(ST. CLAIR COUNTY) – Crews were still removing leaked sulfuric acid as of late Monday afternoon from the scene of Friday morning’s train derailment and spill in the tunnel between Port Huron and Canada. Over 13,000 gallons of the acid leaked into containment tanks at the bottom of the tunnel under the St. Clair River following the derailment. What caused the derailment and spill may not be known for some time, according to local and federal officials. CN officials say many as 20 cars had been removed from the tunnel as of late Monday and multiple local agencies remained at the scene. St. Clair County officials have questioned a lengthy delay of being notified about the incident, but have not received an explanation from CN Rail officials or other agencies.
(TUSCOLA COUNTY) – With the addition of the services in Tuscola County, residents living in Tuscola, Huron, and Sanilac counties are now able to use text 911 service in case of an emergency. Text 911 is the ability to send a text message to reach 911 emergency dispatchers from your mobile phone. Officials urge residents to still make voice calls to 911, but said if the location or area isn’t safe than to text. Officials say if you find yourself in a situation where you need to text 911, remember to use simple words, text your exact location to the best or your ability, give the type of emergency, and respond promptly. Currently, the system does not receive photographs. Text 911 is only used for emergencies and you can contact Tuscola County Central Dispatch for all non-emergency situations.
(LAPEER COUNTY) – Three people were arrested, including one who was lodged in the Lapeer County jail, after police caught the suspects red-handed in an alleged theft of an auto and other items. Imlay City police were notified of suspicious activity in the Kroger parking lot last month and caught the three suspects as they attempted to flee the area. A 28-year old woman from Tennessee and two 23-year old Attica Township men were detained by police for questioning. According to police, the trio were observed in the parking lot rummaging through a vehicle, allegedly taking personal items, money and the vehicle itself. One of the men was lodged in jail on drug charged while the other two were released pending further investigation.
(SANILAC COUNTY) -The Sanilac County ISD board has made their final revisions to the 2018-2019 budget and gave approval for the upcoming 2019-2020 budget. I General Education last year, the ISD had revenues of nearly $2.9 million dollars with expenditures of $2.88 million, leaving them with a fund equity of 23% or $688,000 dollars. Overall, the ISD saw total revenues of $12.6 million and expenditures of $12.5 million, leaving them with a fund equity of just under $4 million dollars or 31% of the budget.
(SANILAC COUNTY) – Autumnwood of Deckerville has been recognized as a 2019 Silver – Achievement in Quality Award recipient by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. The award is the second of three distinctions possible which spotlights providers across the nation that have demonstrated their dedication to improving quality of care for residents and patients in long term and post-acute care. As a Silver Quality Award recipient, program officials say Autumnwood of Deckerville is well on its way to progress in their quality journey by continuing to achieve better quality results. Autumnwood of Deckerville can now advance in developing comprehensive approaches that lead to further recognition. The awards will be presented during the 70th annual Convention & Expo in Orlando, Florida in October.
(LAPEER COUNTY) – In a project that has been on-going for several months, a four-mile stretch of Imlay City Road, east of Imlay City, is expected to be paved this month. Imlay Township officials say the paving work will run from Dorrow Road to the Lapeer county line at Cade Road with work expected to get underway the week of July 15th. Weather delays have forced several setbacks in the project. A second paving project, on Newark Road, is planned to begin sometime in August.
(LAPEER COUNTY) – Despite many of them objecting to the school district’s decision to contract for busing service, school officials say the majority of the district bus drivers have applied for positions with Dean Transportation. The company took over the Almont busing service as of July 1st. District officials rejected offers from bus drivers who offered salary concessions and say they will save hundreds of thousands of dollars by making the switch to Dean. While there is still concern among drivers, residents and students, school officials say 11 current drivers have applied for positions with Dean with more drivers considering applying.
(HURON COUNTY) -The North Huron FFA chapter has been awarded $5,000 as part of the Grants for Growing program. The nationwide program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company, provides grant funds to local FFA chapters to support the development or improvement of agricultural education projects that enhance the classroom experiences for students through chapter engagement activities. North Huron FFA plans to provide agriculture, food, and natural resources students the opportunity to explore interests in agricultural-related career areas. The program provided more than $900,000 to FFA chapters in 49 states.
(HURON COUNTY) – A Michigan man who appeared with his family on the TLC show “Meet The Putmans” has been acquitted of gun crimes. A jury in Bay City returned its verdict Friday in 33-year-old Brandon Putman’s federal trial. Authorities say Putman tried to get copies of a component to convert an AR-15 into an automatic weapon that could shoot multiple bullets with a single squeeze of the trigger. He faced charges of receiving a firearm made in violation of the law, possessing an unregistered firearm and possessing a firearm lacking a serial number.
