local news

Increased Vaccination Rates Could Help MI Get Back to Normal

As of April 29th 48.8% of Michiganders have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and Governor Whitmer announced her “MI Vacc to Normal” plan which will use future vaccination rates to determine when to lessen public health restrictions and get the state back to normal.

The first milestone that affects change will be two weeks after 55% of Michiganders have received their first dose of the vaccine. When that happens, the plan indicates that in-person work can resume for all sectors of business.

The milestones are hit 2 weeks after every 5% increase in first doses.

At 60% indoor capacity will be increased at sports stadiums, conference centers, banquet halls, and funeral homes to 25% and exercise facilities and gyms to 50%. It will also lift the curfew at restaurants and bars.

At 65%, all indoor capacity limits will be removed and only physical distancing will be required indoors.

When the state reaches two weeks after 70% of residents vaccinated, face mask orders will be lifted and there will be no limits on gatherings of any kind unless unexpected circumstances arise.

If cases remain greater than 250 daily per million people in a 7-day average, MDHHS may delay implementation of a proposed milestone until the case rate decreases.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “The MI Vacc to Normal challenge outlines steps we can take to emerge from this pandemic as we hit our vaccination targets together. On our path to vaccinating 70% of Michiganders 16 and up, we can take steps to gradually get back to normal while keeping people safe. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to rise to the challenge and be a part of the solution so we can continue our economic recovery and have the summer we all crave.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Huron Lightship to Remain Rust-free Thanks to City Funding

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Museum always makes the best of whatever surprises are thrown at it and managing a freak natural disaster is no exception. When a meteotsunami hit Lake Huron in July of 2020, the Huron Lightship sustained serious damage. The sudden and devastating erosion destroyed the mechanical systems and caused an unwelcome moat to appear.

Andrew Kercher, Manager of Community Engagement for Port Huron Museums, said that the City of Port Huron is helping the Museum with the restoration of the cathodic system that was exposed with the storm. The system is a series of cathodes that attract rust away from the ship, allowing it to remain intact while being buried partially underground for the past half-century.

If there was any silver lining to the unexpected excavation, it’s that the cathodic system, which needed eventual replacement anyway, was able to be accessed. Further work will be needed to shore up the erosion and stabilize the buried ship. Kercher said he is grateful for the partnership with the City of Port Huron.

The Huron Lightship, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year, is planned to be open for visitors after Memorial Day. Full schedules can be found at phmuseum.org.

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

REAL ID Enforcement Date Extended to May 2023

The Department of Homeland Security has been urging travelers to get their REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards for some time in anticipation of the October 2021 enforcement date. Due to the challenges state agencies have had during the COVID-19 pandemic, the enforcement date has been extended to May 3, 2023.

Many states have cancelled and/or limited in-person service at their licensing agencies and state governments have extended the deadlines for renewing licenses during the pandemic. As a result, DHS reports that only 43% of state ids and driver’s licenses are currently REAL ID compliant.

The 19-month extension will enable individuals, states, and the Department of Homeland Security more time to implement and adjust to the changing requirements.

All U.S. travelers planning to fly domestically or visit a Federal facility after May 3, 2023 will have to have a REAL ID compliant id card. All enhanced driver’s licenses and state ID cards are already REAL ID compliant.

To receive or convert a Michigan driver’s license or identification card to REAL-ID, you must  show two forms of documentation: one with your social security number such as a social security card, W-2, or pay stub, and one showing citizenship, naturalization, or residency status such as a certified birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or valid U.S. or foreign passport.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

MDOT Plans M-136 Bridge Construction

The bridge over the Black River in Beard Hills is going to get a facelift and it will cause some disruption to a popular route for commuters from the rural parts of northern St. Clair County and for those who enjoy a scenic drive.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced that improvements to M-136 in Clyde Township will start on May 3rd and will continue into August of 2021.

The entire project is a $1.3 million investment by MDOT. The work includes resurfacing, joint replacements, railing replacements, concrete patching, and repairs to the bridge approach. The work is expected to complete structural improvements to the bridge, improve the driving surface, and extend the life of the roadway.

MDOT reports that traffic will be maintained throughout the work period, except for two weekends, where the road will be completely closed. A temporary signal will be in place, but the bridge will need to be closed in each direction in late May and late June, just during a weekend. The closures will be announced in advance.

A link to a map of the project can be found at:

https://mdotjboss.state.mi.us/MiDrive/map?constZone=true&lat=43.05166125334461&lon=-82.59658074378936&zoom=14

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Friends of the St. Clair River Wins EGLE Water Monitoring Grant

When is the last time you thought about macroinvertebrates? They are actually pretty important, as they are monitored to determine the health of rivers and streams. The Friends of the St. Clair River organization has received a $2000 grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to continue their work in monitoring the health of our vitally important waterways.

Sheri Faust, President of Friends of the St. Clair River, said, “This grant revitalizes our Stream Leaders program from 2008 with the St. Clair County Health Department. It’s exciting to receive funding since this is the first opportunity that became available in the MiCorp Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program after a long funding hiatus.”

The grants went to organizations that were just starting out with stream monitoring as well as veteran stream monitoring agencies like Friends of the St. Clair River, who received a maintenance grant to help them continue monitoring the health of the river.

Faust said that they will be adding five new testing sites to the existing 12 sites. She said the grant will help train volunteers, provide education, and guide management actions to keep our rivers healthy.

The grants are funded by water protection fundraising license plates.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Steps for Life Virtual Event to Help Families of Workplace Tragedies

Sarnia, Ontario — The Sarnia Steps for Life event is a fundraising walk that helps families affected by life-altering workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths. This year’s event will take place virtually, and the online opening ceremony is on Saturday, May 1, 2021.

Participants can walk individually, or create or join a team, and walkers can walk wherever they’d like as long as it respects local public health guidelines. All participants who register on or before May 31st qualify for a chance to win a $1,500 VISA gift card.

Register for the walk <HERE>.

Funds raised from Steps for Life support Threads of Life’s family support services which help more than 3,000 families throughout Canada. Last year, the event raised $440,000.

In Canada, close to 1000 workers die every year from a work-related injury or occupational disease and many more are injured.

Steps for Life is also doing a fundraiser with Plantables, a plant service that ships garden-ready plants directly to your home. For more information about the fundraiser, visit Sarnia Steps for Life on Facebook.

 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand