MDOT Plans M-136 Bridge Construction

The bridge over the Black River in Beard Hills is going to get a facelift and it will cause some disruption to a popular route for commuters from the rural parts of northern St. Clair County and for those who enjoy a scenic drive.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced that improvements to M-136 in Clyde Township will start on May 3rd and will continue into August of 2021.

The entire project is a $1.3 million investment by MDOT. The work includes resurfacing, joint replacements, railing replacements, concrete patching, and repairs to the bridge approach. The work is expected to complete structural improvements to the bridge, improve the driving surface, and extend the life of the roadway.

MDOT reports that traffic will be maintained throughout the work period, except for two weekends, where the road will be completely closed. A temporary signal will be in place, but the bridge will need to be closed in each direction in late May and late June, just during a weekend. The closures will be announced in advance.

A link to a map of the project can be found at:

https://mdotjboss.state.mi.us/MiDrive/map?constZone=true&lat=43.05166125334461&lon=-82.59658074378936&zoom=14

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sheriff’s Office Seeking Information on Suspicious Death

Port Huron Township, MI — The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance regarding a suspicious death.

Deputies were called to the 3000 block of Howard Street at about 12:30 Tuesday afternoon for a dead body found in a field.  When they arrived, they were directed by a witness to a vacant lot, where the body of a man was located.  

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office were able to determine the identity of the body, a 34 year old white male from Port Huron Township.  A preliminary investigation determined that the man had died in another location and was later transported to the field, where he was left.

The investigation regarding the cause and manner of death is ongoing.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Kelsey Wade at (810) 987-1738.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

Friends of the St. Clair River Wins EGLE Water Monitoring Grant

When is the last time you thought about macroinvertebrates? They are actually pretty important, as they are monitored to determine the health of rivers and streams. The Friends of the St. Clair River organization has received a $2000 grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to continue their work in monitoring the health of our vitally important waterways.

Sheri Faust, President of Friends of the St. Clair River, said, “This grant revitalizes our Stream Leaders program from 2008 with the St. Clair County Health Department. It’s exciting to receive funding since this is the first opportunity that became available in the MiCorp Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program after a long funding hiatus.”

The grants went to organizations that were just starting out with stream monitoring as well as veteran stream monitoring agencies like Friends of the St. Clair River, who received a maintenance grant to help them continue monitoring the health of the river.

Faust said that they will be adding five new testing sites to the existing 12 sites. She said the grant will help train volunteers, provide education, and guide management actions to keep our rivers healthy.

The grants are funded by water protection fundraising license plates.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

The Sentinel Project is Launched to Monitor Nursing Home Care

The “Silver Tsunami” is coming. The moniker refers to the aging Baby Boomer population that will contribute to an estimated 70% increase in the number of people needing care in nursing homes. A new effort is underway to make sure the elderly are not taken advantage of or being abused or neglected while in long-term care facilities.

The Sentinel Project has been launched in the Health Care Fraud Division of the Office of Michigan’s Attorney General. Its goal is to make surprise visits to facilities suspected of abuse or neglect through metrics, complaints, and other data.

The Sentinel Project is a law enforcement effort that will collaborate with the nursing home industry and regulatory agencies. It is being rolled out now in preparation for the inevitable rapid increase in the need for more long-term nursing care. By the year 2060, there will be over 94 million senior citizens in the United States, according to projections.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “We are dedicated to detecting and addressing any neglect or abuse of loved ones residing in long-term care facilities. Instances of substandard care must be eliminated, and The Sentinel Project will help accomplish that goal.”   

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Get Ready for The Great Michigan Scavenger Hunt

Port Huron, MI — The Michigan Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus wants people to get out and explore Michigan’s towns, cities, and scenery, and the organization is planning a statewide scavenger hunt from May 2 – 8th complete with hidden treasures.

The Great Michigan Scavenger Hunt starts with a check in on social media with one of the participating visitor’s bureaus. The Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is the closest for those who want to find one of the 9 treasures hidden in the Blue Water Area. A map of all participating location is available <HERE>.

Clues will be posted on social media that will lead participants to a silver tin with a sticker on top that says, “The Great Michigan Scavenger Hunt”. Once found, the contents of the box belong to the treasure hunter. Prizes include gift cards to restaurants, shopping destinations, and Michigan activities.

After the scavenger hunt, the promotion continues throughout May, and Michigan travelers can share their favorite travel memories on Twitter and Instagram using the #MIPowerOfTravel. Ten winners will be chosen for a special Michigan Road Trip Travel package.

For more information about the local scavenger hunt, follow the Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau on Facebook and Instagram or visit BlueWater.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

 

Steps for Life Virtual Event to Help Families of Workplace Tragedies

Sarnia, Ontario — The Sarnia Steps for Life event is a fundraising walk that helps families affected by life-altering workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths. This year’s event will take place virtually, and the online opening ceremony is on Saturday, May 1, 2021.

Participants can walk individually, or create or join a team, and walkers can walk wherever they’d like as long as it respects local public health guidelines. All participants who register on or before May 31st qualify for a chance to win a $1,500 VISA gift card.

Register for the walk <HERE>.

Funds raised from Steps for Life support Threads of Life’s family support services which help more than 3,000 families throughout Canada. Last year, the event raised $440,000.

In Canada, close to 1000 workers die every year from a work-related injury or occupational disease and many more are injured.

Steps for Life is also doing a fundraiser with Plantables, a plant service that ships garden-ready plants directly to your home. For more information about the fundraiser, visit Sarnia Steps for Life on Facebook.

 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand