St. Clair County

St. Clair Wins MI Clean Water Grant

The City of St. Clair has received a MI Clean Water Grant. It is one of eleven cities, villages, and townships that split the $5 million total award. St. Clair will receive $210,142 from the Drinking Water Asset Management Grant.  

Liesl Clark, director of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, said, “Michigan continues to be committed to helping communities address longstanding water infrastructure deficits. With more federal support on the way for work like removing lead service lines and other pressing needs, we’re pleased to complement those efforts with these innovative grant programs that have been assisting local water systems.” 

The MI Clean Water Plan is investing $500 million into the state’s water infrastructure. The grants are aimed at reducing the risks associated with lead in the drinking water and making improvements to ensure safer tap water.

The MI Clean Water Plan funds improvements to lead lines, toxic contamination, constrained local budgets, unaffordable water rates, and other needs of municipalities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Closings for Thursday, February 3, 2022

We have received the following notices of closings and delays in our listening area:

 

St. Clair County:

Algonac Community Schools

Blue Water Choices

Blue Water Community Action (Offices and Head Start Programs)

Capac Community Schools

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High

Council on Aging – Services and centers (including meals and transportation)

East China School District

East Shore Leadership Academy 

Landmark Academy 

Marysville Public Schools 

New Life Christian Academy

Port Huron Schools

St. Clair County Community College – main campus and off-campus locations

St. Mary / McCormick Catholic Academy 

St. Clair TEC 

St. Edwards on the Lake 

Woodland Development Center

Yale Schools

*** NOTE: Port Huron Area School Administration Office will be OPEN

Sanilac County:

Brown City Schools 

Croswell-Lexington Schools 

 

Winter Storm Coming to Blue Water Area

A winter storm watch goes into effect Wednesday morning and is predicted to affect our area until Thursday evening. According to the National Weather Service, total snow accumulation could reach between 8 to 14 inches.

The winter storm is expected to cover most of the central United States, and it will bring a variety of wintery weather hazards such as snow, sleet, and freezing rain. The winter storm watch in our area affects the counties of Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Lenawee, and Monroe.

Temperatures will actually be warmer today through Thursday with a projected high of 39 degrees today and 34 degrees on Wednesday, before dropping back into the teens on Friday and reaching single digits in the evenings over the weekend.

Last year, winter storms in February resulted in more school and business closures than any other calendar month. For information on closings and delays, visit WGRT’s website and click on news <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Earth Fair Comes to Goodells Park April 29-30

Covid will not be stopping the St. Clair County Earth Fair this year. The 20th annual Earth Fair is being planned for Friday, April 29th and Saturday, April 30th at Goodells County Park. The 2020 and 2021 events were canceled due to COVID concerns.

The Earth Fair is the largest event of its kind in Michigan. Many vendors will be on hand to interact with students and visitors about healthy, sustainable, and green living.

Past events have featured over 70 vendors and thousands of visitors. It’s time for vendors and volunteers to start applying and for school classrooms to plan their field trips. Teachers of 3rd through 5th grade can register for the free field trip that features interactive science lessons in a hands-on environment.

The Earth Fair is also the backdrop of the Green Guardian Award that recognizes environmental champions from the business world, schools and groups that have shown an initiative to enhance, preserve, and protect the Blue Water Area.

www.EarthDayFair.com. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Blankets With Care Serves Those In Need in St. Clair and Macomb Counties

The Blankets With Care non-profit has been working to wrap the homeless, elderly, and veterans in warmth and love since January 2020. The organization is run by five local volunteers who want to reach out to those in need in St. Clair and Macomb counties.

The group got started in 2020 and has been busy collecting donations and taking those donations to those experiencing homelessness and to agencies that serve vulnerable people.

Blankets with Care has many volunteer opportunities including Blessing Bag packing events and direct service to the homeless with the distribution of hot meals. They also have a wish list of needed items for donations.

After several successful fundraisers with community partners in 2021, Blankets with Care is working with Coordinated Crafters Connection, LLC at the New Creative Market at the Meadows in Casco in the summer of 2022.

More information on how to get involved with helping the homeless, veterans, and the elderly with Blankets with Care can be found at the links below.

https://www.facebook.com/CreativeMarketattheMeadowsfeaturingBWC

https://www.facebook.com/BlanketswithCare

https://www.ccconnectionllc.com/blankets-with-care

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

St. Clair County Board of Commissioners Meetings Move to Convention Center

The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners will be meeting at the Blue Water Convention Center instead of the St. Clair County government offices in downtown Port Huron.

The county board meeting that was held on January 6th was reported to have attendance that exceeded the capacity of the usual location. Increased public interest over mask mandates and covid protocol has drawn larger than usual crowds to the public meetings.

County Commissioner Lisa Beedon said, “It’s important we hold our meetings in a venue that accommodates the size of the audience, not only to meet the Open Meetings Act requirements but also to adequately hear from and have seating for our constituents.”

The regular meeting of the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners on January 20th will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Convention Center located at 800 Harker Street. The Convention Center is connected to Freighters Restaurant and the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel.

The Standing Committee meetings on February 3rd and the regular Board of Commissioners meeting on February 17th will also be held at the Convention Center.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland