Choze Powell

As part of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Rebuilding Our Bridges pilot program, construction began on the Palms Road Bridge over the Belle River on Tuesday.

The bridge was rated as in serious condition by MDOT, and it will undergo superstructure replacement and substructure patching which is projected to take around 90 days to complete. Superstructure replacement involves full removal and replacement of the bridge deck and supporting beams.

During construction on the bridge, Palms Road will be closed from Adair Road to Division Road. The posted detour routes traffic around the area via St. Clair Highway and Hessen Road.

According to Governor Whitmer’s office, MDOT will have repaired, rebuilt, or replaced over 1,200 bridges by the end of 2022.

Whitmer said, “Both my Rebuilding Michigan Plan and the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan are helping us build safe, reliable infrastructure that makes a difference for families and small business across the state. I hope you all like orange because you’ll be seeing a lot of cones and barrels this summer. We’re fixing our roads with the right mix and materials, so they stay fixed, without raising taxes by a cent. Let’s keep moving dirt!”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

A message from the Port Huron Police Department:

Please use caution when celebrating with fireworks this weekend. Fireworks are not to be used at city parks which close at dusk. 

Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Use great caution with sparklers as they burn and get hot enough to burn some metals. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or mishap. 

Other tips from the US Product Safety Commission include: 

• Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Light fireworks one at a time, then move away from the fireworks device quickly. 
• Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water, and throw them away. 
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks. 
• Never point or throw fireworks (including sparklers) at anyone. After fireworks complete their burning, to prevent a trash fire, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding the device. 
• Only purchase and set off fireworks that are labeled for consumer (not professional) use. 

Unfortunately, in 2021 across the United States, nine (9) deaths were reported from firework usage. The death toll rises when taking into account structure fires caused by fireworks. If injury or death occurs from irresponsible use of fireworks you will be held responsible. 

State law permits consumer fireworks to be used this weekend from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. June 29th through July 4th. Fireworks are not permitted on Tuesday, July 5th this year. 

For an even safer alternative, grab a blanket and a patch of lawn, kick back and let the experts handle the fireworks show. 

The city offers a professional firework show on Family Night, Thursday, July 14, 2022 at the foot of Griswold Street at dusk. Please join us then and have a safe, enjoyable holiday weekend. Happy Independence Day!

There’s big news on the Port Huron radio scene. Power 88.3 has run its course and the new Thrive Radio format has launched.

Station Director Brian Smith said, “It’s not every day you get to launch a new station so this is special for our entire team. After a year of prayer, hard work, and creativity…we’re excited to see how God uses Thrive! Our prayer is that listeners would have the opportunity to grow in their faith through listening.”

The new station was launched last Wednesday on the 88.3 frequency. Along with its sister station, 90.7 HopeFM, Thrive Radio has the mission of sharing the message of hope to as many people as possible and helping them grow in their faith.

Since 1986, the Christian music, talk, and resource-sharing radio format has reached the Blue Water Area, Michigan’s Thumb, and Southwestern Ontario.

When you’re not getting your local news and great music from WGRT, you can tune in to the new Thrive Radio at 88.3, by saying “Play My Thrive Radio” on Alexa, or by going to mythriveradio.net.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

After a blissfully slow start to mosquito season, it’s time to get back into reality and resume the constant battle against mosquitoes and the diseases their annoying bites can spread.

Mosquitoes in Bay County have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus, prompting the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to put out a notice urging Michiganders to protect against mosquito bites.

Other mosquito-borne illnesses like Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile were threats last year and are expected to return this season. West Nile caused seven deaths last year.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive said, “It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness. “

Bagdasarian said MDHHS urges Michiganders to take precautions such as using an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors, avoiding areas where mosquitoes are present if possible, and wearing clothing to cover arms and legs to prevent bites.

Residents can stay healthy by using simple, effective strategies to protect themselves and their families. The following steps are recommended to avoid mosquito-borne diseases:

Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.

Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.

Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.

Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Voters will soon be deciding if they want to renew the Senior Services Millage that supports several area agencies. To encourage people to consider the benefits of passing the millage, the Council on Aging organized a Big Wheels Deliver Meals event to showcase one of the ways they serve area seniors.

The Council on Aging provides home delivered meals through their Meals on Wheel program, and community supporters arrived at their downtown Port Huron senior center on Thursday, June 23, 2022 to pitch in.

City of Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp said she likes participating in events like these because it’s a great way for her to connect with the community.

Repp joined leaders from the Port Huron Police Department, Blue Water YMCA, Operation Transformation, Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce, and others to hand deliver meals to a list of seniors.

Council on Aging Executive Director Scott Crawford said home delivery of meals is a way to connect with senior citizens in person and make sure they are okay. This personal connection has enabled them to assist with a variety of issues seniors face while living independently including medical issues and falls.

The millage renewal will be on the ballot August 2, 2022 for the primary election, and it costs a resident who owns a home with an approximate market value of $100,000 less than $40 per year.

The millage helps support twelve agencies in St. Clair County along with Council on Aging: Area Agency on Aging 1-B, Blue Water Safe Horizons, Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, Housing Matters Inc. Hunter Hospitality House, Lakeshore Legal Aid, Life Skills Center, Port Huron Housing Commission, Public Guardian, Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home, and Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice.

For more information about the Senior Citizen Millage and how it affects the Council on Aging, visit their website here:

http://www.thecouncilonaging.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) will start providing COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 6 months through four years old on Thursday, 6/23/22, by appointment only. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be offered. A parent or guardian must be present for the child to receive the vaccination.

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were authorized and recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week. Parents interested in getting the COVID-19 vaccine for their child are encouraged to talk to their child’s pediatrician for more information and how to obtain it.

To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for all eligible ages, visit the health department’s online scheduler or call (810) 987-5300, option “0”.  In clinical trials, vaccine side effects were mild, similar to those seen in adults and older children, and other non-COVID-19 vaccines that are recommended for children. The most common side effects were fatigue and a sore arm. The FDA report is available here for review.

To learn more about the St. Clair County Health Department, visit the website at www.scchealth.co or follow on social media @scchdmi.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Health Department