George James

The Fort Gratiot Department of Public Works (DPW) staff will be flushing fire hydrants through December. The goal of flushing the hydrants is to remove the accumulated sediments that may be in the system, and the township wants residents to know that they may notice a slight decrease in water pressure or discoloration of the water. The discoloration is a result of disturbances of the normal water flow with the township’s pipe system. The short-term change in flow may stir up naturally occuring minerals and sediment that settle within the water main. The township says that if the water discoloration occurs, residents should try to refrain from using hot water and run cold water faucets until the water appears clear again. Questions can be directed to the Fort Gratiot Township DPW.

Reporting for WGRT – EBWtv.

E-sports is coming to St. Clair County Community College. E-Sports, short for “electronic sports” is competitive gaming between individuals or teams. Last month, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) announced that they are creating a new association that will be the governing body for two-year collegiate e-sports programs. SC4 Athletic Director, Dale Vos said they plan to start the program at SC4 in January 2020, and that the college has already been contacted by an individual that wants to coach along with a few player inquiries as well. SC4 is among 50 of 520 NJCAA schools that will be fielding a team. 

According to Vos, the great thing about e-sports is that there is no traveling to compete against other schools.” Each school competes from the confines of their own campus in a four on four competition. Voss said, “The Esports industry is growing at a rapid pace, and fielding a team allows SC4 to lead the way in providing innovative and in-demand opportunities for current and future students as well as the broader community.” 

The games that will be played in the new sport include Rocket League, Madden Fall 2019, and Super Smash Bros. The games are played using a personal computer, PS4, or Nintendo Switch.  E-sports brings the total collegiate teams at SC4 to 14.

Reporting for WGRT – EBWtv.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reporting a second case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a 2 year-old doe harvested by a hunter in southwest Saginaw. CWD is not common among deer in Michigan, but the DNR is encouraging hunters to get deer tested through the organization’s various check stations which can be found on their website. CWD is a fatal disease that affects deer, elk, and moose.  

DNR deer and elk specialist Chad Stewart said when conservation officers “find CWD a few townships over from a prior detection in the same county, it becomes increasingly important to discover if and where additional cases might be within that area.” Stewart also said, “In light of this, they are asking hunters in southeastern Gratiot and southwestern Saginaw counties, especially, to have their deer tested this year.” The Department of Natural Resources encourages hunters to assist in disease surveillance. Stewart said some of the easiest ways hunters can help address CWD are to keep hunting throughout the remaining deer seasons, dispose of leftover parts in the trash and, if possible, take additional does in the Lower Peninsula’s CWD areas. To date, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in people. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that infected animals not be eaten by humans or animals.

Reporting for WGRT – EBWtv.

Costumes, candy, and trick-or-treating, Halloween can be a lot of fun, and with a few tips, it can be safe as well. St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon said that “the county has had wonderful luck with trick-or-treating and they want to keep it that way.” He offered a few tips. 

Always wear some sort of reflective material on costumes so you are easy to see. If a costume has a mask with it, consider replacing the mask with make-up to offer better, unobstructed vision. “Always,” said Donnellon, “stay off the roadways when going house to house, and use sidewalks.”  He also suggested bringing a flashlight alone for better visibility. Sheriff Donnellon also warned against going inside any home, and if the lights are off at a house, do not approach it. Finally, when returning home, inspect the candy. Any candy that does not come from a brand name company should not be eaten.  Donnellon said if trick-or-treaters run into any issues they should contact their local law enforcement agency.

Helping children at an early age with emotional skills can be a challenge, and The Michigan State University Extension wants to help. The MSU Extension will begin their fall course, Building Early Emotional Skills in Young Children (BEES) – A workshop for parents, on Monday, October 28th. The online, eight-week series will address topics like stress, communicating with kids, and handling tantrums. The program hopes to strengthen parent-child relationships and support social and emotional development in young children. 

There is also an opportunity to meet virtually with other parents that may be having similar experiences. BEES supports parents learning how their own experiences impact parenting. The class is no charge for Michigan residents and is designed for parents with children from infants to three years old. An added benefit, that the course can be completed independently in a time convenient for the parent. The program was developed through a partnership between MSU Extension and MSU’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies.

Are you planning to have your pet trick-or-treat with you or your children on Halloween? You might even be considering a costume for your furry family members. Well, there are some things to consider before you head out with Fido or Fifi. Make sure the pet’s costume is not too tight, especially around the neck, and never over the snout. Also, your pet’s ability to move should be considered as well. 

Remember getting forced into wearing a costume that you maybe did not want to wear? The same goes for your favorite dog or cat. Never force him to wear a costume. As always, keep your pet on a leash at all times and consider microchipping your animal. Be sure to watch your pet around any candy that is collected. Dogs and cats should never eat chocolate or raisins. Remember, the wrappings that the candy comes in can be a choking hazard as well. Halloween can be a scary time for humans and your pet too, so take care to put your pet in a safe place when trick-or-treaters come to the door. Take care to not leave your pet outside unattended as children may spook the animal. Planning ahead can help to make you and your pet’s Halloween safe and fun.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.