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Local News

“Ice Cream Saves Lives” Fundraiser August 24th

Can ice cream really save lives? The St. Clair County Dive Team Auxiliary thinks it can. The “Ice Cream Saves Lives” fundraiser lets supporters donate to the Auxiliary while enjoying summertime’s favorite treat.

The Ice Cream Saves Lives event will be held on Tuesday, August 24th from 4:00-9:00 p.m. at the Milkhouse Café, located at 4189 Keewahdin Road in Fort Gratiot.

The Dive Team, which is critically important in an area surrounded by water, will have many opportunities for patrons to interact with the Team. They will have members there to answer questions and meet the public, as well as give the public a chance to use the underwater communication devices.

The Milkhouse Café is locally famous for its ice cream taco Tuesdays. The fundraiser happens to be on Tuesday, so everyone will get a chance to enjoy their favorite ice cream taco or anything else on the menu.

All sales from the event will go to the St. Clair County Dive Team Auxiliary, which supports the “Educate, Respond, Recover” efforts of the Sheriff’s Office.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Free NARCAN Kits Available at Health Department

The St. Clair County Healthy Department is providing free NARCAN kits from now until August 31st to individuals 18 and older. NARCAN is a nasal spray that can treat a known or suspected opioid overdose and potentially save a life.

August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day, and the Health Department is offering the NARCAN kits, which include two doses of NARCAN, a mouth shield, gloves, and and information sheet, to educate and empower friends and family members of opioid users.

There were over 2,354 overdose deaths in the State of Michigan in 2019, and more than 75% of them were the results of opioids. Results are not fully in for 2020, but preliminary data suggest the number has increased.

Those who overdose on opioids and receive NARCAN may avoid death and have a chance at recovering from their dependence on the drug. Resources for those seeking recovery options are available at Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Center via their website: www.bwroc.org

NARCAN kits are available at the St. Clair County Health Department  during normal business hours for those 18 years old or older without a prescription, insurance, or identification until August 31st.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk is Back This Year

If you always wanted to walk across the Mackinac Bridge with thirty thousand other people, this might be the year. The annual Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day is scheduled for September 6th, 2021.

Mackinac Bridge Authority Director Kim Nowack said, “Whether you’re resuming your tradition of walking the bridge on Labor Day or planning to join us for the first time, the return of the walk in 2021 is pretty exciting. We’ve been preparing for much of the year to make sure the walk is better than ever.”

The Mackinac Bridge will be closed to traffic from 6:30 a.m. to noon on Labor Day. The annual event has been going strong since 1958, except for last year, when COVID fears shut it down. The walks have attracted up to 30,000 walkers over the years.

This year, walkers will have the choice of turning around at the center of the bridge, walking in one direction on the bridge and arranging transportation, or walking the whole length and back.

Walkers can start in either St. Ignace or Mackinaw City. Walkers should watch a video posted by the Bridge Authority before walking to get an idea of what to expect and the choices they will have on Labor Day. A link to the video: www.MackinacBridge.org/Walk

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan and Ontario Work Together for the Future of Transportation Technology

Michigan and Ontario are picking up the pace when it comes to advancing the progress toward autonomous vehicles and green transportation technology.

The Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, along with Ontario’s Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network and Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation will begin a partnership to deploy green technology at the border. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed to “explore the implementation of a cross-border, multimodal testbed for advanced automotive and mobility solutions,” according to a press release.

The partnership will identify the economic, social, and environmental benefits for both sides of the border. It will also identify challenges to land, air, and water crossings, and the regulatory and policy implications.  

Caroline Mulroney, Ontario Minister of Transportation, said, “By working together to explore and advance new and innovative mobility technologies, we’re taking steps to ensure Ontario and Michigan stay at the forefront of the evolving transportation industry.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Beeler Will Hold Office Hour in Ft. Gratiot

State Rep. Andrew Beeler invites the people of Sanilac and St. Clair counties to join him at his upcoming office hour on Saturday, Aug. 28th.

Beeler, of Port Huron, will meet with residents between noon and 1 PM at Big Boy Restaurant, 3961 24th Ave. in Fort Gratiot.

No appointment is necessary to attend. Beeler will be available to provide assistance, answer questions and discuss his legislative work in the state Capitol.

Thumb residents can also contact Beeler’s office by phone at 517-373-0835 or by email at AndrewBeeler@house.mi.gov.

Beeler represents Michigan’s 83rd House District, which includes all of Sanilac County, and Burtchville Township, Fort Gratiot Township and the city of Port Huron in St. Clair County.

Time for Michigan Women to Get Back to Routine Health Screenings

Women are putting off getting their routine cancer screenings, such as mammograms and cervical cancer screenings. Covid-19 is likely to blame as life has been put on hold in many ways since the pandemic began in March of 2020.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report an 87% drop in breast cancer screenings and an 84% drop in cervical cancer screenings nationally when comparing April 2020 to the previous five years. That’s really not a surprise considering the state of the nation in April 2020. But, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is reminding Michigan women that it’s time to make those appointments and get back on schedule.

MDHHS says that screenings are proactive and can catch cancer early when it is more treatable. Screenings also help identify risk factors for chronic disease.

MDHHS has set up a hotline to help women schedule their screenings. A program specialist will help them get a screening scheduled.

There are some free screenings available through MDHHS. Links to those programs, along with the hotline number:

People in need of screenings can call MDHHS at 844-446-8727 to speak with a program specialist.

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program provides free breast and cervical cancer screening services, statewide, to low-income women.

The WISEWOMAN Program, available in select areas, helps participants understand chronic disease risk factors and make healthy lifestyle choices.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland