For Aug. 29, 2014

1 – Do you want to find out first about the next water emergency?

Bay County government is reminding people they can sign up for alerts via text message, voice message or email that are sent out during emergencies.

On Aug. 9, Bay County Central Dispatch was notified by the Bay City Water Treatment Plant that there was a significant leak in the city’s water distribution system.

The leak prompted water use restrictions for users and the declaration of a local state of emergency for Bay County on Aug. 10.

The leak in the water main was finally discovered on the afternoon of Aug. 11, after more than 20 million gallons of water were lost.

To sign-up for Bay Alerts, visit the Bay County website.

You can choose to receive information on items such as emergencies, severe weather, and traffic updates.

 

2 – Bay County officials are working to remedy a shortage of public access points to Saginaw Bay.

County Executive Tom Hickner and others have been working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

They’re focusing in part on improvements that could be made to allow for greater public access to the shoreline at the Bay City State Recreation Area in Bangor Township.

A just-released Lakefront & Beach Access Study Report funded by the county and DNR lists eight action strategies. Public input was received at a meeting at the Doubletree hotel in downtown Bay City.

The strategies include “universal access to an expanded groomed beach,” with a boardwalk and 1,000 feet of additional groomed beach.

The action strategies also include expanding muck removal along the beach.

 

3 – Have a happy Labor Day Weekend. Fall is almost here.

A new Pure Michigan Fall Travel Guide is rolling off the presses.

The 64-page guide highlights sights to see, places to go and activities including hiking, biking, and fall color tours in the state.

You can order the travel guide online at michigan.org.

A free digital edition is coming out soon, and will be accessible via computer and smartphones.

The first day of fall is Sept. 23.

 

— Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 9 a.m. Fridays in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Q-90.1 FM NPR.