George James

Last week was National Influenza Vaccination Week and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services encourages residents to get their flu shot. There is currently an adequate supply of vaccines available at many locations from doctors’ offices to drugstores and health departments, according to MDHHS. There are mixed reports as to the level of “match” of this year’s vaccine with the actual circulating strain. 

The St. Clair County Health Department notes on their website that, “Even when circulating flu strains aren’t a perfect match, flu vaccination still provides protection and can help to decrease hospitalizations and doctor visits.” The MDHHS bulletin reminds us that influenza, or “the flu” is not a stomach virus, which is a common misnomer, but it is actually a contagious respiratory infection. Common symptoms are body aches, chills, and respiratory congestion. 

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, “The 2019-2020 flu season is underway for most of the country; however, some parts of the country are still seeing lower levels of flu activity. Activity is being caused mostly by influenza B/Victoria viruses, which is unusual for this time of year. H1N1 viruses are the next most common, followed by H3N2 viruses, which are decreasing in proportion.” Whether or not you get the flu shot, the Health Department still recommends proper hand washing, limiting contact with sick people, and of course, staying home when you are sick.

Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.

A bill was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives last week to give drivers another option when choosing their license plates. Currently, drivers can choose to donate to a charity and have the insignia shown on their plate. There are 33 different options for license plates, from state universities to sports teams and disease awareness foundations. The revenue from the license plate options is directed to the organizations by the state treasurer. 

The ChadTough charity may be represented on license plates in the future. The ChadTough foundation is named after Chad Carr, the grandson of long time University of Michigan football coach, Lloyd Carr. The family has used Chad’s story to raise awareness about DIPG tumors, which are an especially aggressive kind of pediatric cancer that has not had a change in treatment protocol for forty years. This is the same type of tumor that took the life of Mitch Albom’s daughter, Chika, whom he wrote his most recent book about. 

DIPG tumors are diagnosed in about 300-350 children each year and are described as “the worst kind of tumor in the worst place”. The bill recommends that the ChadTough Charity be added to the list and that “money be expended on research, technology, patient support, and education regarding pediatric brain tumors”. The bill was read last week and has been referred to the Transportation Committee.

Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.

The natural gas infrastructure is scheduled for some upgrades, such as replacing aging gas mains, but this means that SEMCO Energy Gas consumers will be paying for it with a $19.9 million rate increase. Customers will see an increase of about 9.2%. The monthly customer charge will increase from $11.50 to $12.25 but some customers will get that fee credited if they qualify for a low-income assistance credit program. There will also be reductions in reconnection fees for customers who have had their gas shut off. 

The rate increase and the associated concessions are all part of a negotiation with the Michigan Public Service Commission. SEMCO had requested a rate increase exceeding $38 million. The settlement is related to corporate tax cuts from the 2017 federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As part of the agreement, SEMCO agreed not to seek another rate increase until 2023. Customers can expect to see a raise in their rates in the new year, but also a more reliable and upgraded natural gas infrastructure.

Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.

We know that there is still a little bit of 2019 left, but the Sanilac County Historic Village and Museum is looking ahead to next summer. They are looking for musicians for their celebration of the 1960s at next summer’s music festival. They are hoping to fill their indoor stages with local musicians who specialize in Woodstock era music. The festival will be held on June 27, 2020 at multiple venues on Port Sanilac. It is sponsored by the Sanilac Consortium for the Arts and the Historic Village and Museum. They are planning to take a step back in time, about sixty years to be exact, with country, folk, rock, and of course Motown on the docket. 

Musicians have plenty of time to get their acts together for next summer, but they need to let the organizers know that they are interested right away. The organizers have said to think of The Beatles, Elvis, Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Beach Boys, and more. The full details about this one of a kind music festival is on their Facebook page “Singin’ the 60’s Music Festival”. Organizers are intending to make the event the “grooviest” festival in the Thumb.\

Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.

Many Blue Water Area children will have gifts under the tree this Christmas thanks to a local couple who have been hosting Toys for Tots fundraisers for 21 years. Scott and Susan Hartfil of Fort Gratiot, did it again this year with their Bowling Fundraiser at Port Huron Lanes with proceeds benefiting Toys for Tots. The fundraiser has become an annual tradition for many people who get to both enjoy a night out and help local kids. 

Last Friday was the 21st annual event and Scott Hartfil told us how it got started. It is a pretty simple story of a man who just wanted to do some good for his community. In 1998, he attended a bowling fundraiser for his nephew’s hockey team and had so much fun that he wanted to host one himself. He just needed a cause. When he heard about Toys for Tots on the radio, the rest became history. 

Scott connected with the right people, started with a small event, and, along with his wife Susan, local coordinator Linda McLeod, and fellow organizer Misty Adair, kept the momentum going. Scott estimates they have collected about 5,000 toys over the years and raised around $80,000.

Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.

We all know it when we see it… The perfect packing snow. In Michigan, many people experience those nostalgic moments of building a snowman or having a snowball fight. With all the snow Michiganders experience each year, could you imagine snowball fights being outlawed? Well, one town in Wisconsin has actually done so. 

In Wausau, Wisconsin a person could be fined for throwing a snowball in public places like sidewalks, streets, parks, schools or even against a building. With a population of about 40,000, Wausau classifies snowballs under the same category as rocks. 

As early as 2017, people have actually received citations under the ordinance according Wausau Police Patrol Captain, Todd Baeten. The Assistant City Attorney, Tara Alfonso, stated that she has never prosecuted someone for throwing a snowball but in the interest of public safety and common sense, Mayor Robert Mielke says that you just don’t throw stuff at people. 

The logic is there, but sometimes it is all just simple fun. At least having a snowball fight at home seems as though it is still fair game. If you’re making plans to visit Wausau, Wisconsin this winter, just be sure to not throw any snowballs in public.

Adapted from the Today Show’s “Wisconsin town outlawed snowball fights” by Callie Patteson