George James

Sherman Woods is a popular destination around the holidays as the neighborhood comes together to put on an enchanting lights display that is a sight to behold. For the fourth year, the Sherman Woods Homeowners Association in Port Huron decided to use the attraction as a means of helping the community. The Association is reporting its Red Kettle holiday bell-ringing program raised $4,031 to assist the St. Clair County Salvation Army’s annual fundraising campaign.

The funds were raised by volunteer residents of the association managing a Red Kettle drop off during six weekend evenings recently. Visitors made donations while touring the Sherman Woods location to view the Christmas light displays the neighborhood presents each year.

Fred Kemp, President of the Sherman Woods Homeowners Association, said it was the fourth year they “have helped the Red Kettle drive and for the first time it was expanded to six weekend nights.” As a result, the donations collected exceeded last year’s by about $1,000. Kemp believes the act was truly a great display of “Christmas giving by residents volunteering and every visitor to the neighborhood who contributed.” 

The funds helped to provide gifts and food for families in need during the holiday season. The neighborhood is located off of Gratiot Avenue, just south of Holland Avenue in Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The Port Huron Police Department has officially launched the “Hope Not Handcuffs” initiative in the City of Port Huron. The new program is aimed at persons struggling with any drug or alcohol addiction. Individuals struggling with substance use will now be welcomed to come to the Port Huron Police Department when the lobby is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and ask for help. The Department says when individuals do this, they will be greeted with support, compassion, and respect. Upon arrival, a police officer will contact an “Angel” who will arrive and begin guiding the person through a brief intake process to ensure proper treatment. 

The new initiative was started by Families Against Narcotics (FAN), 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 heroin, prescription drugs, and alcohol. 

Over 75 volunteer Angels will help with the paperwork and provide compassionate support until a treatment option is found. A toll free number has been set up for any questions about the program at 833-202-HOPE (4673). The police department also added that individuals will not be turned away outside of normal business hours.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The Michigan State Police are encouraging Michigan residents to download their free smartphone app to receive breaking news and information happening in our communities and around the state. The mobile phone app is available in both the Apple and Google App stores. 

App users can follow the state police post that is closest to their zip code or the post of their choice. St. Clair County is covered by Post 34, headquartered in Lapeer, while Sanilac County is covered by Post 33, headquartered in Caro. There are troopers stationed in the Port Huron and Sandusky Police offices, as well. 

Through the app, users can choose what kind of notifications they want to receive, ranging in topics from traffic information, criminal investigations, arrests, and community events, along with prevention and educational information. The app also gives users access to information such as Michigan’s Most Wanted fugitives, Offender Registries, cold cases, and information about specific state police posts. Users can upload pictures and crime tips right from the app, as well. To find the app, search for “Michigan State Police” on your mobile phone’s app store.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Did you know that one in every four Michigan homes is expected to have radon levels that exceed the recommended federal action level? January is recognized as Radon Action Month in Michigan, and if you think the topic is irrelevant to area residents, you may want to reconsider. Because radon is an odorless and invisible substance, the only way to know if you’re being exposed is to perform a test. The substance is found in soil and it’s dangerous as it is radioactive and carcinogenic. Radon, in fact, is the second leading cause of lung cancer right behind smoking.

So, how does it affect us? Radon is the byproduct of the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water that eventually becomes airborne. It moves up through the ground and into homes through cracks and holes in the foundation. 

In 1993, a Map of Radon Zones was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify areas of the United States with the potential for elevated indoor radon levels. The map is intended to help governments and other organizations target risk reduction activities and resources. According to the EPA Radon Map of Michigan, Sanilac County is designated with a moderately increased risk as a Zone 2, while St. Clair County is in the lowest classified, Zone 3. 

According to the EPA, however, no matter what designated zone you live in, testing is highly recommended and relatively inexpensive. A test kit is available at most home improvement stores and through the St. Clair and Sanilac County Health Departments. In the case that radon is detected, you can get a mitigation system installed in your home for around $1,100. You can get more information at Michigan.gov/radon.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

January is recognized as Human Trafficking Awareness Month across the country. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, “Human trafficking affects individuals across the world, and right here in Michigan. It is commonly regarded as the second largest criminal enterprise after drugs, and it affects every community in Michigan across age, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds.”

While the awareness of the issue has increased in many cities and states across the country, much still remains to be done. One major area of focus for many organizations has become prevention and education efforts. It’s what the Michigan Abolitionist Project (MAP) was founded on. Since 2012, the organization has presented to dozens of organizations each year and have been a catalyst for collaboration among advocates and stakeholders addressing human trafficking in Michigan. 

This month, MAP is teaming up with St. Clair County Community College to offer a free movie night on January 21. The event will take place from 6:30-8:30 in the college’s Fine Arts Theatre. The featured movie, titled Break the Chain,chronicles two survivors of Human Trafficking within Michigan communities providing a detailed look at how trafficking goes unnoticed within our backyards. To find out more about what you can do or how to attend the event, visit michiganabolitionistproject.org/events.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

With one year left in his term on the bench, Sanilac County Circuit Court Judge Donald Teeple has announced that he will not be seeking reelection, as he has aged out of the process.  State law prevents those aged 70 and older from running for judge. Judge Teeple was elected in 1990 and when his term runs out at the end of 2020, he will have put in 30 years as a judge in the 24th District Circuit Court.

 Judge Teeple was admitted to the bar in 1974 after graduating from the University of Michigan and University of Detroit School of Law. He has been involved in a range of high-profile cases over his tenure from those involving wind energy and the multitude of windmills throughout the county, local government and school district conflicts, and a record $4.4 million award for a wrongful death case against the Michigan State Police. The men behind the Oklahoma City bombing appeared in Judge Teeple’s courtroom in 1993. 

Judge Teeple is a lifelong Sanilac County resident and has plans to assist as a visiting judge as needed. Applicants have until mid-April to file to run for the open seat on the bench. The Sanilac County Circuit Court hears civil and criminal cases. It also houses a family division and hears appeals from other courts.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.