Choze Powell

Flower Baskets Coming to Beautify Downtown

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Downtown Development Authority will be adding hanging flower baskets throughout Downtown Port Huron. The project was approved in September of 2020 and will begin to beautify the city this spring.

Ninety-two iron hangars will be installed to hold the flower baskets which were purchased from Eckert’s Greenhouse in Sterling Heights. Eckert’s is a family owned and operated greenhouse that is known for providing hanging baskets in other cities such as Ludington and Clawson.

The baskets will feature a “Labor Saver” feature which enables them to be watered every other day, and the DDA is working on strategies to keep them well-tended and healthy.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Sarnia Moved Back to Red-Control Zone

Sarnia, Ontario — After a week of being in the Orange-Restrict level of the Province’s COVID-19 Response Framework, Sarnia has been moved back to the Red-Control Zone. This move places more stringent measures on businesses and individuals and is the highest level of control before a lockdown is enforced.

Cases of COVID-19 stayed relatively low in the Sarnia area until they began to rise dramatically in December. As of Wednesday, there were 94 active cases of the virus in Lambton County.

The first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given to all residents of long-term care, retirement, or elder care homes who wanted one, so the Province is now focused on immunizing that group with its second dose and giving first doses to essential caregivers of seniors and health care workers along with adults in Indigenous populations and recipients of chronic home health care.

For more details about vaccine priority groups and Red-Control Zone restrictions, visit covid-19.ontario.ca.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

SCCHD COVID Testing at Marysville Clinic

Port Huron, MI — The St. Clair County Health Department offers all COVID-19 testing at an offsite clinic located at  1168 Gratiot Blvd, in Marysville. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8:30am 3:30pm and Fridays 8:30am – 12:00 pm.

Appointments can be self-scheduled on the health department website, www.scchealth.co click  on the “COVID-19 Testing Link” or call (810) 987-5300 for assistance.

Testing helps public health officials identify COVID-19 infection in our community, isolate positive cases, and find close contacts for follow-up monitoring. Some people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms and don’t know they have it. They can continue spreading the virus and can cause  serious illness in others.

Testing information: 

  • Free/No out of pocket costs
  • Dependent on an individual’s needs, multiple testing methods are available ∙ Seek testing if you have been exposed, sick or traveling
  • All ages welcome
  • No screening needed
  • No doctor’s order needed
  • Please bring a form of ID to the appointment
  • COVID-19 vaccinations are NOT provided at this location

Submitted by the St. Clair County Health Department

Winter Storms Affect Blood Supply

When winter storms move across the area, they affect more than road safety and school schedules. The American Red Cross is reporting a decline in blood products from donation shortfalls caused by heavy snow, freezing temperatures, and ice storms both here in Michigan and across the country.

Blood donations help patients in a variety of ways in hospitals for both emergency situations and routine surgeries. One recent recipient of donated blood, Tina Rocco, began hemorrhaging badly after welcoming her new baby by C-section and was saved by her medical team and several pints of blood.

“You never truly know when you, or someone you know, might need [a blood transfusion],” said Rocco.

The need for blood is constant, but even more so during periods of serious weather that reduce donations. Currently, the American Red Cross is urging health individuals, especially those with type O blood, to give now and ensure the availability of this life-saving treatment for future patients.

Learn more at RedCrossBlood.org or visit the Events page at WGRT.com <HERE> for a list of blood drives in the Blue Water Area.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

3 Arraigned in DTF Raid

Port Huron, MI — More than $5000 worth of crack cocaine was seized, along with other drugs during a pair of St. Clair County Drug Task Force raids on February 16th.

According to Sheriff Mat King, members of the DTF conducted an investigation into the sales of narcotics in the Port Huron area.  The investigation culminated with a search warrant being executed in the 1300 block of Nelson Street and another in the 1300 block of Water Street in the city of Port Huron at about 9:00 p.m. last Tuesday.

Once inside the residence, members of the Drug Task Force located and seized $5300 worth of crack cocaine, along with powder cocaine, analogue pills and cash.

Three people have been arraigned in 72nd District Court following their arrest during the raids.  Dion Johnson, a 39 year old Port Huron man is charged with delivery/manufacture of less than 50 grams of cocaine, possession of less than 25 grams of cocaine, possession of analogue drugs, maintaining a drug house, driving while license suspended second offense and being a habitual 4th offender.  Johnson’s bond was set at $125,000 cash/surety.  Fifty year old Anthony Stevenson of Port Huron is charged with possession of less than 25 grams of cocaine, maintaining a drug house, driving while license suspended 2nd offense and being a habitual 4th offender.  His bond was set at $25,000 cash/surety.  Erin Holt, a 43 year old Port Huron woman is charged with possession of less than 25 grams of cocaine, possession of analogue drugs and maintaining a drug house.  Her bond was set at $10,000 cash/surety.

All three are scheduled to be back in court for probable cause hearings before Judge John Monaghan on March 2nd at 9:00 a.m.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team also assisted in the raids.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force

Antibody Therapy Available for Treating Severe COVID-19

Tri-Hopsital EMS is now providing an innovative therapy to COVID-19 patients to reduce their symptoms. Through a partnership with the State of Michigan, Bamlanivimab infusion therapy can now be administered to symptomatic individuals in their own homes by licensed health professionals from Tri-Hospital EMS.

Ken Cummings, CEO of Tri-Hospital EMS, said in a press release, “Our team of skilled medics is proud to be taking another step onto the frontlines and administering this treatment that is helping fight the pandemic in Michigan. This innovative therapy is helping reduce COVID-19 symptoms and the need to visit the hospital for treatment.”

Bamlanivimab is an FDA approved monoclonal antibody therapy that has been administered approximately 2,000 times since December. Individuals 12 and older who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are at risk for developing severe illness that would require hospitalization can speak to their doctor to see if the treatment is right for them.

Patients must meet certain criteria related to age, immune system health, and the presence of chronic diseases, and a prescription from a doctor is required.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand