local news

Drug Task Force Releases 2020 Incident Map

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office has released the Drug Task Force incident map. The interactive map shows DTF cases countywide, with the ability to zoom in to street level and see details of the activity.

2020 was a busy year for the Drug Task Force. They took 2,606 grams of crystal meth, 180 grams of cocaine, and 121 grams of heroin off the streets. The DTF also executed 34 search warrants and 183 drug related traffic stops. In all, 218 people were arrested, with 262 felonies and 145 misdemeanors charged.

Sheriff Mat King said, “The St. Clair County Drug Task Force faced new challenges in 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the members of the DTF continued to fight to get drugs and weapons off the streets and bring criminals to justice.” King said he was proud of the work done by members of the Drug Task Force for the community.

The Drug Task Force relies on tips from community members. Tips can be left anonymously at (800) 243-DRUG. 

A link to the map:

https://scc-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=3a00cf874b944e8c87052eaa1dd78ca3&extent=-82.4664,42.9569,-82.4209,42.9861

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Whitmer: Indoor Dining Resumes Feb 1st

In a press conference today, Governor Whitmer stated that due to positive trends in COVID-19 cases MDHHS is lifting the ban on indoor dining as of February 1st.

Restaurants must limit the amount of people indoors to 25% of their normal capacity along with collecting names and phone numbers of their patrons for contact tracing purposes. Ventilation systems must be in working order, and the state is providing grant money for businesses that need to update their systems.

Along with opening indoor dining, concessions at entertainment venues may also resume, and gathering limits will be increased at funerals and outdoor gatherings. The only activities that will remain closed after February 1st are night clubs, contact sports, and water parks.

A full reading of the order with detailed guidelines and restrictions is available <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Kasey Wolak McLaren Port Huron Employee of the month

McLaren Port Huron December Employee of the Month

Kasey Wolak has been named the Employee of the Month for December. Wolak has worked at McLaren Port Huron for 13 years and is currently a unit assistant on 4 South.

Wolak was nominated by her peers because she exemplifies the hospital values. Her customer service skills are amazing. She goes above and beyond to help patients and visitors, making their visit to the hospital better. Wolak is sincerely compassionate and caring, ready and willing to help anyone who needs it. Her coworkers look forward to working with her because she is always happy, helpful, and a joy to work with. Wolak is friendly, happy, bright, has a positive attitude and smiles all the time. She is an example of what all employees should strive to be and is without a doubt worthy of this award.

This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.

Submitted by McLaren Port Huron.

Grayfox Murder Suspect Arrested in Detroit

The Port Huron Police Department has announced the location and subsequent arrest of suspected murderer Reginald Cu-Nu Grasty. Grasty is suspected in the murder of William Michael Orlow, whose body was discovered on the Grayfox, a former Navy vessel that was docked on the St. Clair River near the Blue Water Riverwalk in June.

The search for Grasty has been ongoing with a warrant issued in December. Grasty was thought to be homeless somewhere in the Detroit area. No motive or details on the relationship between the suspect and the deceased were provided. The death was determined to be the result of trauma.

Grasty was apprehended by U.S. Marshalls in Detroit and was handed over to the custody of the Port Huron Police Department. Grasty was questioned and arraigned on charges of open murder and Disinterment/Mutilation of a Corpse. He is lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention Center.

Bond was set at $750,000 with a Probable Cause Conference set for February 2nd in front of Judge Mona Armstrong.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

National School Choice Week Celebrates Educational Options

National School Choice Week has been celebrated since 2011, and it’s America’s largest celebration of educational choice. This year’s events will take place virtually, and the kickoff is scheduled for January 25th at noon.

Michigan families, schools, and organizations are hosting over 1,000 virtual celebrations across the state from January 25 – 30th. The events are non-partisan, non-political, and not related to any legislative advocacy campaign. They are simply opportunities for Michigan families to raise awareness about school choice.

In Michigan, families can choose a variety of options for educating their children. Students can be enrolled in public, private, charter, or magnet schools, or they can be educated at home through online academies or homeschooling. Parents are free to choose which option works best for their families.

More information about school choice and National School Choice Week is available at schoolchoiceweek.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Bridge Card Recipients Getting a 15% Increase

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Benefits will increase 15% per month for Michiganders eligible for the program. The first of the additional payments will be added to Bridge Cards by the end of January and continue each month ending in June.

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow led the initiative for the increase and it was approved by congress as part of the Congressional relief bill.

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or by calling a customer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.