George James

Leave Behind Naloxone Program Aims to Prevent Overdose Deaths

Local Emergency Medical Services will soon be part of the EMS Leave Behind Naloxone Program. EMS workers will hand out the lifesaving opioid reversal drug for possible future use at non-fatal overdose calls. The program is a partnership between MDHHS and the EMS providers.

St. Clair County is near the top of the list of Michigan counties with the highest rate of fatal opioid overdoses. Overdose deaths leave children without parents and parents without children, and the victims don’t get a chance to try to beat the addiction and turn their lives around. Having the reversal medication on hand could change the outcomes.

Esther Mae Rosner, Program Officer at Vital Strategies, which provides funding for the program, said, “Having naloxone on hand can make the difference between someone living or dying from an overdose. We applaud MDHHS for teaming up with EMS to get this life saving medication to people that need it.”

EMS responses for opioid overdoses have shown a staggering increase since the pandemic began, according to MDHHS. The program is starting out in Macomb, Wayne, Wexford, and St. Clair counties, with plans to expand to sixteen more counties.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

DNR offers Tips on Dealing with Nuisance Coyotes

Coyotes are on the move and if you see one in your neighborhood, there are some things to know to keep them from becoming a problem. Coyotes are in breeding season now and will soon be caring for pups, which means they will be looking for food anywhere they can find it.

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the easiest way to keep coyotes from getting too close to your home and property is to remove their food source. They are looking for critters like mice and rabbits, but they will go after easy pickings from trash cans and pet food if it is available. Bird feeders attract the small game that coyotes like, so take them down if coyotes are a problem. 

The DNR recommends “hazing” coyotes if they get too close, by taking advantage of their natural fear of humans and scaring them off. The DNR also recommends accompanying pets outdoors instead of letting them roam free in areas where coyotes are present.

Finally, it’s always open season on coyotes that are being a nuisance on private property, and the DNR says that there are coyote nuisance control businesses that can help out if needed.

A link to more information:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSjHwzX9Iiw

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lauwers Bill Updates Hemp Laws

A bill to update Michigan’s hemp laws, introduced by State Senator Dan Lauwers of Brockway Township, has been approved by the Senate. The bill was crafted by Lauwers, a Republican who represents the 25th District, to amend the Michigan Hemp Growers Act to comply with the updated USDA final rule. 

Senate Bill 186 allows Michigan’s hemp industry to continue to grow. Hemp is used in fabrics, textiles, yarns, paper, and home furnishings, among other uses. CBD oil is derived from industrial hemp plants. 

The bill has many technical aspects pertaining to the regulation of hemp growers. Growers need to be registered with the United States Department of Agriculture and have to maintain acceptable levels of THC, which is the psychoactive component of cannabis. 

Hemp farming has the potential to be a lucrative crop in Michigan and can contribute to the economy, but not without Michigan’s regulations being in line with the federal government. 

Lauwers said, “Updating state law to continue to produce hemp products will give the Michigan agricultural industry a great advantage.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Porch Lights On from 8:00-9:00 p.m. in Remembrance of Lives Lost to COVID

It’s been a year since the first case of COVID-19 was found in Michigan and everything changed from that moment on.

According to statistics from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there have been over 11 million COVID tests done in the state, with over 658,000 cases of infection either confirmed or probable.

Of those infected, over 16,000 deaths were attributed to COVID. St. Clair County has lost 261 people to COVID according to MDHHS records.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist asked Michigan residents to turn their porch lights on today from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. in remembrance of the lives lost.  

Lt. Governor Gilchrist said, “It’s been one year since COVID-19 was found in Michigan, and as a result, this virus has changed almost every aspect of our daily lives, but despite its darkness, we have seen the brightest light shine in the determined resolve of each other during these trying times. The simple act of turning on our lights is a way to remember and honor those we have lost and show that we’re all in this together and we will emerge from this crisis, together.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Thank a Farmer: It’s Food and Agriculture Month

March is Michigan Food and Agriculture Month. The designation is meant to highlight the diversity of Michigan agricultural products that are both grown and processed in the state, along with the diversity of microclimates and soil types that are unique to Michigan. It also honors those who work to feed the world.

Statewide, Michigan agriculture employs 805,000 people and contributes over $104 billion to the economy. The total market value of St. Clair County’s agricultural products was estimated at over $80 million in 2017, according to the most recent available data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

MDARD Director Gary McDowell said, “Most events and activities for this year’s Michigan Food and Agriculture Month will be offered virtually due to the pandemic, but there will be many opportunities to learn more about how the food and agriculture industry impacts and improves the lives of each of us.”

National Agriculture Day will be celebrated on March 24th, but Michigan State University will be offering programming all month, and the inaugural issue of Michigan Agriculture Magazine will be published this month and distributed at Michigan Welcome Centers and agricultural events.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Local Teens Make Video to Raise Awareness of Teen Dating Violence

Port Huron, MI — To raise awareness of teen dating violence, Blue Water Safe Horizons partnered with the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County to create a video with teens giving other teens the skills to identify unhealthy relationships before they become violent.

Zak Kerhoulas, Chair of the Youth Advisory Council, said, “The St. Clair County YAC is constantly trying to address the youth in our community’s needs, and as February was National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, we partnered with Blue Water Safe Horizons to create educational resources for teens in our area who may be struggling with unhealthy or abusive relationships.”

Kerhoulas said that the Council hopes that the video educates those who don’t know much about the signs of dating violence and directs teens who may feel trapped in an abusive relationship to local resources that can provide help.

Elizabeth Sawielski, Executive Director of Blue Water Safe Horizons, said, “The YAC team did such an amazing job on this video and was such an unexpected gift to the community. What a great way to raise awareness! Teens educating the community about teen dating violence and abuse is such an impactful way to get the message out there.”

A link to the short video:

https://www.facebook.com/BWSafeHorizons/videos/746698956028375

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland