Local News

The weather in Michigan has taken a dip to let us know that fall is officially here and winter is on its way. Bikers Against Cold Kids (B.A.C.K) are hosting their first winter clothing giveaway to ensure all are protected from the elements this winter. 

On Saturday, October 22nd, from 11 AM – 3 PM they will be giving away winter clothing items at the Outpost Bar located in Port Huron. All family members must be present to receive the items, there will be no exceptions. Individuals will receive one of each item including a hat, gloves, scarf, coat, and boots if available. 

If anyone would like to donate visit them on Facebook at: B.A.C.K

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Josclyn Martinez was fascinated by TikTok videos of people freeze drying candy, and she got an idea for a new business when her mom started ordering the candy from California.

Her fascination with the candy’s appearance and texture made her want to try it herself. “I was watching videos of these people bite into this candy and this ice cream, and it just looked insane,” said Martinez.

“I started looking into the machine and the business, and I decided to take a leap of faith to see where it took me,” she said.

Her passion for freeze dried candy led her to start The Alien Candy Shop and host her freeze dried treats at a booth inside the New Baltimore Trade Center. Her son gets to hang out with her while she works, and she gets to surprise new customers every time they stop to see what she’s selling.

“It’s truly an experience!” said Martinez. Candy may start out small and then puff up during the process, and the texture changes to a crispy, sweet, air-filled yumminess that melts in your mouth.

The Alien Candy Shop sells freeze dried ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, and marshmallows along with surprising new versions of your favorite candies from M&Ms to Jolly Ranchers.

The New Baltimore Trade Center is located on 23 Mile Road in Chesterfield, houses over 40 vendors selling a wide variety of goods, and it’s open Thursday – Sunday.

Learn more about The Alien Candy Shop on Facebook or Instagram @TheAlienCandyShop and the New Baltimore Trade Center here:

https://www.newbaltimoretradecenter.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

A Beautiful Me, a Port Huron-based nonprofit that empowers young women, held their final Avant Garde Hair Show last year after 10 years of hosting the unique event. However, the organization is still planning a November fundraising banquet that will carry-on their tradition of showcasing the artistry, confidence, and creativity of girls and women.

This year’s Signature Gala & Fashion Encore is Sunday, November 6th at Zuccaro’s Banquet Center in Chesterfield, and A Beautiful Me’s event committee is asking guests to celebrate with “Hats Off to Confidence”.

While the hair shows of the past focused on transforming models into works of art through outrageous hairstyles and elaborate costumes, this year’s gala encourages guests to wear their favorite derby hat to celebrate their own personalities in style.

A Beautiful Me Founder & Executive Director Karen Palka said she was inspired by women in a local networking group called “Girlfriends Lunch” and a patron of Gina’s Gallery downtown Port Huron who brought her the idea of an event that allowed women to showcase their favorite hats.

Volunteers for the event committee ran with the idea, and the night will showcase hats both on the runway and in the crowd. It will be organized into three parts that will be entertaining while also inspiring the audience and empowering the girls and women who are part of the show.

“Everyone who’s on the runway is building their confidence,” said Palka.

The fashion show part of the event will be run by Lori Ann Vought, an employee at The Closet by A Beautiful Me, who has years of experience running fashion shows. The show includes music, models, and culminates with a performance by two soloists accompanied by the Port Huron Northern Choir.

“You’ve got audience participation, you’ve got a fun night, and you feel like you went to a show, not just a fundraiser,” said Palka.

Tickets are available at abeautifulme.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

The FDA approved the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids in August, and the ruling went into effect this week. Now that consumers can buy hearing aids without seeing a doctor, what should they be aware of?

Government officials like Governor Gretchen Whitmer are applauding the FDA’s decision to approve over-the-counter sales of hearing aids and emphasizing that it saves senior citizens money on health care.

Getting hearing aids from a medical professional typically involves seeing both an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist to rule out medical causes for hearing loss and a hearing specialist, or audiologist,  to properly select, fit, and program hearing aids.

With the new FDA ruling,  people can forgo the diagnosis and care of a doctor and purchase hearing aids directly from stores and pharmacies.

The Difference Between Personal Sound Amplifier Devices and Hearing Aids

For those interested in purchasing over-the-counter hearing aids, the choices may be overwhelming. Not only are there a lot of options for size, fit, and features in the hearing aid category, there are also devices which look like hearing aids but are actually personal sound amplifier products (PSAP).

PSAPs are not FDA-approved medical devices, and they are usually low quality and can even damage hearing if the volume is too loud. PSAPs are available online and range in price from less than $15 to $150 per pair, which may tempt consumers with their low price tag. Any product that specifies the word “amplifier” is a PSAP, not a hearing aid.

According to the FDA’s website, “Hearing aids are intended to make up for impaired hearing. PSAPs, in contrast, are intended for people with normal hearing to amplify sounds in certain situations, such as recreational activities like birdwatching or hunting.”

Alternatively, hearing aids are medical devices, designed to assist people with sensorineural hearing loss which is the result of aging, injury, or some diseases. Hearing aids are prescribed, programmed, and fitted by medical professionals with special training.

How To Get Hearing Aids Over-The-Counter

Now that hearing aids are available over-the-counter, individuals interested in purchasing them without the help of a medical professional will have to choose from a myriad of options.

Devices range wildly in price, and it can be hard to tell the difference between true hearing aids and PSAPs.

Retail stores like Walmart carry both PSAPs and digital hearing aids with price tags starting at $11.99 and going up to $435.99. Walgreens is selling a lexie brand digital hearing aid for $799.00.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel advises consumers to beware of scams where companies are selling cheap or phony hearing devices that are supposedly “FDA registered”. The FDA does not approve any over-the-counter hearing aids. Nessel issued a consumer alert saying, “if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

For those who want to purchase over-the-counter hearing aids, they should thoroughly research brands and check the Better Business Bureau for complaints. Although the price tag on over-the-counter hearing aids may enable people to improve their hearing without spending thousands of dollars, the best way to get comprehensive care for hearing loss is to see a qualified medical professional.

Reporting for WGRT –  Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County Community College is hosting a Financial Aid Night to help individuals and families learn more about paying for college.

The workshop is Wednesday, October 26th at 7 PM in the college’s Fine Arts Theater. It will provide tips  and information for keeping college debt to a minimum and taking advantage of the many college funding options available from government and private sources.

SC4’s Executive Director of Financial Assistance and Services Josephine Cassar said, “If you’re interested in earning credits, a degree or a certificate and want to learn more about federal, state and private funding sources and scholarships that might help you achieve your goals, this event is for you—no matter where you’re planning on heading to college.”

Since the pandemic, funding has increased for federal and state programs that assist students with tuition and associated college costs. Programs like Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect have also been instituted which provide scholarships for adults who work in certain careers or who are returning to school.

Financial Aid Night at SC4 will also provide information about the Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) which is now available for the 2023-24 school year.

Learn more at www.sc4.edu/finanical-aid

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

A recall has been issued for Ready-To-Feed infant formula in individual serving bottles. Certain lots of Similac baby formula in 2 oz. bottles distributed to doctor’s offices, hospitals, and some retailers may be subject to spoiling because of a faulty seal on the product’s lid.

Similac products are made by the Abbot company which initiated this voluntary recall for products manufactured at their Columbus, Ohio facility. A small percentage of the bottles in the recalled lot have bottle caps that may not have sealed completely, which could result in spoilage and cause gastrointestinal disturbances if ingested.

The recall is not expected to affect the overall baby formula supply which has been struggling since 2021 when the industry was affected by COVID-19 related supply chain issues. Shortages became even worse after a shutdown of the Abbott plant in Sturgis, MI in February 2022.

There are multiple lot numbers involved in the recall, and a full list can be found at SimilacRecall.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand