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Local News

No Waiting Period to Give Blood After COVID Vaccine

Port Huron, MI — The American Red Cross has still been experiencing a shortage of blood donations, and they want to inform the public that there is no waiting period to give blood after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Those who receive a vaccine and want to donate blood can do so immediately as long as they are symptom-free, feeling well, and can provide the Red Cross with the vaccine manufacturer’s name.

When you become a blood, platelet, or plasma donor with the American Red Cross, your donation will automatically be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. If the test discovers high levels of antibodies present, your donation could be used to help COVID-19 patients who are actively fighting the virus recover more quickly.

They are also screening donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait which provides donors with valuable health information and helps the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require blood transfusions for treatment.

For more information about donating blood and to find a blood drive near you, visit Red CrossBlood.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Drug Take Back Day is Saturday

St. Clair County, MI — It’s time to clean out those medicine cabinets and prepare to safely dispose of unwanted and expired pills. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in National Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, April 24th.

The Sheriff’s office is located at 1170 Michigan Road, and the public can drop off unwanted pills in the lobby between 10 AM and 2 PM. Simply enter the Sheriff’s office lobby and empty your pills into the designated container.

According to a 2019 survey on Drug Use and Health, millions of people misused prescription pain relievers, stimulants, and tranquilizers, and the majority of those drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

Sheriff Mat King said, “This event has been great for our community. It allows citizens to get rid of expired and unwanted medication, keeping it from being used improperly and keeping it out of our water supply.”

Residents who can’t make it to the Drug Take Back event on Saturday can turn their pills in at the Sheriff’s Office during normal business hours, Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Republicans: Biden Tax Plan Could Doom Family Farms

Local legislators are rallying against the Biden tax plan that they say could be the end of family farms.

The Biden administration’s proposed tax hikes, and particularly changes in the death tax and capital gains taxes, have the potential to put local farms out of business.

State Senator Dan Lauwers, himself a family farmer, said, “This is the kind of policy that eliminates family farms. Families can’t afford to tie up that kind of money. It’s going to be corporations that run farms as a business, not as a family.”

Referring to the changes proposed to the capital gains tax, Michigan Farm Bureau President Carl Bednarski said, “With the loss of that stepped-up basis, the next generation may be forced to sell off large portions of the vital farm assets just to pay that capital gains tax. As a result, economic viability of our farms would be severely impacted, in fact, we may see farms discontinue and go out of business.”

Congresswoman Lisa McLain, a Republican from Michigan’s 10th District, authored a letter to President Biden explaining the need to rethink the policy proposals. A link to the letter:

https://mcclain.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/mcclain.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Ag%20letter.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Rec Programs are Back for Summer

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department has announced sign-up dates for summer programs. Real, in-person programming is back with plans for the pools to be open and the parks to be full of happy children.

Residents of the city of Port Huron get first dibs on the summertime fun with their registration starting May 3rd. Those who live outside of the city can start registering on May 4th. In-city rates are extended to those who live in Burtchville, Clyde, Fort Gratiot, and Port Huron townships, due to a cooperative partnership.

COVID-prevention protocols will be followed as needed, including limiting group sizes, social distancing, and mask-wearing when warranted. Many of the traditional programs, like the Camp Palmer day camp and chess club are back on the calendar, but the popular Junior Recreators program is taking another year off.

Highlights of the summer activities include Hollywood actress and Port Huron native McKale Jude Bingham directing a Theatre Workshop, as well as classes held in collaboration with the Friends of The St. Clair River and The Athletic Factory.  

A link to the Summer Brochure from Port Huron Parks and Recreation:

https://d721f890-20f6-4799-98ef-6e373ba52f19.filesusr.com/ugd/fc6623_4995733de6e3406da6cf1d4e51b56416.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Is It Time for a New Pet?

St. Clair County, MI — It’s time for the annual Empty the Shelters event sponsored by the BISSELL Pet Foundation, and those interested in adopting a new pet from the Blue Water Humane Society need to be pre-approved by May 1st.

Empty the Shelters helps reduce the adoption fee of pets from participating shelters. The regular price to adopt a cat from the Blue Water Humane Society is $100 and $150 for a dog. During Empty the Shelters, the cost is reduced to $25 or less.

The Blue Water Humane Society is open by appointment only on Tuesdays – Fridays from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM. They are closed to the public on Sundays and Mondays.

Interested new pet parents can view available pets at the Blue Water humane Society by viewing their profile on Pet Finder.com <HERE>, and then call the shelter to get pre-approved by filling out an application.

Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation, said “The national Empty the Shelters event in May will be our largest yet, and as a small foundation, we are incredibly proud to see the growth of this program as we continue to expand its impact. Empty the Shelters not only helps our shelter partners free up space in their facilities, but it places pets in permanent homes. It’s a win-win for everyone involved…our partners, ETS adopters, and most importantly, the pets.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

“Family Emergency” Scams on the Rise

The Michigan Attorney General Office is alerting Michiganders of the latest telephone scam that exploits the love and concern that parents and grandparents have for their kids. The “Family Emergency” scam is making the rounds.

There have been increasing reports of residents being targeted by sophisticated scammers who demand ransom for kidnapped children and by scammers who target grandparents by pretending to be a grandchild in trouble.

Thankfully, there is no actual kidnapping or emergency, but people often fall for such scams out of fear that the claims are real. The criminals often use the correct names of the children to display credibility and prey upon parental fears.

There is a recent report of grandparents being tricked into paying $33,000 to scammers thinking they were talking to their grandson who claimed he was in trouble in Canada and needed money wired immediately.

The Attorney General warns that if you do receive a “Family Emergency” type of call, you should immediately contact the relative to verify their true situation, and of course never send money or give out financial information unless you are 100% sure you know who you are talking to.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland