Choze Powell

Walk-in Vaccine Clinic Wednesday, April 21st

Marysville, MI –The St. Clair County Health Department is offering a “walk-in” opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, April 21 from 9:00am to 6:00pm at the Knight Club, 1195 Gratiot Blvd, Marysville.

Please note the following:

  • If you already have an appointment, keep that time.
  • Do not come to the clinic if sick or not feeling well; or are in isolation or quarantine.
  • Open only to those who live and/or work in St. Clair County.
  • Moderna and Pfizer vaccines administered.
  • Age 16 and older; parent must accompany those under 18.
  • 1700+ doses available during walk-in hours.
  • Forms will be handed out in the parking lot and will need to be completed before entering.
  • Masking is required.
  • No out of pocket costs.
  • Plan for atleast 1 hour and dress accordingly.
  • Lines will be socially distanced, however, there may be a wait time depending on volume.
  • If the parking lot is full, please come back later. Or pre-register for a future appointment at www.scchealth.co

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer, St. Clair County Health Department stated; “We are offering another walk-in clinic using mRNA vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer. Pfizer vaccine will be prioritized for 16-17 year olds. Though St. Clair County case rates appear to be slowly starting to decline, our cases and hospitalizations still remain high. If you haven’t yet, it is imperative to do the right thing and get vaccinated.”

This is a rapidly evolving situation. Email COVID-19 questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org or call the informational hotline (810) 966-4163. Visit the website www.scchealth.co and follow us on social media @scchdmi.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Health Department

Epidemic Order Extended; Mask Requirement Added for 2-4 Year-Olds

Lansing, MI — On April 16th, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services extended the Epidemic Order already in place until May 24th, and a new requirement for masking children ages 2-4 while in childcare takes effect on April 26, 2021.

The order cited an increase in COVID-19 cases of nearly 400% in youth aged 10-19. According to the order,  “as of April 8, local health departments had reported 312 new and ongoing outbreaks among K-12 schools, with 48 of those outbreaks reported in the week prior. Additionally, there are 329 identified clusters among minors participating in school and club sports since January 2021.”

In response to the increase of cases among young people, MDHHS has included in the order a mask mandate for children aged 2- 4 who are in childcare settings. The order reads, “A person responsible for a child care organization or camp, or an agent of such person, must not allow gatherings unless:

  1. Face masks are worn by all staff;
  2. A good faith effort is made to ensure that children aged 2  to 4 years wear a mask when participating in gatherings;
  3. All children 5 years and older wear a mask when participating in gatherings.”

The full order is available <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Black River Canal Dredging and Sand Placement

Port Huron, MI — The City of Port Huron’s contractor began dredging sand from the Black River Canal entrance at Lake Huron on Monday, April 19, 2021.

Weather permitting, sand dredged from Black River Canal will be placed in Lake Huron from
Holland Beach to the south beginning on Monday, April 26, 2021. Due to the work, Holland Beach will be closed.

The contractor will be utilizing Gratiot Avenue to Edison Blvd. and Conger Street to Holland Avenue to haul sand from the mouth of the Black River Canal to Holland Beach. There will be intermittent slowed and stop-and-go traffic in these areas. The public is encouraged to refrain from  parking on these streets during that time frame.

Submitted by the City of Port Huron Department of Public Works: 810-984-9730.

New Photo Stations Coming to River Walk

Port Huron, MI — Starting April 27th, new photo stations will be available throughout the Blue Water River Walk County Park. The stations are part of an Earth Day partnership between the Rotary Club of Port Huron, Friends of the St. Clair River, St. Clair County Parks and Recreation, and Chronolog, an environmental monitoring website.

The photo stations will be along the Blue Water River Walk and other places in the park, and visitors will be able to place their phone in a holder and take a photo from the same vantage point as other participants. The photos can be emailed to Chronolog to create a crowdsourced album of other photos from that station.

Participants will receive and email back from Chronolog with a time-lapse video from the photo station which will show how the area has changed.

Keely Baribeau, former President of the Port Huron Rotary Club, said, “It’s interesting to see how the world changes before our eyes and this is a great opportunity to document that change locally. Our Club thought this would be an impactful Earth Day service project that had never been done before. It encourages people to enjoy our parks, as well as contribute to this community science project.”

The photos collected from the stations will also help the Friends of the St. Clair River measure the health of the park’s ecosystem.

“Friends is excited to provide this opportunity for visitors to get involved and document the St. Clair River shoreline,” said Kirsten Lyons, Stewardship Director for Friends. “It is a fun and easy way to assist our staff in caring for this special place.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Mobile Overdose Response Team to Combat Overdose Crisis

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Police Department (PHPD) and Port Huron Odyssey House (PHOH) are collaborating to create the Mobile Overdose Response Team (MORT) to combat the opioid crisis in the City of Port Huron.

Data shows that deaths from opioid overdoses has been increasing since 2011, and St. Clair County was ranked #7 based on the high rate of  opioid overdoses and #8 in the state for the total number of overdose deaths in 2018. 

The Mobile Overdose Response Team will include members from both the Port Huron Police Department and addiction professionals from the Port Huron Odyssey House. Starting today, they will use a Quick Response Team model to care for city residents who experienced a drug overdose event from January 1, 2021 to the present.

The goal of the program is to reduce repeat overdoses and promote recovery.

Ken Heuvelman, Clinical Coordinator and Outpatient Therapist at Port Huron Odyssey House, said, “A new approach to reach people in addiction where they are at, is strongly needed in the Port Huron area. We  are continually looking at programs and opportunities to reduce the number of overdoses in our county, and  we are grateful to have the opportunity to promote recovery and reduce unnecessary death in our county by  working together with the Port Huron Police Department.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Kanchan Wankhede The Under Ground

Kanchan Wankhede to Lead Entrepreneurs at The Underground

Port Huron, MI — The Underground Business Incubator and Service Center is getting a new Director of Entrepreneurial Services, local human resources professional and advocate for minority and women owned businesses, Kanchan Wankhede.

Dan Casey, CEO of the St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance (EDA), said, “We are excited to welcome Kanchan to our EDA team.  She is a great fit for managing the region’s Smartzone Incubator and Business Center.  She has experience working with businesses and organizations that not only have a local or United States footprint, but that spread well into India, Europe and Asia.  As a small business owner herself, she understands the challenges and obstacles entrepreneurs face on a daily basis.  Area entrepreneurs looking to launch or grow their business will benefit from Kanchan’s knowledge, experience and desire to help them be successful.”

Kanchan is the Principal Consultant for her company Great Workplace LLC, and she has also be working with the Community Foundation of St. Clair County for the last year consulting local Minority and Women Owned businesses. She has helped many people motivate, organize, and bring greater success to their businesses.

In a press release, Wankhede said, “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.  So, aim high, believe you can and you are halfway there.  I look forward to assisting facilitate new startups and helping entrepreneurs grow though coaching, connections to potential funding sources and more in my new role at The Underground.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand