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Local News

American Red Cross Critical Need for Blood Donations

Blood Donors Can Help COVID-19 Patients

As the U.S. experiences a new surge in COVID-19 cases, the Red Cross is becoming increasingly concerned about the nation’s blood supply – including convalescent plasma.

A convalescent plasma donation collects plasma from COVID-19 survivors because antibodies to the disease in their blood may help patients who are currently fighting the virus. Increased hospitalization of patients with coronavirus this fall and winter has caused the Red Cross to distribute a record number of COVID-19 plasma products to hospitals treating patients who are battling the virus. 

The Red Cross is testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies which helps provide insight to donors concerning possible prior exposure to this virus. Donors can expect to receive the results of their antibody test within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or on the donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

Each week, whole blood donors with COVID-19 antibodies are helping to contribute between 350-500 units of potentially lifesaving convalescent plasma for patients in need. 

For a list of blood drives in St. Clair County, visit WGRT’s events page <HERE>.

Submitted by the American Red Cross

Photo by Abby Schneider Boat Night Port Huron Photo

2021 Blue Water Area Calendar Released

Citizens for a Vibrant Community just released its 2021 Blue Water Area Calendar. The popular calendar features 13 photos from local photographers who submitted their work for consideration, including Abby Harvey and Tom Shaw.

The calendar is the biggest fundraiser for Citizens for a Vibrant Community, and it is usually released at a social event. This year, the calendar is being released online and being sold in local stores such as Wolverine Market Downtown Port Huron.

Calendars can be purchased at Citizens for a Vibrant Community’s website, cvcph.org, and they cost $6 each. Calendars will be mailed once payment is received.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Naturalization Civics Test Updated

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is required to update the naturalization civics test every ten years to make sure it remains comprehensive enough to adequately test an applicant’s knowledge of American history, government and civic values. The most recent update for 2020 is now being implemented.

The test is one of the main requirements for naturalizing an American citizen, and it requires applicants to answer at least 12 out of 20 questions successfully. The civics test is an oral exam, and the 20 questions asked are chosen randomly for each test-taker from a bank of 128 approved questions.

If an applicant is 65 years old or older, and they have been living in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident for 20 or more years, the bank of test questions is reduced to 20, and the test-taker can take the naturalization test in the language of their choice. In those cases, the USCIS officer will only ask 10 of the 20 possible civics test questions and the test-taker must answer 60% correctly.

An online bank of 2020 Naturalization Test questions and answers is available at the USCIS’s website <HERE> .

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Pause to Save Lives Starts Wednesday

A new COVID-19 order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human services goes into effect on Wednesday and hopes to quell the current surge in virus cases over the next three weeks.

MDHHS Director Robert Gordon issued the emergency order under the authority granted to him under MCL 333.2226(d), a Michigan Law that gives MDHHS the power to “[e]xercise  authority to promulgate rules to safeguard properly the public health; to prevent the spread of diseases and the existence of sources of contamination; and to implement and carry out the powers and duties vested by law in the department.”

The new orders target specific gathering places that have been determined as sources of more frequent spread of COVID-19. This includes indoor dining, group exercise classes, and indoor public gatherings of all types. The MDHHS order prohibits residential gatherings of over 10 people from more than two households; therefore attempting to reduce spread of COVID-19 as a result of multi-family indoor gatherings at Thanksgiving.

The order also restricts all indoor dining which will force restaurants to return completely  to carry out, drive through, or curbside service until the order is lifted on December 8, 2020 at 11:59 PM.

MDHHS, the Governor’s office, and the State Attorney General Dana Nessel, have issued statements confirming that law enforcement officers are “deemed to be department representatives for purposes of enforcing this order, and are specifically authorized to investigate potential violations” of the order.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Spotted Lanternfly Case Identified in Michigan

Spotted Lanternflies have been identified as a serious threat to Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources. This invasive species could damage more than 70 varieties of plants, including grapes, apples, hops, and hardwood trees, which contribute significantly to Michigan’s economy.

In recent weeks, dead spotted lanternflies were found in Michigan, and freight carriers, warehouse workers, and delivery drivers are asked to be on alert for the insect.

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development inspectors intercepted the pests in a shipment, and they hope future inspections will identify the pests and help with reporting and tracking their spread.

Spotted Lanternflies are roughly one inch long, have gray or brownish wings with black spots when folded, and bright red hind wings when open. They damage plants and trees when they secrete a sticky, sugary substance that becomes moldy.

For more information on identifying and reporting spotted lanternflies, visit Michigan.gov/SpottedLanternfly.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

A Beautiful Me Launches “Your Story Matters” Fundraising Campaign

A Beautiful Me’s signature FUNdraiser, an Avant Garde Hair Show, traditionally gathers 500 supporters for a banquet dinner. This year, the committee made a decision to go virtual with an online fundraiser designed to showcase the stories of its supporters.

The “Your Story Matters” Peer-to-Peer fundraiser launches today on Facebook, and over the next two weeks, it will feature video stories from a diverse group of A Beautiful Me’s supporters.

Makhia Tremble, one of the teens participating in emerge360, A Beautiful Me’s free business training program at The Closet in Downtown Port Huron, will share some of her experience in the program. She said, “A Beautiful Me has taught me it’s okay to change, and it’s okay to be different, but it’s GREAT to be you!”

Videos will be released daily, and the event culminates on #GivingTuesday, a national day of giving on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand