George James

Improvements Being Made to Maternal and Infant Health Programs

The health of mothers and babies in Michigan could be getting a boost thanks to a grant from Arnold Ventures and a collaboration between the University of Michigan Youth Policy Lab and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The grant will fund a full review of the Maternal Infant Health Program, the state’s largest evidence-based home visiting program. Michigan’s infant and maternal mortality rates are higher than the national average, with worse outcomes for racial minorities. The evaluation will investigate those disparities. The grant will also direct $350,000 to hiring community workers to do intensive community outreach.

The current Maternal Infant Health program partners moms and babies with nurses, social workers, dietitians, lactation consultants, and mental health specialists. Over 15,000 moms and 20,000 infants are served each year statewide. St. Clair County offers the program to Medicare and Medicaid eligible mothers and infants up to age one.

According to Robert Gordon, MDHHS Director, “Careful program evaluation can help us to make our home visiting programs more effective.”

The program continues through 2025.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Museum Asks for Community Input for Black History Exhibit

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Museum is reaching out to the community to help them get started on a new permanent exhibit on local Black History.

The new project will showcase the history of the African-American population of the Blue Water Area and will be displayed in the renovated area under the mezzanine. The new exhibit is expected to contain both permanent collection items along with rotating items.

For those who are interested in the exhibit, have a story to tell, or have an artifact that could be part of the collection or loaned out, the museum has created a survey. While any feedback or information is welcome, the survey seeks specific details about notable civic leaders, public servants, educators, as well as the South Park Neighborhood and many other aspects of life in the Blue Water area. The focus is on the past as well as the present and future.

The Port Huron Museum is in the midst of the Carnegie Re-Imagined project that is overhauling the way the entire collection is shared with the community after a massive inventory cataloging project that took place over the winter.

The Black History exhibit will tell the most important stories, as determined by the community. The link to the survey can be found <HERE>. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Numerous Road Repairs, Including Bumpy Stretch on I-69, Are Underway

The St. Clair County Road Commission has been busy this summer with some of the projects wrapping up this month and some just getting started.

In Port Huron Township, the roundabout construction at the Dove Road and Eastbound I-94 intersection is ongoing and is expected to be completed in about a month.

Another big project has just been announced by the Road Commission. Starville Road over the Beaubien Creek in Cottrelville Township is closed for two weeks for culvert replacement. The $225,000 project, financed and performed by the Road Commission, is completely closing the road between Markel and Shortcut Roads.

The North Road and Krafft Road intersection in Clyde Township is getting an improved right turn lane at Krafft Road. Drivers are asked to be aware of daily lane closures.

Finally, those who drive on Westbound I-69 through Riley Township will be happy to hear that concrete patching is underway. The road has a long stretch of uneven pavement that is finally getting repaired. Lane closures on the expressway are expected until the end of the week.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sprout City at Palmer Park in Port Huron Is Back Open

Port Huron, MI — Great news for little kids and their parents: Sprout City is back open.

The popular playground located in Palmer Park in Port Huron is back in business after an extended closure. The park has opportunities for children to use their imaginations within a safe tot-sized city. New to the park this year are a school, a fire station, and a police station, which are still under construction. A tiny store, bank, repair shop, vet clinic, and more are already on the property.

In years past, kids could borrow tricycles and toys, but this year, they will have to bring their own to minimize sharing of germs. There is a track on which kids can safely ride their bikes brought from home and work on their gross motor skills, along with spaces for moms and dads to sit and watch.

Sprout City is fully enclosed by a fence for added safety for the youngest patrons. The park is open from dawn to dusk. Children and their caregivers are asked to maintain social distancing while enjoying the park. 

Sprout City was built and opened in 2018 with grants from various national and local agencies and volunteer efforts.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Effort Underway to Put U.S. Space Force Headquarters in Michigan

Those that were once thought to be storylines in science fiction novels continue to be real headlines in the year 2020. The United States has developed a “Space Force” and there’s a chance it could be headquartered in the Southeastern Michigan region.

A resolution has been introduced in the Michigan Senate urging the United States Congress, Trump Administration, and the U.S. Air Force to locate the headquarters of the new U.S. Space Force in Macomb County’s Sterling Heights.

The Space Force is a newly created branch of the armed services that is affiliated with the Air Force. Plans are underway for it to secure its own headquarters and local proponents argue that Southeastern Michigan is a natural fit.

The sponsor of the bill, Senator Michael D. MacDonald of Macomb Township said, “Space is the final frontier, and Macomb County is uniquely positioned to lead the way in developing and protecting our national interests in space. It would boost our economy, offer exciting new opportunities for Michigan and provide the Space Force with everything it needs to be successful in accomplishing their mission.”

The Bill has been referred to committee for consideration.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Pure Michigan Pledge Gives Peace of Mind to Tourists

Port Huron, MI — Tourism is a vital industry in the Blue Water area and throughout the state of Michigan. COVID-19 fears can lead to cancelled travel plans which then lead to lost revenue. The Pure Michigan Pledge has been developed to give tourists peace of mind while keeping revenue flowing into Michigan destinations.

The guidelines of the pledge are safety measures thought to mitigate transmission of COVID-19. Businesses who take the pledge promise to have their staff wear face masks, practice social distancing, clean high traffic areas regularly, keep sick employees home, wash hands frequently, and encourage use of cards instead of cash. Businesses that make the pledge can receive an official logo to display on their property and can be added to the map of locations that have made the promise.

The program was just rolled out and so far, major attractions like The Henry Ford, The Bavarian Inn, and others have gotten on board. No Blue Water area businesses are on the list yet. Businesses can sign up to take the pledge, request the logo, and get on the map at https://www.michigan.org/puremichiganpledge.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland