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Local News

Local Teens Make Video to Raise Awareness of Teen Dating Violence

Port Huron, MI — To raise awareness of teen dating violence, Blue Water Safe Horizons partnered with the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County to create a video with teens giving other teens the skills to identify unhealthy relationships before they become violent.

Zak Kerhoulas, Chair of the Youth Advisory Council, said, “The St. Clair County YAC is constantly trying to address the youth in our community’s needs, and as February was National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, we partnered with Blue Water Safe Horizons to create educational resources for teens in our area who may be struggling with unhealthy or abusive relationships.”

Kerhoulas said that the Council hopes that the video educates those who don’t know much about the signs of dating violence and directs teens who may feel trapped in an abusive relationship to local resources that can provide help.

Elizabeth Sawielski, Executive Director of Blue Water Safe Horizons, said, “The YAC team did such an amazing job on this video and was such an unexpected gift to the community. What a great way to raise awareness! Teens educating the community about teen dating violence and abuse is such an impactful way to get the message out there.”

A link to the short video:

https://www.facebook.com/BWSafeHorizons/videos/746698956028375

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

More People Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine

St. Clair County , MI — On March 1st, food processing and agricultural workers became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and on March 8th, individuals 50 and older with medical conditions or disabilities and family members and caregivers of children with special health care needs also became eligible.

Getting the vaccine is still subject to the supply available to our county, but individuals in the newly added eligibility groups should begin registering for the vaccine if they haven’t already.

Those interested in the COVID-19 vaccine can register at multiple locations such as the Health Department, Meijer, Rite Aide, and Walgreens,  in order to secure the first vaccine that becomes available. A link to all vaccine providers in St. Clair County is available <HERE>.

If a person registers with multiple locations and then secures a vaccine appointment, they can simply decline appointments offered by the other providers, delete their profiles with those providers, or contact the providers directly to be removed from the system.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

McIvor Appointed to Michigan Veterans Board of Trustees

Paul McIvor, a resident of Yale, has been appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Veterans Trust Board of Trustees. His term began on March 5th and expires on February 25th, 2024.

The Trust Fund was created in 1946, starting with $50 million in postwar reserves to assist with the emergency needs of veterans. The Board governs grant policies adjudication, makes appointments to county committees, and discerns expenditures from trust savings.

Mr. McIvor is the post commander for the Yale VFW Post 8594, along with being a member of the St. Clair County Veterans Affairs Committee and participating in Honor Guard ceremonies for veterans in the Blue Water area. McIvor served his country in the United States Army as an engineer.

The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund helps with unexpected expenses that veterans may incur, and pays things like utility bills and home repair bills, to help veterans remain financially stable. 

The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Board meets monthly in Lansing.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lefty’s Famous Cheesesteaks, Hoagies and Grill Open for Business in Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — Fast food enthusiasts in the area are excited about a new eatery that opened up last week. After much anticipation, Lefty’s Famous Cheesesteaks, Hoagies and Grill is open for business. Their motto is, “If you don’t eat left, you don’t eat right”.

The chain restaurant opened its first Thumb area location in the former White Castle building in the north end of Port Huron. The restaurant is built for drive-through orders and has a counter for ordering, but there is no seating.  

Originating in 2012 in suburban Detroit, Lefty’s has a few locations in Houston and Southern California, but the franchise’s major territory is Southeast Michigan, with the Flint and Port Huron locations being the farthest north.

The Lefty’s menu is unique with plenty for carnivores, from cheesesteaks and hoagies to burgers. They also have fried chicken sandwiches and a variety of French fries. There are a few salads are on the menu, but overall the menu is generously portioned meat sandwiches ranging from $1.99 for a hot dog to $12.79 for a full-sized hoagie. They also have a selection of cheesecakes for dessert.

Lefty’s is located at 2852 Pine Grove, Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Massive Michigan Charity Fraud Shut Down

Unscrupulous telephone marketers posing as charitable organizations but using the money for non-charitable purposes have been exposed and prosecuted in a landmark case. More than $110 million are believed to have been misappropriated by telemarketers posing as legitimate charities, keeping up to 90 cents of each dollar donated.

Charitable tendencies were exploited to the tune of 1.3 billion robocalls to 67 million consumers. Some victims were called hourly, daily, or several times a week, in violation of robocall laws.

Michigan’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel, was part of the multi-jurisdiction effort. She said, “Robocall technology such as soundboards allows users to reach a significant target population, and when utilized for deceptive or misleading practices – especially in charitable solicitations – it unfortunately means a significant number of potential victims.”

The agencies charged, Associated Community Services and its subsidiaries, based in Southeast Michigan, agreed to settle the case for their role in representing fake charities, but most of the money is long gone. The sham charities claimed to support children, firefighters, and veterans. Any restitution collected will go into escrow and eventually go to real charities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

First Fridays Coming to Downtown Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) for the City of Port Huron just announced a new initiative for Blue Water Area fun: First Fridays.

Beginning April 2nd, the DDA is teaming up with downtown businesses and stakeholders to provide themed, family-friendly events on the first Friday of every month from 5-8 PM. Coming up in April, visitors can look forward to an Easter-themed Shop Hop, a Sweet Stroll, and a Block Party.

Updates on themes and details will be available on the Downtown Port Huron Facebook page, and these events will compliment the Shop, Rock, & Stroll concerts that will start back up on Friday evenings in the spring.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand