George James

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.

Some may think of Sweetest Day as one of those made up Hallmark type holidays, but there is actually a story behind what the day means and how it came about. It is observed on the third Saturday of October and it’s observance began in Cleveland in 1922. Herbert Birch Kingston, a candy company employee wanted to bring happiness into the lives of orphans, shut-ins, and others who were forgotten. Herbert was a philanthropist, and with the help of some friends, began to hand out candy and small gifts to the underprivileged.  A couple of movie stars of the time, Ann Pennington and Theda Bara joined in on the charity and the day grew in popularity. 

In the present day, it is more of a regional observance around the Great Lakes and the Northeast.  Ohio is actually the top state in Sweetest Day sales, followed by Michigan. Over the years, the day has evolved, and is now recognized as a day to express romantic love or appreciation to close friends. So remember the history when you, maybe, brush off the day as playing second fiddle to St. Valentines Day.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.

This week a Michigan Court of Claims Judge, Cynthia Stephens, issued a preliminary injunction on allowing the sale of flavored vaping products in Michigan. This comes weeks after Governor Gretchen Whitmer banned flavored vaping products, citing many dangers of youth vaping. The governor issued the ban under an emergency order. In her ruling, Judge Stephens said that e-cigarette companies presented sufficient evidence that their businesses would be irreparably harmed by the ban, and would likely win their case if it proceeded to a full trial. The judge also noted that there had been an eight-month gap between the time the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) had received the data it used to justify an emergency order. 

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “They are resolute in the efforts on behalf of Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services to protect the health of Michigan’s children.” She said, “The youth vaping crisis is an urgent public health matter that demands immediate action, and [her office is] preparing to seek an immediate stay” that will seek to appeal the judge’s decision directly to the Supreme Court.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.