city of Port Huron on Wednesday, October 20, 2021.

According to Sheriff Mat King, the DTF conducted an investigation into the sales of narcotics in the Port Huron area.  The suspect was located driving a vehicle.  When deputies attempted to stop the suspect, he fled.  The suspect, a 54 year old Port Huron man was eventually taken into custody.  A search warrant was then executed at his residence in the 900 block of Wall Street.  Once inside, members of the DTF located and seized about $11,500 worth of fentanyl, $7,200 worth of cocaine, over $4,000 in cash and a handgun.  

The suspect was arrested at the home and transported to the Intervention and Detention Center.  He is expected to face charges including possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, felony firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, fleeing and eluding, maintaining a drug house and being a habitual 4th offender.

The Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team and K-9 Unit assisted in the investigation.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

MDARD Proposes Firewood Quarantine to Prevent Invasive Pests

In an attempt to keep invasive plant pests and plant diseases at bay, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is proposing an Exterior Firewood Quarantine and is inviting public comments. 

The proposed exterior firewood quarantine would mean that firewood can’t be shipped into Michigan unless it is heat-treated. Kiln-dried lumber, wood chips smaller than one inch, and wood shipped directly to mills for immediate processing would be exempt from the quarantine. 

Mike Philip, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director explained the reason for the proposal, saying, “Harmful invasive species, some of which are invisible to the naked eye, can hide in or on firewood. While most cannot move too far on their own, these pests and diseases can be transported undetected on traveler’s firewood, starting new infestations in locations hundreds of miles away.” 

Philip said, “These infestations can be devastating and pose a serious threat to Michigan’s agriculture, natural resources and the environment.”

Members of the public interested in providing feedback on this proposed quarantine can submit their comments to Mike Bryan, MDARD Export and Compliance Specialist by emailing BryanM@Michigan.gov. The deadline for comments is Friday, November 19, 2021. Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Invasives and on MDARD’s plant pest quarantine webpage.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Cynthia Cutright City of Port Huron

Cynthia Cutright Promoted to Special Projects Coordinator

Cynthia Cutright has been working hard in her role as Downtown Development Authority Director to keep events and activities around Port Huron safe and fun. Now she gets to use her gifts in a new position as Special Projects Coordinator in the office of Port Huron City Manager James Freed.

Cutright has been busy innovating ways that downtown events and spaces could be used safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has worked with downtown business owners to organize Shop, Rock & Stroll, a weekly night of music, art, and shopping, and she has also led the efforts to create the pocket parks and utilize outdoor spaces throughout downtown.

The new position of Special Projects Coordinator will capitalize on Cutright’s organizational strengths that she’s proven while managing events such as Bluewater Fest, Art Hop, and ChillyFest while also giving her new opportunities to work on administering American Rescue Plan funds and future workforce housing initiatives in the city.

City Manager James Freed said, “Cynthia is one of the most talented, dynamic and proven leaders I have worked with. She has done an extraordinary job leading the DDA these last few years, especially during the unique challenges COVID-19 presented. The Department Heads and I look forward to putting her talents and skills to good use on a much broader scale.”

In response to her promotion, Cutright said, “It’s been a wonderful opportunity to serve the DDA and the downtown business community. I am proud of the progress we have made and look forward to this new opportunity to serve our residents and community,”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand