Whitmer Asks EGLE to Investigate Edenville and Sanford Dam Failures

Lansing. MI — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today sent a letter to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) directing the department to investigate what caused the Edenville Dam and Sanford Dam to fail, resulting in historic flooding in several mid-Michigan counties. Gov. Whitmer also asked EGLE to review the larger issue of dam safety in Michigan and provide recommendations on policy, legislative, budgetary, and enforcement reforms that can prevent these harms from repeating elsewhere.

“This flooding forced thousands to evacuate their homes, destroyed public infrastructure, ruined homes and businesses, and caused major natural resource damage,” said Governor Whitmer. “We must ensure accountability and prevent a disaster like this from happening again. I want to thank the first responders and volunteers who have stepped up to help in this time of unprecedented need.”

The letter to EGLE is just one of many steps Gov. Whitmer has taken to marshal the necessary resources to ensure residents and their families have access to the help they need to recover from this disaster. Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency on May 19 for Midland City and Midland County and has since expanded the declaration to include additional impacted counties of Arenac, Gladwin, Saginaw, and Iosco to ensure those areas have the resources they need. On May 20, Gov. Whitmer sent a letter to President Trump urging him to approve a federal emergency declaration for Midland County, which was approved on May 21.

“It warms my heart to see the outpouring of support and generosity for residents in mid-Michigan impacted by this historic flood while in the midst of a global health pandemic,” Governor Whitmer said. “As residents begin the painstaking task of picking up the pieces from this disaster, they deserve to know why these dams failed, uprooting their homes, businesses and lives in the process.”

Local Arts and Culture Non-Profits Receive Grants

The local art and culture scene was thrown a lifeline recently, thanks to a statewide initiative. Five local non-profit arts and cultural organizations received $3,000 each as part of a statewide Emergency Relief Fund Grant. 

The St. Clair County recipients are Enter Stage Right, Riverbank Youth Theatre, School for Strings, St. Clair Art Association, and Studio 1219. 

The Michigan Council for the Arts awarded over $500,000 to 176 eligible non-profits who are coping with loss of revenue from the COVID-19 crisis. Over $83,000 was leveraged from Arts Midwest to benefit an additional 28 non-profits in Michigan. The funds can be used to pay staff, contracts, and overhead costs like rent and utilities. 

Receiving the grants shows that the organizations were deemed likely to “secure jobs and keep doors open” according to the Michigan Council for the Arts. Receiving funding is a vote of confidence in the future of in-person arts and cultural programming in the region. 

Funding was provided to the Michigan Council for the Arts by the federal CARES act in April. All available monies have now been disbursed. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Whitmer Requests Extension for Use of Michigan National Guard

Governor Gretchen Whitmer today sent a letter to President Trump requesting an extension of Title 32 authority in order to use Michigan National Guard forces to combat the spread of COVID-19 through July 31, 2020. Title 32 status, which provides for federal pay and benefits, is currently authorized by the President through June 24.

“The Michigan National Guard has been instrumental in flattening the COVID-19 curve in Michigan by performing testing throughout the state, distributing Personal Protective Equipment, food, and medical supplies, providing warehousing support, disinfecting public spaces, and assisting the Department of Health and Human Services with testing,” Governor Whitmersaid. “I’m requesting an extension to continue utilizing the Michigan National Guard so we can safely reopen our economy while putting the health and well-being of all Michiganders first.” 

In addition to requiring Title 32 authority to fully utilize the Michigan National Guard, Gov. Whitmer is making her request in order to ensure Guard members receive federal retirement and education benefits made available under the GI Bill. If Title 32 authority expires on June 24, some Guard members will not be eligible to receive these benefits. 

“The Michigan National Guard is a crucial part of our emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will remain vital to our ongoing recovery,” Governor Whitmer said. “I want to ensure the brave men and women serving in the National Guard receive the benefits they’re entitled to and have earned.” 

Body Found in St. Clair River Identified

Port Huron, MI — The body of a man found Monday in the St. Clair River has been identified.

Through the use of dental records, the St. Clair County Medical Examiner’s Office was able to determine that the body found is 31 year old Larod Denate Smith of Port Huron Township.  

Smith was reported missing from his Port Huron Township residence on April 1st. 

On April 2nd, the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and Port Huron Fire Department were called to Vantage Point in downtown Port Huron after reports of someone jumping into the St. Clair River.  The Dive Team used divers and sonar equipment to search the river from April 2nd through April 5th, but found nothing.  Smith’s vehicle was located at Vantage Point on April 2nd.

Smith’s body was located in St. Clair River near the mouth of Black River by a boater on May 25th.  His body was recovered by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Port Huron Fire Department.

The Medical Examiner’s Office is awaiting results of a toxicology report to conclusively determine the cause and manner of Smith’s death.

Suspect Arraigned in Drug Related Shooting in Algonac

Marine City, MI — A suspect in a drug related shooting in the city of Algonac in November of last year was arraigned on Wednesday, May 27th in 72nd District Court in Marine City.

According to St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon, 34 year old Ricardo Galan of Westland, Michigan is charged with armed robbery, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, 2nd degree home invasion and felony firearms.

The investigation began on November 18, 2019 when deputies from the Sheriff’s Office were called to the Algonac Fire Department for a person that had been shot.  The victim, a 31 year old man, also from Westland, was transported to Ascension River District Hospital in East China Township for treatment.

Members of the St. Clair County Drug Task Force became involved in the investigation, beginning with a residence on Smith Street in Algonac.  That investigation, which was hampered due to lack of cooperation from the victim, led members of the DTF to track down leads and conduct surveillance in the city of Detroit and other locations in the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Jackson and Livingston.  The investigation culminated with the arrest of Galan in Green Oak Township in Livingston County on Tuesday.  Following Galan’s arrest, a search warrant was executed at his residence, where several handguns were located and seized.

Galan is being held at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center on a $50,000 cash/surety bond.  His next court date is a probable cause hearing at 9:30 a.m. on June 10th before Judge Michael Hulewicz.

Multiple agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau, Port Huron Police Major Crimes Unit and the Clay Township Police Department assisted in the investigation.

Investigation into other possible suspects in the crime is ongoing.  If anyone has any information regarding this shooting, or any other drug related criminal activity, please contact the St. Clair County Drug Task Force at (800) 243-DRUG.

Whitmer Adds Iosco County to Emergency Declaration

Lansing, MI — On Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-105  adding Iosco County to the state of emergency declaration issued last week for Midland, Gladwin, Arenac, and Saginaw counties after heavy rains caused widespread flooding and resulted in the breach of Edenville and Sanford dams.

“This flooding has caused devastating damage for thousands of residents in impacted areas,” said Governor Whitmer. “I have declared an emergency to provide much needed assistance and have added Iosco county to the emergency declaration to ensure access to critical resources. I want to thank emergency responders in the region for helping to evacuate residents. Let’s all stay safe, and take care of each other.”   

“My staff has been working closely with county officials in affected areas as the situation has progressed,” said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD). “We will continue to partner with the county to ensure they receive the needed resources to respond and recover from this incident.”