local news

Algonac-Clay Library Closed Due to Positive COVID-19 Test

The Algonac-Clay branch of the St. Clair County Library System is closing until further notice due to a positive COVID-19 test. The staff went into quarantine on Monday, 11/2/2020.

The library is following the advice of the St. Clair County Health Department and its recommendations for keeping library employees and patrons safe.

Pickup appointments will not be available while the branch is closed, and items awaiting pickup will remain in place until the library reopens. The drop box outside the branch will still be available, and all other library branches are open for service.

 

Michigan Youth Fall-A-Thon Outdoor Adventure Starts Next Week

For families who are looking to continue outdoor adventures as the weather gets colder, the Michigan Youth Fall-A-Thon might be just the thing.

The contest is sponsored by Michigan 4-H, Michigan State University Extension, Huron Pines AmeriCorps, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Participants will learn about outdoor recreation, conservation, fisheries, and wildlife.

Teams complete missions and share progress using GooseChase, a scavenger hunt app. The missions can be completed between November 6th and November 11th. Participation can be from anywhere. Just a smartphone or tablet with a camera is needed.

Participation is totally free and self-paced. Prizes will be awarded throughout the contest, with a grand prize awarded at the end. The Fall-A-Thon is geared toward families with children aged 5 to 19 years old, but teenagers can participate on their own if they wish. Registration is open now with details at https://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?eventID=63C316F86F823612FD52C6CFF760D5A55A8AA30D2F05C7C4B6794AD71B0126E2

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Artists Against Racism Lansing Billboard Campaign

Artists Against Racism Launches Billboard Campaign in Lansing

Artists Against Racism is a Canadian Nonprofit organization whose mission is to build an understanding of all people, and speak to youth about the basic human right of equality. They reach out through various public service campaigns to promote their messages, and they have recently launched a billboard campaign in Lansing, MI.

The nonprofit was motivated to start the campaign in Lansing in response to the plot to kidnap and harm Governor Whitmer. Adams Outdoor, a billboard company in the Lansing area, donated 5 billboards throughout the city for the campaign.

“Our charity wanted to show the community of Lansing, and the Governor, that we stand with them, that love prevails over fear and hate, and that we are all one race, the human race,” says Lisa Cherniak, Executive Director. “It’s something to remember, especially in the greatly divided country of America. And each of us can take a stand, every day, against racism.”

Billboards have also been placed in Minneapolis, Atlanta, Louisville and other cities affected by controversial police killings of African Americans the past few months.

Artists Against Racism is in its 24th year and has a diverse member roster of professional actors, entertainers, and musicians.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Voter Information For Final Days of 2020 Election

In the final days that voters can cast ballots in the presidential election, here are the critical pieces of information voters need to know.

Michigan.gov/Vote: Michiganders can check their registration, find their local clerk offices, drop boxes and polling place, and track their absentee ballot at the state’s official website.

Registration through Election Day: Eligible citizens can register to vote and then vote an absentee ballot in one trip to their city or township clerk’s office now through Election Day, Nov. 3. As long as they are in line by 8 p.m. on Election Day they must be allowed to register and vote. To register within 14 days of the election, a voter must bring a document verifying residency, like a utility bill, school ID or government mail with their address (digital copies are acceptable).

Early Voting by Absentee Ballot at City or Township Clerk’s Office: City and township clerk offices are required to be open at least eight hours this weekend, and will be open Monday as well. Registered voters can request and submit absentee ballots in one trip. The deadline is 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.

Return Absentee Ballots ASAP: Voters who have an absentee ballot already should fill it out, sign the back of the envelope and hand-deliver it to their city or township clerk’s office or drop box as soon as possible, and no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Voters must bring their ballot to a drop box in their jurisdiction.

Track Absentee Ballots: Voters can track their absentee ballot to determine when it was sent to them and, after they’ve submitted it, if it was received at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Missing Absentee Ballot: If a voter requested an absentee ballot and it never arrived or they lost it, they should go to their clerk’s office immediately to request and submit one in person. If they cannot do so due to health reasons, they should contact their clerk immediately.

Requested Absentee but Want to Vote at Polls: If a voter requested and received an absentee ballot but decided they would prefer to vote at their polling place, they should bring the absentee ballot with them to the polls. Once there, they can surrender it for a new ballot that they will fill out and place in the tabulation machine.

Submitted Absentee Ballot but Want to Change Vote: Voters who already submitted an absentee ballot but want to change or cancel their vote should go to their city or township clerk’s office as soon as possible, and no later than 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. On Election Day, voters who have already cast an absentee ballot will not be able to change or cancel it.

Polling Places Will Be Safe, Clean and Accessible: Masks, gloves, sanitizer, and protocols for hygiene and social distancing have been provided to election jurisdictions statewide. Election workers are required to wear masks and voters are strongly encouraged to do so. All polling places must have Voter Assist Terminals for any voter who wants to use one.

Voter Intimidation is Illegal: Anyone who experiences or witnesses voter intimidation, harassment or coercion of any kind should report it immediately to an election worker or their election clerk’s office. Intimidating a voter with a firearm or any other weapon or menacing behavior is a felony under existing law enforceable by local law enforcement.

All Valid Absentee Ballots Will Be Counted Fairly: To be valid, absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day on Nov. 3, and have a signature that matches the one on the voter’s file with the clerk. Absentee ballots are counted by pairs of election workers – one from each major political party – to ensure they are counted without political bias and in accordance with the law.

Complete Election Results Won’t Come Tuesday: Absentee ballots take longer to process and count than ballots cast at polling places. And unlike other states, Michigan law provides very limited ability for clerks to prepare them ahead of Election Day. Because of this, and the significant increase in voters casting absentee ballots, it could take until Friday, Nov. 6, for all ballots to be counted. Depending on how close the races are, this likely means that outcomes will not be determined on Tuesday.

Submitted by Michigan Secretary of State

Courts Move Some Cases to Video

Citing the rise in COVID cases in the county, the St. Clair County Court System has made some changes to try to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 amongst its staff and those who have business with the courts. As of Friday, October 30th, the court started implementing some restrictions on who may enter the courthouse.

72nd District Court Judge Mona Armstrong addressed the precautions, saying, “The staff here in the courthouse have been extremely diligent in making sure we keep the public safe while in this building. Unfortunately, the rising rate within the county has required us to take a step back, as mandated by the state. As we have since this all started in March, we will continue to do everything humanly possible to continue to keep court cases moving on behalf of the parties involved while maintaining required safety measures.”

Many court hearings are transitioning to video, but some will still require in-person attendance. The Court will make sure that the affected parties know whether they are on the docket for in-person or video appearances.

The County asks that paperwork be completed online as much as possible and that questions about restrictions are asked of the appropriate departments before court dates.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bruce Seymore EDA St. Clair County MEDA Award

Bruce Seymore of EDA of St. Clair County Receives MEDA Award

Bruce Seymore II, Director of Business and Community Services at the Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County was awarded the Robert Sieghart Award for Enthusiasm for the Economic Development Profession from the Michigan Economic Development Agency (MEDA) at their annual meeting.

The Sieghart award goes to a person who enjoys economic development and understands the importance of the profession to all communities. They are especially interested in bringing more professionals into the fold with their passion and dedication, and they know more jobs and investment in a community will benefit the entire state.

Bruce Seymore St. clair County EDA MEDA Award Winner
Bruce Seymore, EDA St. Clair County, Receives Robert Sieghart Award for Enthusiasm from MEDA at Their Virtual Meeting in October 2020

Carolyn Bennett, Economic Development Manager at DTE Energy, who nominated Bruce, said, “Bruce has done an outstanding job with communicating the recent incentive programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have helped assist 100’s of businesses with the CARES Act information being shared through DTE Energy. Bruce is always willing to assist businesses in St. Clair Country and helps promote economic development throughout the state of Michigan.”

Bruce has been on the team at the EDA of St. Clair County for 11 years. Dan Casey, CEO of the EDA St. Clair County, said,  “In a crisis, communication is key.  EDA was committed to providing the most relevant information to area businesses so they could make the adjustments to their operations, to keep their doors open and solve problems.  Bruce’s effort was critical to this process because of the relationships and trust that companies have in his knowledge and abilities.  I’m very excited for him for winning this award and appreciative of the great team we have at EDA that shares his commitment.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand