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Local News

Public Comment Requested for COVID Workplace Rules

Last Thursday, State Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Lauwers asked residents of his district to voice their concerns about MIOSHA’s proposal that could make COVID rules for the workplace permanent.

Lauwers echoed some of the same concerns Senator Kevin Daly from District 31 expressed when he called on his constituents to provide feedback in an online form.

“Michigan is emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lauwers, R-Brockway Township. “At this critical stage, as more and more people are vaccinated and are returning to in-person work, these restrictive MIOSHA rules should be put out to pasture. I strongly encourage 25th District residents, workers and businesses alike to make their voices heard and let state bureaucrats know Michigan doesn’t want or need MIOSHA’s rules.”

If the proposed rule goes into effect, MIOSHA would have the right to review workplace rules that went into effect during the pandemic within 21 days after MDHHS and the Governor’s emergency orders have ended. At that time, they could choose to make them permanent.

As part of the process, all proposed rules are subject to a public comment period and a public hearing. Comments will be accepted until May 26, 2021, and can be made here: https://www.misenategop.com/WhitmerEmergency/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

PHS Advocator, Innovator, and Educator of the Year Announced

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron Schools announced this year’s recipients of the Advocator, Innovator, and Educator of the Year Awards. The annual awards were delivered to the winners while they were working last week.

The Advocator of the Year is Laura Nesbitt, a counselor at Fort Gratiot Middle School. In the live video presentation, Superintendent Jamie Cain said that Nesbitt is “a shining light, doing everything that’s right” during these stressful times for students.

Innovator of the Year is Mark Repp, the District Technology Trainer and Technology Integration Specialist. Cain thanked Repp for making things easier for teachers this year.

Educator of the Year is Sarah Miller, an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher at the Early Childhood Center. Cain thanked Miller for going above and beyond for her students in this difficult year.

The winners were selected from over 200 nominations from the community from both this school year and last school year. Winners received prizes donated by DoubleTree by Hilton Port Huron and Fort Gratiot Meijer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lake Huron Medical Center Achieves Healthgrades 2020 Patient Safety Excellence Award

Lake Huron Medical Center achieved the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award for 2021 which places them among the top 5% of all short-term acute care hospitals reporting patient safety data to Healthgrades.

The award recognizes hospitals that have the lowest occurrences of 14 preventable patient safety events, including injuries, infections, and other serious conditions.

Lake Huron Medical Center was also recognized as a five-star facility by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and has received straight A’s from Leapfrog since 2018.

Dr. Shridhar Reddy, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Lake Huron Medical Center said, “Lake Huron Medical Center credits these achievements to a commitment to clinical excellence by our staff and physicians. It’s their commitment, each and every day, to our patients that makes all the difference.”

 

 

Major Investment in Computer Science Education Statewide

AP Computer Science is a high school class that can open the door to a rewarding career. A pilot program is spending $15 million to make Advanced Placement Computer Science a real option for kids across the state. 

The collaboration between MiStem Network, Code.org, Grand Valley State University, and College Board is focusing on expanding access to the class for everyone. 

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II said, “We are thankful for Code.org for choosing Michigan as one of the first states in the nation to launch this expansive, inclusive computer science opportunity. We encourage educators and students to explore the rewarding opportunities this new AP Computer Science offering brings.”  

The program is reaching out specifically to underrepresented groups and trying to get those students to pursue careers in computer science or engineering. The grants will pay for offering the AP Computer Science classes at no cost to the district. 

Trevor Packer, head of the AP Program at the College Board said, “We applaud Michigan’s commitment to providing a more diverse set of students with computer science courses, which are fundamental for 21st century careers.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Updated Face Mask Order Goes Into Effect Saturday

Governor Whitmer just announced in a press release that Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is updating the Gatherings and Mask Order to align with the CDC’s latest guidance on face coverings. The new order hasn’t been posted in full yet, but is expected to lift the majority of face mask orders for vaccinated individuals.

The press release states, “Michiganders who are outdoors will no longer need to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. While indoors, fully vaccinated Michiganders will no longer need to wear a mask, but residents who are not vaccinated, or have not completed their vaccinations, must continue to wear a mask or face covering to protect themselves and others. After July 1, the broad indoor mask mandate will expire.”

There was no mention in the press release of MIOSHA rules which require employers and certain businesses to adhere to face masking and other safety measures to protect employees from the virus, which may lead to some confusion as to how and where this will be enforced. There is also no clarification in the release about how to tell who is truly fully vaccinated.

The order goes into effect on Saturday, May 15, 2021.

 

 

Five St. Clair Students Receive Scholarships

The St. Clair Women’s League holds an annual spring flower sale to raise money to give back to the community. This year, they have awarded scholarships to five St. Clair High School Students: Praewa Montross, Angela Ladd, Alyvia Osborne, Hannah Grippe and Claire Wiegand.

Praewa Montross will attend Michigan State University and major in English and Biology.  She was involved in many activities including varsity swim, National Honor Society, the Thai American Association of Michigan Youth Group, and more.  Praewa helped to run the very successful Thai Food Festival and has participated in community service from a young age.

Angela Ladd will attend Lawrence Technological University and will major in Robotic Engineering.  She has been involved in Dance, SkillsUSA, Robotics, National Honor Society, and more.  She played a large role in the Kids on the Move tech project, and has volunteered her time for Relay for Life and the McCrest Homeless Event.

Alyvia Osborne will attend University of Michigan and will major in Computer Science.  She has been involved in Student Council, Varsity Golf, National Honor Society, Robotics, and more.  She has accumulated dozens of hours of community service during high school, including for PKSA’s Force Against Hunger.

Hannah Grippe will attend Michigan State and will major in Business and Spanish.  She has been involved in the National Honor Society as the President, and also Student Advisory Council.  She has done community service through the NHS and also volunteered to coach gymnastics for free during the pandemic last summer.

Claire Wiegand will attend Michigan State and will major in Psychology.  She has been involved in Student Council and the National Honor Society, Tennis, and more.  She has done community service through the NHS and has also participated in food drives with her church.