Icebreaking Season has Begun

The Canadian Coast Guard has announced that the annual icebreaking season is now underway on the Great Lakes. The practice provides assistance to the international shipping industry by clearing the way for freighters. The Canadian Coast Guard works in partnership with the United States Coast Guard District 9.

The Canadian Coast Guard has two icebreakers in service, the CCGS Griffon and the CCGS Samuel Risley. The season has been affected by the pandemic, with the Coast Guard making adjustments to procedure as needed to prevent the spread of the virus while still maintaining normal levels of operation.

According to the CCG, “Although the St. Lawrence Seaway, Welland Canal and Sault Ste. Marie Locks are closed during the winter months, shipping is still active on the Great Lakes and connecting waterways, including Lake Erie, Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River, Lake Huron, St. Marys River, and Georgian Bay.”

The Canadian Coast Guard is in constant contact with mariners through Marine Communications and Traffic Services in Sarnia, Ontario and Prescott, Ontario. Last year, they responded to 80 ice-breaking requests.

Reporting at WGRT – Jennie McClelland

United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Wraps Up 2020 Campaign

The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton is grateful for the support of the community during their 2020 campaign. The campaign raised 92% of their target goal and closed with $1,753,000 in donations.

“Despite not reaching the Needs Target, we were overwhelmed with the generosity of  our community during the year,” said Vicky Ducharme, campaign chair. “We faced  uncertainty around each corner of the campaign but with the help of volunteers,  donors, and workplaces we will continue to help Lambton County’s youth, families and  seniors.”  

The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton funds over 36 programs and services provided by 18 agencies. Donations can always be made to support their programs at www.theunitedwat.on.ca.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Parking Lot Bingo Returns

Port Huron Parks and Recreation released their winter program guide, and they are focusing on the area’s senior citizens.

“The pandemic has impacted everyone, but especially seniors since they are at higher risk,” said  Melanie Chandler, Port Huron Recreation Department co-supervisor. “We hope to relieve their isolation  by safely socializing outdoors with them for a few minutes and giving them something fun to do when we  leave,” she said.

One offering, Parking Lot Bingo, was so successful in the fall that the department is bringing it back to McMorran Place every Tuesday from January 19th through February 9th. The 45-minute game will start at 3:30 pm.

Outdoor fun is also a theme, and they hope to have two ice rinks available in the city if the weather cooperates. Ice rinks would be located at Palmer Park and Lincoln Park.

For more information on other programs for seniors and families, check out the Port Huron Rec’s Facebook page or website.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Congresswoman Lisa McClain Michigan's 10th District

Statement from Congresswoman McClain on Election Certification

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI-10) released the following statement on certifying the 2020 election.

“I have heard from thousands of residents of Michigan’s 10th district – the folks who sent me here to represent them and be their voice in Washington,” said Congresswoman Lisa McClain. “The concerns voiced by my constituents from across the political spectrum, towards the voting process during the 2020 Presidential election are clear.

Many voiced questions about Congress’s role in the certifying of election results, and while this is a valid concern, Congress does have the legal standing. The Electoral Count Act (ECA) of 1887, grants Members of Congress the authority to voice concerns, raised by their respective constituents, with an election. Therefore, I took the concerns I have heard from Michiganders into account and studied the facts.

This is not a process that I take lightly.

The American people need to have confidence in our democratic elections and the rule of law. If the ECA, as followed by myself and my colleagues, conflicts with our Constitution, then that needs to be addressed in the appropriate manner. What we saw is the rule of law and due process at work – just as our Founding Fathers intended.

Now, I call on state and local officials to realize the deep flaws that led us here and fix them. This cannot and should not happen again. The future of our Constitutional Republic depends on it.”

Submitted by Congresswoman Lisa McClain

Blue Water Area COVID-19 Update January 7, 2021

As of January 6th, St. Clair County currently had 3,153 active cases of COVID-19 and 20% of hospital beds in the county were being used for COVID-19 patients.

The St. Clair County Health Department is providing information about COVID-19 vaccination on their website which includes answers to frequently asked questions about vaccine safety and the phased rollouts for vaccinating the public. Currently, the health department is actively vaccinating the first group, Phase 1A, persons including health care workers and residents of long term care facilities. As soon as they have completed vaccinating this group, they will roll into vaccinating the next group, Phase 1B, which includes other essential workers and individuals 75 years of age and older.

In the last Facebook Live session provided by the Health Department, Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer, said “How can I say that we know vaccines are safe? Because we have the most robust post-marketing systems in the world that monitor vaccine outcomes and safety.” She also said, “We do have a way of watching real time these vaccines and making sure no surprises hit us.”

Lambton County currently had 289 active cases, and Lambton Public Health was monitoring 15 outbreaks of the virus. The province of Ontario continues to be shutdown until further notice. Details on the shutdown are available at ontario.ca.

Please continue to rely on reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Sherman Woods Raises $11,000 in Red Kettle Drive

For many Blue Water area residents, a drive through the Sherman Woods neighborhood in Port Huron is an essential holiday tradition. Viewing the beautifully decorated homes and trees filled with glowing orbs is the perfect accompaniment to the Christmas playlist coming from the car radio.

Five years ago, the Sherman Woods Homeowners Association decided to take their Christmas cheer in a more philanthropic direction and began participating in the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive. Neighbors take turns collecting donations on weekend evenings when there is a steady flow of traffic through the neighborhood.

This year’s efforts generated an $11,000 donation to the Port Huron Salvation Army, surpassing last year’s total by nearly $7,000.

Fred Kemp, president of Sherman Woods Home Owner’s Association, said, “The response to the Red Kettle Drive in our neighborhood was nothing short of tremendous.”

He also said, “Visitors to our neighborhood during the campaign were equally generous in the money they donated. The funds helped to provide gifts and food for families in need during the holiday season. That was all the more important in this pandemic year. We want to thank everyone who made this such a huge success and we look forward to doing more in 2021.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand