local news

Whitmer Asks EGLE to Investigate Edenville and Sanford Dam Failures

Lansing. MI — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today sent a letter to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) directing the department to investigate what caused the Edenville Dam and Sanford Dam to fail, resulting in historic flooding in several mid-Michigan counties. Gov. Whitmer also asked EGLE to review the larger issue of dam safety in Michigan and provide recommendations on policy, legislative, budgetary, and enforcement reforms that can prevent these harms from repeating elsewhere.

“This flooding forced thousands to evacuate their homes, destroyed public infrastructure, ruined homes and businesses, and caused major natural resource damage,” said Governor Whitmer. “We must ensure accountability and prevent a disaster like this from happening again. I want to thank the first responders and volunteers who have stepped up to help in this time of unprecedented need.”

The letter to EGLE is just one of many steps Gov. Whitmer has taken to marshal the necessary resources to ensure residents and their families have access to the help they need to recover from this disaster. Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency on May 19 for Midland City and Midland County and has since expanded the declaration to include additional impacted counties of Arenac, Gladwin, Saginaw, and Iosco to ensure those areas have the resources they need. On May 20, Gov. Whitmer sent a letter to President Trump urging him to approve a federal emergency declaration for Midland County, which was approved on May 21.

“It warms my heart to see the outpouring of support and generosity for residents in mid-Michigan impacted by this historic flood while in the midst of a global health pandemic,” Governor Whitmer said. “As residents begin the painstaking task of picking up the pieces from this disaster, they deserve to know why these dams failed, uprooting their homes, businesses and lives in the process.”

Suspect Arraigned in Drug Related Shooting in Algonac

Marine City, MI — A suspect in a drug related shooting in the city of Algonac in November of last year was arraigned on Wednesday, May 27th in 72nd District Court in Marine City.

According to St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon, 34 year old Ricardo Galan of Westland, Michigan is charged with armed robbery, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, 2nd degree home invasion and felony firearms.

The investigation began on November 18, 2019 when deputies from the Sheriff’s Office were called to the Algonac Fire Department for a person that had been shot.  The victim, a 31 year old man, also from Westland, was transported to Ascension River District Hospital in East China Township for treatment.

Members of the St. Clair County Drug Task Force became involved in the investigation, beginning with a residence on Smith Street in Algonac.  That investigation, which was hampered due to lack of cooperation from the victim, led members of the DTF to track down leads and conduct surveillance in the city of Detroit and other locations in the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Jackson and Livingston.  The investigation culminated with the arrest of Galan in Green Oak Township in Livingston County on Tuesday.  Following Galan’s arrest, a search warrant was executed at his residence, where several handguns were located and seized.

Galan is being held at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center on a $50,000 cash/surety bond.  His next court date is a probable cause hearing at 9:30 a.m. on June 10th before Judge Michael Hulewicz.

Multiple agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau, Port Huron Police Major Crimes Unit and the Clay Township Police Department assisted in the investigation.

Investigation into other possible suspects in the crime is ongoing.  If anyone has any information regarding this shooting, or any other drug related criminal activity, please contact the St. Clair County Drug Task Force at (800) 243-DRUG.

Whitmer Adds Iosco County to Emergency Declaration

Lansing, MI — On Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-105  adding Iosco County to the state of emergency declaration issued last week for Midland, Gladwin, Arenac, and Saginaw counties after heavy rains caused widespread flooding and resulted in the breach of Edenville and Sanford dams.

“This flooding has caused devastating damage for thousands of residents in impacted areas,” said Governor Whitmer. “I have declared an emergency to provide much needed assistance and have added Iosco county to the emergency declaration to ensure access to critical resources. I want to thank emergency responders in the region for helping to evacuate residents. Let’s all stay safe, and take care of each other.”   

“My staff has been working closely with county officials in affected areas as the situation has progressed,” said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD). “We will continue to partner with the county to ensure they receive the needed resources to respond and recover from this incident.”  

COVID-19 Testing More Accessible Under New Order

Lansing, MI — Governor Whitmer signed an executive order on Tuesday that expands COVID-19 testing in the state of Michigan. The order increases the eligibility for testing, negates the need for a doctor’s order, and eliminates the out-of-pocket cost of testing for individuals.

Those now eligible for testing under the new order include anyone who:

  • Exhibits any symptom of COVID-19, including mild symptoms
  • Has been exposed to a person with COVID-19
  • Has been working outside their home for at least 10 days
  • Resides in any congregate setting, such as a long-term care facility, prison or jail, homeless shelter, or migrant camp

Under Executive Order 2020-104, anyone who leaves their home for work, or has symptoms of COVID-19 (even mild symptoms), may receive a test at a community testing location without securing a doctor’s order in advance. Medical personnel will be available to order testing upon arrival. A person who wishes to be tested may call the Michigan coronavirus hotline at 1-888-535-6136 or visit www.michigan.gov/coronavirustest to find an appropriate testing location.

The state also launched an online dashboard that visually illustrates COVID-19 risks and trends in Michigan. The dashboard was developed through a collaboration between the Michigan departments of Health and Human Services and Labor and Economic Opportunity and the University of Michigan, dashboard data is divided into Michigan Economic Recovery Committee (MERC) regions.

You can access the dashboard <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Kilpatrick’s Request for Home Confinement Denied

Until recently, supporters, friends and family of former Detroit  mayor Kwame Kilpatrick were hopeful that he would soon be released from federal prison because of the coronavirus pandemic. It now appears Kilpatrick will not be released early.

After reviewing Kilpatrick’s request for early release, the  Federal Bureau of Prisons announced Kilpatrick’s request for home confinement was denied.  Kilpatrick will continue to serve his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Oakdale, Louisiana. His sentence is scheduled to end in  January 2037.

The Department of Justice released the following statement: “On Tuesday, May 26, the Federal Bureau of Prisons reviewed and denied inmate Kwame Kilpatrick for home confinement. Mr. Kilpatrick remains incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution-I in Oakdale, Louisiana.”

In February, Kilpatrick’s family, politicians, religious leaders and business leaders asked President Donald Trump for a commutation of his sentence. The White House signaled that they were considering the request, but there still hasn’t been any official response.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

United Way of St. Clair County Grants Funds for Virtual Counseling

Port Huron, MI — The United Way of St. Clair County (UWSCC) granted funds from their Emergency Services Fund – COVID-19 Relief Aid to the Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan (CCSEM). The grant will help the counseling center with the start-up costs and maintenance of their telehealth system so they can provide virtual services.

The counseling center converted from face-to-face counseling to provide virtual counseling to their new and existing clients during this time of social distancing. CCSEM offers counseling services to those who  most need it and never refuses services based on a client’s ability to pay.

Mental Health agencies have reported an increase in anxiety, depression, and substance abuse since the COVID-19 virus began affecting Americans in March. These valuable mental health services allow counselors to meet virtually and offer the support and tools their clients need to feel supported and equipped to deal with this challenging season.

COVID-19 funds are still available for organizations seeking aid.  Visit the United Way of St. Clair County’s Website <HERE> to apply.

 Funds cannot be used for individuals seeking financial support at this time.  UWSCC recommends all individuals with any type of need to dial 2-1-1, or (888) 636-4211, to be connected with available information and resources. Please remember, many organizations have staff working from home and require individuals to leave a phone message.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand