port huron

Masks Not Mandated in Lambton County

Lambton County, Ontario, has released its recommendations and supporting data regarding mask wearing. According to Lambton Public Health, “Face coverings will not protect you from getting COVID-19. Your best protection is to maintain physical distancing and wash your hands.” They went on to say, “At this time in Lambton County, evidence and local context does not support the mandatory public use of masks in a community setting.”

Across the border in St Clair County, Michigan, masks are mandatory in all public settings and businesses can deny entry to individuals not wearing them. Mask wearing is a precaution to prevent infected people from transmitting the virus, according to MDHHS. Carriers can be asymptomatic.

Lambton County, with a population of 123,000 reports 286 overall cases of COVID-19 with 25 deaths. St. Clair County, with a population of 159,000 has 602 cases reported with 52 deaths since tracking began.

The U.S.-Canada border remains closed to non-essential travel until at least July 21. The Lambton County report can be found at:

https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus/protect-yourself/#face-coverings.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Social District” Plans in the Works for Downtown Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron City Council will be presented with a plan to create new outdoor gathering spaces and social districts. The areas are meant to be gathering places that are less risky for virus transmission than traditional indoor bars, restaurants, and event centers.

The plan would also give downtown businesses a boost by giving consumers an option for staying and consuming food and beverages, particularly adult beverages, downtown. Municipalities are now lawfully able to designate particular areas where open intoxicants, clearly marked as such by the seller, can be consumed offsite.

The outdoor spaces, if approved, will be at McMorran Plaza and the pocket park by the Military Street Bridge. Both are planned to be quickly renovated into areas where people would naturally gather.

Port Huron City Manager James Freed described the project, saying, “You could buy a drink at one place and go to another place that doesn’t have a (liquor) license like Chef Shells and Maria’s and consume a drink. You can also take drinks to the two gathering places we are creating. Hence, these two projects would work together.”

All plans are subject to review by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Burtchville Man Drowns at Lakeport State Park

Lakeport, MI — A 52 year old Burtchville Township man drowned yesterday afternoon while swimming in Lake Huron at the Lakeport State Park day park.

Robert Esquibel was swimming with a friend in the lake. While they were swimming, the friend noticed that Esquibel had not resurfaced after going under water. He called for help, then swam to shore to have someone call 911 shortly before 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. Deputies from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and the Burtchville Township Fire Department were called to respond.

A fire department rescue boat was put in the water and Esquibel was recovered within about 15 minutes of the call. Esquibel was taken to shore, where CPR was started by members of the fire department. Tri-
Hospital EMS arrived a short time later, and continued CPR while the man was being transported to McLaren Port Huron Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The cause of death is being investigated by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Clair County Medical Examiner’s Office. No foul play is suspected.

Harbor Impact Ministries Ready to Welcome Back Guests

Kimball, MI — Harbor Impact Ministries is happy to announce their first regular Impact Sessions scheduled for July 28th and 29th.  Impact sessions provide guests with fresh food, clothing, and personal care products along with a variety of household items.

Harbor Impact is asking people to attend the Impact days at specific times according the the first letter of their last names, their work schedule, and the type of transportation they use. The following schedules (the schedule is available on the web version of this news story at WGRT.com) will facilitate social distancing and encourage safety for everyone.

Tuesday, July 28:

  • 9 AM – 12 PM: Last name A-E
  • 2 PM – 4 PM: Last name F-L
  • 6 PM – 8 PM: Day shift workers

Wednesday July 29th:

  • 9 AM – 12 PM: Last name M-R and bus riders
  • 2 PM – 4 PM: Last name S-Z and bus riders

Blue Water Transit takes passengers to and from the old Super Kmart parking lot near Sam’s Club in Port Huron Twp. for both Wednesday sessions. The bus begins a circular route at 8:45 for the morning session and 1:45 for the afternoon session. Regular bus fare applies for the trip.

Harbor Impact has also opened its Resource Center by appointment. The resource center capitalizes on Harbor Impact Ministries’ vast support network to provide tutoring, employment, and basic skills help to meet the unique needs of its guests.

“We are looking forward to letting our guests choose from all of the wonderful donations we received as people have been cleaning out their closets during this season. “We are ready to rock and roll here!” said Barb Hanneke, Executive Director of Harbor Impact Ministries.

Donations of all kinds are welcome by appointment only. Call to schedule at 810- 662-3936 Monday – Friday from 9 AM – 12 PM.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

Port Huron Man Arraigned on Weapons Charges

Port Huron, MI — On Sunday, July 5, 2020 at 6:18 PM, Port Huron Police responded to a call of a large fight and a man shooting a handgun out of a car at Knox Field in the 2400 block of Cleveland. Police learned the incident stemmed from two females who have had on going issues with each other. One female is a 20 year old Port Huron resident and the other is a 32 year old Port Huron resident. 

The 20 year old female saw the 32 year old with three friends at Knox Field and initiated an argument. When the 20 year old and occupants of her vehicle learned the police were being called they proceeded to leave the area. However, a 24 year old male passenger from Port Huron pointed a handgun at the 32 year old and her friends. He then fired the handgun in the air as they drove away. A description of the vehicle was given over the police radio. 

A St. Clair County Sheriff Deputy spotted the vehicle westbound on I-94 and pulled it over. The 20 year old female and a passenger, a 32 year old male Warren resident, were taken into custody and later released. The 32 year old male shooter turned himself into police custody in the 2000 block of Stone Street. The Major Crimes Unit responded to assist road patrol and the handgun used was recovered. He was lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention Center for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Discharge of a Firearm from a Vehicle, and Felony Firearms. 

On July 7, 2020, Jesse Tyrelle Stevenson, a 24 year old Port Huron resident, was arraigned on the above charges. A $10,000 cash/surety bond was set. He is scheduled for a probable cause conference hearing on July 21, 2020 at 9 a.m. in front of the Honorable Judge Monaghan. 

 

License and Registration Expirations Extended to September 30

Port Huron, MI — Driver’s License, State ID, and vehicle registration expirations have been extended to September 30th. Bills were signed into law to codify previous Executive Orders that extended expirations. Secretary of State offices are currently taking appointments only. This order allows some breathing room for those residents who may be panicking about getting an appointment, social distancing, or paying for vehicle registration renewals.

According to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, “These bills will give Michigan residents peace of mind and reduce the amount of person to person interaction necessary when renewing licenses and registrations.”

While this action is intended to reduce the number of in-person transactions at the Secretary of State branches, residents are reminded that most transactions can be conducted online, by mail, or at a Self-Service Station. Locally, there are stations at the Secretary of State Branch Office on Krafft Road in Port Huron and at the Marysville Meijer.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson commented on the new law saying, “We have been continually assessing the safest way to maintain branch operations and this legislation will go a long way toward those efforts.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland