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Local News

Big Tree Hunt Underway

The 15th Biennial Michigan Big Tree Hunt Contest has been announced by ReLeaf Michigan. The contest is for Michigan residents of all ages and is open until August of 2021.

Winners will go on to the State Champion Tree List and could be entered into the official National Register of Big Trees. The state list includes eight trees in St. Clair County, including a copper beech on Seventh Street in Port Huron. The only Michigan tree that is on the national list right now is a White Willow in Lansing.

Last year’s contest had over 700 submissions. Size is determined by circumference of the trunk. Prizes are awarded for the largest tree found. There is also a contest for the largest White Pine, which is Michigan’s State Tree.

There is recognition for each county’s largest tree and largest of each species. Currently there are no registered state champions for striped maple, mountain maple, choke cherry, and white/paper birch.

More information can be found at releafmichigan.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLaren Port Huron Opens Heart and Vascular Center

Port Huron, Mich. – McLaren Port Huron officials opened the doors to the new James C. Acheson Heart and Vascular Center Monday, Aug. 10, 2020.  The 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility offers comprehensive services to patients undergoing cardiovascular testing and procedures.

The new, $2,175,000 center encompasses both non-invasive and invasive cardiac and vascular imaging and testing, including nuclear medicine, echocardiography, electrophysiology, stress tests and more in one convenient location. These services help diagnose patients with a range of heart conditions – including but not limited to – heart disease, heart failure, abnormal heartbeats or arrhythmia, blocked coronary arteries and circulatory problems.

In addition to the opening of the James C. Acheson Heart and Vascular Center, a new cardiac observation unit opened in July.

The James C. Acheson Heart and Vascular Center is one of the final phases of the five-year $161 million master facility plan that McLaren began in 2015.  It follows renovations completed in the north tower in 2019, and the opening of the new four-story, 175,000-square-foot south patient tower in 2018 and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Center Institute in 2016.

The new center was named the James C. Acheson Heart and Vascular Center in honor of the generous contributions made to McLaren Port Huron by the James C. Acheson Foundation over the years.

“Contributions to McLaren Port Huron have always been made with one purpose in mind – to save lives,” says James C. Acheson.  “The cardiovascular team at McLaren has always provided excellent care, but the comprehensive heart and vascular center – equipped with the newest technology and equipment – will undoubtedly enhance patient care.”

“Dr. Acheson’s continued generosity and support is admirable, and we are sincerely grateful for his philanthropic efforts,” says Eric Cecava, McLaren Port Huron’s President and CEO.  “We hope his namesake on the center illustrates his unwavering commitment to the Blue Water community.”

Michigan Firefighters Assisting with California Wildfires

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is on its way to California to help fight the massive wildfires with off-road fire engines.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “The California wildfires have devastated thousands of families, and Michigan is ready to help in any way we can. The highly trained firefighters from the Michigan DNR regularly assist other parts of the country that are in need. Just like when California sent us ventilators in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re prepared to help our friends on the West Coast protect families, businesses, and wildlife from these fires.”

There is a nationwide cooperative system where DNR firefighters may be assigned to any state in need. The DNR assures that there are plenty of firefighters still in Michigan should their skills be needed.

Multiple blazes are being fought in 15 states right now. Thousands have had to evacuate in California, and over a million acres of land have been burned. The fires are minimally contained with threat of more fires on the horizon.

Michigan is reimbursed for the services and the DNR describes the travel as “valuable to firefighters who want to increase their experience and learn skills they can use to fight fires at home.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lake Huron Medical Center August Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its August 2020
Employee of the Month, Stephanie Sider. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and
volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Stephanie is a Respiratory Therapist and has been with LHMC since December 2018. She was
nominated by a peer who commented, “Stephanie did a remarkable job with a Priority 1 transport out of our ER. She assisted the medic with the vent set up and operation. She went above and beyond to calm the medic down so that together they could provide the best possible quality of care to the patient.”

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a
special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Stephanie, as we
celebrate her accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit
www.mylakehuron.com.

“Return to Learn” Law Gives Schools Guidelines for 20-21 Schoolyear

With just a week or two before school starts, the “Return to Learn” bill has been signed into law. The law addresses the challenges facing districts in the 20-21 school year and was drafted in the Michigan House of Representatives in a bipartisan effort.

Last year’s pupil count will now determine the funding levels for this year. With uncertainty as to what days kids will be in school and differences between districts, this takes away the stress of “count days” that are tied to funding.

$65 million in federal funding is being allocated to increase internet connectivity, promote student mental health, address learning loss, and other supports.

The bill also gives flexibility to schools as to instructional days and hours, and asks districts to develop their own plans to meet the needs of students while adapting to COVID-19 mitigation protocols. The law mandates reporting on how districts will instruct in core subject areas and how they will address accommodations for students with disabilities. The law requires two-way communication and grading for all types of education, whether in-person or remote. School should look quite a bit different than it did last spring with the passage of the bills.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Series Offered by MSU Extension

For those struggling to care for a loved one, a six-week Powerful Tools for Caregivers program will be offered to help caregivers navigate the difficult task.

The program is offered by the Michigan State University Cooperative Extension on the Zoom platform. It runs every Wednesday from September 16 to October 21 from 3:00-4:30 p.m.  

The program is designed for people who are helping a parent, spouse, friend or someone who lives at home, in a nursing home, or across the country.

Topics covered include stress reduction and effective communication. There will also be suggestions on how caregivers can take care of themselves, relax, and reduce guilt anger and depression while making tough decisions, setting goals, and problem-solving.

There will be time during the program to discuss hiring in-home help, understanding depression, helping memory-impaired elders, making decisions about driving, and making legal and financial decisions.

The six-week program is completely free. Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an organization that provides resources to caregivers nationwide. The link to registration is here.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland