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Local News

Nominate a McLaren Port Huron nurse for the DAISY Award

McLaren Port Huron is now accepting nominations for the DAISY Award. This award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the care nurses provide every day.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee and is honored at a public ceremony where he or she will receive a framed certificate, a DAISY Award signature lapel pin and a hand-carved sculpture entitled A Healer’s Touch.

To nominate a nurse from McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/mphDaisy and complete the nomination form. The first recipient of the DAISY Award will be honored Friday, May 6 to begin National Nurses Week.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, California, was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at the age of 33 in 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Submitted by McLaren Port Huron Hospital

Devin Scillian and the Arizona Son to Play SC4 Free Thursdays Series April 14th

St. Clair County Community College is bringing Devin Scillian and his band, the Arizona Son to town. If that name sounds familiar, there’s a good reason. Along with being a country musician, Devin Scillian is the longtime news anchor for Detroit’s WDIV news programs. Scillian also hosts the Sunday news program, Flashpoint on WDIV.

Scillian and his band play everything from traditional country to bluegrass to southern rock. They have produced four albums and many singles. Scillian and the Arizona Sun are big in Europe, having had a number one hit on the charts in Denmark.

The concert is part of the Free Thursday Concert Series, with performances at noon and 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 14th. Autograph and photo opportunities will be provided after the show, along with merchandise sales.

The performances will be held in the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre. Admission is free, but seating is limited and tickets need to be reserved.

Tickets can be reserved by calling 810-989-5709 or going to https://sc4.hometownticketing.com/embed/event/73?es=o2e25uh1m09rp9efjcjr1s9fa3&single=0

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Don’t Click that Link in Widespread Fraudulent Verizon Text Message

Verizon customers are vulnerable to the latest “smishing” scheme: getting a fraudulent text message from your own cell phone number. The best thing to do is to simply ignore the message. The worst thing to do is click any links.

The messages read “Verizon Free Msg: Latest Bill Processed. Thanks! Here’s a little freebie for you.” The message will use your own name and will have a link to click. Don’t fall for it. Clicking the link could install malware on your phone or could lead you to disclose personal information that will then be used for fraud.

Michigan’s Office of Attorney General has advised that cell phone users are careful when sharing their phone numbers. They should also be wary of texts, even if they appear to come from a familiar number. Never provide financial information to unsolicited texts or linked websites, and never click the links.

Don’t even reply with “STOP”. Doing so alerts the scammers that your number is legitimate and can open the door to further fraudulent texts and calls.

Verizon is aware of the scam and is working with law enforcement to find the culprits.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Law Gives Local Road Authorities Power to Make Construction Zones Safer

With road construction season underway, a new bill has been signed into law to protect the construction workers who are making Michigan’s roads and bridges safer.

House Bill 5286 was signed into law last week. The bill gives the Michigan Department of Transportation, county road commissions, or local road authorities the authority to implement traffic control measures. They are also able to use a digital message board to display the reduced speed limit required to protect safety.

The bill’s sponsor, State Representative Mark Huizinga, a Republican from Walker, said, “Having drivers reduce their speed when workers are present can decrease the likelihood of a tragic accident, but sometimes drivers don’t see the road crews until they are too close. By allowing for these modified signs, we can inform drivers about the presence of workers so they can follow the law and protect lives.” 

Construction labor unions are endorsing the bill, saying that it will help improve worker safety as the state works to rebuild its infrastructure.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair Awarded Young Professionals Grant

The Young Professionals Initiative is a grant program that is meant to reduce youth unemployment and put young people aged 14 to 24 on the path to self-sufficiency.

The local Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair branch has been granted $184,996. Statewide, $4 million were granted to sixteen agencies that assist with employment.   

Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training said, “This funding allows our Michigan Works! partners to take a localized approach to support young adults, helping us close equity gaps, address talent shortages, and remove barriers to employment.” 

Participants in the programs will be provided with career preparation for high-demand industries like construction, healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing.

The program aligns with Michigan’s “Sixty by 30” goal of having at least 60% of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030 and to have long-term sustainable employment.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Project Blue Light to Deter Crime, Build Relationships

Blue lights are going to be going up around town, and there’s a good reason. The Port Huron Police Department is partnering with local businesses to deter crime with Project Blue Light.

The lights signal a relationship between law enforcement and Port Huron bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, stores, and gas stations that have surveillance equipment that meets the standards required by the project.

Lieutenant Jeremy Young said that the point of the Project is to deter crime and build relationships with local businesses. The businesses that agree to have the lights installed agree to partner with police to use their existing surveillance equipment to help the police increase response time and solve crimes if they occur in the vicinity.

Lieutenant Young said, “Ultimately, this program uses advanced surveillance as a deterrent.” Young emphasized that the police are not able to watch live footage, and they only have access to the private property of the businesses with the permission of the business.

So far, many businesses have signed on to the program and residents should start seeing the blue lights in the coming weeks.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland