environment

Fort Gratiot Residents Rally Against Industrial Solar Farms, Fear Property Value Plunge

The proposal for 800 acres of industrial solar development faces mounting opposition. Fort Gratiot residents are up in arms over plans to construct industrial solar farms on agricultural land and near residential homes, expressing concerns that the projects will significantly diminish local property values. 

Critics argue that insufficient notice was given to affected residents, limiting their ability to voice concerns. A call for a Public Hearing, permitted under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, has been made by those living within 300 feet of the proposed sites, emphasizing the importance of community awareness. 

The Fort Gratiot Charter Township Planning Commission has scheduled a crucial meeting on Tuesday, October 10th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Gardendale Meeting Room at the Municipal Center, 3720 Keewahdin Rd. 

Residents are urging their neighbors to attend the meeting or offer guidance in this critical juncture for Fort Gratiot.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Freshwater Jellyfish Found In Michigan’s Lake Huron

This weekend, a routine sailing expedition on Lake Huron led the crew of Chippewa to an astonishing discovery, the presence of Craspedacusta sowerbii, also known as the Peach Blossom jellyfish. 

Measuring no larger than a quarter, these exotic invertebrates, originating from China, were spotted in the calm waters of the lake. The harmless jellyfish, believed to have entered North America through the aquarium trade a century ago, aren’t deemed invasive to native ecosystems.Despite their jellyfish-like traits, these creatures, resembling marine counterparts, wield stinging tentacles to capture small prey, with stingers too minuscule to affect humans.

Port Huron resident and Owner of The Write Company and Blue Water Woman magazine, Patti Samar, says “There were thousands of them in the water on Saturday, I’ve been sailing Lake Huron for years and had never seen them before, and neither has anyone else at the Yacht Club.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Emerge Fund Opens Entrepreneurial Grant Applications For St. Clair County Businesses

St. Clair County’s entrepreneurial sector receives a boost as the Emerge Fund, a venture of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County and St. Clair Economic Development Authority (EDA), announces the opening of its grant applications. 

The Emerge Fund seeks to support entrepreneurs, early-stage startups, and existing small businesses within the county looking to launch or expand their operations.

From October 2nd to October 20th, interested parties can apply for grants with a maximum request of $5,000. The actual funding allocated will be determined based on the overall business impact and potential milestones. 

The Underground is a designated SmartZone operated by the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County and supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) that aims to foster growth and innovation in St. Clair County.

For more information, visit: startunderground.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Michigan Reports Thousands Of Vaccine Injuries And Deaths Sparking Controversy Amidst Covid-19 Vaccination Campaign

October marks Vaccine Injury Awareness month, and Michigan for Vaccine Choice (MVC) is amplifying personal stories of those affected.

According to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), Michigan alone has witnessed 1,000 deaths and four times as many vaccine injuries, challenging the widely held belief in vaccine safety.

A staggering 2 million nationwide have reported Covid-19 vaccine injuries and deaths. Contrary to expectations, a recent study suggests healthcare workers experience increased sickness with each Covid vaccination, raising concerns about the strain on public healthcare.

MVC’s initiatives, including the Vax-UnVax Bus and the 4th Annual Vaccine Injury Walk, aim to shed light on the enduring impact of vaccine-related injuries and deaths. Amidst the controversy, MVC emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing vaccine injuries.

For more information, visit: michiganvaccineinjury.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

FEMA And FCC To Conduct Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test On October 4th

FEMA, in collaboration with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is set to execute a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on Wednesday, October 4th, beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET. 

The purpose of the test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level.The dual-phase test will assess the capabilities of WEA and EAS, targeting consumer cell phones for WEA and radios/televisions for EAS. The WEA test will be multilingual, displaying messages in English or Spanish based on handset settings. 

FEMA and the FCC are working closely with stakeholders to ensure effective coordination, minimize confusion, and enhance public safety. In case of postponement due to severe weather, the backup testing date is October 11th.

For more information, visit: fema.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Michigan To End Marijuana Testing For Most State Government Job Applicants

Michigan is set to eliminate pre-employment drug tests probing for marijuana use among the majority of its government employees, marking a significant change that will take effect starting October 1st.

The decision came after a unanimous vote by members of the Michigan Civil Service Commission this summer, deciding to remove marijuana from the list of substances tested during the hiring process. 

However, certain positions, including law enforcement, transportation, healthcare, and those working with prisoners, will still require cannabis testing due to safety concerns. Approximately two-thirds of Michigan state government jobs will no longer include marijuana screening.

The move aligns with Michigan’s prior approval of recreational marijuana use and reflects evolving attitudes towards cannabis in employment practices nationwide.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell