Choze Powell

August is shaping up to be the month where things start to feel back to normal at McMorran Place. The Miss Michigan USA and Miss Michigan Teen USA pageants will hit the stage in the theater this Friday and Saturday, and there are several shows planned for the rest of the month.

Live theater lovers can catch the Port Huron Civic Theatre’s production of Cry-Baby the Musical August 13 -15th, or get their tickets now for October’s planned shows: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the Rocky Horror Show LIVE.

If you need some comic relief, Johnny Counterfeit Concert Comedian & Voice Impressionist is back by popular demand with his family-friendly show on August 27th, and The Edwards Twins are hitting the stage with their impersonations of 100 famous musicians on October 2nd.

Tickets are available online at McMorrran’s website <HERE>.

Those interested in having an event such as a wedding reception or banquet in McMorran’s Lounge event area should contact McMorran by phone at 810-985-6166 as soon as possible. The Lounge holds up to 150 people, and the calendar is filling up fast.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Governor Whitmer recognized four St. Clair County companies for going above and beyond during the pandemic, and Quality Computer Solutions (QCS) was one of them. QCS developed a way to manufacture face shields early in the pandemic to help healthcare workers stay safe.

Andy Paul, Solutions Engineer for QCS, said their business is all about using technology to solve problems. Early in the pandemic when access to personal protective equipment was limited, their team figured out how to use raw material they already possessed to 3D print face shields.

Paul said, “I don’t know how we got on the list to be recognized, but when we received the letter [from the Governor], we were really grateful for it.”

With financial help from DTE, private donors, and a fund set up by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, QCS was able to deliver 520 face shields and 848 ear relief straps to six different hospitals and 14 medical related businesses by April 15, 2020. They also made intubation boxes that allowed medical personnel to intubate patients more safely.

Marysville Robotics and B’s 3D Print also became involved in the project and contributed resources and labor to increase production.

Like many businesses, QCS transitioned to working from home at the beginning of the pandemic. Because of their work, they also became busy helping their clients transition their staff to a WFH model as well.

“We really learned how to be really efficient to help a lot of people at once,” said Paul. “Almost overnight nobody can work unless they can work from home, so [we learned how] to divide up our humble little company and help as many people as possible.”

To learn more about Quality Computer Solutions, visit their website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Detroit, MI — Special Olympics Michigan announced last week that the 2022 Unified Cup will take place in Detroit from July 31 – August 6, 2022. The Unified Cup is a global football (soccer) tournament featuring nearly 600 athletes with and without intellectual disabilities from up to 31 nations.

Mary Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics International said, “Special Olympics is proud to host the Special Olympics Unified Cup 2022 in the city of Detroit. Detroit’s commitment to inclusion, along with its passionate fan base, make the city a powerful platform to showcase the unifying power of sport. This event will demonstrate the talent, dedication, and leadership of Special Olympics athletes from around the world.”

The Special Olympics Unified Cup Detroit 2022 will be the second-ever tournament of its kind in the Special Olympics’ 53-year history. Single-sport tournaments are opportunities for athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to compete together on the same team which promotes inclusion and camaraderie.

The Unified Cup will be held at Keyworth Stadium, home of the Detroit City Football Club, and millions of viewer’s across the globe will be able to experience it on ESPN.

The Special Olympics Unified Cup Detroit 2022 has received sponsorship support from Toyota, ESPN, Ally Financial, Gallagher, The Coca-Cola Company, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The St. Clair County Health Department has been receiving reports from residents and non-residents that callers claiming to be from the health department has been occurring today. This practice is commonly known as spoofing. Spoofing allows it to appear as if the caller is dialing from a recognizable number to encourage you to pick up the phone.

Callers reported being asked for information such as Medicare/Medicaid account details or protected health information.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer stated, said. “It is important residents remember they should never give personal and confidential information to unsolicited callers. We would not ask for account information, like social security numbers, passwords, and so forth. Simply hang up and report the call to our office.”

No one should give out personal information to an unsolicited caller.

Mercatante continued, “If there is a concern by an individual who has been spoofed, we encourage them to contact us immediately to confirm if our department is attempting to contact them.”

Those who wish to make a report about these calls can do so by contacting the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. A complaint can be filed online at mi.gov/agcomplaints or by calling 877-765-8388.