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Local News

Sergeant Todd Leveille’s Name Added to MSP Fallen Trooper Memorial

It’s National Police Week and to honor it, the Michigan State Police added Sergeant Todd Leveille’s name to the Fallen Trooper Memorial at the MSP Training Academy.

Leveille, who resided in Port Huron Township at the time of his passing, died on December 9th, 2021, after a duty-related exposure to COVID-19, according to the State Police.

Leveille was a 25-year veteran of the State Police and won the “Trooper of Year” award in 2005. He served at the Lapeer post. Leveille left behind a daughter and many family members and friends.

Leveille is one of 55 Michigan State Troopers who have been lost in the line of duty.

The Michigan State Police Fallen Trooper Memorial is located near Lansing. It is funded entirely with private donations. The memorial was constructed in 2001.

National Police Week occurs every year in May to honor the law enforcement community and pay respect to those who have fallen in the line of duty.

Go to WGRT.com for information on donating to the MSP Fallen Trooper Memorial.

https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/training/academy-news/fallen-trooper-memorial

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Jessica Martin-Whitley Takes New Position at VNA & Blue Water Hospice

Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice has a new Vice President of Clinical Operations & Chief Operating Officer. Jessica Martin-Whitley, RN, BSN was appointed this week.

Martin-Whitley had been Director of Hospice with the agency since 2018, and her leadership helped achieve improved satisfaction scores and national ranking along with successfully achieving accreditations and completing regulatory surveys.

Angela DeLaere, President and CEO of VNA and Blue Water Hospice said Martin-Whitley’s passion for veterans was evident when she partnered with Quilts of Valor to present quilts to veterans under the care of VNA and Blue Water Hospice.

 “We are fortunate to have her on our leadership team,” said DeLaere. 

Martin-Whitley will use her experience as a leader at the organization along with her knowledge as an instructor at North Central Michigan College and Baker College in this new role.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

United Way Supports Letter Carriers Food Drive

 

The Letter Carriers Food drive is back after a 2 year hiatus, and Brent Gillette, Executive Director of United Way of St. Clair County, and Terra Anderson, Food Coordinator for the National Association of Letter Carriers, stopped in to share why they support this effort to alleviate hunger.

Learn more about the National Letter Carriers Association food drive here:

https://www.nalc.org/community-service/food-drive/2022-donor-drive

Learn more about the United Way of St. Clair County here:

https://www.uwstclair.org/

 

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Lake Huron Medical Center Earns “A” in Patient Safety

Lake Huron Medical Center has once again been nationally recognized for hospital safety. The Port Huron hospital, a member of Prime Healthcare, has received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.

Leah Binder, President and CEO of the Leapfrog Group said, “As our health care system continues to feel the strain of the pandemic, I thank the workforce and leadership of Lake Huron Medical Center for sustained commitment to patient safety, day in and day out.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading results are free for the public to view and are peer-reviewed.

Katie Cox, Director of Nursing for LHMC said, “We are honored to be recognized for this distinguished award at Lake Huron Medical Center for the eighth time in a row. Our team works hard every day to ensure that our patients receive top-notch, safe, quality, and compassionate care.

Cox said that having a five-star rated hospital in the community means that patients have access to the highest quality care available in St. Clair County.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

No Poultry Exhibits at Fairs Thanks to Bird Flu

The spread of Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu is causing some changes to summer traditions like poultry exhibits and petting zoos at fairs, like the St. Clair County 4-H and Youth Fair. Poultry exhibits are now temporarily prohibited. 

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s State Veterinarian, Dr. Nora Wineland, said, “MDARD is committed to protecting the health of all Michigan’s domestic birds. Preventative measures are the best and only tools we have to limit the negative impact of HPAI. By exercising this necessary precaution, we can wait for the warmer, drier weather needed to kill the virus without creating conditions that could worsen the problem.”

Dr. Wineland said, “By taking this step now, it is hoped that poultry exhibitors can still participate in fair activities once circumstances have improved.” Poultry exhibits can be reinstated once the state goes thirty days with no new cases of the Bird Flu. 

The contagious virus was found in a commercial poultry operation in Muskegon and has been found in several backyard coops and in wild birds. MDARD says that the virus does not pose a food safety risk if poultry and eggs are cooked and handled properly. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Help Clean Up the Dead End Woods

The Thumb Land Conservancy is hosting a spring clean up for the next three Saturdays in May. They’re looking for volunteers who want to learn about stewardship of the spring wildflowers and plants at the Dead End Woods Sanctuary.

The Dead End Woods Sanctuary is located at the end of Wilson Drive in Ft. Gratiot, and its one of the most floristically diverse forests in St. Clair County. The groups will be working to remove invasive plants from the area including Garlic Mustard, Multiflora Rose, Japanese Barberry, and others.

William Collins, Executive Director of Thumb Land Conservancy said, “Garlic Mustard is very tasty and nutritious, originally brought to North America from Europe as a culinary herb. You are welcome to take as much home as you like, but don’t spread it in your yard.”

Volunteers can meet at the end of Wilson Drive on May 14, 21, and 28th and plan to work from noon to 3 PM. They should be prepared for rain and mosquitos and bring their own drinking water. Gloves are not necessary.

To learn more, visit ThumbLand.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand