Choze Powell

On November 16, 2021 United Way of St. Clair County announced they had 40 companies submit their Employee Giving Campaigns along with several individuals. This year’s 2021 Early Bird Campaign has increased the thermometer to 36% of the campaign goal of $1.1 million. United Way recognizes the generosity of our loyal and new supporters. The annual Early Bird drawing was shared live through Facebook and one lucky united way supporter of each company will win a gift card:

• 1st Place – $250 Gift Card: Community Enterprises of St. Clair County
• 2nd Place – $150 Gift Card: Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home
• 3rd Place – $100 Gift Card: Council on Aging, serving St. Clair County

In addition to the traditional Early Bird Campaign, the Cabinet offered an additional incentive through a drawing for the Campaign Coordinators who turned in their United Way Campaigns by November 15^th. Winners of these drawings were Blue Water Community Action and Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home.

United Way thanked and recognized the 2021 Sponsors for funding the gift card drawing:

• AFL-CIO
• Amerifirst Home Mortgage
• Cargill
• DTE Energy
• Eastern Michigan Bank
• Farm Bureau- Danny Negin
• Lake Huron Medical Center
• McLaren Port Huron
• SEMCO Energy Gas Company
• Xtreme Powerline and Construction

If you would like additional information on giving, or volunteer opportunities, please call the United Way office, 810.985.8169 or visit www.uwstclair.org/2021Campaign.

Submitted by United Way of St. Clair County

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging all eligible Michiganders to get a Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, or Pfizer booster vaccine if they have received their primary COVID-19 vaccines.

“Vaccines are the way out of the pandemic, and now we can protect ourselves further from COVID-19 which is currently surging in our state,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “There is an ample supply of vaccines available, and we urge all eligible Michiganders to get their booster dose as soon as possible.”

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may prefer the vaccine type they originally received and others may prefer to get a different type of booster vaccine. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. Consult your healthcare provider if there is a question which vaccine is appropriate for you.

Michiganders should bring their COVID-19 vaccine card or immunization record with them when getting their booster dose, which are available at any vaccine provider. Downloadable immunization records are accessible free at the Michigan Immunization Portal. To obtain their record, Michiganders must create a MILogin account at Michigan.gov/MiImmsportal and upload a valid government issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport. If you do not have records in the portal contact your healthcare provider or local health department.

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.

Submitted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

A court battle over athletes at Western Michigan University having the right to refuse a mandated vaccine has reached a conclusion with a settlement. An injunction has been issued by Federal District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney to allow the sixteen athletes to continue playing intercollegiate sports while refusing the Covid-19 vaccine.

A prior injunction had also been upheld with the opinion reading that the athlete’s First Amendment rights were being violated as they objected to the vaccine requirement on religious grounds.

Western Michigan University will have to pay the legal fees of the students and allow them to play with no requirement to be vaccinated, but the athletes will have to abide by testing and masking protocols.

The suit was filed on behalf of the athletes by the Great Lakes Justice Center, which is a non-profit focused on First Amendment cases.

David A. Kallman, Senior Counsel with GLJC, said, “We are pleased that WMU has agreed to resolve this matter, that our clients’ religious convictions were vindicated, and that they can continue to be part of their teams, be with their teammates, and compete for WMU at the highest level in a safe manner.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan is at the top of the list for the resurgence of COVID-19 infections. The state leads the nation in COVID cases as the highly contagious variant runs rampant throughout the state. There is no doubt that the 4th wave of the pandemic is upon the region.

Hospitals statewide are reporting maxed out capacities, with McLaren Port Huron at 92% as of November 15th, and Lake Huron Medical Center at 74%. Lake Huron Medical Center is now restricting non-essential visits to the hospital.

Schools are doing their best to carry on with in-person instruction but some schools have had to go virtual temporarily to keep the virus from further spreading.

For families that would rather learn from home, Port Huron School District is accepting applications for a second-trimester virtual school option. Applications are due November 22.

While the 70% vaccination rate has been met in the state, and children are now eligible for vaccination, breakthrough cases are prevalent and precautions like masking and the old standby of social distancing are back just in time for the holidays.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland