local news

Daly Asks for Public Comment on COVID Rules for Workplaces

31 District Senator Kevin Daley is asking the public to provide feedback on what he is calling “Governor Whitmer’s Endless Emergency”. Daly is responding to a proposal by MIOSHA that they be allowed to examine the continued need for their COVID-19 workplace safety rules even after MDHHS and the Governor’s orders have ended.

MIOSHA, or the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, sets and enforces workplace safety rules. Their goal is to protect the safety and health of Michigan workers.

As a result of the COVID pandemic, many rules were put into place that made it mandatory for employers to create policies and procedures about in-person work, physical distancing, and PPE.

MIOSHA rules included creating workplace policies that prohibited in-person work for any employee that could reasonably work from home, daily self-screening protocols like health questionnaires, and requiring face coverings for employees and those entering the workplace.

The new proposed rule gives MIOSHA the control to examine the continued need for these rules within 21 days of the expiration or rescission of any remaining COVID-19 emergency orders. At that time, they could choose to make some of the COVID rules permanent.

Daly said, “Business owners should be able decide for themselves what’s best for them, their employees and their customers. This is not something that should be decided by unelected bureaucrats in Lansing. Business owners should have a say in how their business is run and I’d like to begin these discussions and get feedback from the folks of the 31st District.”

The 31st Senate District includes Bay, Lapeer, and Tuscola counties., and Senator Daly asks his constituents to submit their comments here: https://www.misenategop.com/WhitmerEmergency/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Class of 2021 Car Parade Planned for May 22nd

Port Huron, MI — A car parade is being planned for Saturday, May 22nd at 3:00 p.m. to celebrate the high school graduating classes from both Port Huron High and Port Huron Northern High Schools.

The parade is a grassroots effort as most school-sanctioned events have been cancelled. No prom; no all-night party; even commencement ceremonies are divided into half the class going at one time and half the class at another.

The parade is intended to bring all seniors together in a socially distanced way. A similar event was held last year in the midst of all the Class of 2020 cancellations.

Organizer Alexandria Guenther, a senior at Port Huron Northern said, “The parade is going to be something that we will remember for the rest of our lives.” Guenther said she is excited for the parade, saying it will make the seniors feel special, having the whole community and parents lining the streets of downtown for the seniors.

The parade will start behind the YMCA and will end at Pine Grove Park. Seniors are asked to arrive at 2:45 to get lined up. All streets remain open and all traffic rules must be followed as the usual street traffic is not being diverted. Participation is voluntary and not sanctioned by any public entity.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to be Installed Locally, Statewide

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is granting over $1.8 million to install more charging stations for electric vehicles. The Blue Water Area is on track to have eight of those stations.

Sunrise Stores LLC received the largest disbursement of “Charge Up” grant money- $200,000- to install eight charging stations at their Fort Gratiot, Smiths Creek, Capac, and Kimball locations. Speedy Q Market in Port Huron received a $50,000 grant for two outlets. TNT Equipment in Sandusky received a grant for $70,000 to install four outlets.

The “Charge Up” grants are being awarded to install fast-charging stations that will add 88 outlets along key travel routes statewide. The new outlets are part of a plan to make it possible to travel in electric vehicles with no worries about finding a charging station across Michigan and with connection to high-traveled Midwest and Canadian Routes. The stations are for both private and commercial electric vehicles. 

The new fast-charging electric vehicle charging outlets are expected to be up and running by the end of the year. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Imagination Library Receives Large Donation

Having books in the home has been proven to be an indicator of future educational success for children. The Imagination Library Fund of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County is the recipient of a major gift that will keep new books in the hands of young children in St. Clair County for years to come. The estate of Angelina O’Bar has donated $55,000 to the Imagination Library.

O’Bar was an educator who dedicated her career to early childhood education and a creator of the Growing Up Strong curriculum. She had ties to the Blue Water Area as a result of her extensive travels.

Jackie Hanton, Vice President of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County said, “When the Imagination Library Fund was created in 2018 it was for building long-term sustainability of the program. The endowment can be thought of as the gift that keeps on giving to allow local children the opportunity to receive one free book each month up until they turn 5 years old.”

The Imagination Library was founded by the entertainer, Dolly Parton and is administered locally by the St. Clair County RESA. Families who sign up for the Imagination Library will receive a free book for a child every month until the age of five.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Redistricting Effort Asking for Public Comment

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) is looking for feedback and public comments on the re-drawing of district lines. District lines are the geographical boundaries that make up the legislative and congressional districts in the state.

The Citizens Redistricting Commission was set up after voters amended the Michigan Constitution in 2018 with Proposal 18-2 or the “Voters Not Politicians” ballot proposal. That amendment established “a commission of citizens with exclusive authority to adopt district boundaries for the Michigan Senate, Michigan House of Representatives and U.S. Congress, every 10 years.”

The Commission wants to hear from the public so they can engage in the redistricting process, so they’ve created an online form that accepts written testimony or a public comment, a drawn district plan that shows the borders of a suggested district, or submission of a community of interest map which identifies specific communities that share cultural or historical characteristics or economic interests.

The Michigan Redistricting Public Comment Portal is available <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Cruise the Huron Lady and See Lake Sturgeon Up Close

Port Huron, MI — Lake Sturgeon are known as the Gentle Giants of the Great Lakes, and the Friends of the St. Clair River want to give people the opportunity to see them up close. The Blue Water Sturgeon Festival will offer Sturgeon Cruises aboard the Huron Lady on June 4th.

The Blue Water Sturgeon Festival Reimagined will offer two 90-minute Sturgeon Cruises where guests can observe live Lake Sturgeon research by biologists studying the fish. Participants will also get an aquarium experience and see educational videos along with having the opportunity to ask biologists questions.

There are only 40 seats available on each cruise, and tickets are available now for the 1 PM and 3 PM events at www.huronlady.com.

Tickets are $30 per person and support the work of the Friends of the St. Clair River.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand