local news

St. Clair Wins MI Clean Water Grant

The City of St. Clair has received a MI Clean Water Grant. It is one of eleven cities, villages, and townships that split the $5 million total award. St. Clair will receive $210,142 from the Drinking Water Asset Management Grant.  

Liesl Clark, director of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, said, “Michigan continues to be committed to helping communities address longstanding water infrastructure deficits. With more federal support on the way for work like removing lead service lines and other pressing needs, we’re pleased to complement those efforts with these innovative grant programs that have been assisting local water systems.” 

The MI Clean Water Plan is investing $500 million into the state’s water infrastructure. The grants are aimed at reducing the risks associated with lead in the drinking water and making improvements to ensure safer tap water.

The MI Clean Water Plan funds improvements to lead lines, toxic contamination, constrained local budgets, unaffordable water rates, and other needs of municipalities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Karmanos Center Gets Money to Assist with Lodging for Cancer Patients

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute has been awarded a lodging grant by the American Cancer Society. The $50,000 grant is to help those who may face financial barriers to getting cancer treatment.

The Karmanos Cancer Institute has 15 locations, including one at McLaren Port Huron Hospital. The main campus is in Detroit.

Dr. Kathleen Goss, Vice President of Cancer Control for the American Cancer Society said, “Disparities predominantly arise from inequities in work, wealth, income, education, housing and overall standard of living, as well as social barriers to high-quality cancer prevention, early detection and treatment services.”

Over 60,000 Michigan residents learn they have cancer each year. Finding lodging near cancer centers is often a roadblock to getting care, according to the American Cancer Society. 

In Port Huron, free lodging is available at the Hunter Hospitality Houses.

To learn more about supportive services at Karmanos, call 1-800-KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266) or visit www.karmanos.org.

https://www.hunterhospitalityhouse.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Hometown “Rising Star” Jazmyn Thomas Returns to Port Huron as New Administrator

The City of Port Huron has announced the appointment of Jazmyn Thomas as the new Community Development Program Administrator. Thomas will be in charge of community development strategies and the disbursements of federal Community Block Grant funding.

Thomas got started in her career working as an intern for the City of Port Huron in 2012. Thomas is a Michigan State University graduate with a degree in Social Relations and Policy. She graduated with honors with her master’s degree in Public Administration from Oakland University.

After building her career working as a Grant Management Specialist for Macomb County, Thomas is back with the City of Port Huron, where she serves on the Community Foundation’s Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Port Huron Police Department’s Community Resource Champions Committee, and the St. Clair County Diversity Initiative.

Port Huron City Manager James Freed called Ms. Thomas a “rising star in public policy” and said,  “No one understands the needs of our community better than someone who grew up in our neighborhoods. Ms. Thomas was raised here and that’s why we are excited she will help shape our city’s future.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Winter Storm Coming to Blue Water Area

A winter storm watch goes into effect Wednesday morning and is predicted to affect our area until Thursday evening. According to the National Weather Service, total snow accumulation could reach between 8 to 14 inches.

The winter storm is expected to cover most of the central United States, and it will bring a variety of wintery weather hazards such as snow, sleet, and freezing rain. The winter storm watch in our area affects the counties of Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Lenawee, and Monroe.

Temperatures will actually be warmer today through Thursday with a projected high of 39 degrees today and 34 degrees on Wednesday, before dropping back into the teens on Friday and reaching single digits in the evenings over the weekend.

Last year, winter storms in February resulted in more school and business closures than any other calendar month. For information on closings and delays, visit WGRT’s website and click on news <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

James Freed City of Port Huron

Freed Wins Community Leadership Award for Addressing Unfunded Liabilities

Port Huron City Manager James Freed has won the 2022 Community Leadership Award, given by the Michigan Municipal Executive Association.

Freed was nominated by Lake Isabella Village Manager Tim Wolf in a letter that was endorsed by fifteen city and county officials. In the nomination, Freed was commended for his work in turning around the finances of the city and avoiding impending bankruptcy.

In accepting the award, Freed said, “I am deeply humbled by the recognition of my professional peers. However, this is an award for the entire Port Huron community. We simply could not have made the achievements we have made without the strong and steady leadership of Mayor Repp and the City Council.”

Freed continued, saying, “Their leadership, coupled with the sacrifices of our employees and the understanding of an engaged community about complex issues, made Port Huron a state leader. This award is not about me, but more a reflection on our community as a whole to come together and tackle generational problems.”

Freed’s work in addressing the unfunded liabilities of the City of Port Huron was described as “groundbreaking” by the Michigan Municipal Executive Association.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Local EMS Services Make Plans to Address Staffing Shortages

EMS service is at a crossroads, according to Tri-Hospital EMS CEO Ken Cummings. The pandemic shut down many EMT and paramedic training programs and many of them have never resumed business. There are no new graduates to fill the positions for ambulance service providers.

Cummings said that at this point service in St. Clair County has not been affected, but that there have been widespread reports of impacts to service in other areas of the state. Tri-Hospital EMS is down ten or twelve employees but has been making it work.

Ambulance, Fire Chief, and EMS trade associations have asked the legislature and the governor to provide at least $20 million for training programs. Cummings said that is only part of the solution.

Cummings said that increasing wages to make the career attractive to prospective EMTs and paramedics is critical. He is working with local officials to draft language for an emergency services public millage ballot proposal for the August election.

Cummings said that voter support of the millage will solidify ambulance service in the area by ensuring long-term funding.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland