St. Clair County

St. Clair County Library System Wants Yes Vote on August 2nd Millage to Continue Serving Community

Denise Brooks, Chair of the YES Library Committee, said, “The Library Millage is for 1.2 mills over 10 years.”

Brooks said, “The millage will help strengthen and expand current programs and services as well as expand opportunities for broader access.” She encouraged everyone to vote YES on August 2 to support the library.

David Whipple, Chairperson of the St. Clair County Library Board of Trustees explained, “The existing millage ends this year. If the millage does not pass there will be no library and all 11 branches will close. The millage provides 78 percent of the library’s budget.”

Library Director Allison Arnold said,” The library has employed cost-saving measures to reduce expenses over the past several years. Yet, in recent years the library has had to forgo basic technical infrastructure improvements, and program, service and accessibility developments to maintain a balanced operating budget.” 

Library Millage Details can be found at https://www.yeslibrary2022.org/

From St. County Library System Director Allison Arnold:

“The mission of the St. Clair County Library System is to connect our community to the world of information so our residents can be effective, ethical users and producers of ideas and information, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners in order to allow our community to participate fully in our global society. Toward this end, the library provides free educational programs, including early literacy programs for children, and circulates books, magazines, and DVDs. Other services include free public computers; free Wi-Fi access; free online databases including Gale Courses and Ancestry.com; free meeting room access for community groups; free one-on-one assistance with technology; free access to digital books; free interlibrary loan services; and low-cost copy, printing, and fax services.

The library has employed cost-saving measures to reduce expenses over the past several years. Yet, in recent years the library has had to forgo basic technical infrastructure improvements, and program, service and accessibility developments to maintain a balanced operating budget.

COVID-19 and the resulting economic uncertainty has caused a significant reduction in penal fines (fines levied for a violation of the criminal code or a violation against the state), state aid, and interest revenue, which collectively comprise 20% of the library’s annual budget. The St. Clair County Library System’s primary revenue source (almost 80%) is the locally voted property taxes, without which, the Library would not be able to operate.”

From Denise Brooks, Chairman, YES Library Committee:

“The Library Millage is for 1.2 mills over 10 years. For a $160,000 house that would be $96 per year – four hardcover books a year or a couple Starbucks coffees a month. For the wide variety of services available from the library that is a bargain!” 

“The millage will help strengthen and expand current programs and services as well as expand opportunities for broader access. I encourage everyone to vote YES on August 2 to support the library.”

From David Whipple:

“My name is David Whipple. I am Chairperson of the St Clair County Library Board of Trustees. The existing millage ends this year. If the millage does not pass there will be no library and all 11 branches will close. The millage provides 78 percent of the library’s budget. Please join us and vote on August 2 to keep your library open.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

St. Clair County Wins Grant to Expand Internet Access

Michigan is investing in bringing high-speed internet to more consumers than ever. The latest round of investments has granted over $3 million to Michigan communities with a significant portion going to Duke Broadband in St. Clair County.

The Ira Expansion project has a total price tag of over $1.3 million. The Connecting Michigan Communities Grant will award over $858,000 toward the project.

The proposed fiber project will connect 367 locations with high-speed internet access.

This is the fourth round of awards as part of an initiative to expand broadband service to underserved areas in Michigan.

The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office is working to drive down costs and boost digital literacy along with expanding service. Training materials will be provided to residents in the expanded service area, along with collaboration with community groups to host events to promote e-learning, job, and workforce training.

Funding also went to projects in Menominee and Manistee counties.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Find a Farmers Market in Port Huron and Along the Thumbcoast

If you’re ready to taste fresh Michigan produce, it’s time to start exploring local farmers markets. There are several markets along the Thumbcoast, and each one offers a unique experience for shoppers and food-lovers.

Most farmers markets operate only one or two days per week, so its reasonable to make your way to several over the course of the Michigan growing season. You can find unique growers at each location along with craft food creators, greenhouses, and crafters & artists.

Start the week off on Wednesdays with the St. Clair Farmers Market in the north parking lot of St. Clair Plaza. The Marine City Farmers Market is open on Thursdays, and Marysville’s Summer Thyme Market is open on Fridays and Saturdays.

There are three exclusively weekend farmers markets: Vantage Point in Port Huron on Saturdays, The Market Lexington on Saturdays and Sundays, and the New Baltimore Farmers Market which is open on Sundays.

The growing season is a little delayed due to cold weather this spring, but things should pick up in a week or two as the temperatures rise.

St. Clair Farmers Market

Marine City Farmers Market

Marysville Summer Thyme Market

Vantage Point Farmers Market

The Market Lexington

  • Saturdays 9 AM – 4 PM
  • Sundays 10 AM – 3 PM
  • 6934 Peck Road

New Baltimore Farmers Market

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Sheriff Mat King Earns “Go To Bat” Award from Community Mental Health Association of Michigan

The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan has awarded St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King the “Go To Bat” Award. King was nominated by St. Clair County Community Mental Health.

The award goes to a person who “exemplifies extraordinary concern, advocacy, and leadership aimed at improving the quality and quantity of community-based mental health services for persons with a mental illness or intellectual/ developmental disability”, according to the Association.

Sheriff King was nominated because of his continued collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office and CMH, including the use of the Mobile Crisis Unit for assistance with mental health issues, and for getting Sheriff’s Office staff the mental health resources that they need.

King requires his staff to get Mental Health First Aid Training and has been an advocate for the county’s Mental Health Court and Recovery Court. King was recognized for his advocacy for the public mental health system by meeting with lawmakers in the nation’s capital.

The Award was given at the CMHAM Spring Conference.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Magna Sponsors St. Clair’s Blue Water Offshore Powerboat Races July 29-31

The Blue Water Offshore Racing Association has announced that the St. Clair River Classic Offshore Powerboat Race will be returning to the St. Clair River this summer thanks to a second year of sponsorship from Magna.

Steve Brunner, the president of the Blue Water Offshore Racing Association said, “Partnerships with the local community are critical to the continued success of our event, as we have reshaped how the event looks and is produced. We are extremely excited about this continued partnership with Magna.”

The auto supplier, Magna, which has recently completed construction on a new plant in St. Clair, is one of the world’s largest suppliers in the mobility sector. It is currently supplying battery enclosures for the 2022 GMC Hummer electric vehicle.

Chris Hinman, the general manager of Magna Electric Vehicle Structures-Michigan said, “We are thrilled to be able to sponsor such an exciting event that’s within two miles of Magna’s newest manufacturing operation. It’s a great opportunity for us to support the community and potentially attract new and future employees.”

The races will be held July 29th through 31st in St. Clair.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Suspect Arrested in Burtchville Twp. Drug Bust

The St Clair County Drug Task Force concluded an investigation into the sale of methamphetamine in the St. Clair County area on 6-2-22.  The investigation led to a residence in the 3600 Block of Myrtle in Burtchville Twp. 

On 6-2-22 a search warrant was planned to be executed at the location.  Just prior to the warrant being served the target of the investigation left the residence on a motorcycle, and he was taken into custody at Gratiot and Kraft roads in Fort Gratiot. 

While searching the motorcycle, methamphetamine and a large amount of cash were located.  The search of the residence and outbuildings on Myrtle resulted in the discovery of a large amount of Methamphetamine, 2 long guns, ammunition, packaging materials, and a scale. The street value of the meth is in excess of $25,000.  

The suspect is currently lodged in the St. Clair County Jail awaiting his current charges.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Drug Task Force