Phragmites are a harmful wetland grass that has been causing problems for many residents in southern St. Clair County. According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the aggressively growing and invasive grass outcompetes and blocks a marsh’s native vegetation and provides little or no food for wildlife that live there. Phragmites can grow up to eighteen feet tall causing a visual obstruction. The vegetation is sharp and has been known to cut skin. When the plant material dies, the remaining shoots become a fire hazard as well.  

 Cindy Babisz, Building Department Clerk for Clay Township, said that St. Johns Marsh was almost completely choked out by the Phragmites a few years ago.  Three different chemicals, which are now applied regularly to the invasive vegetation, seem to be solving the problem. Babisz said the chemicals used are approved by the state of Michigan. She said they don’t pose a health risk to wildlife or the residents. Now, according to Babisz, the St. Johns Marsh area has almost returned to the way it used to be before the infestation.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.

The former White Oaks Golf Course in Wales Township may soon become a training facility for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 17. The 53-acre former golf course was located near the corner of Goodells and Sparling Roads.  

The Wales Township Planning Commission met on Tuesday at the township hall to hear plans from the IBEW for their new training facility. According to Wales Township Deputy Clerk Linda Waddy, Dean Bradley of the IBEW put on a presentation to the board, and many residents were in attendance. Waddy said, “Overall the response from residents was positive.”  

IBEW was granted a special land use permit by the commission. The next step for the group is to have its site plan approved. That approval is expected to take place at the township’s October 15th meeting. 

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.

Residents in Algonac may soon have 5G wireless coming to the city. At the Algonac City Council meeting on September 17th, the council gave the approval to the City Manager, Denice A. Gerstenberg to enter into a contract with AT&T Wireless. The company wants to place 5G wireless installations on public structures. 

It was explained at the meeting that the structures could be buildings or simply a pole placed by the company. The city would retain control over what structure the devices could be placed on. The company is required to submit a plan for each of the installations, and a permit will be issued for each installation as well. The agreement is a non-exclusive licensing agreement, meaning that other companies could compete for the same wireless business.  

Reporting for WGRT – EBWtv

There was an unsubstantiated claim recently of bed bugs at the Harrison Center in Port Huron. Keely Baribeau, Director of Community Relations and Marketing for Port Huron Schools, released a statement saying, “The original claim at Harrison Center was found to be falsified after further investigation that included a certified pest control company inspecting the entire building.”   

Baribeau also said that, “Although bed bugs are an occasional occurrence as they are in any district, similar to head lice, [the district] has a set procedure that [they] follow. Once something of this nature is confirmed, [they] communicate with families, either to a classroom, or the entire school if it is a building-wide issue. [They] then follow the St. Clair County Health Department’s procedures and use pest cleaning services as needed.”

 The National Pest Management Association offers some tips on keeping bed bugs away including knowing the signs of an infestation- which look like pepper-like spots on bedding. Inspecting hotel rooms and suitcases, examining used furniture and washing new clothes when bringing them home for the first time are all good ways to protect yourself.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The Lexington Arts Council was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The grant will be used to help support the Lexington Bach Festival which just celebrated its 20th anniversary. The Lexington Bach Festival is held every September in Lexington at St. Denis Church and welcomes performers from all over the United States. 

Liz Jackson, President of the Lexington Arts Council, said, “the event is truly remarkable with nearly 40 performers coming into [Lexington], rehearsing on Friday, and then performing on Saturday and Sunday.” The performers are housed at several different family homes in the area.  

The NEA was established by Congress in 1965. Its purpose is to support the arts in communities across the United States. This is the second year in a row that the Lexington Arts Council has received the grant. John Groustra, a board member for the Lexington Arts Council said, “[they] are grateful for the support of the NEA, which, along with other grantors and sponsors, makes the festival possible.”

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

A new Dollar General store is being built on Water Street in Port Huron. The store at 1251 Water Street will be the 14th location for Dollar General in St. Clair County. The first Dollar General opened in St. Clair County in June of 2001. 

A spokesperson for Dollar General said the company hopes to have the new store open in the Spring of 2020, but construction progress may alter that timetable. The 7,200 square foot store will employ between six and 10 people. Applications for employment can be found on the company’s website. 

The company selected the location based on competitive factors, traffic pattern, and community concerns. Locations are selected to serve customers in a three to five mile radius or a 10-minute drive. 

According to the spokesperson for Dollar General, the store will sell name-brand, private brand, and high-quality private brand merchandise including Kellogg’s, Nabisco, Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.