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Local News

Vaccine Clinic Added for Friday

The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) will be hosting a new COVID-19 vaccination clinic for 65 years of age and older only, Friday, 1/29/21 thanks to an unexpected, one-time redistribution of vaccine from McLaren Port Huron.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer stated, “We are very grateful for this one-time allocation of vaccine from McLaren Port Huron. These doses will be used to vaccinate more seniors 65+; and additional essential workers in the current (Phase1A – 1B groups). This allows us to vaccinate more residents sooner, allowing for broader community protection.”

McLaren Port Huron President & CEO Eric Cecava explained; “McLaren Port Huron is committed to a healthier community and partnering with the St. Clair County Health Department to provide COVID-19 vaccinations is an important step in achieving that goal. Although current vaccine shortages limit our ability to supply ongoing vaccine, we’re pleased to be able to support the health department’s efforts to vaccinate the community we serve.”

The 65+ clinic will be held at the Blue Water Convention Center, from 9:00am – 7:00pm, by appointment only. No walk-ins accepted. Please do not show up at the clinic without an appointment. Approximately 900 appointments will be available. This will be the last week using our current appointment scheduling system. Scheduling is now open and will only be available until appointments are full. Visit www.scchealth.co to schedule. Due to extremely high call volume, please seek help from a family member, friend or neighbor for assistance with online scheduling. Please avoid calling the Health Department so phone lines can remain open for those seniors without additional help.

The Health Department is also currently preparing to launch a new pre-registration system. It is anticipated to go live the week of 2/1 – 2/5. This new process will allow individuals to “pre-register” and when appointments are available for future vaccine clinics, it can notify the person via email, text and/or phone call. A Vaccine Hotline will also be available for users without computer access. More information will be announced when it is live.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer, stated “Please bear with us one more week with our current scheduling process. We have been working diligently with county officials to get something in place. We are hopeful this new system will meet the community’s needs. Once live, the new link will remain on our website. This also will replace our current Friday process of posting a scheduling link. Thank you again for your patience, we are almost there!”

This is a rapidly evolving situation. Further information will be shared when updates are available on the health department website at www.scchealth.co and follow us on social media @scchdmi. For state vaccine data visit https://bit.ly/39q4XwS.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Health Department

All St. Clair County Families Eligible for Free Preschool

St. Clair County, MI — The Michigan Department of Education has expanded eligibility requirements for the Great Start Readiness Program, and now all St. Clair County families have access to free preschool.

The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is a free state-funded preschool program for children who turn 4 years old on or before September 1st of the current school year. The program has been opened up to all families, regardless of income, if GSRP classrooms have openings.

GSRP locations in Algonac, East China, Memphis, Port Huron, and Yale currently have openings and families are encouraged to apply now to fill the remaining slots for the 2020-21 school year.

Becky Gorinac, RESA’s Director of Early Childhood Services said, ““Our goal is to enroll as many children into preschool as possible, even though we are half-way through the school year. Research shows that early learning is essential to a child’s future success in kindergarten and beyond.”

Details on registration are available at www.sccresa.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County Library Branches Reopening Feb. 1st

Beginning Monday, February 1st, all branches of the St. Clair County Library System will reopen with limited hours and services. Branches will be open every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9-5 and Tuesday and Thursday from 11-7.

Public areas like children’s play areas, meeting rooms, and study spaces will be closed, but patrons will be able to access computers for 30 minute sessions. All visitors are required to wear a mask, and staff will be sanitizing the locations regularly to keep patrons safe.

The library will continue to have curbside pickup by appointment for patrons who prefer that option, and the Local History and Special Collections departments will be available by appointment only.

More details are available at stclaircountylibrary.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

See You In Court: Port Huron Rejects MIOSHA Citations and Fine

Port Huron, MI — A local legal drama is brewing as the City of Port Huron is taking on the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) regarding a $6,300 fine issued after receiving several citations for not following COVID-19 prevention protocol.

The citation was issued after a complaint was filed. MIOSHA accused the City of “violations of COVID-19 workplace safety requirements including failure to require face coverings, not conducting daily entry self-screening protocols for employees, not training employees on COVID-19, and failing to maintain records of the daily entry self-screening protocols.”, according to MIOSHA records.

MIOSHA dismissed one of the charges, but is not backing down on a portion of the penalty. The City has asked for a court date to hash it out in front of an independent administrative law judge.

The City denies all charges and points out that there have been no workplace COVID-19 outbreaks. They also dismissed the legitimacy of MIOSHA to levy fines after the Governor’s Executive Orders were ruled unconstitutional by the Michigan Supreme Court.

City Manager James Freed called the citations “baseless and not with legal merit”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLaren Festival Of Trees Money To Go Toward Lung Cancer Equipment

Port Huron, MI — McLaren Port Huron’s Festival of Trees  2020 was a totally different event from the three-day event of years past, but the scaled-back adaptation was still a success. 

The 2020 version had seventeen trees displayed at the windows of the hospital that the community could enjoy safely from outside. Donors still came through with sponsorships and raffle ticket purchases, netting $65,000 for the hospital’s Foundation. 

The proceeds from the Festival of Trees are going toward the purchase of equipment to diagnose and treat lung cancer – an endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy device. The device should be ready for use this summer.

Dr. Vasken Artinian, a pulmonary critical care specialist, said that this tool will improve patient care and outcomes and using it is the procedure of choice. He said, “It really complements our full-service cancer program at McLaren Port Huron and is an opportunity to ensure patients can remain in the community for diagnosis and treatment.”

Both Dr. Artinian and Sara Tait, Director of the McLaren Port Huron Foundation, expressed gratitude to the community for their generosity and support.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Championship Disc Golf Course In the Works at Columbus County Park

Columbus County Park in St. Clair County is about to become home to a state-of-the-art Disc Golf Course. The cutting-edge course design work has been completed and the construction of the course is underway.

Jeff Bauman, a professional disc golf course designer, has been charged with the creation of the course. Bauman said the course will have something for everyone, with “Gold Level” long tees and “Fun Level” short tees. He said the course will challenge the best players, yet be fun for beginners.

Bauman said fifteen volunteers were ready to work at 8:00 last Saturday morning, in 17-degree temperatures. The projected June completion date could be moved up because of the hard-working volunteers and the enthusiasm for the project. Information about volunteer opportunities can be found at the Columbus County Park Disc Golf Course Facebook page.

Bauman said that interest in disc golfing “has really exploded” as people are looking for outdoor recreation during the pandemic. Bauman recommended PDGA.com for more information about getting started with disc golfing.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland