St. Clair County

Ft. Gratiot Man Dies in Crash

A 32 year old Fort Gratiot Township man was killed last night following a crash in Clyde Township.

Deputies from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Beard Road and North Road at about 9:45 Monday evening for a one vehicle crash.  Upon arrival they determined the man had been driving eastbound on Beard Road.  He proceeded to drive his 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee through the stop sign at Beard and North Road.  He continued driving down a private drive, eventually striking a garage at the residence and an enclosed trailer that was next to the home.  The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fort Gratiot Fire and Rescue and Tri-Hospital EMS assisted at the site of the crash, which remains under investigation.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

Sharon Wilton Ft. Gratiot

Ft. Gratiot Twp. Sees Completion of Several Projects – More on the Horizon

Ft. Gratiot Township has seen several business remodels and new projects in the last couple of months. Shoppers and diners may have noticed transformations at Big Boy Restaurant, Aldi, and the former Birchwood Athletic Club along with the relocation of Dunham’s Sports into one of the anchor spaces at Birchwood Mall.

Sharon Wilton, Ft. Gratiot Township Community Development Director, says the township has been busy welcoming new businesses and sharing the excitement of the remodeling and expansion projects.

Moran Blue Water just finished converting the former Birchwood Athletic Club into its new Collision Center, and they are looking forward to their next project, a remodeled showroom for their new and used cars at their existing property on 24th Avenue.

The township is also looking forward to a new senior day care program on Lakeshore Road called the P.A.C.E. Program for the All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly. It will be the only facility of its kind in the Thumb Area, and will provide seniors a safe and active environment to spend their days when it opens around August of 2021.

The Ft. Gratiot Township Planning Commission met Tuesday night and approved Ft. Gratiot Place Apartments which will be 180 apartments on Krafft Road near the social security building. Wilton said, “These will be mid-level income apartments, and they are going to be really nice.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Blue Water Area COVID-19 Update

St. Clair County, MI — Lambton County, Ontario

Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of October 14, 2020 at  10:30 AM are as follows:

  • State of Michigan: 137,702 confirmed cases; 6,928 deaths
  • St. Clair County: 1,028 confirmed cases; 59 deaths
  • Ontario: 61,413 confirmed cases;  3,017 deaths
  • Sarnia-Lambton: 350 confirmed cases; 25 deaths

As of Wednesday, St. Clair County had 184 active cases of the virus, and 4% of hospital beds in the county are being used for COVID-19 patients.

The St. Clair County Health Department is encouraging the public to take advantage of one of their community flu clinics which are happening throughout October. More information is available at www.scchealth.co.

 

Lambton County currently has 2 active cases, and Bluewater Health reported a patient currently hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 as of Tuesday.

Lambton Public Health is in the process of contact tracing a case of COVID-19 that was discovered at Colonel Cameron Public School in Corunna.

The Ontario government recently established targeted public health measures in the Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto regions and is urging Ontarians to limit trips outside the home and follow recommended guidelines for social distancing, wearing face masks, and handwashing

Please continue to rely on reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Flu Clinics in October

The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) will be offering flu clinics across St. Clair County.

All ages welcome. Flu vaccine will be administered by St. Clair County Health Department public health nurses. Vaccine is available for ages 6 months and up; FluMist (no needle) for ages 2-49; enhanced for ages 65 and up; and standard flu vaccine for all ages. *(While supplies last)*

Making an appointment is quick and easy online at www.scchealth.co and click “Make an Appointment”.  All clinics will run 3:00pm to 6:00pm.

No out of pocket expenses for participants, and insurances will be billed. Please wear a short sleeve shirt and bring a photo ID and a copy of your insurance card. Masks or face coverings are required.

October 13, 2020: Algonac Lions Hall – 1905 Mill St. Algonac, MI

October 15, 2020: American Legion – 1026 6th St. Port Huron, MI

October 19, 2020: American Legion – 299 Huron Blvd. Marysville, MI

October 22, 2020: Knights of Columbus – 3501 Rattle Run Rd. St. Clair, MI

October 26, 2020: Yale VFW – 4 West Mechanic St. Yale, MI

Port Huron NAACP Hosting Virtual Summit

The Port Huron Branch of the NAACP is celebrating its 61st Annual Freedom Fund with a virtual event. This year’s Virtual Freedom Fund Summit theme is “The Power of Your Vote”, and the event takes place on Saturday, October 24th from 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM.

The goal of the event is to provide a forum for the public to hear from and interact with candidates running for office in St. Clair County. After an opening ceremony and chat with the Port Huron Branch President, Kevin Watkins, there is a session on collaboration among community groups, a session entitled, “The Power of the Vote”, and a speed networking opportunity.

The afternoon sessions feature panel discussions with candidates running for office and a session on understanding the voting laws and absentee voting process in Michigan.

The event is free, but the Port Huron Branch of the NAACP is collecting donations and has a goal of raising $25,000 for its Freedom Fund.

Those interested can learn more and register <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County Drain Commissioner Race Heats Up

The St. Clair County Drain Commissioner Race is one of the hottest local contests on the ticket this year, with Democrat Fred Fuller challenging incumbent Republican Robert Wiley.

Longtime residents might think they are having a flashback to the 1990s when they see the “Fred Fuller for Drain Commissioner” campaign signs in yards around the county. Fuller held the Drain Commissioner position from 1997-2008. He originally ran to fight the dredging of Mill Creek, which flows through the town of Yale, where he resides and has served as mayor. Eventually a compromise was reached and Mill Creek mostly remains in its natural state. Fuller points to frustration with expensive studies instead of maintenance as one of his reasons for running for his old job again.

Incumbent Drain Commissioner Robert Wiley has been in the office since 2008. Wiley’s office has been instrumental in the mitigation of damaged wetlands in Fort Gratiot and the construction of the Veterans’ Memorial Wetlands Preserve. Wiley is in his third term as Drain Commissioner.

The Drain Commissioner position pays just under $80,000 per year.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland