Choze Powell

Congresswoman Lisa McClain’s bill, H.R. 5754, the Patient Advocate Tracker Act, passed out of the U.S House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 17, 2022.

The bipartisan Patient Advocate Tracker Act, which McClain introduced in October, would create an online portal where veterans can track the status of formal complaints that they file through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Our veterans deserve the best care possible, and when they don’t receive an adequate level of care, there needs to be an easy way for them to file a complaint and track its progress through the VA,” said Rep. McClain. “Our veterans sacrificed so much to protect our nation, and I’m thrilled the House passed this commonsense legislation to ensure they are taken care of after returning home.”

H.R. 5754 now goes before the Senate, and if it passes there, it goes to the desk of President Biden.

To track the progress of this bill, visit Congress’s website <HERE>.

The St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance (EDA) has a grant opportunity available for businesses who need a boost to hire new employees. The Talent Attraction Grant can help eligible Port Huron businesses attract and retain employees.

The EDA has allocated $40,000 to the program, and funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis instead of being evaluated competitively. Businesses can request up to $2,000 total to allocate toward marketing their job openings, providing hiring bonuses or incentives to new employees, and providing incentives to current employees who refer a new hire.

Eligible businesses must have a physical location in the city of Port Huron, and the employees who benefit from the grant must also work in the city. Positions must be full time, at least 37.5 hours a week, and the program will focus on new hires who earn a low to moderate income. They also aim to support the hiring of those who are minorities, physically challenged, or financially disadvantaged.

The grant application is online, and the EDA will keep accepting applications until all funds are exhausted. Go to the grant application <HERE> for more information about eligibility and to apply.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County is planning to spray insecticide treatments aimed at suppressing Spongy Moths starting tomorrow, Thursday, May 19, 2002 beginning early in the morning.

Weather conditions are predicted to be optimal for aerial spraying, and A1’s Aerial Spraying LLC will be releasing insecticide on 5,300 acres around St. Clair County. If the weather conditions change, spraying will be rescheduled.

A1’s Aerial Spraying plans to release Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki) via airplanes on the tree canopies in areas most inhabited by Spongy Moth caterpillars. The insecticide is water-based and approved for use in certified organic food production.

Maps of the areas being treated are available here:

Spongy Moth Spray Areas

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

This is your last weekend to catch Enter Stage Right’s production of The Hiding Place at The Citadel Stage. The show started on May 6th , and the production has its last run on Sunday, May 22nd at 3 PM.

The Hiding Place is based on the life of Corrie ten Boom whose family provided shelter and safety for Jews during WWII in the Netherlands. The family used their home and watch shop as a refuge until they were discovered by the Gestapo and forced into a work camp.

The ten Boom family sacrificed their own safety to live out their Christian values, and Corrie wrote her family’s story in her book, The Hiding Place, in 1971.

Tickets are available for the George Christison production of The Hiding Place at the Citadel Stage for showings Friday and Saturday at 7 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.

Learn more here:

“The Hiding Place” by George Christison

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

On March 07, 2022 Port Huron PD received an initial call at 0450 hours for 4-5 shots fired near 9th St.  and Court St. The area was checked, but nothing was initially located. At 0528 hours, a call was  received from a resident in the 1200 block of 9th St. indicating that someone shot a bullet through the front window of the residence.

Officers responded and found that three rounds hit the home, including  rounds that entered a residence and more specifically a room where two people were sleeping. No one inside the home was hit by a round, and no one was injured. Evidence of the crime were located at the  scene.  

The Port Huron Major Crimes Unit (MCU) was assigned this complaint. Since the incident, MCU has  done extensive follow-up and were able to identify Lance Delorean Hardon, a 33 year old Port Huron  resident, as the suspect in the incident.  

On 5-12-2022 members of MCU located Hardon leaving a business in the 1700 Dove St. He was taken  into custody without incident and lodged at the jail. On 5-13-2022 Hardon was arraigned and his bond  was set at $250,000 cash/surety. His charges are as follows: 

1. Weapons – Firearms – Discharge in or at a Building 
2. Weapons – Firearms – Discharge from Vehicle 
3. Weapons – Firearms – Possession by Felon 
4. Weapons – Ammunition – Possession by Felon 
5. Weapons – Felony Firearm Second Offense (3 counts) 

If you have knowledge of this crime or any crimes call the Port Huron Police Department at (810) 984- 8415 or the Port Huron Police Department Major Crimes Unit at (810) 984-5383.  

Anonymous tips can be received through the CAPTURE Hotline at (810) 987-6688, emailed through  www.porthuronpolice.org, or texted by downloading the Port Huron PD app on apple or android  devices. Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and their message/tip  to 847411. 

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department