travel

Michiganders Prepare For Potential Winter Storm

Those who are planning to travel to or from Michigan for the Christmas holiday should be aware of a potential winter snowstorm that may affect your travel plans.

There are reports of a storm possibly hitting Michigan on Thursday, with a watch in effect until Saturday evening. Blizzard-like conditions, with high winds that can potentially cause power outages for residents are a possibility according to the National Weather Service. The storm would most likely affect road travel due to snow and slippery conditions. Those traveling by plane may also face the potential of dealing with canceled or delayed flights. 

Michigan counties that may be affected include: Macomb, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Oakland, Wayne, Midland, Muskegon, Huron, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston Washtenaw, Lenawee, and Monroe.

For updated information visit: weather.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Blue Water Area Transit Offering Fare-Free Rides On Election Day

Election day is only five days away, and the Blue Water Area Transit system will be providing fare-free rides to help the community get to the polls. 

Linda Bruckner, Chair of the Blue Water Area Transportation Commission says, “The actions of the Commission for free fares on Election Day provides easier access to election sites located in our service areas. It’s our honor to do our part to ensure in the course of daily activities, riders can make a trip to cast their votes.”

To see maps of the service area and transit routes to your polling place visit: bwbus.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Photo: Courtesy of Cedar Point

Sawmill Creek Announces Its Season Of Joy

It’s the most wonderful time of year, and Sawmill Creek is announcing a wonderful new holiday theme at its resort this winter. 

Sawmill Creek is a modern lodge retreat located in Ohio, just a few miles from Cedar Point. It features 239 guest rooms, Merry Mulligans Pop-Up Bar, and more than 20 unique themed offerings. The Season of Joy begins Friday, November 18th, and ends Saturday, December 31st.

There will be live entertainment such as the dueling pianists challenging each other with a battle of holiday music and sing-a-longs. The Sawmill Carolers, The Milestones, and more will be performing live holiday classics. There are also a Holiday Movie Nights where guests can enjoy modern Christmas movies, wreath making, and much more. 

For more information visit: sawmillcreekresort.com. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Gordie Howe International Bridge Completion Encounters Slight Delay

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said the opening date was changed to 2025, but officials from WDBA, the agency overseeing the project, say they “continue to work toward opening the bridge to traffic by the contracted date of the end of 2024.”

10/14/22: One of Michigan’s largest projects has been met with a slight delay in completion, but it is still making progress. 

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will connect the United States and Canada, is set to be the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America. It will span the Detroit River, connecting Windsor and Detroit. The span of the bridge is set to be 1.5 miles long, and it features a 12-foot-wide pedestrian and cycling path. 

Originally scheduled to open near the end of 2024, construction has been delayed due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite setbacks, WDBA,  the agency overseeing the project, said, “The contractor (Bridging North America) is obligated to meet the contract date specified in the Project Agreement and make adjustments to their construction approach to manage any delays they encounter.”

Find out more information about the bridge and its construction at: michigan.gov/mdot/projects-studies/special-constuction/gordie-howe-international-bridge

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

The Thumb Michigan Facebook Group wsg. Todd Carmody & Terri Hoag

 

Join a conversation with Todd Carmody and Terri Hoag about the Thumb (Michigan) Facebook group. Learn why Todd decided to start the group and how Terri celebrates our area as the Blue Water Ambassador.

In this episode, Jessie, Todd, and Terri talk about:

  • Sharing positive news about the community
  • What it takes to administrate the group
  • Using photography to showcase local businesses
  • How The Thumb group connects people to unique aspects of our community

Learn more about the Thumb Michigan Facebook group here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/195464297712532

Listen to the WGRT Local NEWS podcast on your favorite podcast app every Friday for in-depth interviews with people from around Michigan’s Thumbcoast!

Find the podcast on Spotify, Apple, or Facebook!

 

The WGRT Local News Podcast is part of the WGRT 102.3 FM Podcast Network. For the latest episodes of all of our featured podcasts, visit our website here:

https://wgrt-1023-fm-podcast-network.captivate.fm

The WGRT Local News Podcast is produced by the following team members:

Executive Producer: Jessie Wiegand

Audio Engineer: George James

Administrator: Jessie Wiegand

Marketing: Jessie Wiegand

Follow WGRT Local News on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/WGRTlocalnews

 

Flying into the U.S.? Covid Testing Required within One Day of Travel

Anyone flying into the United States needs to take a Covid test. The new rule went into effect Monday. It applies even to Americans flying home from abroad.

The testing needs to be done no more than one day before air travel into the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control. The discovery of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus has prompted the new testing requirement.

The only way to get out of the testing is to have documentation proving that you were infected with Covid within the last 90 days and to be cleared for travel by a public health official or licensed healthcare provider.

The testing applies to anyone age two and older who is flying into the U.S., whether vaccinated or not. The rule does not apply to land crossings, just air travel.

Rapid tests are acceptable, as are home tests, but only if done under the supervision of a telehealth official. If travelers test positive, they will not be allowed to fly and will have to isolate in whatever country they are in. Those who refuse testing may not be allowed to board flights into the U.S.

For more information, go to the News section of WGRT.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland