Choze Powell

The 10-digit telephone dialing requirement started on October 24th. If your calls are not going through as planned, make sure you are dialing the area code for every call.

The new requirement affects customers in Michigan’s 616, 810, 906, and 989 area codes. All 10 digits are now needed for local calls. The reason for the change is to make it possible for critical calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to go through to the 988 hotline, which will be rolled out in July of 2022. In the meantime, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline remains 1-800-273-TALK.

Not only does the change affect everyday phone calls and contact lists, but it has important implications for equipment such as life safety systems or medical monitoring devices, and security alarms. Things like call forwarding, voicemail, speed dialers, and other functions could also require updating.

Telephone numbers will remain the same, as will the price of calls, coverage area, and other rates and services. Local calls are still local calls, even with the added three digits.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Motto Mortgage Forefront is taking steps to support the Food Depot and help end hunger in America.  They will be holding a  food drive from November 5 – 15th at their office at 3115 Lapeer Road in Port Huron.

The food drive is part of the nationwide Motto Mortgage Mission Against Hunger program. Scott Beedon, Broker Owner of Motto Mortgage Forefront, said, “Mission Against Hunger is about helping and feeding our neighbors. It’s a distressing fact that, according to Feeding America, more than 37 million Americans struggle with hunger, and 11 million children worry about how they’ll get their next meal.”

Beedon says he and his team wanted to do something about it. Along with the food drive, loan originators at Motto Mortgage Forefront, Justin & Jessica, help their home-buying clients donate food during their moves. Instead of throwing food out to avoid moving it, clients can fill up bags provided by Motto Mortgage Forefront and staff will deliver them to the Food Depot.

“We know that the needs of customers, partners and communities go beyond home loans. The Motto Mortgage Mission Against Hunger was founded as a way for the Motto nationwide network to give back to the communities they serve every day,” said Beedon.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The City of Port Huron will be flushing fire hydrants and water mains on Monday, October 25, 2021. This work will also include the winterization of the fire hydrants which has already started in the northern limits. 

All work will be done during the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30p.m. The City does not  recommend doing laundry during these hours.

Flushing will be performed from the Black River to the southern City limits. The entire flushing program should be completed within four weeks.

If you  notice cloudy water, please run your faucet wide open for 10 to 15 minutes to clear it up. If this condition continues, call the Utilities Department at 984-9770 between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 

 

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its October 2021 Employee of the Month, Hannah Alexander. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Hannah works as a Patient Account Registrar in the Admitting Department and has been an employee at LHMC since February 2021. She was nominated by a peer who commented, “Hannah comes in early, stays late and picks up extra shifts.  She has done a lot of the training of the new employees.  Hannah is very helpful, accommodating and well respected by the medical staff.  Hannah is the emergency department’s “go to person” because she is very knowledgeable and always helpful.  Hannah is a key component in the ED running efficiently.” 

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Hannah, as we celebrate their accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com. 

U.S. Representative Lisa McClain (R-MI), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) on a congressional delegation mission to Panama and Colombia to meet with senior leaders in the countries to discuss challenges and opportunities in the region, particularly related to the United States’ southern border and other national security challenges.

“The United States has important strategic partnerships with both Panama and Colombia. From strong partnerships in trade, to eradicating the production of illegal drugs and stemming the flow of illegal immigration, our relationships with Latin America are key to the safety and security of our nation.  It was great to see the benefits of these partnerships firsthand and meet with Latin American leaders during our trip this week,” said Rep. McClain.

“As a former military commander and the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, I know how vitally important it is for the United States to maintain strong relationships with our allies and partners in Central and South America. Between the ongoing crisis at our southern border, which has exacerbated the drug trafficking challenges Iowa faces; the threat posed by a growing Chinese influence in the region; and, the economic partnership and cooperation, particularly regarding supply chain disruptions, this was a critical mission at this time,” said Senator Ernst. “I was glad to be joined by my fellow Iowan, Rep. Randy Feenstra, and our colleague Rep. McClain, on this mission as we work together in Congress and with our partners in Panama and Colombia to combat the challenges our countries face.” 

“Maintaining a strong trade partnership with our allies in Central and South America is critical to preserving a resilient supply chain – especially at a time when disruptions are threatening a comprehensive global economic recovery. Enforcing national and border security laws that keep our products and people safe is essential to ensuring our supply chain continues running strong. That’s why I appreciated the opportunity to hear from key leaders in the region to learn more about the issues they are facing and how we can work together moving forward. It was an honor to join my colleagues Sen. Ernst and Rep. McClain on this mission, and I look forward to taking what I learned to my colleagues in Washington,” said Rep. Feenstra.

In Panama, McClain, Ernst and Feenstra received an overview of U.S.-Panama relations and discussed Chinese influence in Panama, including maritime security and infrastructure investments. They also met with members of the National Assembly, as well as Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes and Director of Migration Samira Gozaine.

In addition, the delegation joined Panama’s Vice Minister of Public Security Ivor Pitti for an overflight of the Panama Canal, where they discussed economic impacts of the canal and Chinese attempts to purchase portions of the operation.

In Colombia, McClain, Ernst and Feenstra met with the Colombian President, Members of the Colombian Congress, U.S. Ambassador to Colombia Philip Goldberg, and other embassy and Department of Defense officials.

The members held a roundtable with Colombian Migration Agency Director Juan Francisco Espinosa on the challenges presented by the over 9,000 migrants stranded in the country amid a surge of people passing through on their way to the U.S. southern border.

Following the roundtable, the members met with President of Colombia, Iván Duque, and his Ministers, including Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Marta Lucía Ramírez.

The delegation also flew to a coca field and discussed US-Colombian efforts to combat drug trafficking through eradication and efforts supporting economic development of rural Colombia, aiding transition away from a drug economy controlled by cartels into a rules-based model of economic development.

Submitted by Congresswoman McClain’s Office