Choze Powell

The Boil Water Advisory for all communities affected by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) water main break has been lifted, and workers anticipate the arrival of the replacement pipe today.

Crews worked over the weekend to remove the damaged section of the 120-inch water pipe and prep for the new piece. Shortly after the initial break, GLWA ordered all available pipe to complete the repair, but more pipe needed to be manufactured to complete the project.

The additional 48-feet of pipe is expected today, and if all goes well, the project will stay on track and be completed by September 3, 2022.

Only one area, a business in Greenwood, is still under a Boil Water Advisory, and GLWA cautions that another advisory could be issued before the repairs are complete. They are asking all 23 communities who were initially affected by the break to limit their outdoor water usage until repairs are complete.

If there is any significant drop in water pressure during the repair process, the Boil Water Advisory will be reissued.

For more information about what do do after a Boil Water Advisory, visit St. Clair County’s website here:

https://stclaircounty.org/Main/ViewPR.aspx?id=2521

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Losing a loved one is never easy. The laughter and good times linger in our minds as we grieve and cope in the best way we can. Port Huron lost one of its most influential community leaders last week. Marguerite Stanley was 98 at the time of her passing, living a full life that touched numerous individuals and influenced others to find greatness inside of themselves.

A brief history of Ms. Stanley’s accomplishments include being a contributing columnist for the Michigan Chronicle in Detroit as well as a community columnist for the Times Herald in Port Huron. In 1968 she became the first African American from the area to host Across the Tracks, a regularly scheduled TV show which addressed local minority issues. Stanley also hosted a radio talk show titled “Come Ride With Me.”

The list of her contributions goes on, acquiring many awards and accolades over the years. One of her most recent contributions can be found in the Port Huron Museum. “From Whence We Came: Black History in the Blue Water Area” is an exhibit that showcases the contributions of African Americans from past to present. The Stanley Legacy Wall showcases the names of those who have made contributions in the Port Huron community in areas such as business, education, entertainment, and more. 

Survived by more than 120 plus family members, the Stanley legacy will continue going strong and inspiring others for years to come. The family will gather to honor and say their final goodbyes today, and we here at WGRT send our condolences as well in honor of Ms. Marguerite Stanley. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

The annual “Yard of the Year” contest put on by the Beautification Commission in Port Huron, has selected this year’s winners. The contest awards residential and commercial participants for maintaining beautiful homes and yards. Residential winners receive the coveted wooden yellow tulip, and business owners receive a plaque that they can display. 

This year’s commercial winner was 2401 North Blvd. in Port Huron, home of the community garden put into place by Seed & Soul Society, the Southside Initiative, and the landowner. Seed and Soul Society is a nonprofit that empowers local communities towards sustainable agriculture and mutual growth, and the Southside Initiative is a community group committed to social and economic issues in the South End of the City of Port Huron.

“We are grateful to all who have supported us and we thank you for the opportunity to grow in this neighborhood,” says Heather Fagan, President and Co-Founder of Seed and Soul.

Categories are broken into central, north, and south. The residential winners of the central category are: Micheal and Melanie Belleman, Douglas Bishop, and Michaelene Dye.

Winners of the north category are Paul and LuAnn Carpo, George and Deborah Moss, and Scott and Nancy Nelson.

Winners of the south category include Scott and Karen Harris, Catherine Lammertz, and Noel Suarez.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell 

The St. Clair County Health Department is offering free vision and hearing screenings for any child entering preschool or kindergarten in the fall of 2022.

Call ahead to schedule an appointment with a technician beginning on August 23 at (810) 987-5300.  Screenings start on Monday, August 29 through Friday, September 2, 2022. Beginning in October, appointments at the Health Department can be made for the 1st Monday and the 4th Wednesday of each month. The Health Department is located at 3415 28th Street in Port Huron.

Why should children be screened?

• All children must have a vision and hearing screening done before entering kindergarten.
• Screening can help your child succeed in school. An undiagnosed vision and/or hearing problem can interfere with your child’s development.
• St. Clair County Health Department under the direction of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is committed to providing children with vision and hearing screenings to ensure they have the skills necessary to succeed in school and learning.
• Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent temporary difficulties from becoming permanent problems.

For more information call (810) 987-5300. To learn more about Health Department services, visit: www.scchealth.co and follow us on social media @scchdmi.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Health Department

Voters in Michigan’s Thumbcoast will see a familiar face campaigning with Tudor Dixon this fall. Today, Shane Hernandez was selected as her running mate as she seeks the position of Governor of Michigan.

Hernandez served locally as State Representative of the 83rd District in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2017 to 2021. He also served as the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and House Fiscal Governing Committee.

Dixon said, “Shane Hernandez as lieutenant governor will help to improve our schools, create safer communities, and improve our economy. Like me, Shane is concerned about the impact rising prices are having on our families.”

While State Representative during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hernandez frequently spoke out about Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s policies, especially those that he believed caused financial hardships for businesses and families. At one point during the pandemic when the State of Michigan was laying off workers, Hernandez said, “State government will have to make tough decisions – just like families and businesses across Michigan have made tough decisions during this challenging time.”

In a press release announcing Hernandez as her running mate, Dixon said “Shane and I will put front-and-center the issues families care about: rising costs created by the Democrats’ inflation, dangerous communities exacerbated by Gretchen Whitmer’s siding with the ‘spirit’ of defund the police, and a perpetually weak economy that Gretchen Whitmer is simply incapable of doing anything about.”

Hernandez said, “I am honored to run as Tudor’s running mate to address the problems created by Gretchen Whitmer,” Hernandez, a husband and father of two daughters, said “Her vision is the right one for Michigan and I believe we will defeat Whiter and begin to repair the damage she’s caused to our families, students, and business owners.”

Shane Hernandez currently serves on the board of SONS Outreach, a Port Huron nonprofit that focuses on mentoring youth in St. Clair County.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Public health and regulatory officials are baffled by what is causing a multistate outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 infections. According to the CDC, the only two states that are being affected seem to be Michigan and Ohio, with 29 individuals being infected. There have been 9 hospitalizations and zero deaths reported. 

Investigations are ongoing to locate the food source responsible, but as of now none have been identified. If you or someone you know lives in these states, the CDC has issued advice to combat and help stop the spread. 

Preventative measures include making sure to thoroughly wash hands, utensils, and fruits and vegetables before eating. When cooking meat, poultry, or seafood, be sure to use a thermometer to make sure food is at a high enough temperature to kill any E. coli bacteria. 

If you or a loved one begins to experience symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, or mild fever, be sure to seek medical care. Reporting symptoms can help authorities to narrow down the source.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell