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Local News

Free Drive-Thru Flu Clinics Coming Up

St. Clair County, MI — The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) in partnership with Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) will be offering drive-thru flu clinics on September 25th  & 29th  from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and October 6th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

All ages are welcome, and flu vaccines will be administered by St. Clair County Health Department public health nurses. The vaccine is available for ages 6 months and up. The flu mist (no needle) and the standard flu vaccine will be available.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged! Make an appointment online at www.scchealth.co and click “Make an Appointment”. Pre-registration can also be done over the phone by calling (810) 987-5300.

There are no out of pocket expenses for participants, and insurances will be billed. Please wear a short sleeve shirt and take a photo ID and a copy of your insurance card.

 

Friday, September 25th and

Tuesday, September 29th

Lake Huron Medical Center

Main Campus

2601 Electric Avenue

(Enter off of Electric and 11th)

 

Tuesday, October 6th:

Lake Huron Medical Center

North Campus

4190 24th Avenue, Fort Gratiot

In addition, for the safety of staff and visitors, we kindly ask that participants do not bring any pets.

For more information about health department services visit www.scchealth.co or follow us on social media @scchdmi.

Pollution Prevention Week Aims to Keep Michigan’s Environment Clean

This week is “Pollution Prevention Week” and “Michigan Environmental Compliance Week” throughout the state. The observances are intended to draw attention to environmental stewardship. 

Toxic substances, like PFAS and abandoned industrial waste sites, have been hot topics in the state. Efforts are underway to reduce the use of toxic substances, recycle and reuse when possible, and to educate businesses, communities, and environmental professionals on how to protect Michigan’s environment.   

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is hosting a series of free online workshops for interested citizens and professionals. 

In St. Clair County, residential consumers can dispose of hazardous materials at the Smiths Creek Landfill. An appointment needs to be made and a detailed list of all materials being brought in needs to be submitted. 

The full list of materials that are accepted at the Smiths Creek Landfill, along with ideas on how to reduce use of toxic chemicals, and information about properly disposing of all kinds of toxic materials can be found www.stclaircounty.org/offices/landfill/. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Insurance Companies Waive Patient Costs Through 2020

92% of the Michigan’s commercial health insurance companies have agreed to waive patient costs associated with the testing and treatment of COVID-19. Out of pocket costs such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance payments will be waived through the end of 2020.

The State of Michigan and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) worked on the agreement with the insurance providers to ensure patients would have access to treatment and not be burdened financially.

According to a press release from the Governor’s office, consumers with these individual and group health plans will not be charged cost-sharing for medically appropriate COVID-19-related medical treatment, such as primary care visits, diagnostic testing, emergency room visits, ambulance services, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medications and vaccines when they become available.

To learn more about the companies who are waiving costs, click <HERE>.

 

Port Huron Rec Department Announces Fall Schedule

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department has published their Fall 2020 Guide. After a successful summer full of adjusted and modified programs, they are ready to ring in autumn with a full roster of socially distant recreation.

One of the biggest events is the first ever Fall Edition of Walk Michigan. The routes are provided and walkers have one week to complete each walk. Walkers need to register online to get the routes.

The Halloween Stroll is on the schedule this year, but with a new twist. After many years of being held at Sanborn Park, the Halloween Stroll will be held in Downtown Port Huron for 2020. Trick or treating stations will be set up alongside a “Touch a Truck” event. The event will be held on Halloween, October 31st, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and registration is required. Social distancing regulations will be enforced.

Looking ahead to Christmas, the Rec. Department is planning to illuminate Pine Grove Park with Christmas Decorations this year and is looking for businesses to sponsor spots in the park.

There are also family classes and events both online and outdoors. Full details can be found at porthuronrec.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Regional Opioid Town Hall to be Held Virtually on September 25

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Opioids Task Force will be holding a Flint and Thumb RegionVirtual Town Hall on September 25 to discuss the opioid epidemic in the region.

State officials want to learn more about how opioid abuse has impacted the area. MDHHS will be sharing the 2020 strategy that is in place and will be seeking feedback from the public to develop a “crisis response that is flexible; effective to fit the needs of communities from Detroit to Grand Rapids to Marquette; and informed by the experiences of Michiganders affected by the crisis”, according to a press release from the department.

The three main questions that will be asked at the town hall will be: How has the opioid epidemic affected you, your family or your community? What services, programs or policies would you recommend to help address the crisis? How can the state help combat stigma and change the narrative around opioid use disorder?

Residents can tune in to the town hall on September 25, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. by following this link. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Discount Cards Offer Deals Through 2021

There are two new discount cards available for those who shop at Downtown Port Huron businesses and in the Greater Port Huron Area. Thirty-three businesses are represented on each card, and the discounts start from the time the card is purchased through December 31, 2021.

The cards are $10 each, and the Downtown Port Huron discount card includes 10-20% discounts on stores such as MI Passion, batchmade BEAUTY, and Suzanne’s Women’s Fashions, along with $40 off for an escape room group at The Hallway Entertainment.

The Greater Port Huron discount card features some downtown locations as well, and also includes discounts to The Dorsey House, Jersey Mike’s in Ft. Gratiot, and all Dunham’s Sports locations.

Discount cards can be purchased at participating stores or through the City of Port Huron’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA).  Cards purchased through the DDA will help fund future events and promotions in Downtown Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand