George James

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office has announced the organization will be participating in the “Hope Not Handcuffs” program, an initiative of Families Against Narcotics. Participation will mean that a person with an addiction issue will be able to come to the Sheriff’s Office 24-hours a day, seven-days-a-week to seek help getting into a treatment program. 

Once the person arrives at the office seeking help, the individual will be met by a Hope Not Handcuffs “Angel”, a volunteer working with Families Against Narcotics, who will facilitate a treatment center placement. According to Sheriff Tim Donnellon, participation begins at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday.

Sheriff Donnellon, “We are extremely pleased to be able to assist in the “Hope Not Handcuffs” program,” as he is “hopeful those with an addiction issue will take advantage of this program and start their road to recovery.”

According to Families Against Narcotics, the “Hope Not Handcuffs” program is aimed at bringing law enforcement and community organizations together in an effort to find viable treatment options for individuals seeking help to reduce dependency with any substance, including heroin, prescription drugs, and alcohol. The Port Huron Police Department announced a partnership with Hope Not Handcuffs at the beginning of January.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Environmentalists and lawmakers alike are celebrating the decision not to store nuclear waste near the shores of Lake Huron. After years of planning and lobbying, Ontario Power Generation has apparently scrapped the plan and is making good on a promise to a Canadian First Nation. 

The Saugeen Ojibway Nation had the final say in whether or not to bury low and intermediate-level nuclear waste on the shores of Lake Huron. They voted 1058-170 against storing the hazardous material in their territory, which encompasses the proposed storage site. 

Ontario Power Generation had insisted the permanent storage site would be safe, but they will have to come up with something else as the planned location is now off the table. The Saugeen Ojibway Nation called the vote a “historic milestone and momentous victory”. State Representative Shane Hernandez, whose 83rd District borders Lake Huron, said, “This decision is a victory for the Great Lakes and all Michigan residents, especially those who live in the Thumb… This site never should have been given serious consideration. It was too close to drinking water intakes for southeast Michigan, and it put the entire Great Lakes ecosystem at risk.”

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

In 2002, the abduction of Elizabeth Smart was one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time. Ms. Smart’s story gripped the nation after she was held captive for nine months as a young teen. Through this traumatic experience, Smart has become a strong advocate for the recovery programs and legislation related to child abductions. 

Next Monday, February 10, a local audience will have the chance to hear her story during the monthly town hall series. Smart is set to deliver a captivating message of hope not only about her personal story but also about overcoming adversity, the process of recovery and not allowing one’s past to dictate life’s future.

The program begins at 10:30 a.m. at the McMorran Theatre in downtown Port Huron. Limited tickets are still available for the presentation through the McMorran box office.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

A $9,000 donation to 16 schools in seven St. Clair County school districts has covered pay to play athletic fees for numerous students thanks to the Lelito’s Legacy Foundation. 

Districts require a $50-$175 payment for sports participation and for some families, that fee can be a barrier to a child joining a team. That barrier, for many, has been removed. The Lelito’s Legacy Foundation “exists to function exclusively for charitable purposes providing financial assistance to deserving youth programs that promote skill development, sportsmanship, and positive self-growth” and was started by Tim Lelito, a St. Clair High School grad who played in the NFL. 

Kelly Klemmer, Development Director for the Foundation, said, “Lelito’s Legacy Foundation envisions a safe and inclusive athletic community for all, and breaking down those financial barriers for those in need can create amazing opportunities for kids.” She went on to also say that “Sports is a gateway to keeping kids excited and attending school, better grades, and a healthier lifestyle – we don’t want anyone to miss out on that!” Klemmer credited the Community Foundation of St. Clair County and the St. Clair Inn’s Donor Advised Fund for assisting in the donation.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Lake Huron Medical Center has earned a five-star overall hospital rating by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), placing Lake Huron Medical Center among the top nine percent of hospitals nationwide. 

Lake Huron Medical Center becomes one of only 20 hospitals in Michigan to receive an overall five-star rating by CMS which rose from four stars in the previous annual CMS report.

Jose Kottoor, Chief Executive Officer, Lake Huron Medical Center said, “These ratings reflect the sincere commitment of the doctors, nurses, staff, and hospital to the communities” that the hospital serves.

The overall hospital rating from CMS is based on measured data publicly reported on CMS’ Hospital Compare tool including up to 51 measures across seven aspects of quality, including patient experience and effectiveness of care into a single star rating for each hospital. Participating hospitals reported data to CMS, the federal agency that runs the Medicare program through the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program. Those hospitals were given an overall rating ranging from one to five stars, with five as the highest and four the most common score.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

St. Clair County Health Department has announced it is working on Preparedness and Response Planning for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. The department reports to be “diligently working on preparedness and response planning against the Coronavirus and is carefully monitoring the situation at a local level.”

The Health Department is assuring the public that officials have been communicating with “partners such as border officials, Canadian counterparts, healthcare providers, emergency management, as well as frequent meetings and calls with other state and national officials.”

At this time, Michigan, including St. Clair County, has no reported cases. At the end of January, the CDC reported six confirmed cases nationwide, with the immediate health risk to the American public low. According to the St. Clair County Health Department information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

To prevent the spread of viruses such as the flu, common cold and coronavirus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing
• Avoid contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, stay home; avoid contact with others

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.