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Local News

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

ISO Features “Our Immortal Stars” Photography Exhibit

The International Symphony Orchestra’s ISObar Gallery in Sarnia will be opening the “Our Immortal Stars” exhibition on June 3rd. The highly anticipated local gallery showing features the work of Bright’s Grove’s Richard Beland.

Beland said, “Because I primarily work in the music industry, I find myself drawing parallels between my vocation and that of a career-minded musician. A collection of photographs equates to a band’s latest album and an exhibition is the live performance.”

The International Symphony Orchestra said that this is the first solo gallery show at the ISObar, located at 143 Christina Street in Sarnia, and is meant to feature a hometown success story as they kick off their first solo gallery show.

The ISO Nexus Players will provide musical accompaniment featuring selections from David Bowie, The Tragically Hip, and other artists featured in Beland’s photography, as well as an onstage interview with the artist, and special musical guests at the June 3rd opening.

The art installation is open through September 5th.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Didn’t Get Your Auto Insurance Refund Check Yet? You Should Have

The deadline for Michigan auto insurance companies to issue $400 vehicle insurance refunds has passed. All who had coverage for vehicles on October 31st, 2021 were eligible to receive a refund from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association surplus. The checks had to be issued by May 9th, 2022.

If you did not receive a refund, there is action that can be taken.

Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Director Anita Fox said, “If you are eligible for a refund but have not yet received it, you should contact the auto insurer that covered your vehicle on October 31, 2021 to ensure that your refund has been issued.” 

Fox said that if a resolution with the insurance company cannot be reached, or if the refund was offered in a form other than a paper check or direct deposit, concerned insurance consumers can call DIFS at 833-ASK-DIFS Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can also visit Michigan.gov/MCCArefund for more information.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland