St. Clair County

Juneteenth Celebration Day

June 19 has been designated as an official Juneteenth Celebration Day in the State of Michigan. While there is growing momentum toward making Juneteenth a national holiday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer made the declaration early this week to commemorate the 1865 abolition of slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth is a colloquial reference to June 19, 1865, the date in which enslaved people in Texas were finally made aware of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln two years earlier. In the age of instant communication, a two-year delay in relaying a life-changing message seems unfathomable, but just 155 years ago, it was reality.

In referencing the Juneteenth proclamation, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II said “We have seen Michiganders across the state continue to fight for their freedom and the freedom of others. This day, which marks when the final group of Black Americans understood that they were free, is an important reminder of the work that must continue to be done to deliver equity and opportunity to every community.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Blue Water Area Transit Returning to Normal Routes

Port Huron, MI — Things are getting back to normal for Blue Water Area Transit, as they are starting to re-open services. Buses will run fixed routes starting at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 22.

The M-29/I-94 commuter service to Mt. Clemens will begin on June 22, also. Demand Response, or Dial-a-Ride, will continue with riders calling to schedule their rides.

Riders are asked to observe safety precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19. If a bus has two doors, riders are asked to exit through the back doors only. Riders must wear face masks, and maintain social distance from the driver and other passengers. Members of the same household may sit together. Bus capacity will be reduced, so some riders may be passed by if the bus is full and will have to wait for a “stand-by” vehicle.

The suspension of fare collection ends on Monday also, with regular rates going back into effect. Rates range from 40 to 80 cents per ride.

Blue Water Area Transit is also opening the Downtown Transit Center on McMorran Boulevard and the Main Office on Lapeer Road.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Federal Government Allocates $25 Million for Customs Plaza

port Huron, MI — The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $25 million for the building of the Blue Water Customs Plaza in Port Huron.

The area has waited for over a decade for the federal government to hold up their end of the deal. In the meantime, over 100 properties were demolished to prepare for the plaza, and the City of Port Huron’s $1 million mitigation deal has run out.

The project was originally planned to be a 60/40 split with the Michigan Department of Transportation picking up 40% of the cost. While the Blue Water Bridge is currently closed to non-essential traffic until July 21 due to the COVID-19 virus, it is still one of the busiest border crossings in the nation. Around 5 million vehicles go through Customs to cross the bridge between Port Huron and Sarnia yearly.

U.S. Congressman Paul Mitchell, representing Michigan’s 10th District, said, “With this announcement from the Trump Administration I am hopeful that after waiting more than 10 years this project can finally be built to benefit our economy, transportation systems, and national security.” The funding is part of the Infrastructure For Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

All Four Port Huron Museums Open for Tours

Port Huron, MI — The Carnegie Center, the Fort Gratiot Light Station, the HURON Lightship, and the Thomas Edison Depot Museum each feature unique aspects of the Port Huron area’s history, and make up the four locations of the Port Huron Museums. After months of being closed, all four sites re-opened to the public for tours on Wednesday, June 17th.

Museum staff have made some adjustments to adhere to CDC regulations, so visitors will see some changes that help facilitate social distancing in exhibit areas and the museum store. The museum staff and volunteers are also wearing masks, and visitors are required to wear them as well.

Only 10 people are allowed to be in each museum building at a time, and tours may be adjusted to keep visitors spaced out. Hands on exhibits have been temporarily removed or made inaccessible, and the museums sites will be cleaned and sanitized often to keep visitors safe.

New operating hours are Wednesdays – Sundays from 12 PM – 4 PM. and visitors can call the Museums  at 810-982-0891 to schedule a private tour.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Juneteenth Goes Virtual to Celebrate Liberation

Port Huron, MI — Kevin Watkins, President of the Port Huron Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P., understands that many people aren’t aware of the significance of June 19, 1865. He’d love to see this date, also called Juneteenth, transition from a little known day of recognition to an official national holiday.

Juneteenth commemorates the day that Union General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston Texas and read the federal order that proclaimed the freedom of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was formally issued on January 1, 1863, it took some time for its effects to ripple throughout the United States.

This Saturday, June 20th, the Port Huron Branch of the N.A.A.C.P. Youth Council will celebrate Juneteenth with a virtual conversation focused on “Rebuilding the Black Community” The event is open to the community and includes seminars and a Q&A session led by Lavaughn Price and Alphonso Amos of the PH N.A.A.C.P. Youth Council and other leaders from community groups, business, and government.

More information is available on the Port Huron N.A.A.C.P.’s Facebook page <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County Veterans Eligible for Emergency Money

St. Clair County, MI — Veterans in economic distress can get help from the St. Clair County Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department has secured funding for the County Veteran Service Fund Emergency Relief (CVSF-ER) program.

Veterans from all eras, wartime and peacetime, may be eligible for the funding for things like home and vehicle repairs, medical expenses, and other urgent needs. There is also a grocery voucher program through the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and Meijer, where food and personal care items can be purchased.

According to Outreach Coordinator, Nancy Deising, “Our peacetime-era veterans often struggle to find benefits they qualify for and the CVSF-ER program will be a huge help for many.” The grants will be given out on a first come, first serve basis.

Applications are available online at www.sccvet.us or by calling the Veterans Affairs Office at 810-989-6945. The deadline to apply is September 18, 2020.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland