Michigan Small Business Week

Governor Whitmer proclaimed September 20th – September 26, 2020 as Michigan Small Business Week to recognize the thousands of small business across the state that keep Michigan’s economy strong and our communities united.

Governor Whitmer said,  “When our local businesses thrive so do our communities, families, schools, and economy. I hope this week will serve as a reminder of the positive impact small businesses have on our state. I encourage us all to do our part by shopping local now and throughout the year.

In Michigan, small businesses comprise over 98% of Michigan businesses and employ half of Michigan workers. Additionally, for every $100 spent at a local business, roughly $68 stays in the local economy, allowing both business and job growth.

 

More Bottle and Can Return Options Starting October 5th

Phase 2 of the Michigan bottle and can deposit return program will begin on October 5th. Some retailers have been unable to accept returns if they do not have certain machinery that processes the materials.

The new order from the Michigan Department of Treasury mandates that all “grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations and other retailers with reverse vending machines must reopen their bottle return facilities and resume the collection of returnable bottles and cans to refund outstanding deposits.”

Phase 1 retailers were those that exclusively provided a return area in a separate area of the store.

The Michigan Department of Treasury is allowing retailers that don’t have mechanized bottle counters and rely on employees to count and sort the returns to start accepting cans and bottles at their discretion.

Safety precautions required of retailers include limiting returns to $25 per day per person, establishing special or limited hours of operation for return facilities, limiting the number of available and operating reverse vending machines, periodically closing for cleaning, and implementing any other procedures to maintain safety.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lexington Receives Grant for Water System Improvements

The Village of Lexington received a combination of loans and grants totaling nearly $5 million from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development to perform improvements on its water system.

The proposed project will add filters at the water treatment plant, upgrade existing filters and water mains, and replace water meters. The project also includes construction of a 500,000 gallon ground storage tank.

Congressman Paul Mitchell said, “Improving and upgrading infrastructure – including water systems – is critical to the well-being and growth of our communities. These funds help Lexington make much needed improvements to their drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The USDA Office of Rural Development’s announcement is welcomed news and I look forward to seeing the new infrastructure improvements it provides for our rural communities.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County Qualifies for Extra Help to Combat Hunger and Homelessness 

The United Way of St. Clair County has announced the receipt of a grant to assist agencies in St. Clair County to assist with hunger and homelessness. 

The $9,925 grant is from the Federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which was started by Congress in 1983. The United Way is one of six charities on the National Board for the program, which also has representation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

United Way of St. Clair County was chosen for the grant based on data gathered state-wide to determine local needs and make responsible funding allocations. The deciding factors in the region include state counts of homeless populations, welfare caseloads, cost of living index, plant closings, and food stamp application levels. 

The funds are to be used to provide aid to homeless shelters, soup kitchens, food pantries, and organizations who provide emergency utility and mortgage help. Qualified agencies may apply for funding at uwstclair.org by September 28. 

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

DTF Arrests Man Wanted in TX for Sexual Assault

Port Huron, MI —  Members of the St. Clair County Drug Task Force arrested a man yesterday afternoon, who was wanted out of Texas for multiple crimes.

According to Sheriff Tim Donnellon, the DTF was alerted by the Lubbock, Texas Police Department concerning a man wanted for sexual assault with a child and parole violation.  He is also a suspect in a car-motorcycle crash in Lubbock that killed two people.  Lubbock Police had received information that the suspect, a 29 year old man from Shallow Water, Texas was believed to be in the Port Huron area.

Shortly before 4:30 Tuesday afternoon, members of the Drug Task Force located the vehicle the suspect had driven up from Texas.  The car was located in the 2900 block of 22nd Street in Port Huron.  Several members of the DTF conducted surveillance on the vehicle for a short period of time.  The suspect came out to the car and was arrested without incident.

A search of the suspect found that he was carrying crystal methamphetamine.  He faces arraignment today in 72nd District Court in Port Huron on charges of possession with intent to deliver crystal methamphetamine, bringing contraband into a jail, maintaining a drug house, driving with no license and being a habitual 3rd offender.  He is also expected to face extradition to Texas on the other charges.

The Port Huron Police K-9 Unit and Homeland Security Investigations Division also assisted in the arrest.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

Sarnia Reduces Number of People Allowed at Social Gatherings

The Ontario Government reduced the number of people allowed to attend private social gatherings around the Province on Tuesday. Previously, indoor gatherings could consist of 50 people, and outdoor gatherings were limited to 100. The new limits are 10 people at an indoor gathering and 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering.

As of this morning at 9 AM, there was 1 active case of COVID-19 in Lambton County, 0 active outbreaks, and there hasn’t been a hospitalization for COVID-19 since May.

The Province of Ontario recently started a new website with data on COVID-19 cases in publicly-funded Ontario schools. The most recent report shows 116 schools in Ontario with reported cases of the virus, but there are no cases of COVID-19 in publicly funded schools or licensed childcare settings in Lambton County.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand