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Local News

Port Huron Schools Ask Parents to Remain Vigilant as COVID Cases Rise

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron Schools marked the one-year anniversary of learning in the midst of COVID with a letter to families and the community.

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Jamie Cain thanked families for their flexibility and understanding and said that all district staff who chose to get the COVID-19 vaccine have now received their second dose of the shot, making them fully vaccinated.

While there is hope for better days ahead, Cain cautioned that with rising case numbers in the county, parents, students, staff, and the community can not let their guard down.

In the letter, Cain said, “I want our community to know the factors that we are evaluating to make decisions for each building.” Cain said the factors are student and staff attendance, the actual transmission of COVID-19 during the school day, and the ability to safely staff buildings.

Cain asked for continued vigilance from families including keeping kids home when sick, following face mask and handwashing protocols, following quarantine mandates, and also keeping up on schoolwork even when quarantined. He also encouraged families to take time to listen to how kids are feeling about the situation.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Officer Huisman Achieves Status as National SRO Practitioner

Port Huron, MI–School Resource Officer Dennis Huisman was recently recognized by the National Association of School Resource Officers as a National SRO Practitioner. To achieve that status, Huisman had to meet certain qualifications that included training, a commitment to school-based policing, and leadership in the school-based field of law enforcement.

School resource officers are not security guards, but rather sworn law enforcement officers that are placed in schools to ensure the safety of students and staff and to foster positive relationships with youth. Having school resource officers in place has been proven to minimize property damage in schools, prevent student injuries, reduce the need for schools to call 911, and increase the feeling of safety among students and staff.

Officer Huismen has been a school resource officer since March of 2018 when the program began as a partnership between the Port Huron Police Department and the Port Huron Schools. His recognition as a National SRO Practitioner identifies him as one of the elite School Resource Officers in the nation, and it signifies a high commitment to the youth in our community.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Additional COVID-19 Variants Identified in St. Clair County

St. Clair County, MI — The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant that originated in the United Kingdom was first identified in St. Clair County in February, and the Health Department has just reported three more cases in the county.

Even though the B.1.1.7 variant has been shown to be more contagious, currently, it doesn’t seem to cause more severe illness or affect clinical outcomes.

Dr. Annette Mercatante Medical Health Officer of the St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) said, “We (SCCHD) are doubling down with variant case investigations. Suspect cases will be contacted more often and required to quarantine for 14 days vs. 10. Since the variant can be more contagious, the virus could potentially infect more people with less exposure.

The recommendations for protecting oneself against the new variant remain the same as the COVID-19 prevention practices health organizations have been encouraging for the last year. Wear a mask, observe physical distancing, wash your hands, avoid crowds, and follow isolation and quarantine guidance. The Health Department also recommends getting vaccinated when the vaccine becomes available to you.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Spring Fever Prompts Pesticide Warning from MDARD

There is a fever going viral right now, and it’s not the one you think it is. It’s SPRING FEVER. Michiganders know that green grass and sunny days will be here soon. With outdoor living on the minds of many, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development wants to get the word out regarding safe pesticide use.

Brian Verhougstraete, MDARD’s Pesticide Section Manager said, “When used correctly, pesticides are an effective tool to help control, destroy, and repel destructive pests such as insects, weeds, rodents, germs, and plant disease. If applying pesticides, always read and follow the label directions and use the recommended personal protective equipment.”

MDARD also warns against hiring just anybody to spray your property. MDARD grants the licenses to those firms that meet the required financial and experience requirements and pass the MDARD exams.

Verhougstraete warned, “Be aware of online advertisements and social media posts promoting the sale of unregistered pesticides, particularly those that claim to be 100% safe or all natural. Unregistered pesticides are not proven to be safe or effective and are unlikely to meet MDARD’s or the Environmental Protection Agency’s requirements.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

A Little Hobby Ceramics Studio Marysville

Ceramics Studio Provides Creative Outlet for Kids & Adults

Marysville, MI — Kristie Evans-Hutchinson has been interested in ceramics for a long time, and when the First Congregational Church in Port Huron sold their building and offered to gift her the materials in their studio, she became a business owner.

Kristie is now the owner of A Little Hobby Ceramics Studio located in Market Square Plaza in Marysville, and it caters to both walk-in patrons and those who want scheduled classes.

Kristie’s husband, Harold “Hutch” Hutchinson, went from no knowledge of the intricacies of working with clay, slip, and molds, to keeping himself busy creating new pieces for clients to paint and glaze along with running the studio’s kiln.

Hutch said ceramics is a perfect way to unwind and take care of yourself. When he’s working in the studio, he said, “I’m focusing on this, not what I’m going to make for dinner or what I’m going to do this afternoon, or how to get peace and quiet. My brain is already at rest because I’m focusing on one thing.” He also said, “I take the moment to myself because if I’m not good mentally or physically, I cant help anybody else.”

The Hutchinson family has spent months building and organizing the studio and creating a bright and inviting space for their customers. Pieces available for painting and glazing include lighthouses, animal statues, toad and bunny houses, and even a complete set of chess pieces.

New classes begin the first week of each month, and there is an ongoing fundraiser on their website to help offset the cost of their After School Program (ASP). The ASP provides a safe, creative outlet for kids in grades 4-12 and offers them 4 classes each month.

To learn more about A Little Hobby visit ALittleHobby.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Benson Wants to Take Michigan From Worst to First in Transparency

Michigan — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recently announced a new item on her agenda: increasing government transparency in the state.

Benson is responding to a study published in 2015 by The Center for Public Integrity which assesses the accountability and transparency of state governments. Overall, Michigan ranked 50th in the U.S. and was given an “F”. However, the state ranked 5th and was given a “B-” in the area of Electoral Oversight and also scored well in its handling of State Budget Processes.

Benson considers herself a longtime advocate for government transparency and said her new agenda “would take Michigan from worst to first in government transparency, shine the light on dark money in politics and stop public corruption.” She also said, “These are things lawmakers must do if they are serious about rebuilding public trust in our elected government.”

Benson’s new legislative agenda is titled “From Worst to First”, and it includes items such as extending the Freedom of Information Act to the governor and state legislature, tightening LLC reporting requirements to ensure certain monies do not corrupt elections, and enforcing the Conflict of Interest Act to identify legislative conflicts of interest. The entire agenda can be found <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand