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Local News

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian Takes Over as MDHHS Medical Executive

Khaldun is out; Bagdasarian is in as top doctor for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, according to an announcement from Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, or “Dr. J” as the Governor called her, became a household name in Michigan as she was often the bearer of unwelcome news throughout the pandemic. Khaldun would speak at news conferences about rising COVID rates and give the medical rationale for restrictions and shutdowns. Khaldun has accepted a new job elsewhere.

Whitmer praised Khaldun’s tenure with MDHHS, saying, “Thanks to Dr. J’s around-the-clock leadership, our state acted quickly with the best available data and science to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save countless lives during the pandemic.” She went on to say, “The state of Michigan and I are incredibly grateful for your service.”

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian is the new medical executive for MDHHS. A Wayne State and U of M grad, she has a background in internal medicine and infectious diseases and was the Senior Public Health Physician with MDHHS. Bagdasarian starts the new job on October 1st.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lake Huron Medical Center’s September Employee of the Month

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

Susan works as an Ultrasound Tech and has been an employee at LHMC since June 2012. She was nominated by a patient who commented, “Susan was kind, considerate, careful, and professional. She established trust with me while she provided comfort and privacy. It was a privilege to be in her care.”

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 Susan, as we celebrate their accomplishments.

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

Kids Can Participate in Photo Shoot at Palmer Park

A ribbon cutting for the new Quantis Climber play structure at Palmer Park is Tuesday, September 28th at 4 PM. The public is invited to join in the celebration which includes testing out the new play equipment, popsicles, games, and music.

The Quantis Climber is designed for kids 5 – 12 years old, and it involves a rope assisted climb around twists and turns to get to the slide on top. Kids can create new ways to advance and move around the structure while building muscle and having fun.

Palmer Park received several updates this year including new swing sets, and a new pavilion and benches are up next. The Quantis Climber was funded by the combined efforts of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

Kids who want to participate in a photo shoot after the ribbon cutting can sign up with the Penchura company by signing a photo release. Penchura needs 30 -40 kids from 2 – 12 years old for the photoshoot, and kids will receive a free gift if they sign up.

Learn more about signing up for the photo shoot here:

https://www.playlsi.com/en/contact-us/model-release-form/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

DNR to Host open House at St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area

The St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island will be the location of an Open House sponsored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The event will be held on October 6th at 6:00 p.m.

The purpose of the Open House is to showcase one of Michigan’s managed waterfowl hunt areas. These areas are dubbed “Michigan’s Wetland Wonders” by the DNR.

The Open House is an outdoor driving tour of the wetlands area with participants able to tune in to the presentation on their vehicle radios. Stops along the route will showcase improvements to the habitat to enhance waterfowl and wetland wildlife.

Other Open Houses will be held at the Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area in Pinconning, the Fish Point State Game Area in Unionville, the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area in Rockwood, and the Shiawassee River State Game Area in St. Charles.

The state game areas have been providing managed waterfowl habitats in the lower peninsula since the 1960s. Contact information for the St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area can be found below.

St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area, 3857 Columbine Road, Harsens Island; 810-748-9504

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Area Code Must Be Dialed Starting October 24th

“Your call can not be completed as dialed. Please hang up and dial again.” That is what callers will hear if they leave off the area code starting October 24th.

The area code will have to be included in all calls, even local, in the 616, 906, 989, and the 810 area codes. 810 includes the Blue Water Area.

This might not seem like a big deal, but with so many preprogrammed numbers for safety and security equipment, it is a critical change. Most equipment uses a 10-digit default setting, but older equipment might still use 7 digits.

Vulnerable devices that might need to be reprogrammed include medical alert systems, PBX business phone systems, fax machines, alarms and security systems, voicemail services, and of course phone contact lists on cell phones.

The reason for the change is to make room for the National Suicide Prevention Line, which is 988. Some area codes have 988 as a local “prefix”, or first three numbers, so the addition of the area code is needed to distinguish the local numbers from the hotline.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Nessel and Benson Support Restrictions on Carrying Firearms in Public

Michigan’s Attorney General and Secretary of State are chiming in with officials from other states in supporting New York’s regulations on carrying firearms in public.

The attorneys general from 19 states filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that the right to carry loaded guns into any public place is not the intent of the Second Amendment. They say that states should be allowed to regulate based on local public safety concerns.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “We must not conflate commonsense safety regulations with infringing on the Second Amendment. As this brief correctly points out, our country has long relied on state discretion to regulate the public carry of firearms and backtracking would be nothing short of federal overreach. I am proud to join this coalition and appreciate support from Secretary Benson.” 

Referring to open carry at polling places, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said, “Fair, free and secure elections are the foundation of our democracy, and I continue to stand for the right of all eligible Michigan citizens to vote without fear of threats, intimidation or harassment.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland