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Local News

MDHHS Encourages Booster Shots for Vaccinated

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging all eligible Michiganders to get a Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, or Pfizer booster vaccine if they have received their primary COVID-19 vaccines.

“Vaccines are the way out of the pandemic, and now we can protect ourselves further from COVID-19 which is currently surging in our state,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “There is an ample supply of vaccines available, and we urge all eligible Michiganders to get their booster dose as soon as possible.”

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may prefer the vaccine type they originally received and others may prefer to get a different type of booster vaccine. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. Consult your healthcare provider if there is a question which vaccine is appropriate for you.

Michiganders should bring their COVID-19 vaccine card or immunization record with them when getting their booster dose, which are available at any vaccine provider. Downloadable immunization records are accessible free at the Michigan Immunization Portal. To obtain their record, Michiganders must create a MILogin account at Michigan.gov/MiImmsportal and upload a valid government issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport. If you do not have records in the portal contact your healthcare provider or local health department.

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.

Submitted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Got a Deer? Report it to DNR, Please

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters to report their deer harvest online.

The DNR uses the information to manage the state’s deer population. While not required, the DNR highly encourages voluntary reporting.

Those who choose to report will need to give their hunting license number, date of birth, what season you are hunting in, such as archery or firearm, and date of harvest. Hunters will also need to know the county in which the deer was taken, the deer management unit where you were hunting, and whether the deer was antlered or antlerless, and how many points an antlered deer has.

The DNR also asks for the location of the harvest, but keeps that information private and used for their statistical purposes only. No one has to share their top-secret hunting spot.

For those who report their harvest, they can get a DNR Deer Patch from a deer check station. They will just need to show their harvest report confirmation number.

A link to the Michigan DNR’s Harvest Reporting website can be found below.

https://www.mdnr-elicense.com/harvestreport

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Blue Water Bridge Commuters Switching to Cashless Toll Payment

For those crossing the Blue Water Bridge regularly, take note that the tokens are being phased out and the Edge Pass will soon be the only way to get the discounted commuter rate.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is enrolling customers in the Edge Pass Program which will be linked to debit or credit cards. Cash is getting phased out at the border crossing.

The Edge Pass will provide a reduced rate of $2.50 per toll for non-commercial vehicles heading east on the Blue Water Bridge. Edge Pass users will have access to a dedicated toll lane and will be able to monitor their accounts online 24 hours a day.

Tokens will no longer be accepted as of July 1st, 2022. There is a token redemption program available through the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited, which manages operations on the Canadian side of the bridge. There are many tokens still in circulation. The tokens can be exchanged at the Blue Water Bridge Corporate Centre in Point Edward, Ontario, the Exchange House at Blue Water Bridge, and the Duty Free Store at Blue Water Bridge.

The token exchange will credit ConneXion accounts for westbound travel on the Blue Water Bridge.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

WMU Athletes Win with Settlement Over Vaccine Mandates

A court battle over athletes at Western Michigan University having the right to refuse a mandated vaccine has reached a conclusion with a settlement. An injunction has been issued by Federal District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney to allow the sixteen athletes to continue playing intercollegiate sports while refusing the Covid-19 vaccine.

A prior injunction had also been upheld with the opinion reading that the athlete’s First Amendment rights were being violated as they objected to the vaccine requirement on religious grounds.

Western Michigan University will have to pay the legal fees of the students and allow them to play with no requirement to be vaccinated, but the athletes will have to abide by testing and masking protocols.

The suit was filed on behalf of the athletes by the Great Lakes Justice Center, which is a non-profit focused on First Amendment cases.

David A. Kallman, Senior Counsel with GLJC, said, “We are pleased that WMU has agreed to resolve this matter, that our clients’ religious convictions were vindicated, and that they can continue to be part of their teams, be with their teammates, and compete for WMU at the highest level in a safe manner.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Township Hires Randy Vesper as New Fire Chief

Randy Vesper has been named the new Fire Chief for Port Huron Township. The seasoned firefighter has come full circle in his career as he returns to St. Clair County, after starting as a volunteer firefighter with the Kenockee Township Fire Department as a teenager, retiring from the St. Clair Shores Department after 25 years of service, and now taking on the Chief role in Port Huron Township.

Along with retiring as a Battalion Chief, Vesper earned a Masters Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Vesper said he looks forward to continuing to work with firefighters and leading the department. He plans to continue the work that Chief Mainguy has done in improving response and staffing. Continued training in both fire and emergency medical training is a priority for Vesper.

Vesper said, “One of the biggest challenges facing the fire service is staffing. Port Huron Township Fire Department is not immune to those issues.  Recruitment and retention are key to building a strong department and the fire service as a whole.”

Vesper also said that interagency cooperation is important to providing service and that he looks forward to working with neighboring departments to meet the needs of the community.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Covid Cases Surge, Hospitals Filling

Michigan is at the top of the list for the resurgence of COVID-19 infections. The state leads the nation in COVID cases as the highly contagious variant runs rampant throughout the state. There is no doubt that the 4th wave of the pandemic is upon the region.

Hospitals statewide are reporting maxed out capacities, with McLaren Port Huron at 92% as of November 15th, and Lake Huron Medical Center at 74%. Lake Huron Medical Center is now restricting non-essential visits to the hospital.

Schools are doing their best to carry on with in-person instruction but some schools have had to go virtual temporarily to keep the virus from further spreading.

For families that would rather learn from home, Port Huron School District is accepting applications for a second-trimester virtual school option. Applications are due November 22.

While the 70% vaccination rate has been met in the state, and children are now eligible for vaccination, breakthrough cases are prevalent and precautions like masking and the old standby of social distancing are back just in time for the holidays.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland