George James

Port Huron Northern AD Jason Kasparian Named Regional Athletic Director of the Year

Port Huron, MI — Jason Kasparian, the Athletic Director at Port Huron Northern High School, was selected as the 2021 Regional Athletic Director of the Year by the Michigan Interscholastic Administrators Association (MIAAA).

Mr. Kasparian is in his 11th year as both Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Port Huron Northern High School. His leadership roster includes Macomb Area Conference President for the 2018 season, and current chair for the Sportsmanship and Technology Committees with MIAAA, along with several committees for the Michigan High School Athletics Association. He has also coached soccer, little league, and basketball at various levels and is considered the champion of the effort to raise $141,000 to replace the gym floor at Port Huron Northern.

John Hartley, a fellow AD in the region said, “Jason Kasparian is a loving and caring husband and father, a ‘do the right thing’ type of person, and someone I am honored to call a great friend and colleague. I feel I speak for the Macomb Area Conference when I say I am proud to have Jason Kasparian represent us by being named MIAAA Region 10 AD of the Year.”

Port Huron Northern High School Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Brian Jamison echoed Hartley’s remarks, saying Kasparian’s “personality, work ethic, and character put him in a special class of people.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lauwers Advocates for Keeping Line 5 Open Until Safer Line is Built

Michigan State Senator Dan Lauwers reported on the testimony to a joint hearing of the Senate’s Energy and Technology Committee and Natural Resources Committee regarding the Enbridge Line 5 shutdown. 

Line 5 is a petroleum pipeline that extends from western Canada to Eastern Canada. It passes under the Straits of Mackinac and the St. Clair River. A leak from the line would be environmentally catastrophic. A new line under the Straits is in the preliminary planning stages. A new line has already been constructed under the St Clair River. 

A member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament, Bob Bailey of Sarnia, spoke at the meeting. Lauwers said his testimony and others’ brought important perspective. Closing the line will have significant negative economic impacts on the Sarnia region.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer plans to completely close the line in May and rely on rail and trucking to transport the petroleum. Lauwers said that Whitmer does not have the authority to do so, as that would be breaking an international treaty. 

In his weekly newsletter, Lauwers said, “If safety and environmental protection are what we are after, we need to weigh these matters objectively instead of subjectively. I think we will find continuation of what we have now while we build an alternative to Line 5 is far better and safer than other considerations.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

St. Clair County Animal Control Looking for Donations to Help with Rescued Animals

The St. Clair County Animal Control needs help from the public as they deal with an influx of recovered animals from two suspected animal hoarding cases in the past two weeks.

Concerned residents are asked to donate Clorox bleach, Dawn dish soap, cat litter, and towels.  They can be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Animal Control office at 3378 Griswold Road.

The most recent case involved suspected cat hoarding at a home in Burtchville Township. Sixteen cats were taken from a residence by animal control after thirty-one cats had already been removed by private citizens. A recent seizure in Port Huron rescued nineteen cats and three dogs.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America describes animal hoarding as “the compulsive need to collect and own animals for the sake of caring for them that results in accidental or unintentional neglect or abuse”.

In both cases, the animals were discovered after citizen complaints that resulted in search warrants being issued. Upon searching the properties, officers found unsafe conditions for the animals and seized them for rehabilitation. The animals will need a few weeks to get healthy and will then be ready for rehoming.

Animal Control is also asking for financial donations to offset medical costs for the animals.

Financial donations can be made at paypal.me/sccanimals.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Nessel Declines Nursing Home Investigation; Blames Politics

Nursing home patients and staff have borne a heavy burden during the pandemic with one-third of COVID deaths in Michigan occurring in nursing home patients. Despite pleas from lawmakers to look into nursing home deaths in Michigan and what could have prevented them, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel passed on the request for a formal inquiry, alluding to the request being politically motivated.

Nessel explained her decision saying, “Though I will not hesitate to act when justified, I also will not abuse the investigatory powers of this Department to launch a political attack on any state official, regardless of party or beliefs.”

The transfer of recovering COVID patients to nursing homes while emergency recovery facilities remained empty has been a mystery, according to Republicans in the legislature, and they want an explanation. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has said that proper protocol was followed and maintains that any scrutiny is politically motivated.

In a letter to Nessel, lawmakers asked about Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s processes and policies for nursing homes, the accuracy of reporting data, compliance with CDC guidelines, and compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. Nessel said none warranted an investigation.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Schools Ask Parents to Remain Vigilant as COVID Cases Rise

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron Schools marked the one-year anniversary of learning in the midst of COVID with a letter to families and the community.

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Jamie Cain thanked families for their flexibility and understanding and said that all district staff who chose to get the COVID-19 vaccine have now received their second dose of the shot, making them fully vaccinated.

While there is hope for better days ahead, Cain cautioned that with rising case numbers in the county, parents, students, staff, and the community can not let their guard down.

In the letter, Cain said, “I want our community to know the factors that we are evaluating to make decisions for each building.” Cain said the factors are student and staff attendance, the actual transmission of COVID-19 during the school day, and the ability to safely staff buildings.

Cain asked for continued vigilance from families including keeping kids home when sick, following face mask and handwashing protocols, following quarantine mandates, and also keeping up on schoolwork even when quarantined. He also encouraged families to take time to listen to how kids are feeling about the situation.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Spring Fever Prompts Pesticide Warning from MDARD

There is a fever going viral right now, and it’s not the one you think it is. It’s SPRING FEVER. Michiganders know that green grass and sunny days will be here soon. With outdoor living on the minds of many, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development wants to get the word out regarding safe pesticide use.

Brian Verhougstraete, MDARD’s Pesticide Section Manager said, “When used correctly, pesticides are an effective tool to help control, destroy, and repel destructive pests such as insects, weeds, rodents, germs, and plant disease. If applying pesticides, always read and follow the label directions and use the recommended personal protective equipment.”

MDARD also warns against hiring just anybody to spray your property. MDARD grants the licenses to those firms that meet the required financial and experience requirements and pass the MDARD exams.

Verhougstraete warned, “Be aware of online advertisements and social media posts promoting the sale of unregistered pesticides, particularly those that claim to be 100% safe or all natural. Unregistered pesticides are not proven to be safe or effective and are unlikely to meet MDARD’s or the Environmental Protection Agency’s requirements.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland