Thursday, March 28, 2013
The legislation, which was championed by lawmakers along Lake St. Clair received bipartisan support in the House and Senate.
Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation Wednesday allowing for $21 million from the state for 58 emergency harbor dredging projects amid record low water levels in the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair. "As the Great Lakes State, we need to ensure the availability of our beautiful waterways to boaters to support tourism, local communities, the state economy and safe boating," Snyder said in a prepared statement. "I thank the Legislature for approving these funds in time for the boating season." Locally, legislators who represent communities along Lake St. Clair pushed for the emergency dredging legislation, including Sen Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Township, who called for low-interest loans for marinas. Brandenburg was joined by Republican …
Monday, March 25, 2013
The early registration ends March 31 for the June 15 event at Lake St. Clair Metropark.
Winter weather is still upon us, but Macomb County is thinking summer fun. Early registration is taking place until March 31 for the county's second annual Sprint and Splash beginning at 8 a.m. June 15, 2013 at Lake St. Clair Metropark in Harrison Township. The three options to participate in this event are: The Sprint and Splash aims to promote Lake St. Clair and benefits the Lake St. Clair Tourism Initiative, the Clinton River Watershed Council and Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy. People of all ages and athletic abilities are encouraged to participate. To volunteer or learn about sponsorship opportunities, call 586-469-5285 or e-mail Amanda.Priemer@macombgov.org. For more information on participation fees or to register online, …
Friday, March 8, 2013
The measure aims to address critically low lake levels that affect the boating industry.
Pending legislation would create a low-interest loan program that would allow marinas to pay for emergency dredging projects, according to two Michigan lawmakers who represent Macomb County districts. Sen. Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Township, introduced legislation Thursday that would form a partnership with marina owners, private lenders and the state to help in dredging project, according to his office. The measure comes as Lake St. Clair has reached critically low levels, affecting boaters and business owners in several shoreline communities, including Chesterfield Township, New Baltimore, St. Clair Shores and Harrison Township. “Our waterways are not only beautiful, they are also a vital part of our economy, which is why this measure…
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Economist Dr. Jim Jacobs delivered his annual Macomb County Economic Forecast Wednesday in Chesterfield Township.
With strides in the auto industry, housing market and labor force, Macomb County is expected to fare better than the national economy in 2013, a renowned economist said Wednesday. Dr. Jim Jacobs delivered his 29th annual Macomb County Economic Forecast at Zuccaro’s Banquets and Catering in Chesterfield Township to a crowd of community movers and shakers. “This is a county that’s doing better than Michigan as a whole and even better than the U.S. in terms of our economic recovery,” said Jacobs, economist and president of Macomb Community College. Approximately 6,000 jobs were created in the past year, with MCC placing about 1,000 workers in the county. General Motors' expansion of the Tech Center meant 1,500 I.T. hires and Chrysler's …
Monday, January 7, 2013
The recent cold snap has led ice to form on inland waterways, canals and along Lake St. Clair. While it may look safe, state officials recommend individuals follow some important safety tips before heading out on the ice.
Ice has started to form on inland waterways, canals and Lake St. Clair in recent weeks, much to the joy of anglers, snowmobilers and skiers. While it may look safe, officials with the Department of Natural Resources remind those who head out on the ice to take proper safety precautions. “All ice has the propensity to be dangerous,” said Lt. Steven Burton of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division, said in a release. “Obviously, during some times of the year, some ice is much better than other ice, but no ice is ever completely safe ice.” The Department of Natural Resources share these safety tips for those heading out on the ice: Anyone who ventures out onto the ice is advised to keep the following precautions in mind: Burton added that ice …
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Extensive testing of bacteria taken from water samples along Lake St. Clair discovered high concentrations of human DNA.
An extensive test of water samples taken in 2011 at St. Clair Shores Memorial Beach and Metro Beach by Michigan State University discovered bacteria with high levels of human DNA. The findings were presented during a Water Quality Town Hall hosted by State Rep. Anthony Forlini, R-Harrison Township., at MacRay Harbor. "We found some markers that are human specific," said Dr. Joan B. Rose, Michigan State University, who found higher levels at the St. Clair Shores beach. "We've got greater human signatures impacting Memorial Beach more so than Metro Beach." The nine samples were taken over a two-month period during the summer of 2011 and tested the levels of E. coli, the levels of bacteria from warm blooded animals and the levels with human …
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The Macomb County Sheriff's Office is charging Kevin Scott Bushon with operating while intoxicated causing serious injury after a Saturday night boating accident on Lake St. Clair.
A 34-year-old Shelby Township man involved in a late-night boating accident on Lake St. Clair that has left a Roseville couple injured and their dog dead is now facing a charge of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, police say. Kevin Scott Bushon is reported to have run over an an anchored vessel Saturday night, severely injuring a 47-year-old man from Roseville and his 47-year-old wife. Their dog died as a result of the collision, the Macomb County Sheriff's Office reports. Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said deputies from the Sheriff's Marine Division and U.S. Coast Guard personnel responded to "Mayday" call for help at approximately 10:42 p.m. Saturday on Lake St. Clair. Upon arrival, deputies found evidence of a collision …
Friday, June 22, 2012
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel promotes Lake St. Clair while sharing possibilities for its 31-1/2 miles of coastline.
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel dreams of making Lake St. Clair a popular recreation destination and tourist attraction. Waterfront campgrounds and more beach fronts were among the ideas Hackel proposed during the Anchor Bay Chamber of Commerce Business by the Bay luncheon Thursday in downtown New Baltimore. "How come we don't have a Navy Pier like we see in Chicago?" he asked the crowd of professionals and community leaders. After all, Hackel says, the county boasts 31-1/2 miles of coastline that is even drawing the likes of a nationally televised Bass tournament. He criticized the media for focusing on negative aspects of the lake known for having contaminants or beach closings due to E. coli. "This lake is, without a question, a …
Monday, June 11, 2012
Nonprofit Save Our South Channel Lights is raising money this summer to preserve a range light in Lake St. Clair that was built in the 1800s.
They started guiding vessels through their voyage into St. Clair River before Abraham Lincoln became president. And, this summer, one of those two historic lighthouses at the southeastern tip of Harsens Island will once again light up the nighttime sky for boaters. "These lights have been dark for over 100 years," said Save Our South Channel Lights director and New Baltimore restaurant owner Mark Miller of the rear range light. "So, we are going to re-light that light that night." Local fund-raisers set to preserve lighthouse on lake Nonprofit group Save Our South Channel Lights is raising money to complete restoration of the front range light created in the 1850s to guide fur traders and other sailors on wooden ships through the delta …
Friday, June 8, 2012
Macomb County officials outlined a plan Friday that would focus on environmental stewardship, economic development and quality of life while looking to develop economic opportunities and environmental quality for Lake St. Clair and the Clinton River.
Macomb County officials unveiled a Blue Economy Strategic Development Plan Friday for Lake St. Clair and the Clinton River. The plan, drafted by a committee that included local, county and regional representatives, included a wide range of proposals from increased access to the waterfront to increased ecosystem restoration. "The plan is a means of providing a clear understanding of the many different aspects of the blue economy here in this county," said Hackel, citing the miles of streams, rivers and lakefront in the county as location for business development, recreation opportunities and environmental preservation. "Macomb County is very well suited to build upon the extensive and the unique water assets that are familiar to the …
Tracy - Chesterfield Twp
8:50 pm on Friday, March 29, 2013
I'm so thankful he's doing this! Now, if we could get some action on the phragmite problem which has taken over many canals throughout Harrison Twp, Chesterfield Twp and New Baltimore. This urgent concern if not addressed quickly will take over Lake St Clair and there won't be a need for dredging, because there will not be a Lake! more ›