George James

Urgent Warning Issued for Fentanyl-Laced Marijuana

The Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center has issued an urgent public health alert regarding fentanyl-laced marijuana. We reported in October about a federal Drug Enforcement Agency warning regarding fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills. This is a new warning.

There have been reports of patients being treated in emergency rooms for opioid overdoses when they had only smoked marijuana. No laboratory tests have yet confirmed fentanyl-laced marijuana in Michigan, but a review of EMS responses to overdoses has revealed eight probable cases.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services advises that marijuana consumers only buy from reputable sources and vendors.

The most common signs of opioid use or overdose are confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and anxiety. Vomiting, pinpoint pupils, and respiratory depression are other symptoms. Exposure to fentanyl can be fatal and those with suspected exposure should call 911 immediately.

Fentanyl exposure is especially deadly for children. MDHHS warns that marijuana products should always be stored where kids can’t get to them.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Governor, AG Change Legal Strategy to Shut Down Line 5 Pipeline

The State of Michigan has voluntarily dismissed its federal lawsuit against Enbridge regarding the Line 5 pipeline. The withdrawal of the litigation is part of a legal strategy to give state courts the final say, according to the office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed suit in state court.

The federal court continued to hear the case, which was the result of Enbridge’s reaction to a shut-down notice from the state, despite previous attempts to send it to state court.  This prompted the voluntary dismissal and the administration’s hope that it can have a favorable state judgment.

Nessel voiced her agreement, saying, “I fully support the Governor in her decision to dismiss the federal court case and instead focus on our ongoing litigation in state court. The state court case is the quickest and most viable path to permanently decommission Line 5” 

Whitmer remains determined to shut down Enbridge’s 68-year-old Line 5 dual oil pipelines that carry 23 million gallons of oil every day under the Straits of Mackinac. Whitmer said, “Our goal here remains the same: protecting the Great Lakes, protecting Michigan jobs, and protecting Michigan’s economy.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

When it Comes to Mental Health, No One Stands Alone

No One Stands Alone. That is the message that visitors to popular gathering places in Ontario’s Lambton County and the Chatham-Kent community will see on free brochures placed throughout the region.

The booklets are provided by the No One Stands Alone organization whose mission is to connect people to resources for Mental Health care and support.

The group has placed over 35,000 copies of the booklet at places like arenas, skating and hockey clubs, restaurants, libraries, and more, since May of 2021.

The publication of the booklet is made possible by fundraising and sponsors as well as partnerships with municipalities and service groups.

The booklets are meant to be referenced in emergencies or when help is needed. Referrals for mental health situations like grief, depression, anxiety, and others are provided in the No One Stands Alone booklet. The idea for the booklet came in part from Debb Pitel, who has been working through the loss of a child and struggled to find mental health resources.

The organization’s website noonestandsalone.ca has information on the locations of the booklets and ways to help, as well as personal stories about mental health journeys.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

No Car Insurance? Time is Running Out to Get it Penalty-Free

Driving without auto insurance is illegal, but it’s a reality for a lot of drivers for a variety of reasons. Those who have been driving while uninsured can take advantage of Michigan’s uninsured motorist amnesty period to get legally insured without penalty fees..

The grace period expires on January 1st of 2022. Over 100,000 people have been able to get insurance penalty-free since the program began.

Anita Fox, Director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services said, “Prior to the amnesty period, drivers who had let their insurance lapse faced potentially expensive penalties and fees if they later tried to purchase an auto insurance policy.”

Fox said that the amnesty period ensures that those fees will not be charged if the driver applies for a policy before the January 1, 2022 deadline. She said that now is the time to shop for insurance because, after the deadline, those penalty fees can once again be charged.

Twenty percent of Michigan drivers were estimated to be driving uninsured in 2019, often because they can’t afford insurance. The Detroit area has had the highest rates in the nation, but there have been some rate reductions since the passing of the bipartisan Michigan auto insurance reform law.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Plenty of Winter Fun Planned by Port Huron Recreation

Port Huron’s Recreation Department has a winter full of fun on tap for all ages. The 2022 Winter Events and Programs publication has been released and there is a lot going on.

Lunches for senior citizens are back at Palmer Park. The site is a congregate meal site for the St. Clair County Council on Aging. Lunches are served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

There is also the “Oldies Get Goodies” program that delivers “Goodie Bags” to local seniors.

The Recreation Department is hoping for snow and cold with Sledfest on the calendar for January 22nd and the ice rinks at Lincoln and Palmer Parks are open for skaters once the ice freezes.

There are also the usual sports offerings like dance, fencing, drums alive, and karate. Tennis is also offered this year.

Registration begins December 16th for Port Huron residents and December 17th for non-residents. There are scholarship opportunities available.

Looking ahead to summer, registration for Camp Palmer, the summer day camp, begins February 28th for returning families.

A link to the full brochure can be found below.

https://www.porthuronrec.com/_files/ugd/fc6623_35d656b5e3d34091a236a61cec431e18.pdf