Gas prices in Michigan have been similar to the weather the last few weeks: quite unstable. AAA reports that “today’s national average is $2.84, which is a penny more than last Monday, but 23 cents more expensive than last month.” Locally in St. Clair and Sanilac County, gas prices are averaging $2.85 for a gallon of unleaded fuel, but some areas throughout the region are seeing prices as high as $2.99 per gallon. We have said it before and we’ll say it again. Gas prices are like the weather, bound to change, so it just may be a good time to fuel up before another big spike.

Dry, windy spring weather has put much of the Lower Peninsula at high risk for wildfires this week, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Areas of concern include southeast Michigan to the top of the Thumb. Fortunately yesterday’s rainy conditions are expected to help ease concerns. The DNR is warning residents in more than 15 counties to take extra precautions to prevent accidental fires. Wait to burn yard debris,use all-terrain vehicles, lawn mowers or other outdoor machinery until later in the evening. In very dry conditions, heat from even a lawnmower or the exhaust pipe of an ATV can ignite dry grass. To find out if it’s safe to burn, get a free burn permit online at Michigan dot gov slash Burn Permit or contact your local municipality.

Thursday, May 2, 2019 will be recognized as the National Day of Prayer this year as established by the United States Congress. The National Day of Prayer was established as an annual event in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and it was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The observance of the National Day of Prayer is founded on the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion as all Americans are encouraged to gather publicly to worship. Locally, Operation Transformation will be hosting a service called “Love One Another” on May 2nd, beginning at noon in the McMorran Auditorium. For more details on the event and the National Day of Prayer visit Operation Transformation on Facebook.

Beginning this week, there may be some changes in your drive as the St. Clair County Road Commission will start on and continue working on projects throughout the area. In Casco Township there will be intermittent lane closures on County Line Road between Gratiot and Springborn for crack sealing. Meanwhile in Grant Township, the Fisher Road Bridge over the Black River is closed for bridge replacement and is estimated to reopen May 8. In Port Huron Township there will be road closures due to the construction of a new water main and roadway work this week. For more on road work throughout the county and updates, you can visit the St. Clair County Road Commission’s Facebook page.

In honor of Earth Day April 22, the St. Clair County Smoke-Free Community Team is raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco. Cigarette butts are the most discarded product on Earth, making up more than one-third of all litter collected. Cigarette waste releases toxic chemicals, such as arsenic and lead, into the environment and is harmful to children and animals when consumed. Members of the Smoke Free Community Team will be at the 17th Annual Earth Fair to educate on the environmental impacts of tobacco use and provide resources for quitting. Earth Fair will be held on Friday, April 26 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and Saturday, April 27 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at Goodells County Park. For more on the Earth Day Fair you can visit EarthDayFair.com.

Volunteers in St. Clair have been working diligently to plan a redesign and build of the popular Imagination Station playground on Carney Drive. After several months of planning and fundraising, the group now has set dates for construction expected to take place September 10-15. The planning process has involved community input, design days for kids and several volunteer committee meetings. The original playground was built in 1994 and according to Committee Director Matt Alley, has been well loved. “So we are trying to take this entire Imagination Station process and put it into the scope of what needs to be done for the next generation of children in the area to take advantage of the Imagination Station for decades to come.” If you are interested in being part of the project, the planning committee says there is still a great need. You can visit their Facebook page Imagination Station Rebuild for all the details.