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Local News

MDHHS Warns Against Thanksgiving Gatherings with Elderly

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones and often a reunion of the generations within a family. But this year is different, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is asking families to look ahead to next Thanksgiving and take a break this year.

MDHHS Director Robert Gordon warned, “While we are advising everyone to avoid Thanksgiving gatherings beyond their own households, it’s especially critical that residents of nursing homes and other group homes remain in their homes during the holiday. If these individuals contract COVID while traveling, they run the risk of bringing it back to others who are especially vulnerable to illness and death. This year, please celebrate Thanksgiving by Zoom or by phone, and next year’s Thanksgiving will be better.”

Residents of long-term care facilities are not prohibited from leaving for Thanksgiving, but they are strongly encouraged to stay in place. Providers are encouraged to both educate about the risks of contracting COVID-19 and of the toll it takes on elderly populations and to facilitate phone and video calls to bring the generations together in a different way this year.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Effort to Stop Nestle’ Water Bottling Loses Appeal to EGLE

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, EGLE, has dismissed a case that challenged the permit that allowed Nestle’ Waters North America to increase water withdrawals. The company was granted a permit to ramp up water withdrawals from a source near Evart, Michigan, in 2018.

Currently, the company pays $200 to draw 130 million gallons of water per year. EGLE dismissed the appeal on the grounds that it should have been filed in circuit court.

EGLE Director Liesl Clark said, “EGLE remains committed to protecting our state’s valuable water resources, but as a regulatory agency we must act within our statutory authority. The Safe Drinking Water Act only allows EGLE to hold contested case hearings under very limited circumstances which are not present in this case.”

Clark went on to blame the previous administration for allowing the permit in the first place and called on the legislative branch to “update regulations to give the agency more authority over water withdrawals for bottled water and royalties to compensate Michiganders for the commercial use of the state’s freshwater resources.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sperry’s Santa Spectacle Kicks Off Holiday Season

Port Huron, MI — There’s no Santa Parade this year, but that doesn’t mean kids won’t get a chance to see Santa and feel the magic of the holiday season. Port Huron Recreation Department will be organizing Sperry’s Drive-Thru Santa Spectacle on Friday, November 27th from 6 -8 p.m.

The Rec Department is not letting COVID take away the annual holiday kick-off. The drive-thru event is hoped to bring all of the lights and beauty of the season without the worries of maintaining social distance at a crowded public event.

Spectacle participants will be driving through Pine Grove Park, which will be donning the lights of the season. Typical parade attractions will be positioned along the route with Jolly old Saint Nick himself stationed at the end of the route.

The route starts at the south entrance of Pine Grove Park and ends at the north end of the park. Side streets will be closed. 

 To keep things running smoothly on the night of the drive-thru event, the Rec Department asks that you sign up for a time slot. The event is free to attend.

Light displays are sponsored by local businesses. The displays will be up from November 25th until January 2nd. 

https://rec.porthuron.org/ViewCourseActivityDetails.aspx… 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

VNA & Blue Water Hospice Kick Off Light Up a Life Campaign

Visiting Nurse Association & Blue Water Hospice just kicked-off their annual fundraising campaign, Light up a Life. From now until the end of December, you can support the organization by donating to their campaign and honoring a loved on on their Tree of Remembrance.

The Tree of Remembrance will be lit with a shining light for each donation, symbolizing the life, hope, and dreams of loved ones who have passed as well as those who cared for them. The tree is open for viewing in the Tom Lock Memorial Observatory on the grounds of the Blue Water Hospice Home in Marysville. It is lit daily between 5 – 7 PM from now until December 31st.

Donations to the campaign ensure that the VNA & Blue Water Hospice can continue to care for the community’s needs by providing charity nursing care and room & board at the hospice home.

To donate to the Light Up a Life campaign and honor a loved one, visit vnabwh.org/donate or call (810) 984-4131.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Rash of Break-ins in St. Clair Area

Deputies from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office responded to calls of numerous break-ins that occurred in the overnight hours of Sunday.

According to Sheriff Mat King, items were taken from vehicles on River Road in China Township, Hathaway Street in East China Township and South River Pointe Lane and Scott B Drive in St. Clair Township.  A home invasion was also reported on St. Clair Highway in China Township.  Numerous items were stolen, including at least two handguns.

Sheriff King reminds all citizens to ensure your vehicles are locked at all times when not in use, even while in your driveway.

Anyone with information regarding the thefts are asked to contact the road patrol supervisor’s office at (810) 987-1733.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

20 in 2020 Project Seeks Families for Michigan Teens

The 20 in 2020 project is an initiative by the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange and MDHHS whose goal is to produce video stories for 20 Michigan teenagers in foster care who are waiting for adoptive families.  The youth work with the 20 in 2020 team to create a unique profile page with the hope of matching them with adoptive families.

The 20 in 2020 project’s website currently features 18 profiles of teenagers in foster care who want to be adopted. Profiles include descriptions, photos, quotes, and personal videos of the youth sharing their personalities with prospective families.

Teens share that they are looking for a family that will accept them, love them, and “be in [their] corner no matter what”.

Interested potential adoptive families can reach out to Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange staff members directly from one of the teens profiles on the 20 in 2020 page <HERE> or by visiting MARE’s website and clicking on “For Families” <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand