Black River Ice Breaking Starts Sunday

Port Huron, MI — Many area residents enjoy snowmobiling on the Black River’s ice over the winter, but that season has come to an end. With temperatures rising and water runoff from melting snow, the river is no longer safe for recreational activities.

On Sunday, March 7th, ice breaking operations will begin on the river, and the bridges at Military, 7th, and 10th streets will be open intermittently throughout the day.

According to a press release from Chief Corey Nichols, Fire Chief of the Port Huron Fire Department, ice breaking will be conducted from the mouth of the Black River to the I-94 overpass.

Breaking up the ice in the Black River helps water flow freely to the St. Clair River and is part of the overall flood mitigation efforts in the area.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

More Teachers Eligible for $500 Checks

The MI Classroom Heroes COVID-19 Grants have been expanded to include teachers in the Great Start Readiness Program, Head Start, adult education, and young adult special education classrooms.

Teachers can get up to $500 for extra hours worked and extra supplies purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new appropriation adds another $2.5 million to the program to allow for the teachers who were not previously included.

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said, “My staff has been working with school districts and other stakeholders to help ensure that all eligible teachers and support staff receive the MI Classroom Heroes Grants. We will work urgently to ensure these specific program teachers receive their much-deserved grant payments.”  

Teachers are eligible if they had performed at least 75% of their standard instruction workload in brick-and-mortar classrooms before moving to remote instruction on April 2, 2020.  The checks will be sent from the treasury in June. Eligible specific program teachers should consult the school entity where they worked during the 2019-2020 school year to ensure they receive a grant, according to the Treasury. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Beeler Introduces Bill to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs

State Representative Andrew Beeler, a Port Huron Republican, has introduced a bill that would push down prescription drug costs by removing co-pay and deductible irregularities.

Beeler said, “I am extremely proud to sponsor this legislation which will actually reduce the cost of prescription drugs for Michigan families. Anytime I can help give patients more control over their healthcare decisions, I’m happy to do so.”

The bill is part of a larger health care package that focuses on patients. According to Beeler, his bill, House Bill 4345, prohibits insurance companies from penalizing consumers when they go out of network to get cheaper drugs. Shopping around for lower prices on medications can often have a detrimental effect on co-pays or out-of-pocket deductibles.

Beeler commented, “I support lowering prescription drug costs without creating bloated government bureaucracies. This is a great example of how we as elected officials can help cut costs without spending taxpayer dollars in the process.”

The Bill has been introduced and read and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

No Injuries in Vehicle Fire on I-94

Kimball Twp. MI — A tractor-trailer hauling trash from Canada caught fire early this morning on westbound I -94.

According to St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King, a 31 year old Brampton, Ontario man was driving on I-94, east of Ravenswood at about 4:00 a.m.  He told deputies that he heard a tire pop and started to slow down.  As he started to pull off the road, he heard another pop.  Once he stopped, he got out of the truck and saw flames coming from the right side of the trailer.  He was able to unhook the truck from the trailer and pull it forward a safe distance.

Marysville Police, and fire departments from Kimball Township, Port Huron Township and Clyde Township assisted.

Westbound I-94 was closed until approximately 8:00 this morning from Range Road to Gratiot Road.

The driver of the truck was not injured.  It is unknown at this time what caused the fire. 

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

Port Huron Man Arrested Following Drug Raid

Port Huron, MI — A 44 year old man has been arrested and lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center following a drug raid.

According to Sheriff Mat King, the St. Clair County Drug Task Force conducted an investigation into the sales of crystal methamphetamine in the Port Huron area.  The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant in the 2500 block of Spruce Street in the city of Port Huron on March 1st shortly after 9:30 p.m.  Members of the DTF searched the residence, where they located and seized about $5700 worth of crystal methamphetamine, about $600 in cash and drug paraphernalia.

The suspect is expected to be arraigned in 72nd District Court this afternoon, facing charges of possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine.

Submitted  by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force

McCain Calls for Improvements for Deployed MI National Guard

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) joined a bipartisan letter calling for the National Guard to void the contract that has led to members of the Michigan National Guard receiving unacceptable and inadequate quality of food while deployed to the U.S. Capitol. Constituents serving and currently deployed to Washington D.C. have reported receiving significantly undercooked food and even meals containing metal shavings. The Representatives call for a new food vendor or for a per diem to be provided.

“I am horrified our guardsmen and women, who are protecting our Capitol, are being fed inedible food,” said Rep. McClain. “This problem needs to be addressed now, before anyone else gets sick.”

In the letter, the Michigan Delegation states:

“We understand that the decision was made to provide contracted meals to support the entire federal response stationed at the Capitol. However, it is clear that these contracted meals are poorly prepared, oftentimes inedible, and highly inadequate to support our soldiers. It is completely unacceptable that our men and women serving in Washington D.C. are being hospitalized due to the food they are being provided. As Representatives of these service members, we request that either the current contract be voided and a new food provider be brought in or that the service members be provided with a per diem throughout their remaining time in Washington, D.C.”

Joining Rep. McClain on the letter are U.S. Representatives: Bill Huizenga, Debbie Dingell, Tim Walberg, Brenda Lawrence, Jack Bergman, Haley Stevens, Fred Upton, Elissa Slotkin, John Moolenaar, Dan Kildee, Peter Meijer, Andy Levin and Rashida Tlaib. This is the entire Michigan Delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives

Read the letter <HERE>

Submitted by the office of Congresswoman McClain