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Local News

Lake Huron Medical Center July Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its July 2021 Employee of the Month, Ashleigh Sprowl, RN. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Ashleigh works as a Registered Nurse in the Med/Surge Department and has been an employee at LHMC since January 2015. She was nominated by a patient who commented, “Ashleigh is a very caring, loving RN who knows her job and does it beyond the job description. Because of Ashleigh’s quick action in calling code blue for me and getting me to CT scan and ICU I am alive today. I am a three-time stroke survivor now. I could not see or speak but Ashleigh had a hold of my left hand and promised she wouldn’t let go. She still had my hand in ICU and helped transfer me to their bed. Ashleigh will forever be in my heart. She is the most dedicated caring nurse I have ever had.” 

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Ashleigh, as we celebrate their accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.

Latest Text Message Scam Promises Food Stamp Eligibility

A text messaging scam has been reported that targets people who may be looking to receive food benefits from the government. Text messages that say something like “you are eligible for food stamps” are scams that are just trying to get personal information. This style of criminal activity is called “smishing”.

A warning has been put out by the Office of the Attorney General and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Criminals are impersonating government agencies, and preying on the vulnerable, in this instance.

Elizabeth Hertel, Director of MDHHS said, “I urge people to be on the alert for suspicious emails or texts about public assistance benefits.” 

Consumers are reminded not to assume a text is legitimate because of a familiar area code or phone number, not to click links in suspicious texts, and not to provide personal or financial information to unsolicited texts or linked websites.

Even if the message says to “text STOP”, don’t do it. Report the message to your cell phone service provider by copying the message and texting it to 7726 (SPAM) to report it as suspicious.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Meijer Back to School

Meijer Stores Expand Teacher Discount

Meijer stores Have decided to add value to their teacher discount, and the retailer is adding office furniture and kids’ clothing to the items teachers can buy with their 15% off discount.

Teachers can use their discount, which is good all summer long, to save money on items for themselves and their families. The discount will help teachers create workspaces in their homes and outfit their own children with new school clothes.

May Graceffa, Director of Back-to-School Merchandising for Meijer, said, “Teachers proved to be heroes as they adapted lesson plans and extended the classroom into their homes during the pandemic. The upcoming school year may require flexibility, so finding a way to further reduce stress on their pocketbooks as they consider their own homes and families for the first day of classes led us to expand the offerings covered by this year’s discount.”

The teacher discount at Meijer stores already covered school supplies, cleaning supplies, tissues, and baby wipes, and teachers can apply for the discount program at their local Meijer store by presenting their current school ID at the service desk.

Local Meijer stores are in Ft. Gratiot and Marysville.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Fairgrounds Jam-Packed with Monster Truck Fans

The St. Clair County 4-H and Youth Fair brought Monster Trucks to the masses Tuesday night and they were not disappointed. It was standing room only as several Monster Trucks put on a loud and full-throttle show at Goodells County Park.

No one in the crowd of thousands had as much fun as four-year-old Tyler Z. of Clinton Township. Tyler jumped in delight throughout the night as he cheered on his favorite truck, the Reptoid. Tyler’s mom said that he has been watching Monster Trucks on television, but this was his first live show and it was definitely worth the drive.

Tyler is obsessed with Monster Trucks and plans to be a driver when he grows up. He has already started working on building a vehicle with his dad, Matt.

World Champion Freestyle Monster Truck Driver Jim Koehler, a hometown competitor from Columbus, said that he loved the crowd and that they were “awesome”, as he gave his trophy back to the fans after another win as the driver of “Avenger” Tuesday night.

Koehler’s Team Scream, consisting of crowd favorites like Brutus, Axe, and Rage, put on an impressive show for the hometown crowd.

The St. Clair County 4-H and Youth Fair runs through Saturday. Full details can be found at stclaircounty4hfair.org/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lapeer Sheriff Seeks Info on Hit & Run

On Tuesday 07/20/2021 at 7:20 AM, Lapeer County 911 dispatched Lapeer Township Police,  Michigan State Police Troopers (Lapeer Post), Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Medstar Ambulance Service to an injured male discovered along the edge of the roadway on Hunters  

Creek Road west of Five Lakes Road in Metamora (Lapeer County’s Lapeer Township). The  caller further conveyed that there were two apparent deceased dogs along with the male. 

Vehicle debris at the scene established that this was the result of a hit and run traffic collision.  The pedestrian was walking east along the south shoulder of the roadway and struck by an  eastbound vehicle.  

The male (59 year old male from Metamora) was transported to McLaren in Lapeer and  succumbed to his injuries shortly after 8:00 AM. Both dogs (poodle breed and pit bull breed) were deceased at the scene. Lapeer County Animal Control assisted with the deceased  canines.  

Evidence and debris determined that a potential suspect vehicle was a dark gray in color Chevy  Malibu. This preliminary information was broadcasted to law enforcement. Oakland County  Sheriff’s Office received an independent call at 7:24 AM regarding a vehicle fitting the  description driving erratic southbound on Rochester Road approaching the Village of Leonard.  Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputies intercepted the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop within  the Village of Leonard. 

The driver a 28 year old female (only occupant) from Columbiaville became a person of interest.  The driver was eventually taken into custody and lodged at the Lapeer County Jail.  

This is a joint investigation between Lapeer Township Police and the Lapeer County Sheriff’s  Office. The roadway was closed for several hours as the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Traffic Crash  Reconstruction Division processed the scene for evidence. This case was be presented to the  Lapeer County Prosecutor’s Office to be reviewed regarding formal criminal charges within the  near future.  

Anyone with information is urged to contacted Lapeer Township Police Chief Bill Stokes at  810-664-3700 or Lapeer County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Jason Parks at 810-245-1381.

Submitted by the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office

Outdoor Fitness Court Opens in Marysville

Marysville, MI — Fitness opportunities just keep on growing in the Blue Water area. Morton Park in Marysville is the location of the latest addition to the health and wellness scene.

The Outdoor Fitness Court had its grand opening on July 20th and the Marysville Recreation Department is receiving a lot of good feedback about the project.

The project was created by the National Fitness Campaign. They have over 100 similar playgrounds nationwide with a goal of bringing 1000 courts to communities across the country by 2022. They partner with Priority Health in Michigan to give grants to 15 cities and Marysville was one of the lucky winners.

Stefanie Schneider, Recreation Coordinator for the City of Marysville, said, “Our court is located at Morton Park, which is home to the St. Clair County Community College Soccer team and the skatepark.”

Schneider said that she has wanted to provide outdoor fitness equipment for years and when the opportunity came along, she jumped on it.

The equipment is meant for use by those ages 14 and up and is for physical fitness. It is considered an outdoor gym and has instructions and equipment for a good outdoor workout year-round.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland