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Local News

Man Arrested at Gas Station for Endangering Child, Weapons

Port Huron, MI — On May 17, 2021 at 1:32 a.m. an officer on patrol noticed a blue Honda Civic parked at the  Marathon Gas Station in the 1300 block of Military Street. A male was slumped over the  steering wheel and an 11 year old child was playing with Pokémon cards in the backseat. In  the backseat next to the child was a loaded handgun. 

As the officer tried to wake up the male he noticed another loaded handgun, a .223 rifle with  loaded magazines, a loaded shotgun, open liquor, prescription drugs, and what appeared to be  illicit drugs in the vehicle. The investigation revealed the male, a 40 year old Raeford, North  Carolina resident, drove to Michigan to meet a woman he met on a social media site. He was  driving on a suspended license and didn’t have a permit to carry a firearm. 

The male was arrested and lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention Center for Carrying a  Concealed Weapon, Child Endangerment/Operating Under the Influence of Drugs,  Possession of Dangerous Drugs, Possession of a Firearm while Intoxicated, and Driving on a  Suspended License. His son was turned over to the Department of Human Services who are in the process of making arrangements to get the child back to relatives in North Carolina.  

Chief Platzer stated, “This is another example of proactive policing by members of the Port  Huron Police Department which resulted in the protection of a child, the arrest of a dangerous  person, and numerous guns taken off the City of Port Huron streets.” 

If you have any information on this crime call CAPTURE at (810) 987-6688. Anonymous  texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and the message/tip to 847411  or by downloading the Port Huron PD app on an apple or android device. Tips can also be  emailed by clicking on the CAPTURE link at www.porthuronpolice.org. 

UPDATED 5/20/21:

Emory Conner Lewis (40 Years Old) of Raeford North Carolina was arraigned May 18, 2021 in 72nd District Court on the following charges:

1.)    Controlled Substance – Possession of Methamphetamine/Ecstasy – Felony

2.)    Operating While Intoxicated  2nd Offence– Occupant less than 16 – Misdemeanor

3.)    Weapons – Carrying Concealed – Felony

4.)    Weapons – Firearms – Possession under the influence – Misdemeanor

5.)    Operating – License Suspended, Revoked, Denied – Misdemeanor

6.)    Alcohol – Open container in vehicle – Misdemeanor

He was given a $15,000 bond.  His next scheduled court appearance is May 25th, 2021 at 9am in front of the Honorable Judge Mona Armstrong.  His Preliminary Examination is scheduled for June 1st, 2021 at 1:30PM also in Judge Armstrong’s court.

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

Public Comment Requested for COVID Workplace Rules

Last Thursday, State Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Lauwers asked residents of his district to voice their concerns about MIOSHA’s proposal that could make COVID rules for the workplace permanent.

Lauwers echoed some of the same concerns Senator Kevin Daly from District 31 expressed when he called on his constituents to provide feedback in an online form.

“Michigan is emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lauwers, R-Brockway Township. “At this critical stage, as more and more people are vaccinated and are returning to in-person work, these restrictive MIOSHA rules should be put out to pasture. I strongly encourage 25th District residents, workers and businesses alike to make their voices heard and let state bureaucrats know Michigan doesn’t want or need MIOSHA’s rules.”

If the proposed rule goes into effect, MIOSHA would have the right to review workplace rules that went into effect during the pandemic within 21 days after MDHHS and the Governor’s emergency orders have ended. At that time, they could choose to make them permanent.

As part of the process, all proposed rules are subject to a public comment period and a public hearing. Comments will be accepted until May 26, 2021, and can be made here: https://www.misenategop.com/WhitmerEmergency/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

PHS Advocator, Innovator, and Educator of the Year Announced

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron Schools announced this year’s recipients of the Advocator, Innovator, and Educator of the Year Awards. The annual awards were delivered to the winners while they were working last week.

The Advocator of the Year is Laura Nesbitt, a counselor at Fort Gratiot Middle School. In the live video presentation, Superintendent Jamie Cain said that Nesbitt is “a shining light, doing everything that’s right” during these stressful times for students.

Innovator of the Year is Mark Repp, the District Technology Trainer and Technology Integration Specialist. Cain thanked Repp for making things easier for teachers this year.

Educator of the Year is Sarah Miller, an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher at the Early Childhood Center. Cain thanked Miller for going above and beyond for her students in this difficult year.

The winners were selected from over 200 nominations from the community from both this school year and last school year. Winners received prizes donated by DoubleTree by Hilton Port Huron and Fort Gratiot Meijer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lake Huron Medical Center Achieves Healthgrades 2020 Patient Safety Excellence Award

Lake Huron Medical Center achieved the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award for 2021 which places them among the top 5% of all short-term acute care hospitals reporting patient safety data to Healthgrades.

The award recognizes hospitals that have the lowest occurrences of 14 preventable patient safety events, including injuries, infections, and other serious conditions.

Lake Huron Medical Center was also recognized as a five-star facility by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and has received straight A’s from Leapfrog since 2018.

Dr. Shridhar Reddy, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Lake Huron Medical Center said, “Lake Huron Medical Center credits these achievements to a commitment to clinical excellence by our staff and physicians. It’s their commitment, each and every day, to our patients that makes all the difference.”

 

 

Major Investment in Computer Science Education Statewide

AP Computer Science is a high school class that can open the door to a rewarding career. A pilot program is spending $15 million to make Advanced Placement Computer Science a real option for kids across the state. 

The collaboration between MiStem Network, Code.org, Grand Valley State University, and College Board is focusing on expanding access to the class for everyone. 

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II said, “We are thankful for Code.org for choosing Michigan as one of the first states in the nation to launch this expansive, inclusive computer science opportunity. We encourage educators and students to explore the rewarding opportunities this new AP Computer Science offering brings.”  

The program is reaching out specifically to underrepresented groups and trying to get those students to pursue careers in computer science or engineering. The grants will pay for offering the AP Computer Science classes at no cost to the district. 

Trevor Packer, head of the AP Program at the College Board said, “We applaud Michigan’s commitment to providing a more diverse set of students with computer science courses, which are fundamental for 21st century careers.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Updated Face Mask Order Goes Into Effect Saturday

Governor Whitmer just announced in a press release that Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is updating the Gatherings and Mask Order to align with the CDC’s latest guidance on face coverings. The new order hasn’t been posted in full yet, but is expected to lift the majority of face mask orders for vaccinated individuals.

The press release states, “Michiganders who are outdoors will no longer need to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. While indoors, fully vaccinated Michiganders will no longer need to wear a mask, but residents who are not vaccinated, or have not completed their vaccinations, must continue to wear a mask or face covering to protect themselves and others. After July 1, the broad indoor mask mandate will expire.”

There was no mention in the press release of MIOSHA rules which require employers and certain businesses to adhere to face masking and other safety measures to protect employees from the virus, which may lead to some confusion as to how and where this will be enforced. There is also no clarification in the release about how to tell who is truly fully vaccinated.

The order goes into effect on Saturday, May 15, 2021.