Whitmer Requests Federal Aid for Midland Flooding

Lansing, MI — Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to President Trump on Wednesday requesting federal aid for  the catastrophic flooding in Midland County.

“Over the past two days, a major rainfall event in mid-Michigan led to the failure of two dams and severe flooding in affected areas. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate as water surged into their streets, homes, and businesses in the county of Midland,” said Gov. Whitmer. The governor then called on President Trump to declare an emergency for Midland County on an expedited basis.

Beginning on May 16, 2020, a storm system moved through the State of Michigan, resulting in six to eight inches of rain over a 48-hour period. In response to the rainfall and localized flooding, Gladwin and Midland Counties declared local States of Emergency on May 18, 2020, followed by the counties of Saginaw and Arenac on May 19, 2020. Due to the heavy rainfall, the Edenville Dam and subsequently the Sanford Dam were breached on May 19, 2020, which required over 10,000 Midland County residents to evacuate their homes due to the imminent danger from this 500-year flood event.

On May 19, Governor Whitmer declared a State of Emergency in Midland County.  

“Despite our efforts, local and state resources have been insufficient to respond to the situation. The availability of equipment and personnel is further limited due to the ongoing effects and response requirements of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.” Gov. Whitmer continued. “Therefore, additional federal assistance is required to protect public health, safety, and property, and to lessen or avert the threat of more severe and persisting impacts to the community.” 

Aid the state is requesting includes but is not limited to debris removal, mobile bridges to ensure access for emergency response vehicles and equipment to flooded areas, emergency medical responders from the National Guard, and technical assistance and sandbags from the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Submitted by Governor Whitmer’s Office

Lucido Asks for Investigation on MI Policy of Sending COVID Patients to Nursing Homes

Macomb County, MI — On Monday, Sen. Peter J. Lucido called for an investigation into Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Orders 2020-50 and 2020-84, requiring all long-term care facilities in the state at less than 80% capacity to create COVID-19 units and to accept and/or retain COVID-19-infected patients.

Lucido sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider and Attorney General Dana Nessel requesting that separate investigations be launched. “Nursing homes are not hospitals, and no one expects them to be,” said Lucido, R-Shelby Township. “They’re not equipped or prepared to handle the type of work or administer the type of care that hospitals provide. They don’t have the physical systems, like proper HVAC facilities, nor the medications or the personnel to do the job of a hospital.”

Lucido went on to say, “That is why we have hospitals. Yet, somehow, knowing this, someone decided that people sick with COVID-19 should be sent into nursing homes and kept there. This, despite the fact that some actual hospitals have gone virtually unused in the fight against COVID-19.”

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Nessel Urges Trump to Wear Mask While Visiting Ford Plant

President Trump is set to tour a Michigan Ford plant today that retooled to produce ventilators and personal protective equipment in response to the coronavirus pandemic.  The visit to the Ford Motor Co.’s Rawsonville manufacturing plant is his second visit to Michigan this year, according to the White House. In January, he visited a Dana Inc. facility in Warren.

Michigan is an important state for the president as he seeks a second term in this November’s election. In the 2016 election, President Trump won Michigan by the very small margin of  0.23%  over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Michigan’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel, said Wednesday that President Donald Trump has a “legal responsibility,” under state law, to wear a mask as a coronavirus precaution when he visits the  Ford Motor Co. factory.  In a letter to Trump, Nessel said, “I ask that while you are on tour you respect the great efforts of the men and women at Ford and across this state by wearing a facial covering.”

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Blue Water Summer – Not Cancelled

Port Huron, MI — It’s important to remember that everything passes. Everything has its season. All things come, and all things go. In March of 2020, we never thought we’d see the sun again, but warmer days are ahead listeners.

One of the best things about living in the Blue Water Area is the nonstop gorgeous waterfront that gives our region its name. That waterfront is also home to a string of quaint downtowns from Lexington to Algonac that serve as vacation destinations for people from all over Michigan and beyond. The best part for us natives: we don’t have to travel far to experience a summer full of sandy beaches, quiet evening strolls along a boardwalk, and a plethora of small businesses that provide tasty food, eclectic entertainment, and unique shopping experiences.

As we lament the cancellation of some of our favorite summer festivals and big events, let’s not forget that we can still have a Blue Water Summer. Maybe 2020 is the year that we truly discover the stay-cation. Here’s to a summer filled with learning to kayak the Black River, hiking in county parks, and appreciating our area’s history, beauty, and many fabulous local amenities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Lauwers Says Governor’s Plan Leaves Out Too Many Michigan Workers

LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Dan Lauwers on Monday said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s plan to allow more businesses in two northern regions of the state to reopen is a positive step, but it still unfairly restricts millions of Michigan families.

“Along with my Republican colleagues in the Legislature, I have been calling on the governor for weeks to adopt a more sensible approach to reopening Michigan’s economy,” said Lauwers, R-Brockway Township. “Today it appears the governor has finally decided to abandon her irresponsible, one-size-fits-all tactic in favor of a regional plan.

“While the governor should be commended for this improved strategy, her delayed response has come at a great price as businesses are closing and unemployment is skyrocketing. In addition, there are still too many Michigan businesses and individuals being punished by too broad of an approach.”

On Monday, Whitmer announced partial reopening plans for businesses in the Upper Peninsula and 17 counties in Northern Michigan. Under the plan, retail stores and offices, restaurants and bars could reopen starting on Friday with capacity limits and safety requirements.

“Instead of a regional approach, the governor should institute a county-by-county approach to reopening the economy safely,” Lauwers said. “There are many counties, like Sanilac and Huron, far better off than some of the counties in Region 6 that are allowed to open. Unfortunately, St. Clair County has been lumped in with Wayne and Oakland counties, which will long affect the reopening of Region 1. It’s time to look at each individual county on its own merit.”

Submitted by the office of Senator Dan Lauwers

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Reopening for Some Services

Port Huron Twp. — The St. Clair County Sheriff’s office will re-open to the public on Tuesday, May 26th. However, services will be limited.

People who need to be fingerprinted must make an appointment  by calling (810) 987-1700.  While visiting the Sheriff’s Office to be fingerprinted,  you must bring and wear a protective face mask.

Purchase permits for private sales of handguns will also be provided by appointment only.

Gun registration will remain the same.  Just drop off the registration in the box outside the front door of the Sheriff’s Office, or mail it in.

“We are pleased to be able to get back to some services for our citizens, even though it is on a limited basis,” said Sheriff Donnellon.  “We know that those we serve will use common sense and keep themselves and our employee’s safe as we start getting back to normal operations.”

The Sheriff’s Office lobby will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located at 1170 Michigan Road in Port Huron Township.