Watch out for new traffic pattern on M-21 in Ovid
If you travel M-21 east towards Ovid, you will find that MDOT has installed a 4-way stop at Hollister Rd and M-21. It went into effect on July 17.
The Ovid Police would like you to know that they had zero input into this traffic study which resulted in the creation of this 4-way stop.
[Short answer to our question: The driver who arrived at the intersection and stopped first has the right of way through the intersection. If two or more vehicles reached the intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on its right.
For the long answer go to Traffic Laws – State of Michigan]
Solid Waste Planning meeting coming up August 8
The Solid Waste Planning Committee will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, August 8 at 6:00 p.m. at the Clinton County Courthouse in the Board of Commissioners Room to continue reviewing and discussing two requests to amend the Clinton County Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP).
The requests include 1) one additional county to the SWMP for waste import and export and 2) amend the total area sited for use at the Grand River Avenue landfill located at 8550 West Grand River Highway, Grand Ledge, Michigan.
Copies of the proposed amendment language have been made available to all municipal clerks, is posted on the Clinton County website (Solid Waste Planning Committee | Clinton County, MI (clinton-county.org)), and available through email or regular mail by request at wastemanagement@clinton-county.org.
An agenda for the August 8 meeting will be posted after the scheduled July 25 public hearing.
For additional information, please get in touch with the Clinton County Department of Waste Management by emailing wastemanagement@clinton-county.org or calling the office (989) 224-5186.
Do you have something that needs to be recycled? Check out our Waste Wizard www.clinton-county.org/WasteWizard
Protecting your health from wildfire smoke
With the weekend forecast predicting unhealthy air quality conditions in parts of the Upper Peninsula and possibly spreading to the rest of the state, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is providing guidance to Michiganders on how to reduce their risk through its new website.
“We want Michigan families to know how to best take precautions to protect their health and safety during air quality events,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to affect air quality across the state. We are urging Michiganders to check the Air Quality Index regularly to decide if they should be participating in outdoor activities and using the website to help determine what actions they should take to keep themselves and their families safe.”
The page, Michigan.gov/wildfiresmokeandhealth, has information on the health effects of wildfire smoke, how to sign up for air quality alerts and how to reduce risk based on the Air Quality Index (AQI).
AQI is a color-coded way for residents to see what the levels of some types of air pollution are in their area. The higher the AQI, the worse the air quality is and the more cause for concern. Live color-coded air quality conditions that indicate if air quality is healthy (green) or unhealthy (yellow, orange, red and purple), along with steps to protect your health, can be found at the AirNow website and mobile app.
Residents can also sign up for alerts through the EnviroFlash system. This subscriber system allows you to choose the area you would like to get alerts for, and it will send alerts directly to email or send a text message.
The AQI for Saturday is predicted to be unhealthy for sensitive groups (AQI orange) with some areas reaching unhealthy of all individuals (AQI red) in the western and central areas of the Upper Peninsula Saturday. It is possible these levels may move south to the rest of the state Sunday.
MDHHS has also set up a hotline for Michigan residents to ask health-related questions related to air quality issues. The number is 800-648-6942, and is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays.
Anyone can get sick from exposure to wildfire smoke, but some people are more sensitive to particle pollution. Adults aged 65 and older, pregnant people, children, and people with lung and heart conditions may be more likely to get sick if they breathe in wildfire smoke. Symptoms from breathing in particle pollution can include wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. If you have asthma, follow your asthma control action plan or contact your health care provider if you have symptoms. If you have heart disease and experience these symptoms, contact your health care provider.
The most protective option when air is unhealthy is to stay indoors with air conditioning, reduce strenuous activities and limit outdoor activities. If you must be outside, N95 masks offer enhanced protection when used according to product instructions.
During unhealthy for sensitive groups (AQI orange) to unhealthy for everyone air quality events (AQI red), MDHHS advises the following:
AQI orange
Everyone can enjoy being outside.
People living with lung and heart disease, older adults aged 65+, pregnant people, and children should make activities shorter and less intense.
AQI red:
Everyone should reduce long or intense activities outside.
People living with lung and heart disease, older adults aged 65+, pregnant people and children are recommended to stay indoors and keep indoor air clean with MERV-13 or better air filtration to prevent breathing harmful particles of wildfire smoke.
If you are unable to stay inside or you must go outside, consider using a protective N95 mask, especially children and pregnant people. Surgical and cloth masks will not stop you from breathing in the fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke. If you are unable to stay inside your own house, you can seek a temporary shelter location that has clean indoor air.
Michiganders can also help reduce their contributions to unhealthy air conditions during air quality events through the following actions:
– Do not add to indoor air pollution. Do not burn candles or use gas, propane, woodburning stoves, fireplaces or aerosol sprays. Do not fry or broil meat, smoke tobacco products or vacuum.
– Reduce outdoor air pollution. Reschedule any burning or activities that add dust, smoke and particulate matter to the air, including campfires.
– Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible and reduce how often you refuel vehicles.
Summer of Giving already underway
Oh Mi Organics has teamed up with Briggs District Library for their Summer Of Giving Community Donation Drive. They are collecting the following items:
Week 3: July 24 – 29
Laundry Supplies
(Laundry Pods, Fabric Softener, Bleach, Dryer Sheets)
Items will be distributed to the St. Johns Baby Pantry, Beacon of Hope, Safe Center, and Basic Needs Center.
You can donate items at Briggs Library or Oh Mi Organics, and at both locations you’ll receive a free chocolate for you contribution. For more details or questions, call Briggs Library (989)224-4702.
Concerts in the Park coming up
July 26
The all-encompassing, consummate musician, David Bennett, out of Detroit, will bring his Quartet up to the beautiful St. Johns City Park. Bennett is a clarinet virtuoso who plays electric guitar, piano, drums AND vocalizes. He covers music from the Swing Era to early Rockabilly and Country, to Elvis Presley and more. Joining Dave that evening will be well known mid-Michigan jazz musicians Jeff Kressler on keyboards, Ed Fedwa on Bass, along with Ann Arbor’s Pete Siers on drums. Dave has performed in some of the best concert halls in the United States including Carnegie Hall.
August 2
Peter Madcat Ruth’s C.A.R.Ma. Quartet, out of Ann Arbor, will bring their unique sound to St. Johns. You will hear somethings jazzy, folksy, bluesy, along with American Roots and World Music. This different sounding group is made up of Madcat, a Grammy Award winning virtuoso harmonica player, John Churchville, a Grammy Award winning tabla drummer, Brennan Andes, who has toured nationally and Internationally with various groups, and Dan Rike, who toured and performed with the rock-bluegrass group Back Forty.
August 9
Full Cord has made it into the top tier of bluegrass groups in the United States after winning two major awards last year – first the prestigious 2022 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition in Colorado, and they then followed that up with another much- coveted honor when the international Bluegrass Music Association named Full Cord it’s “Momentum Award Band of the Year!” This Michigan based group have recently performed at the Ten Pound Fiddle and the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival.
August 16
The Detroit Retro Society is one of Michigan’s greatest music entertainment production teams. They will be bringing their high-energy Detroit Music Spectacular again into St Johns – they were the hit of last year’s season. Musically, the band includes some of Detroit’s finest performers presenting a nice mix of Detroit sounds including some of the most enjoyable classics along with modern pop hits. They will “blow the roof” off the place with their amazing sound!
August 23
Kari Holmes, a Nashville recording artist, is an exhilarating Michigan country/pop/rock singer. After signing a record contract with Nashville America Records, her career took off, gaining steam in Nashville and around the United States. Performing with her band, Holmes will hit the stage running with her fresh new sound, infective vivacious personality, and incredible voice.
August 30
Matt King’s award-winning Elvis Tribute show will once again take center stage ending the Concert in the Park season. A Michigan resident, King has traveled throughout the united States and Europe entertaining audiences with his unique ability to bring the King to life via his moves, mannerisms, looks and costuming, and of course, that distinctive voice.
The concert in the Park series is co-sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St. Johns. The concerts are open to the public free of charge – donations are graciously accepted. The Lion’s Club food trailer is in attendance, with all concerts presented every Wednesday rain or shine.
So, set your GPS to: 801 W Park St, St Johns – bring a chair or blanket and enjoy! The CCAC receives funding from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
4H and Youth Fair begins July 29
The Fair opens on Saturday, July 29 with a Dog Show. The Poultry Show, Dairy Goat and Market Shows, the Tractor Pull and Performing Arts judging round out Sunday’s offerings.
Monday, July 31 kicks off with the Horse Clinic followed by the Prospect Beef Show, the Horse Show, the Antique Tractor Pull and the Sheep Show.
Tuesday, August 1 includes the Swine Show, another Horse Clinic by the Rabbit Show and the Horse and Pony Fun Show 6:00 pm Beef Show. The Beef Show and the Draft Horse Show round out the evening.
Wednesday, August 2 features the Dairy Show, Pocket Pet Show, a Horse Clinic, the Canine Hour of Fun, Musical Performances by parents playing musical instruments, the Dog Agility Contest and the 4-H Livestock Sale.
Thursday, August 3 is Kid’s Day. Activities include Livestock Judging Contest, Pedal Pull, Horse Speed Show, Dairy Management Contest, Young Farmers Scavenger Hunt, Face Painting, Magic Show, Sweepstakes Showmanship and Still Exhibit Auction. The Fair Awards Program closes out the 2023 Fair.
RBW Class of 1963 to celebrate 60th reunion August 12
Rodney B. Wilson High School Class of 1963 will hold a 60th reunion on Saturday, August 12, St. Johns Mint Festival Weekend, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. They plan to eat at at 6 p.m.
The celebration will take place at AgroLiquid’s Conference Center, 3055 West M-21 in St. Johns. No Liquor. The cost per person is $40.
For reservations please contact:
Ken Salisbury at 989-224-7039 or kandc.salisbury@yahoo.com Sunview Drive Saint Johns, MI 48879
Make Checks to “Class of 63” and the deadline is July 1, 2023.
If you are unable to attend, send a note to let them know what you are doing.
For more information please contact:
– Sally Lewis Brya at 989-224-2524 mitten4951@gmail.com
– Holly Davis Phinney at 989-224-7629 hrphinney01220@gmail.com
Class of 1959 reunion is September 14
The RBW Class of 1959 is gathering for a 64th reunion on September 14, 2023 (Thursday) at the St. Johns City Park in the large pavilion which has been reserved from 11a.m. to 5 p.m.
A buffet lunch will be available at 1 p.m. for $15 per person. Reservations are required for the lunch. Deadline for lunch is August 24, 2023. Contact sjboron@gmail.com or ariadnemi1411@yahoo.com for more information.