Choze Powell

Marysville High School Teacher Facing Criminal Charges

Marysville School district parents and staff received a letter from Superintendent Shawn Wightman this afternoon informing them that criminal charges were filed against one of their high school teachers.

Wightman has placed the teacher on administrative leave “pending full review of the situation and conclusion of the criminal process.” The teacher will not be allowed on school premises or allowed to participate in activities with students or staff during this time.

According to the St. Clair County website, the St. Clair County Prosecutors office has charged Marysville High School teacher, Steven M. Rogers, with multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct, distributing obscene matter to children, and assault with intent to commit sexual penetration. Rogers plead not guilty.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the St. Clair County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office at (810) 985-2400 or the Marysville Police Department at (810) 364-6300.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

McClain Introduces Bill to Award Gold Medal to Fallen Heroes

Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), alongside 158 cosponsors, introduced legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 U.S. military servicemembers who were killed in Afghanistan last week.

The legislation will award the Congressional Gold Medal to:

  • Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover
  • Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo
  • Sgt. Nicole Gee
  • Cpl. Hunter Lopez
  • Cpl. Daegan Page
  • Cpl. Humberto Sanchez
  • Cpl. David Lee Espinoza
  • Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz
  • Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum
  • Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola
  • Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui
  • Hospitalman Maxton Soviak
  • Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss

“These heroic men and women are gone far too soon, and we must honor them for their bravery in helping U.S. citizens and Afghan allies safely evacuate Afghanistan,” said Rep. McClain. “My heart aches for the families and loved ones of our servicemembers. We will always remember their service and pay tribute to their sacrifice.”

Submitted by Congresswoman McClain’s Office

Make a Will for Free

August was Make-A-Will month, but if you missed the reminder, it’s not too late. FreeWill is an online service that helps people write or update a legal will for free.

FreeWill is able to provide their service through the support of hundreds of nonprofit organizations. Simply visit the website, fill out the online questionnaire in about 20 minutes, and print your documents.

Once documents are printed, follow the directions to sign them and make them official. FreeWill also offers the opportunity for users to designate donations to nonprofit organizations as a part of their estate plan. In addition, there are articles about types of wills, planning documents, and you can update or edit your will at any time in the future.

FreeWill can also determine if your situation is too complex for their format, and the system will direct you to an attorney an provide a summary of your situation to print and share with a professional.

To learn more, visit freewill.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

COVID Boosters to Nursing Homes First

Governor Whitmer is preparing nursing homes in the State of Michigan to deliver COVID-19 booster shots to residents. She issued an executive directive to state departments and agencies last week, informing them to prioritize booster doses starting with residents of nursing homes and adult foster care centers.

Whitmer said, “Last year, we built the largest vaccine program in our state’s history in record time to ensure that anyone who wanted a vaccine could get one. With booster doses on the horizon, we are reactivating our close partnerships with local health departments and pharmacies to get shots in arms as quickly as possible. We know that this virus still disproportionately affects older Michiganders, which is why I’m also prioritizing booster shots for residents in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Let’s continue to put the health and safety of Michiganders first, so we can keep our economic jumpstart moving full speed ahead.”

The Biden Administration has recommended booster shots beginning September 20, 2021 for all Americans who had their last vaccine 8 months ago or longer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Some Concerts Requiring Proof of Vaccination

Concerts have been coming back on the calendar in the last month, but due to the ambiguous nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future is hard to predict. Some artists who scheduled tours when the vaccine rollout began have already cancelled them due to rising cases caused by the Delta variant.

There have been a variety of reasons artists have had to cancel tours. Some have experienced COVID-19 infection with their touring crew, some cite the expense of keeping their crew tested and safe, and some are just not ready to perform in front of a large group of people without proof of their vaccine status.

So far this year, Garth Brooks, Stevie Nicks, and Nine Inch Nails have cancelled their scheduled tours because of COVID-19.

Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading live entertainment company, said in their Second Quarter Report on August 3, 2021, “The momentum for the return to live events has been building every month.” The report also said, “Looking forward to 2022 and now also 2023, all our leading indicators continue to point to a roaring era for concerts and other live events.”

Live Nation Entertainment has also started requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours to attend its events.

McMorran Theater has had several concerts and performances over the last few weeks, and although attendance isn’t quite what it was before the pandemic, audiences and performers alike are happy to be back to live shows.

Natacha Hayden, Port Huron Parks and Rec Marketing Specialist, said McMorran is planning full force into the future as well as following CDC guidelines for keeping performers and audiences safe. McMorran does not require proof of vaccination to attend events.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

McLaren Port Huron Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Desirae Gouine has been named the Employee of the Month for July. Gouine has worked at McLaren Port Huron for five years and is currently a transporter in the Medical Imaging department.

Gouine was nominated by her coworkers because she lives the hospital values. She has a passion and willingness to “do for others”. She genuinely cares about her patients and goes above and beyond to provide compassionate care. Gouine is a role model, trainer and resource for new employees and technical staff. Her coworkers are thankful for the hard work and positive attitude she gives every day.

This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.