St. Clair County

Two Port Huron Men Arraigned Following Drug Raid

Port Huron, MI – Two Port Huron men have been arraigned following a drug raid in the city of Port Huron June 9th.

According to Sheriff Mat King, the St. Clair County Drug Task Force conducted an investigation into the sales of narcotics in the Port Huron area.  The investigation ended with a search warrant being served at a residence in the 900 block of St. Clair Street last Wednesday at about 8:00 p.m.  Once inside the home, members of the DTF located and seized a dealer’s quantity of heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The two men arrested, 31 year old Chad Hamilton and 26 year old Jesse Sawdon, were arraigned Sunday in 72nd District Court in Port Huron.  Hamilton is charged with delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine, delivery/manufacture of heroin/fentanyl less than 50 grams, maintaining a drug house, resisting/obstructing a police officer and being a habitual 4th offender.  His bond was set at $75,000 cash/surety.  Sawdon is charged with possession of methamphetamine less than 25 grams and being a habitual 4th offender.  His bond was set at $25,000 cash/surety.

Both men will face a probable cause hearing on June 22nd at 9:00 a.m. in Port Huron’s 72nd District Court.

The Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team and K-9 Unit and the U.S. Border Patrol K-9 Unit also assisted at the scene of the investigation.

Submitted by the St. Clair County’s Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force

Michigan Reaches 60% Vaccinated

Governor Whitmer announced last week that Michigan has reached the 60% mark in its COVID-19 vaccination rate. Whitmer said that cases of COVID-19 in the state are falling fast which she believes positions the state’s economy for a strong recovery.

Whitmer said, “I know that we can give Michigan the economic jumpstart it needs with the billions in available federal funds and our multi-billion dollar budget surplus. We will emerge from this once-in-a-century pandemic stronger than ever, and I am confident that we can make lasting, transformative investments in our schools, small businesses, and communities to help them thrive.”

Active cases of COVID-19 fell to 4,058 last week, down from 6,363 on June 1st.

The St. Clair County Health Department has also moved most of its vaccine services back to their main building and the Teen Health Center, although there may be pop-up clinics in certain areas as needed.

Dr. Annette Mercatante and Justin Westmiller have been doing a weekly live Q&A session on the Health Department’s Facebook page, and their updates are transitioning to a monthly format beginning in July. The next event is July 1, 2021 at 3:30 PM.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

“The Big Give” Brings in over $600K for Non-Profits

Seventy-one non-profits got a funding boost during “The Big Give” on June 9th, with Mid-City Nutrition, the local soup kitchen which is in the process of building a new headquarters, raising the most money: over $153,000. A matching grant from the Marshall E. Campbell Company helped bring Mid-City to the top of the Leaderboard.

The organization with the most donors was Spero Pregnancy Center, which had 181 donors and came in second in total donations with over $43,000.

Jackie Hanton, Vice President of the Community Foundation, said, “The community stepped up big and collectively raised over $600,000 from nearly 1,700 donors.”

Some of the non-profits gathered in front of the Community Foundation building. Hanton said, “It was wonderful to see donors stopping by to chat with their favorite nonprofit and others walking around to learn more about organizations they didn’t know about.”

Hanton remarked, “Our community continues to be one of the most amazing and generous places to live. The Big Give brought us back together in person and online and giving was abundant!”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Health Department Moves COVID Services to Offices

St. Clair County, MI — The St. Clair County Health Department has moved the bulk of its COVID-19 testing and vaccine services to their main building on 28th Street in Port Huron and to the Teen Health center behind Port Huron High School on Court Street.

Appointments for testing and vaccines can still be done online at the Health Department’s website <HERE> or by calling the Health Department at (810)987-5300. All three vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson are available.

COVID-19 Vaccine appointments are available for all people 12 years old and older at the Main Office Monday – Thursday, and for those 12 – 21 at Teen Health Monday – Thursday during normal business hours.

COVID-19 testing appointments are available Monday – Friday at both locations.

According to Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer for the St. Clair County Health Department, pop-up vaccine clinics will continue to be held throughout the county for the convenience of the public. Those clinics can be found at scchealth.co.

As of yesterday, there were 4,903 active cases of COVID-19 in St. Clair County.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Blue Water Chamber Quarterly Talk Rep Andrew Beeler

Beeler Updates Chamber of Commerce on Last Quarter in Office

Last week, Andrew Beeler, Michigan State Representative of the 83rd District, joined local leaders and business owners for a Capitol Quarterly Talk sponsored by the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce.

Beeler shared that the House is in its busy season as they try to move forward on the 2022 budget and other policy issues before summer recess. His main focus right now is ensuring that the taxpayers in his district have a strong voice in Lansing, especially since the legislature seeks to allocate funds with a record surplus.

Since taking office, a couple of areas Beeler has been focusing are health care and veterans. His HB 4345 was passed in March, and it prohibits insurance companies from penalizing Michigan consumers if they decide to purchase cheaper prescriptions from an out-of-network provider.

Regarding veterans, Beeler is working on legislation that would translate military education and skills to certificates which would enable veterans to receive tangible value in the civilian world for things they achieved during active duty. Beeler believes this adds to the benefits the state of Michigan has to offer those completing their service and deciding where to live.

Representative Beeler serves all of Sanilac County, and Burtchville Township, Fort Gratiot Township and the city of Port Huron in St. Clair County. He can be reached by phone at 517-373-0835 or by email at: AndrewBeeler@house.mi.gov.

The Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce provides many opportunities throughout the year for its members to connect with their elected officials. The next event is on June 18th via Zoom with Senator Gary Peters. Visit BlueWaterChamber.com to learn more.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Lisa Motte Takes Position at United Way

Port Huron, MI — Lisa Motte will be the new Resource Development Director the the United Way of St. Clair County. Her new role involves marketing, supporting annual campaigns, and working with volunteers.

Motte said, “I was honored to accept this position because nonprofits are my passion. I have worked in the for-profit industry for more than 25 years and felt I needed to follow my heart to United Way. There is no better way to help so many nonprofits than through United Way of St. Clair County.”

Executive Director of the United Way of St. Clair County, Brent Gillette, said, “We’re very happy to get her from the for-profit world although she has extensive experience in nonprofits. It’s her energy, the infectious atmosphere she brings with her into a room, and her extensive knowledge of the community that will be a big asset to us.”

United Way of St. Clair County staff have been in the office throughout the pandemic safely serving their clients through the 211 phone service and their medical loan and supply closet.

Gillette said they are looking forward to sharing the mission of the United Way with businesses as they did pre-COVID. “We didn’t get a chance to do that for a whole year, and that has really been a hardship for us.”

In 2020, the United Way of St. Clair County supported over 14,441 residents of St. Clair County by teaching life skills, reducing the need for emergency services, adult education and training programs, and improving quality of life through health and advocacy.

To learn more visit uwstclair.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand