No More Rapid COVID Tests for Travelers to Canada at SCC Health Department

The St. Clair County Health Department has announced that Canadian and other travelers will need to look elsewhere for COVID-19 Rapid PCR testing. Canada requires all travelers 5 years and older to provide proof of a COVID-19 test result to enter the country. Antigen tests are not accepted.

Those driving into Canada must be tested within 72 hours of planned entry into Canada even if vaccinated and need to have the proof of testing available for 14 days after entry.

The St. Clair County Health Department is short on testing supplies and is giving testing priority to individuals who are exhibiting symptoms, those who live in congregate settings like nursing homes, and those in  high-risk situations.

Previously scheduled appointments will be honored, but no new appointments are being made for travelers.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health officer for the St. Clair County Health Department said, “We encourage all residents and visitors to plan ahead before crossing the border or traveling. Explore your testing options well before you leave. Individuals can find a list of COVID-19 testing locations on our website www.scchealth.co.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Museums Free to Low Income Families

Port Huron, MI–The new Discovery City Children’s Exhibit at the Port Huron Museum Carnegie Center opens on September 22, 2021, and a grant from the James C. Acheson Foundation will help low-income families enjoy all the museum has to offer for free.

Families with an EBT/Bridge card will be able to receive a free family day pass to the various Port Huron Museum sites. This includes the Carnegie Center with its brand new Discovery City for kids, the From Whence We Came: Black History in the Blue Water Area, and the James C. Acheson Marine Gallery. In addition, families can visit the Ft. Gratiot Lighthouse, the Huron Light Ship, and the Thomas Edison Depot Museum with their pass.

The Discovery City Children’s Exhibit was purchased used and refurbished by Natalie Green, a former YAC member with the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, and Lydia Sawdon, a Western Michigan University student, to represent kid-sized versions of some of the Blue Water Area’s favorite landmarks, destinations, and historical elements.  Kids can discover a miniature version of the Ft. Gratiot Lighthouse, McMorran Place, Edison’s Laboratory, and the St. Clair County Library.

Timed-entry tickets will be available for purchase next week, and prices will be $5 per child or $15 per family.

To learn more and buy admission tickets visit: www.phmuseum.org

 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Who is Hiring in Downtown Port Huron?

If you’re looking for a job in Downtown Port Huron, several companies may have an opening perfect for you. The Downtown Development Authority is holding a job fair for downtown businesses on Saturday, September 25th from 11 AM – 2 PM.

If you attend the job fair, you’ll be able to meet with a variety of downtown business owners and learn about their opportunities. Employers will also be accepting resumes and applications at the job fair.

Companies that are currently hiring include Blue Water Transit, Chef Shell’s Restaurant & Catering, ResourceMFG, and CityFlats Hotel. There are also openings for those who enjoy working in the arts & entertainment sector at The Hallway Entertainment, Foundry, and Sperry’s Moviehouse.

Country Style Marketplace, a Fort Gratiot boutique grocery market, is also preparing to open its downtown location mid-October. They will be hiring almost 45 people including cashiers, stockpersons, deli and meat counter workers, and more.

September 25th is also Downtown Day, a day designated by Governor Whitmer to celebrate Michigan’s small towns.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

HURON Lightship Back Open for Visitors

The HURON Lightship is back in business after the unplanned shutdown due to a rare weather-related issue. The damage from last summer’s rapid rise in water levels on the St. Clair River has been repaired and Port Huron’s crown jewel, the museum in a boat, is ready to greet guests.

The location at Pine Grove Park in Port Huron near the Thomas Edison parkway makes the HURON one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.

The HURON Lightship was the last operating lightship and along with many maritime artifacts also displays live footage from a camera located on the river bottom.

Port Huron Museums’ Andrew Kercher told us that the Museum is very excited to have the HURON Lightship reopened to the public. Kercher said, “The HURON Lightship is marking its centennial this year, and we are very grateful to our partners at the City of Port Huron that we can help share this National Historic Landmark with thousands of visitors each year.”

From now until September 19th, the HURON is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. After that, it will be open on a weekend schedule. Ticket information can be found at phmuseum.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Range Road Overpass Closing for Construction

Range Road from Griswold to Lapeer Roads in Port Huron Township is scheduled for reconstruction. The project will close Range Road temporarily.

The work is scheduled to begin on September 8th and is planned to wrap up by October 22nd if the weather cooperates. The work is being done by M.L. Chartier Excavating, Inc. The project has a $939,000 price tag, paid for by the St. Clair County Road Commission, the State of Michigan, and the Federal Highway Administration.

The reconstruction of Range Road includes crushing and shaping the existing asphalt, paving a portion of the road shoulder, cleaning up the ditches and replacing culverts, as well as making new pavement markings, and restoring the site.

About two weeks after the start of the project, the Range Road overpass at I-69 will close to traffic. The closure is allowed for up to 35 days. The detour involves Griswold, Michigan, and Lapeer Roads.

Local traffic access to homes and businesses will be allowed, along with access for emergency vehicles, but local residents should plan for delays during construction.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Why Are There So Many Yellowjackets?

Do you feel like there are more yellowjackets than usual this year? Commonly referred to as “garbage bees” or “ground bees”, yellowjackets are at the peak of their activity right now, and they may be invading your summer picnics and disrupting your afternoon strolls.

Yellowjackets are attracted to sweets and proteins, so your summer BBQ menus is right up their alley. Even though the insects seem to be crazy about you, they are really only trying to get to your food. Yellowjackets don’t tend to be aggressive unless their nest is being threatened, but they can sting repeatedly if they are provoked.

Kristin Lyons, Stewardship Director for Friends of the St. Clair River, said while yellowjackets feel like a nuisance, they are also considered beneficial. “They can take out a lot of crop pests like caterpillars that might feed on some of our crops, and they’re also pollinators so they help pollinate our fruits and vegetables.”

To avoid being stung, Lyons recommends never wearing fragrances or perfumed lotions, soaps, cosmetics, or deodorants while exploring nature. If yellowjackets are bothering you, simply move out of their space and try to avoid aggravating them. If they do sting, they will release a pheromone that will attract other yellowjackets.

You should also stay on trails and notify the park management if you notice a ground nest of stinging insects.  Park rangers can remove the nests or at least make them more noticeable with cones or caution tape to alert park goers of their presence.

Yellowjackets will continue their frenzy for food until they die off in the fall, usually after about 5-7 days in a row at an outdoor temperature of 45 degrees or lower.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand