Local News

Blue Water New Year’s Eve 2019 will be held Monday, December 31, 2018 at the Blue Water Convention Center in Port Huron.  The event has been billed the BIGGEST and BEST annual New Year’s Eve Party in Port Huron. The Blue Water Convention center offers a 20,000 sq. ft. ballroom for eastern Michigan’s only Chicago-Style Mega New Year’s Eve Bash.  Entertainment will include DJs Lee Illee Hoffman – Robbie Khabbaz – Matt Gossman from Ultimate Sounds Entertainment Group There are a variety of packages you can choose from which include the VIP all inclusive dinner package that takes you through the entire evening with food and drink along with reserved seats for the evening with those beautiful views of the St. Clair River and Blue Water Bridges.  There is a Blue Water Party Pass which does not include dinner, and a late night pass that allows entry at 9 p.m. for the evening with cash bar and midnight snacks and the Midnight Blowout!  Tickets may be purchased at
BlueWaterNewYearsEve.com

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently confirmed the first influenza-associated pediatric death of the 2018-2019 flu season. Influenza claims the lives of children every year across the United States, which is why MDHHS is urging residents to get vaccinated for protection this season.  The reported death involves a child from Osceola County who was infected with influenza A/H1N1.Nationally, there have been six influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported during the 2018-2019 flu season.  Flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by different strains of the influenza virus and can result in mild to severe illness. Although Michigan has only experienced localized flu activity over the past few weeks, MDHHS strongly recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine. Flu vaccine is the best way to prevent against getting the flu and can also reduce the severity of flu illness.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), last year’s flu season was estimated to be the deadliest since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. More than 79,000 deaths were attributed to the flu, 185 of which were children. In Michigan, two children died last year due to flu-related complications.  A majority of the positive influenza specimens confirmed by MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories this flu season have been an H1N1 virus.  During the 2017-2018 flu season, only 39.5 percent of Michigan residents were vaccinated against flu, below the national rate of 41.7 percent.  Vaccine is especially important for persons at increased risk for complications from flu, including children, adults aged 65 years and older, persons of any age with underlying medical conditions, and pregnant women. Children less than 6 months of age are too young to be vaccinated and need to be protected by vaccination of their close contacts, including parents, siblings, grandparents, child care workers and healthcare personnel.  There is still plenty of flu vaccine available. To find flu vaccine near you, call your healthcare provider, local health department, or check the Health Map Vaccine Finder atFlushot.healthmap.org. For more information about the flu, visit Michigan.gov/flu.

The Sherman Woods Homeowners Association in Port Huron is reporting its Red Kettle bell ringing program raised $3,077 to assist the St. Clair County Salvation Army’s annual fund raising campaign.  The funds were raised by volunteer residents of the association managing a Red Kettle drop off during four weekend evenings recently.  Visitors made donations while touring the Sherman Woods location to view the Christmas light displays the neighborhood presents each year.  “With the interest in our residents’ Christmas lights, this is a unique opportunity to help the Salvation Army each year,” said Fred Kemp, president of the Sherman Woods Homeowners Association.  “This is a wonderful display of Christmas giving and we appreciate residents volunteering and everyone who contributed.  The funds will help to provide gifts and food for families in need at this holiday time.  It was especially heartwarming to hear so many people tell us ‘Thank you for doing this’ as they contributed to the kettle.”  This was the third year the neighborhood has operated a Red Kettle drop off campaign.

On Thursday, December 20, the Port Huron Police Department Criminal Investigative Division conducted a sting operation focusing on underage sales of alcohol to minors.  During the operation, police sent underage decoys into 33 Port Huron establishments that were licensed by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.  Of the 33 checked, 27 were found in compliance by refusing to sell alcohol to the underage decoys.  Six establishments were cited for selling alcohol to a minor:  Rite Aid and the Eggairy on Pine Grove Avenue.  Lynch’s Irish Tavern on Huron, the Speedy Qu on 10th Street, the 20th Street Grocery on Griswold Street and Teds Coney Island on 24th Street.  The Port Huron Police Department stated that encourage all licensed establishments to check ID’s to help prevent underage drinking.  More sting operations will be conducted in the future, according to Chief Joseph Platzer.

All parents want to know their child’s school is a safe place to learn and grow. The Senate recently finalized a sweeping plan to strengthen safety in our schools. The plan will:

• Create the Office of School Safety within the State Police to offer staff training and update school safety practices;
• Develop training standards for anti-violence situations;
• Ensure schools work with law enforcement to conduct regular safety assessments;
• Create the School Safety Commission to establish school safety metrics and require schools to assign a liaison to work with the commission;
• Require schools to consult with law enforcement on new builds or school upgrades;
• Require schools to report attempted acts of violence;
• Allow school boards to discuss safety plans in closed door meetings;
• Permanently extend the OK2SAY tip program; and
• Make sure schools provide emergency contact information to the State Police.

Senate Bills 882, 982-983 and 990-991 and House Bills 5828-5829 and 5850-5852 now head to the governor to be signed..

The “hunt of a lifetime” offers three lucky winners the opportunity to obtain licenses for spring and fall turkey, antlerless deer, bear, elk and first pick at a managed waterfowl hunt area, along with a prize package valued at more than $4,000. Applications for the 2019 drawing are $5 each and available at license agent locations and online at www.mdnr-elicense.com until Dec. 31.  The 2018 Pure Michigan Hunt generated more than $176,000 to help fund wildlife habitat restoration and improvements in Michigan. Find more information at www.michigan.gov/pmh.