Choze Powell

Nominate a McLaren Port Huron nurse for the DAISY Award

McLaren Port Huron is now accepting nominations for the DAISY Award. This award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the care nurses provide every day.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee and is honored at a public ceremony where he or she will receive a framed certificate, a DAISY Award signature lapel pin and a hand-carved sculpture entitled A Healer’s Touch.

To nominate a nurse from McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/mphDaisy and complete the nomination form. The first recipient of the DAISY Award will be honored Friday, May 6 to begin National Nurses Week.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, California, was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at the age of 33 in 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Submitted by McLaren Port Huron Hospital

New Law Gives Local Road Authorities Power to Make Construction Zones Safer

With road construction season underway, a new bill has been signed into law to protect the construction workers who are making Michigan’s roads and bridges safer.

House Bill 5286 was signed into law last week. The bill gives the Michigan Department of Transportation, county road commissions, or local road authorities the authority to implement traffic control measures. They are also able to use a digital message board to display the reduced speed limit required to protect safety.

The bill’s sponsor, State Representative Mark Huizinga, a Republican from Walker, said, “Having drivers reduce their speed when workers are present can decrease the likelihood of a tragic accident, but sometimes drivers don’t see the road crews until they are too close. By allowing for these modified signs, we can inform drivers about the presence of workers so they can follow the law and protect lives.” 

Construction labor unions are endorsing the bill, saying that it will help improve worker safety as the state works to rebuild its infrastructure.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair Awarded Young Professionals Grant

The Young Professionals Initiative is a grant program that is meant to reduce youth unemployment and put young people aged 14 to 24 on the path to self-sufficiency.

The local Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair branch has been granted $184,996. Statewide, $4 million were granted to sixteen agencies that assist with employment.   

Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training said, “This funding allows our Michigan Works! partners to take a localized approach to support young adults, helping us close equity gaps, address talent shortages, and remove barriers to employment.” 

Participants in the programs will be provided with career preparation for high-demand industries like construction, healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing.

The program aligns with Michigan’s “Sixty by 30” goal of having at least 60% of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030 and to have long-term sustainable employment.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Construction on I-94 Bridge Starts Saturday

Starting Saturday, April 2, 2022, westbound I-94 will be detoured to create an alternate route around the bridge near the Blue Water Bridge Plaza. Throughout the weekend, a maintenance crew will be working on the westbound I-94 bridge, which runs over the abandoned eastbound I-94 bridge.

Construction on the westbound I-94 bridge will begin at 6 AM Saturday and should be complete by 7 AM on Monday, April 4, 2022.

Detours will be posted to direct traffic around the area via the I-94 Business Loop, Hancock Street, Pine Grove Avenue/Huron Avenue/Military Street, and westbound Griswold Street. Travelers headed west out of the Port Huron Area should enter I-94 at Water Street or farther west to avoid construction.

Work on the bridge will improve the driving surface and extend the life of the bridge.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Exciting New Developments in City of Port Huron wsg. Sherry Archibald

 

City of Port Huron Mayor Pro-Tem Sherry Archibald shares updates from this week’s City Council meeting.

In this episode, Sherry and Jessie chat about where to hang out in downtown Port Huron this summer, the actual name of the giant round bank, and whose job it is to fix the sidewalks in front of your house.

They also discuss:

  • Workforce housing and affordable housing developments in the city of Port Huron
  • Conner Street Corridor improvements
  • McMorran Plaza
  • Grocery store on the Southside of Port Huron
  • Ice skating at McMorran Plaza
  • Concerts at McMorran Plaza
  • Pocket parks and entertainment around Port Huron in the summer
  • Improving neighborhoods
  • What will the city do with their Central Fire Station?
  • Is there help for homeowners who can’t afford to repair or replace their broken sidewalks?

Connect with the Port Huron City Council here:

https://porthuron.org/government/city_council/index.php

Connect with the Planning Department about sidewalk issues here:

https://porthuron.org/departments/planning_community_development/index.php

Follow Downtown Port Huron’s Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/downtownporthuron

 

The WGRT Local News Podcast is part of the WGRT 102.3 FM Podcast Network. For the latest episodes of all of our featured podcasts, visit our website here:

https://wgrt-1023-fm-podcast-network.captivate.fm

The WGRT Local News Podcast is produced by the following team members:

Executive Producer: Jessie Wiegand

Audio Engineer: George James

Administrator: Jessie Wiegand

Marketing: Jessie Wiegand

Follow WGRT Local News on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/WGRTlocalnews

 

Registration Open for Keith Peterson Memorial Car Show

It’s time to start planning for summer, and the calendar is filling up with in-person events, festivals, and car shows. Blue Water Cruise Weekend is set for June 23rd – 26th, and registration is now open for the Keith Peterson Memorial Car Show.

Cruise Weekend is a joint effort between Fort Gratiot Township and the Fort Gratiot Business Association, and this year’s event includes a carnival, cruise night, car show, and fireworks, along with live music and more. New this year is the Miss Blue Water Bombshell Pin-Up Contest hosted by Lindy Lamore with emcee Magenta Demure.

Car enthusiasts can register now for the 15th Annual Keith Peterson Memorial Car Show for $10 if they register online by June 15th. Registration by mail or at the event is $15.

Online registration is available here: http://www.fortgratiotba.org/car-show-registration/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand