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Local News

Hottest Toys For Christmas 2022

With Christmas just a couple weeks away there is still some time for last minute shoppers to find some of the hottest toys this season. 

For the toddlers on your list, check out the Flybar FunPark Racer Bumper Car. Moving at a safe 1 mile per hour, and equipped with a soft foam bumper, the FunPark Racer Bumper Car will keep not only your little ones safe, but also your walls and furniture. 

For children 5 and up, there is the Hot Wheels Mario Kart Rainbow Road Raceway Track. With the sights and sounds of their favorite plumber, and a track that reaches 8 feet long and 24 inches high, it’s a guaranteed hit for fans of the Mario Kart videogames. 

For those on your list ages 10 and up, there is the Mega Cyborg Hand by Thames & Kosmos. The Mega Cyborg Hand is designed for those who are into STEM projects, and teaches children about pneumatic and hydraulic technology.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

December 17th Recognized As Wreaths Across America Day

As American citizens, we like to honor and commemorate those who have fought for our freedoms and given their lives to do so. “Wreaths Across America Day” is another way to pay our respects to our fallen heroes. 

U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King had their resolution unanimously passed by the Senate, which designates December 17th, as Wreaths Across America Day. Wreaths Across America has sent more than 14.4 million wreaths to various national cemeteries and veteran memorials throughout the 50 states, as well as overseas over the past 31 years. 

On December 17th, a convoy of volunteers will travel from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery located in Arlington, VA to lay Maine-made balsam wreaths at the headstones of those who have given their lives serving our country. 

If you would like to register or participate visit: wreathsacrossamerica.org. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

SC4 To Host Holiday Basketball Showcase

St. Clair County Community College will be hosting 48 high school teams for its 2022 High School Holiday Basketball Showcase.

From December 28 – 30th, teams will compete at the SC4 Fieldhouse. The event will feature boys and girls teams that represent 12 counties in the state of Michigan. Tickets for the event are $10, and are good for an entire day of games.

Director of Athletics at SC4 Dale Vos says, “This is a top-notch event, bringing together impressive teams from all over the state. We look forward to some exciting competition and to welcoming teams and fans from around Michigan to the SC4 Fieldhouse.”  

Some of the competing teams will be our Port Huron and Northern teams, Croswell, Capac, Marysville, and a host of others. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Tips To Keep Your Christmas Tree Looking Great This Holiday

Some of us like to use artificial trees at Christmas time, but others prefer real ones. If you are part of the latter group, then here are a few tips to help make your tree last longer and keep its healthy appearance this season.

If you are purchasing a tree from a lot or farm then you want to make sure that you get a freshly cut tree. If you cannot get one freshly cut, then make sure to have them cut a few inches off the base to open up the vascular tissue of the tree before taking it home. This allows water and nutrients to more easily be absorbed. 

As for water, you want to keep your stand filled with an adequate amount of warm water based on the size of the tree. Never let your base run dry, it allows air to become trapped in the tree, causing it to not absorb the water effectively, which leads to a shorter lifespan for your tree.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Parasite Outbreak Urges Caution When Handling Livestock

A reminder from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services urges Michiganders to use caution when handling livestock due to a parasitic outbreak.

Residents in Livingston, Ingham, and Oakland counties have shown signs of cryptosporidiosis caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite. To date, there have been a total of 12 people between the ages of 19 and 56 who showed signs of diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea along with other related symptoms between November 15 – 21.

The illness is spread via animal stool from infected livestock, and animals may be infected even if they show no symptoms. Individuals may come into contact with the parasite by petting or handling sick animals which then enters the person via contaminated hands, so handwashing immediately after is important. 

If you or someone you know begins to experience symptoms please contact a physician immediately. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Twenty-Four Small Michigan Manufacturers Receive Tech Grant

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced that twenty-four small Michigan manufacturers have been awarded a total of $559,005 in grant funding.

The funding was part of the $3million Industry 4.0 Technology Implementation Program, which  will help them adopt Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies. The grants are reimbursement-based and cover up to 50 percent of technologies such as additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics and automation, and more.

CEO of MEDC and President and Chair of the MSF Board, Quentin L. Messer Jr. says “As Michigan continues to lead the world in advanced manufacturing, these Industry 4.0 grants will help Michigan manufacturers of all sizes adopt new and innovative technologies that will enable them to remain competitive well into the future.”

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell