George James

The Tick App Helps Track Tick Populations

Tired of ticks? It’s a banner season for ticks in Michigan with their numbers rising. Staying aware of tick hot spots and taking measures to prevent ticks from getting comfortable on people or pets is easy with the launch of The Tick App.

The App was developed by Jean Chao, who researches ticks and tick-borne illnesses in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Michigan State University, along with scientists at the University of Wisconsin and Columbia University.

The Tick App is both educational for the user and useful for researchers who are tracking ticks. Tick discoveries can be reported through the app and fears about infection can be calmed or precautions can be taken.

Tsao reports in MSU Today that not all ticks carry Lyme disease or other pathogens and removing a tick before it’s been on people’s or pets’ bodies within 12 hours can reduce the likelihood of infection. Lyme Disease is a serious illness.

The best way to avoid ticks is to use an effective repellent and to stick to trails that are out of tick habitats. If you do come across a tick on your skin, save it and freeze it so it can be examined by a doctor to help with diagnosis and treatment.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan High-Speed Internet Office Created

After vetoing repeated attempts by the legislature to incentivize internet providers to reach underserved communities with high-speed internet, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an Executive Order to establish the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office.

The Office will be coordinating and advancing the state’s efforts to bring high-speed internet to every home and business that needs it. A $2.5 billion potential economic benefit is estimated to be lost each year due to the “digital divide”.

Whitmer said, “A fully connected Michigan is essential for our state to reach its economic potential in the 21st-century global economy.”  

The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office will be housed in the Department of Labor and Economic Development.  LEO Acting Director Susan Corbin said, “Expanding high-speed internet access and affordability will help ensure that Michigan remains a world leader in innovation. We need to make major investments to support digital inclusion and this office will be focused on leveraging every dollar available through the American Recovery Plan and other federal programs.”  

Efforts will be focused on bringing internet service to underserved communities throughout Michigan.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Rec Fills Summer Schedule with Free Fun

What’s better than fun activities for kids during the summer? FREE fun activities for kids during the summer. The Port Huron Recreation Department has announced a full roster of free summer fun for families.

The list includes free drive-in movies to be held in partnership with Sperry’s Moviehouse. The fun gets started on Tuesday, June 8th with The Lion King, 2019 version, starting at dusk. Families can watch from their cars in the McMorran Southwest parking lot and tune in on their car radios. There are eight movies scheduled throughout the summer and fall.

The SuperSlide is also opening back up this summer after a year off. The innovative and unique hillside slide is located at Palmer Park in Port Huron. The slide is for kids and kids-at-heart who are at least five years old and 40 inches tall. The slide is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with evening hours of 4-7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Rec on the Go Bags will be handed out on Wednesdays starting June 16th.

More information about all of the free programs this summer can be found at porthuronrec.com.

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

The Henry Ford Museum Presents The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited

Remember the simpler days of watching The Muppet Show on Friday nights or Sesame Street on PBS every morning? Both shows are the work of Jim Henson. The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, just about an hour drive from the Blue Water area, has announced a popular new exhibit for all ages: The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited. It gets started on June 5th.

The exhibit takes viewers into the work that Jim Henson did for film and television and his impact on American culture. Guests will get to see over 100 original artifacts, including 25 of Henson’s puppets.

There are also character sketches, storyboards, scripts, costumes, and photographs, along with film and television clips and behind-the-scenes footage. Those who attend the exhibit can participate in interactive puppeteering experiences.

The Jim Henson Experience runs from June 5th to September 6th and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. General admission is $25 per person with some discounts available. Admission includes entry into the entire museum, which has a huge collection of artifacts chronicling the history of innovation.

https://www.thehenryford.org/current-events/calendar/the-jim-henson-exhibition-imagination-unlimited

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

People and Pets Urged to Avoid Contact with Lake and River Foam

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is asking Michigan residents to keep a lookout for foam on lakes and rivers. If found, boaters, swimmers, anglers, and anyone spending time near lakes and rivers, including pets, should avoid contact with the foam.

While all foam can have bacteria, of particular concern is the foam that could contain polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. PFAS contaminated foam is generally bright white in color, lightweight, and may pile up like shaving cream. It can also blow onto beaches.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS warns, “Although current science shows that the risk of PFAS getting into your system from contact with skin is low, you can minimize exposure to PFAS by rinsing or showering after you are done with your recreational activities. In general, washing hands and rinsing off after recreating will help to protect people from chemicals and bacteria that may be in water bodies.”

Naturally-occurring foam is usually off-white or brown and has an earthy or fishy smell. It is normal for naturally occurring foam to be found in bays, eddies, or at river barriers such as dams.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Blue Water Volleygrass is Back-  July 23-25

Port Huron, MI — Blue Water Volleygrass is back with a tournament scheduled for Friday, July 23rd through Sunday, July 25th. Registration opened on June 1st.

The tournament is a major fundraiser for Port Huron Northern High School athletic teams. The tournament had to be canceled last year, but it is a go this year with the usual 200 teams expected. Northern’s sports team members and their families generally volunteer to host the annual event, where new and returning teams fight for the top spot in their divisions.

Blue Water Volleygrass is a grass court four-on-four volleyball tournament with a variety of divisions. The tournament is held on the athletic field at Port Huron Northern High School on Krafft Road.

The divisions include beginner, intermediate, open, and 40 and up divisions for men; beginner, intermediate, open, and 30 and up for women, and girls and boys teams for ages U14 to U18. There are also co-ed divisions. The cost to register is between $85 and $145 per team.

The full list of rules and regulations, as well as registration information, can be found at volleygrass.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland