George James

Marysville Police Officer Justin Reeves and K9 Heiko continue their bid for a new Chevy Tahoe as the end of the month draws near. Vested Interest in K9s, a national company, is giving away a K9 vehicle to one law enforcement agency through a popular vote during the month of October and the community is rallying behind the duo in hopes of winning. Reeves and Heiko have been touring the area raising awareness of the contest and even local businesses are lending their support. This Wednesday, the Exquisite Corpse Coffee House is offering 10% off drink orders if customers show their vote for the Marysville pair. 30 different K9 teams from around the country were selected as finalists in the contest. Reeves says the Marysville K9 program is donation based and a new vehicle would make a big difference in the department. To vote for Heiko and Reeves, anyone can go to the Vested Interest in K9’s website and click on Reeves and Heiko’s picture, then cast a vote. The site allows one vote per day until October 31st.

Reporting for WGRT – EBWtv

There’s a program at SC4 that introduces high school seniors to a career in the medical field.  The program is a collaboration between Port Huron Schools, SC4, and McLaren Port Huron, and it is helping to show students what a medical career may look like in real life. Regional Community Outreach Specialist for McLaren Port Huron, Kelly DiNardo explained that “[when they] heard about the biomedical sciences program it was exciting because it provided an opportunity to enhance the education the students get in the classroom by providing them with some or the hospital experts.”  She said, “It also gives the students hands-on teaching and real life scenarios. The students have the chance to see the hospital environment.” 

Catherine Woolman, Executive Director of Instructional Services for Port Huron Schools said, “it is an opportunity for our students to see some of the state of the art equipment they may work on in the future.  She added, “students have been very interested in the equipment.” Woolman said, “students are learning that there are more jobs in a hospital other than nurse or doctor.” She said, “the program shows students all of the opportunities available for them.”

Reporting for WGRT – EBWtv

This is the time of year for that we, as Michiganders, prepare to head into the cold winter months. One of the more important tasks to complete is the winterizing of your sprinkler system. If left undone the risk is great for cracked and leaking lines, and malfunctioning valves when it is revived in the Spring. Matt McCartney owner of St. Clair Landscape and Irrigation said, [his company is] starting to get a lot of calls right now.” He said, “the homeowner can do a blowout of their own sprinkler system, but they may want to consider using a professional that guarantees the work.” 

McCartney’s business is nearly booked for the season.  He explained that there is a short window to complete the winterizing, so companies are booked early. He said you don’t want to winterize too soon, or get started too late. When the weather is below freezing for longer stretches, anything above ground will freeze first, like backflow preventers. Since McCartney’s equipment uses large diesel compressors, he usually is able to get 90 percent of the water out of a system, including equipment above the ground. He explained that a homeowner will typically use a smaller compressor, and will leave more water, thus leaving the system more vulnerable to freezing.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith

The Michigan Legislature has now passed bi-partisan legislation that will halt automatic prosecution of 17-year-olds as adults. Michigan is one of just four states still requiring all 17-year-olds to be prosecuted as adults, even those who committed minor offenses. State Representative Tommy Brann was one of the plan’s sponsors. He said, “This is about rehabilitating young people and getting their lives back on the right track so they’re less likely to reoffend in the future.” 

The legislation will allow 17-year-olds to go through the juvenile system.  Brann said, “The juvenile justice system has age-appropriate programs already in place that help rehabilitate young people, giving them access to the tools they need to become productive adults.” According to the Center for Disease Control, 17-year-olds in the juvenile system have been shown to reduce reoffending by 34 percent. Prosecutors will still have some discretion, as they can waive the rules for minors who commit violent crimes, and thereby recommend they be placed into the adult system when appropriate. The new rules are set to begin on October 1st, 2021.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.

A mural has been installed along the side of the 7th Street bridge in Port Huron. The mural was placed as part of a multi-year Blue Water River Walk Project by the Blue Water Young Professionals (BWYP). The design is by SC4 student artist JR McPhail, who won the chance to design from a competition held in 2018. 

President of the BWYP’s, Mallory Michaluk said the goal of the Black River Walk Project was to beautify the high traffic area because many visitors, boaters, and residents travel by the stretch. She added that the BWYP’s were excited to add some color to the Black  River that has been lacking color and excitement over the years. Michaluk said another goal was to hear the public’s reaction to the mural on the west side of the bridge in hopes to add another mural or attraction to the east side. The wrap was installed by Wrap by Image Authentics.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.

Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) wants residents to check their medicine cabinets for prescriptions that are no longer being used or are out of date. The local health care provider is partnering with the Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (OPEN) and the Port Huron Police Department in a medication take back event. On Saturday, October 26th from 10 to 2 at Lake Huron Medical Center, residents can bring any of those unused or unwanted medications for disposal. The local hospital provides a safe way for disposal rather than simply putting medicines in your everyday garbage. 

Lake Huron Medical Center says that every 10 minutes a child visits the emergency room for medication poisoning. The hospital also says that 12.5 million people ages 12 and older have misused opioids in the last year, and three in five teens say prescription pain medication is easy to get from their parents’ or grandparents’ medicine cabinet. There are other locations throughout the state for disposal. They can be found at the Michigan OPEN website.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.