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Local News

McLaren Port Huron Gets an “A” for Safety

Port Huron, MI — McLaren Port Huron Hospital was recently awarded a Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade of “A”. The national distinction recognizes the hospital’s achievements that protect patients from harm and provide safe, compassionate health care.

Records of prevention of medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections, and other harm to patients as well as patient experience factor into the grade.

The Leapfrog score uses safety data to rate more than 2600 hospitals twice each year. The peer-reviewed methodology and transparent results are free to the public. Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, said, “We are extremely grateful to hospital leadership and health care workers who have remained steadfast in prioritizing patient safety as our nation battles COVID-19.”

McLaren Port Huron’s President and CEO Eric Cecava said, “This Leapfrog safety grade is a testament to the care and commitment of those who work at McLaren Port Huron. Given the extraordinary challenges of COVID-19, this grade is even more impressive. Our team never loses sight of the critical need to provide high quality care in a compassionate and safe environment.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Mask Up, Mask Right”

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has launched an initiative to stress the importance of wearing a face mask correctly. The “Mask Up, Mask Right” message is being sent out to remind Michiganders that wearing a mask right is the best way to slow down the spread of Covid-19.

MDHHS Director Robert Gordon proclaimed, “The science is now settled: Masks protect others from COVID – and they protect the wearer. It’s important to wear the right mask and wear it the right way. We want all Michiganders to Mask Up, Mask Right as we continue to battle the virus in our state.”

Correct mask wearing means using a three-layered washable cloth face covering, medical-grade disposable masks, or approved KN95 masks. Masks need to be secured over the nose and face and fit tightly with no gaps. Bandanas, gaiters, and other types of masks are not on the list. Face shields without a mask are not considered as effective as masks.

Free masks are available at MDHHS and Community Action Agencies.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Blue Water River Walk Erosion Control Underway

Port Huron, MI — The Blue Water River Walk in Downtown Port Huron is in the process of getting some significant restoration and protection work done this month. The Walk is part of the Bridge to Bay Trail and has seen some damage from fluctuating water levels.

The work is being funded with recent gifts totaling $150,000. Bill Butler, Board Chair for the Blue Water Land Fund, said, “We’ve been incredibly fortunate to receive major grants from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Trails Maintenance Fund at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. We’ve also been blessed by other significant gifts from local private donors and the Michigan Trails and Greenway Alliance.” The Land Fund owns the River Walk.

The Community Foundation of St. Clair County is overseeing the work. Foundation CEO Randy Maiers said, “This section of the Bridge to Bay Trail is one of the most popular and widely used routes, and it’s in serious danger of being eroded away.”

It’s location so close to the St. Clair River makes the River Walk section of the Bridge to Bay desirable for recreation, but also subject to erosion. A new Master Plan has been implemented, as has investment in protecting it from damage from high water.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Latest Plan Calls for Blue Water Bridge Plaza to be Done in 2025

Port Huron, MI — The Blue Water Bridge Plaza Expansion Project has a completion goal for 2025, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. The process was first talked about in the early 2000s and the city, county, and property owners near the project have been waiting for resolution for many years.

The plan calls for funding to be from a $26 million federal INFRA grant and the sale of bonds, along with Blue Water Bridge funds.

The original scope of the project has been reduced, but the price tag is still estimated to be at $300 million. The downsized plan will have less impact on local traffic on Pine Grove Avenue than the 2009 plan.

Getting shovels in the ground will take a while as another environmental re-evaluation and feasibility study will need to be done. Final design and bidding out the construction contracts won’t even begin until 2023. Actual construction is not expected to be completed until late 2025.

Five studies have already been done in the past two decades, and several city blocks have been cleared.  A million dollar mitigation settlement was paid to the City of Port Huron by MDOT as they lost the tax base from the cleared land.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Eisen Faces Backlash from Comments; Mitchell Switches to Independent

Two local politicians are making headlines nationwide for their very different levels of acceptance of the November presidential election. Michigan’s Electoral College gave all sixteen votes to Biden on Monday.

State Representative Gary Eisen, a Republican from St. Clair Township was accused of publicly hinting at violence in response to Michigan’s Electoral College Meeting and spoke of a “hail Mary” strategy. He was quickly stripped of his committee assignments by Republican leadership, who urged acceptance of the outcome of the election.

Eisen issued a statement saying he regrets the confusion over his statement and that while the group that he was then affiliated with had peaceful intentions, he couldn’t speak for other groups.

U.S. Representative Paul Mitchell, of the 10th District, disaffiliated himself from the Republican Party in disgust over much of the party’s refusal to concede the election to Biden. In a letter to Republican leadership that he posted on Twitter, Mitchell expressed his history of loyalty to Trump with both his voting record and his fundraising, but that leaders need to accept both winning and losing. With his term winding down, Mitchell admitted his new status as an independent is largely symbolic, but to quote him, “we all know that symbols matter”.

 

State Representative Gary Eisen today released the following statement:  

“I regret the confusion over my comments this morning, and I want to assure everyone that those of us who are supporting an alternative slate of electors intend to do so peacefully and legally. I wanted to attend today’s event to help prevent violence, not promote it. I no longer plan to go to the Capitol with that group today.  

“My comments were meant to reflect that while our group intends to be peaceful, I did not feel I could speak for other groups. Apparently some people are making credible threats of violence today, and I am glad local law enforcement is on the scene preventing any such action and keeping everyone safe. Our group, who will also be at the Capitol today to request to be seated as electors, intends to participate in our democracy peacefully. We are all concerned about safety today and hopeful for a safe, legal and clear process at the Capitol.”

 

Link to U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell’s letter: https://twitter.com/RepPaulMitchell/status/1338599898141356034/photo/1

 

Public’s Help Needed to Locate Reginald Grasty

The Port Huron Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a suspected murderer. The St. Clair County Prosecutor’s office authorized a two-count warrant for Reginald Cu-Nu Grasty, thought to be in Detroit.

The warrants are for Open Murder and Disinterment/Mutilation of a corpse. The murder is believed to have taken place on the Grayfox, a retired Naval ship anchored in the St. Clair River. The victim, William Orlow, is thought to have known the suspect.

The body of Orlow was discovered on June 23rd, 2020. Grasty is believed to be a witness or a person of interest at that time. Evidence now points to Grasty as a murder suspect.

At a press conference today. Detective Lieutenant Chris Frazier said that Grasty should be considered dangerous. Grasty is believed to be homeless somewhere in the Detroit area. Details as to motive or how long between the murder and the discovery of the body were not given.

Tips can be called in to the Port Huron Police Department’s CAPTURE line at 810.987.6688 or at porthuronpolice.org. There is a $1000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Reginald Cu-Nu Grasty. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland