George James

Port Huron Police Academy Citizens’ Police Academy to Start September 16

Port Huron, MI — The Citizens’ Police Academy, sponsored by the Port Huron Police Department, has rescheduled the start date for the 2020 session, and there is still room for more applicants.

The Department has announced that they are accepting applications until September 2nd. The postponed session, originally scheduled to begin in April, now starts on September 16th.

Classes will be held on Wednesday nights from 6-9 p.m. at the Municipal Office Center in Downtown Port Huron, until September 28. There is no cost to participate in the Academy. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Both new applicants and those who already applied for the Academy will be contacted by the Police Department.

Those attending the Citizens’ Police Academy will learn about a variety of topics, including criminal law, arrests, the major crimes unit, investigations and many others. Applications can be picked up at the police department or at porthuronpolice.org.

Social distancing, masks, and temperature checks will be required for those participating in the Citizens’ Police Academy.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Cancer-fighting Equipment Donated to McLaren Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — Men battling prostate cancer have a new weapon for fighting the disease, thanks to the generosity of the community. A new BK 3000 Ultrasound machine has been purchased for McLaren Port Huron Hospital by the Betty Kearns Cancer Foundation, the Thomson Family, and the Tee It Up to Beat Cancer charity.

The innovative new equipment allows for safer treatment of prostate cancer using the SpaceOAR procedure. This new machine enables brachytherapy, a type of cancer-fighting radiation therapy, while protecting other organs which were susceptible to damage without the BK 3000.  

The Betty Kearns Cancer Fund helps men and women in the community who are fighting cancer. Their major fundraiser is the “Little Black Dress” fundraiser which hosted over 850 guests and raised $55,000 in March of this year. Tee It Up to Beat Cancer is a grassroots charity that raises money through golf outings at Lakeview Hills Golf Resort in Lexington. Both charities are committed to assisting all types of cancer patients in the Blue Water area.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Food Giveaways Coming to Yale, Capac, and Algonac on August 3rd

Port Huron, MI — Three more food giveaway trucks have been added to the St. Clair County Community Impact Day roster by the United Way of St. Clair County and Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. The distributions are planned for August 3rd.

Yale Community Food Bank, the C3 Connection, and Community First Health Centers are partnering with the United Way and the Food Bank to stop hunger in the outlying areas of the county.

A pop-up pantry with free drive through giveaways will be at Yale Middle School, located at 1 School Drive in Yale, at 9:00 a.m. on August 3rd. Another Popup Pantry will be at St. John Lutheran Church, located at 109 E. Kempf Court in Capac, also at 9:00 a.m. There will be a third pop-up pantry at Community First Health Center located at 555 St. Clair River Drive in Algonac at 11:00am, also on August 3rd.

Food supplies are limited and are available completely free of charge on a first-come-first-serve basis. More food resources can be found at uwstclair.org/healthfirst.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Nursing Home Visiting Restrictions Extend into 5th Month

An Executive Order was signed late last week mandating continued temporary restrictions on visitors to health care facilities, residential facilities like nursing homes, congregate facilities, and juvenile justice facilities. 

It has been a long time since Michigan residents could freely visit loved ones in long term care facilities. This new order gives the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services the authority to gradually re-open visitation according to circumstances. The order lasts until August 31.

Nursing homes have been hit especially hard by infection in the state overall, as well as in St. Clair County.Long-term care providers are expected to have an action plan submitted to the Governor’s office by August 31 explaining their plan for stopping any future outbreaks of COVID-19 in their facilities. There is also legislation in the state legislature calling for tighter regulations of long-term care facilities. 

Currently, visits to nursing homes are restricted to special circumstances that support “activities of daily living” and are closely monitored. The restrictions began on March 13th. The latest order is the 156th order issued in 2020.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SC4 and Health Department Create Health Clinic on Campus

Port Huron, MI — The creation of a health clinic on the campus of St. Clair County Community College was approved by the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners. The clinic is designed to be a bridge between pediatric and adult care.

The new clinic will have a full-time nurse on staff and will be linked to the St. Clair County Health Department’s Teen Health and Personal Health clinics.

Students are often in class during traditional office hours. The SC4 clinic idea hopes to increase accessibility for busy students while providing preventative services to the college-age population.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer of the St. Clair County Health Department, said, “This type of community collaboration is a win-win for everyone. Health is a team effort, and we are delighted to have this opportunity to work with our local college and this population.”

The clinic is expected to open this fall. The location is still being determined. SC4 has agreed to reimburse the Health Department in the amount of $90,000 for staffing the clinic.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland