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Local News

Masks on Children now Required in Daycares and Camps

Face coverings are now required on children and staff at child-care centers and camps throughout Michigan, according to the latest Executive Order from Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Day cares have never stopped operating throughout the COVID-19 crisis, and face coverings had not been required until now. Summer camps were allowed to open this summer, and while face coverings were not mandated, different camps had their own rules on face coverings.

The new order requires camp and daycare staff and children ages two and up to “mask up” on the bus. Children ages four and up must wear a face covering in indoor common spaces. All staff and all children twelve and older are required to wear a face covering when in classrooms, homes, cabins, or similar indoor small-group settings. The governor also strongly encourages that all children ages two and up wear face coverings when indoors, according to the order.

Children do not have to mask up if they cannot medically tolerate it, while eating, swimming, or doing high-intensity activities, or while physically distanced outside. Babies under the age of two are not required to wear masks.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

State Issues Warning About Deceptive Petition Drives

Petitions have been the subject of complaints to the Michigan Attorney General and Secretary of State. A warning has been issued by both offices stating that some of the petitions in circulation right now are advertised as something they are not. Petition circulators are often paid by the signature and have an incentive to garner as many signatures as possible.

Attorney General Dana Nessel, said, “Regardless of what your political stance is, I am urging anyone who is approached by a petitioner to carefully read and make every best effort to understand what you are agreeing to sign. “

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said, “For decades we’ve seen Michigan citizens intentionally deceived about ballot petitions, and particularly our most vulnerable populations. The recent increase in complaints demonstrates it’s high time for the Legislature to act to make it a crime to intentionally mislead a voter into signing a petition.”

There have recently been multiple petition drives aimed at recalling Governor Gretchen Whitmer or changing the executive powers authorized by the legislature. Several early Whitmer recall petitions were rejected by the Board of Canvassers because of the unclear petition language. The Unlock Michigan coalition is currently promoting a petition to repeal the Emergency Powers of Governor Act.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Diane Lofquist Elected as Woman’s Life Board Chair

Port Huron, MI — Janice Whipple has retired as the chair of the board of Woman’s Life Insurance Society, and Diane Lofquist was elected to assume the role at their July meeting.

Whipple served Woman’s Life as national president for 22 years, and for 30 years as chair of the board.

“It has been a great honor to have served as Chair of the Woman’s Life Insurance Society Board of Directors, and I’m proud of our many accomplishments,” said Whipple. “Diane brings tremendous knowledge of our organization and of the industry, and I am confident that with her leadership, Woman’s Life will grow and, most importantly, continue to serve the needs of our members.”

Lofquist has been a benefit member of Woman’s Life since childhood. She was employed by Woman’s Life for 38 years, serving in a variety of functions and retiring as National Secretary-Treasurer in 2008. She has been a member of the board of directors for the past six years and is an active member of Woman’s Life Club 11 in Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Great Lakes & Fresh Water Week Aug. 8-16th

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and the Southeast Michigan Partners for Clean Water along with Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) want to encourage Michigan residents to participate in Great Lakes And Fresh Water week from now until August 16th.

There is a lot to celebrate when it comes to Southeast Michigan’s abundant water resources, and there are several things we can all do to keep our waterways healthy and clean.

The One Water campaign sponsored by SEMCOG encourages public awareness of how cleaning up after your pet, properly disposing of fats, oils, and greases, and refraining from flushing disposable wipes can positively affect our water and sewer systems.

More information is available <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

McLaren Port Huron Awards Scholarships

Port Huron, MI – McLaren Port Huron and its health care partners have awarded $28,000 in scholarships to 23 students pursuing degrees in professions represented in the hospital and the community. Since 1988, 501 recipients have received $587,750 through the scholarship program.

Scholarships are funded by the Carter family, Demashkieh family, McLaren Port Huron Auxiliary, McLaren Port Huron employees, McLaren Port Huron Employees That Care Club, and McLaren Port Huron Foundation.

The 2020 scholarship recipients are:

Demashkieh Family Scholarships: Morgan Alexis of Port Huron, Noel Cosby of Port Huron, and Daniele Soper of Lexington.

McLaren Port Huron Auxiliary Scholarship:  Danyel Bullock of Brown City and Andrew Wetter of Emmett.

McLaren Port Huron Auxiliary Seminar/Conference Scholarship:  Sharon Kortas of East China and Patricia St. Louis of Port Huron.

McLaren Port Huron Employees That Care Scholarships:  Courtney Lundy and Nicole Young of Port Huron.

McLaren Port Huron Employee Scholarships:  Andrew Chandler of Port Huron, Jennifer Guertin of Port Huron, and Lawren Ruiz of Fort Gratiot.

McLaren Port Huron Foundation Nursing Scholarship:  Melissa Davey of Marysville, Cassidy Ferranti of Jeddo, and Tiffany Steele of Burtchville.

Shirley Jardine Carter Memorial Scholarship for Rehab Services:  Katlynn Ahearn of Fort Gratiot, Nicole Booms of Harbor Beach, Miranda Coombs of Lexington, Emily DiNardo of St. Clair, Tyler Drabant of Lexington, Mary Kaitlyn Healey of Ferndale, Courtney Ingles of Columbus, and Madison O’Neill of Clyde.

To learn more about scholarship opportunities at McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/phscholarship.

Bluewater Area COVID-19 Update for August 7, 2020

St. Clair County, MI — Lambton County, Ontario

Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of August 7, 2020 at  9:00 AM are as follows:

  • State of Michigan: 85,429  confirmed cases; 6,247 deaths
  • St. Clair County: 674 confirmed cases; 52 deaths
  • Ontario: 39,809  confirmed cases;  2,783 deaths
  • Sarnia-Lambton: 319 confirmed cases; 25 deaths

St. Clair County currently has 101 active cases of the virus, down 18 cases from last week, and 6% of hospital beds in the county are being used for COVID-19 patients.

Governor Whitmer signed an Executive Order yesterday requiring face coverings in childcare centers and  camps for children. Staff and children 2 years old and up must wear them on school buses, and staff and children 4 and up must wear them in all indoor common spaces.

Lambton County currently has 17 active cases. Dr. Ranade, Medical Health Officer of Health for Lambton County, wants to remind residents to keep their social circles small. “The virus can quickly spread among close contacts so keep your social circle small – limit is 10, and be very diligent if you choose to attend a larger gathering.”

 

Please continue to rely on reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand