The recent shutdowns across the state and nation have altered the routines of many across the Blue Water Area. While this may provide a little extra free time for people, Patrick Patterson, Center Manager at Blue Water Outreach & Recovery Center (BWROC), emphasizes that this free time can also be very precarious for those in recovery from addiction.

He says under normal circumstances, AA and NA meetings fill up, twice a day, and now they are empty, which can negatively impact recovery.

Patterson says, “For those early in recovery, even an hour alone can be a dangerous time and lead to unhealthy decisions. The social connection is critical. Manufacturing and food service have been heavily impacted lately, as when uncertainty in employment surfaces, it adds even more challenges.”

Patterson suggests a few activities to stay occupied at home including daily meditation, making a gratitude list, and working on a new budget.

Due to the closures, those looking for meetings are encouraged to join BWROC’s support groups have transitioned online and can be accessed at their website BWROC.org. Those in need of information or assistance can also call 888-68-BWROC to speak directly with the organization.

Port Huron city residents can put off paying their city income taxes until July 31. The Port Huron City Council voted to extend the deadline in response to the financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. No penalties or interest will be levied. 

Monday’s City Council meeting was a short one, as members and staff maintained social distancing while having a required public meeting. No residents were in attendance. 

In addition to voting to extend the deadline for tax payment, the council voted to pay for supplies to keep the water and sewer plant running properly. Mayor Pauline Repp explained that water service has been restored to 150 residences and shutoffs have been halted until further notice, but residents are encouraged to keep paying their water bills. 

The Council also voted to accept a bid from Raymond Excavating for the combined sewer separation project near the Blue Water Bridge, in the amount of nearly $2 million. 

In other city news, residents can look forward to having their curbside yard waste picked up in containers or compost bags beginning the week of April 6.

The Port Huron Police Department has been re-accredited by CALEA for the ninth time. CALEA is a nationally based organization that ensures compliance to a broad set of established professional standards with a voluntary accreditation process. CALEA accreditation is considered an elite status among law enforcement agencies with only 11 agencies in the State of Michigan currently accredited. 

When the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) recently formed a State of Michigan accreditation program of their own, the Port Huron Police Department entered that process as well and achieved state accreditation status in 2018. The Port Huron Police Department is one out of only three agencies to be dually accredited by CALEA and MACP. 

The goal of CALEA is to strengthen crime prevention and control capabilities, formalize essential management procedures, and increase community and staff confidence in their agency, among other goals.

The Port Huron Police Department’s 9th on-site assessment was conducted in November 2019. The assessment process occurs every four (4) years and entails detailed scrutiny of police policies and procedures by highly trained assessors.

Buses in the Blue Water Area are still running, but by Demand-Response, or “Dial-a-Ride”, only. Beginning Tuesday, regular Blue Water Area Transit routes were suspended. The suspension is part of the mandated effort to allow only essential travel and help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

Some people rely on the bus to get to their employment at workplaces that are deemed essential, or to pick up food and medicine, and the bus system is still there for them. The hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Riders are asked to enter and exit the bus via the back door and to maintain at least six feet between riders. Bus rides are free at this time. The Downtown Transit Center and the main office of Blue Water Area Transit are closed, but the Dial-a Ride line is being answered.

In their statement, the Blue Water Area Transit asks riders to stay home unless they are designated as a critical infrastructure worker or are travelling for essential goods and services. The number for dispatch of the Demand-Response bus is 810-987-7373, Option 2.

Michigan is reporting 1,791 confirmed cases, including 24 deaths.  St. Clair County remains at eight (8) confirmed cases. St. Clair County Health Department is monitoring 33 people under investigation and monitoring 59 people which includes travelers, and contacts to suspect and confirmed cases.

Addressing Common Community Concerns

1. For more information regarding whether you are considered an essential worker or not, first contact your employer.  Some employers may also provide letters for essential employees.  If you receive a letter, keep it in your vehicle however, people will not be stopped by law enforcement to provide proof. For guidance on essential workforce, visit, www.cisa.gov or e-mail  CISA.CAT@cisa.dhs.gov .
2. Due to the heavy volume of testing, results may not be available for 10 business days or longer. Results can be obtained from the testing facility.  The St. Clair County Health Department does not have access to all of the results.

For further information visit: cdc.gov/coronavirus; Michigan.gov/coronavirus; or scchealth.co.  A general St. Clair County COVID-19 Informational Hotline is available Monday through Friday, (810) 966-4163, 8:00am-4:30pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org. The State of Michigan hotline is 1-888-535-6136 and is operational daily 8:00am – 5:00pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov.

This information was submitted by the Joint Information Center on 3/24/20

Polka Dot Pandas Boutique in Downtown Port Huron is leading an effort to get hand-sewn masks made for local medical personnel who are dealing with and preparing for the COVID-19 pandemic. Cloth masks can be washed and reused and are helpful in preserving the supply of N95 masks. 

Tricia Comtois, spokesperson for the family-owned business said that they decided to close their downtown business completely and dedicate their efforts to producing the masks and coordinating efforts with their network of home seamstresses. The response has been mighty as the community tries to find ways to help. 

The masks are not for sale, and orders are not being taken for personal masks. Donating money for the purchase of fabric is helpful, and there is a Paypal link on their Facebook page, “Port Huron Pandas.” Details are on Polka Dot Pandas’ Facebook page. Once the masks are sewn, they will be delivered to the Be Ready St. Clair County Emergency Response Team who decides which medical facilities need them. Comtois said the response has been overwhelming and directs interested donors or sewers to her updates on the Facebook page.