Local News

Sandusky teacher Erin Carlson has received the Excellence in Education Award by the Michigan Lottery. A Stem, Enrichment, and English teacher at Sandusky Junior/Senior High School, Mrs. Carlson traveled to Lansing on March 3rd to receive the award and film a video that will be shown on multiple television channels throughout the state beginning March 19. 

According to Sandusky Junior/Senior High Principal, Steve Carlson, “Erin accepted her $1,500 personal award and the $500 donation to a program of her choice at Sandusky High School. Erin has decided that she wants that donation to go to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.” Mrs. Carlson was nominated for the award by Mrs. Jaime Nicol, who Principal Carlson described as another “amazing educator in her own right” who “recognizes the work of others”. 

Mrs. Carlson had actually been nominated several times before, but this particular nomination led to a win. The Michigan Lottery accepts nominations for public school teachers throughout the year. More information along with the videos of the winning teachers can be found at the Michigan Lottery’s website.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Representatives from the Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Center (BWROC) will deliver a presentation at the Richmond town hall meeting on March 19, at 7:00pm. The presentation, entitled, “Opioids: How to Spot It; What Every Parent Needs to Know,” is being provided in cooperation with the Richmond School District and will focus on educating parents of school- age teens and children within the community on the signs of potential opiate use and abuse.

BWROC was founded as a non–profit 501(c)3 recovery community organization helping those struggling with addiction and their families. BWROC’s Center Manager, Patrick Patterson says they, “are in a unique position to help educate community members,” because the staff is made up of people who have either gone through addiction and recovery or experienced it through a loved-one.

The Town Hall will be held in the Richmond High School auditorium. More information can be found at bwroc.org.

In addition to narrowing down what’s left of the presidential candidates, voters in both St. Clair and Sanilac counties will be presented with a few ballot proposals in tomorrow’s election. There are three school millage questions on the ballot. East China School District is trying again after a school bond proposal that failed last year. The revamped proposal has a nearly $113 million price tag and is intended to be used for remodeling and improvements to existing buildings and grounds.
Both Yale Public Schools and Marlette Community Schools are asking for operating millage renewals. Yale is asking for a five-year sinking fund renewal. There are also some municipal proposals up for the vote. The city of Memphis has a Capital Improvement/Capital Project Millage on the ballot with the hope to rebuild and renovate community buildings. Casco Township has a four-year road improvement renewal millage.

In Sanilac County, the whole county is voting on a recycling millage of .15 mills along with a renewal of the county library millage of .2 mills which is expected to raise over $326,000. Sanilac County is also looking to renew the Medical Control Emergency Millage while several Sanilac County townships also have ballot proposals for fire protection and road improvements. Moore Township has an ordinance on the ballot that would allow for commercial solar energy installations.

A new Medicaid Law that was to require recipients to verify their employment status in order to receive benefits has been struck down by a Federal Judge. Recipients will not have to report work and community activities in order to receive health insurance. We reported on the law earlier this year. It had the potential to affect more than 11,000 individuals reported as Healthy Michigan Plan Health Insurance, or Medicaid, recipients in St. Clair County. 

While some lawmakers supported the reform and accountability effort, it was also met with serious opposition, including St. Clair County Health Department’s Medical Health Officer, Dr. Annette Mercatante, who previously expressed concern over people losing their insurance and creating unnecessary negative health problems.

Sprout City in Port Huron’s Armour Park will soon have two new structures thanks to an International Women Build project coordinated by Habitat for Humanity.

Ernest Werth-Toward, CEO of Blue Water Habitat for Humanity, revealed that many volunteers were on hand at the ReStore in Port Huron to help kickoff the project.

The project began more than two years ago with the building of Sprout Park. The International Women Build marks the beginning of this current phase of construction. During this national observance, projects are created across the country involving women.

While these buildings are newly underway, Ernest Werth-Toward expects to have both structures completed and placed in Sprout Park in time for spring and summer play.

(BPT) – If emergency officials in your community issued a mandatory evacuation order to get out of the path of a wildfire, hurricane or other natural disaster, would you know what to take with you, the evacuation route you would take and where you would go until it was safe to return home?

Do you have a personal evacuation plan in place?

If you answered “yes,” you’re like 49% of the 1,795 respondents Mercury Insurance recently surveyed for its emergency preparedness quiz. However, if the question was rephrased to inquire about “having an evacuation plan and practicing it at least once a year,” the results show only 23% meet this criteria.

“Safety should be your first priority in any situation involving a possible disaster or emergency event, and you should respond to mandatory evacuation orders immediately,” said Christopher O’Rourke, vice president of property claims at Mercury Insurance. “Your first instinct might be to panic, so having an evacuation plan in place and practicing it regularly will help ensure you and your family are ready to go at a moment’s notice. And it will also help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that will undoubtedly be a part of such a nerve-wracking situation.”

The survey also revealed that 39% of homeowners were unsure if they have enough coverage to rebuild if their home is damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, and 34% don’t have a home inventory they could provide to their insurance company to help get these items replaced. “Homeowners and renters should make a point of touching base with their insurance agents at least once a year to reassess coverage needs,” said O’Rourke. “It’s a good idea to make sure you have enough coverage as you accumulate more belongings, make changes to your home or your family expands – these details may affect your policy limits, as well as create a need for endorsements you might want to consider adding to your policy.”

There is some good news, however, as 88% of respondents said they have an in-home emergency kit stocked with essential items they will need if disaster strikes. If you don’t have a kit, here is a list of the items you may want to include in your kit:

• A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person), non-perishable food items and pet food, if applicable
• A battery-powered or hand-crank radio (and extra batteries)
• A flashlight
• A first aid kit
• A whistle to signal for help
• A can opener
• Blankets
• Tools to turn off utilities
• $200 in cash in small bills, as power may be out, making ATMs, debit and credit cards unusable
• Fully charged battery packs so you can recharge your cell phone
• Prescriptions for you and your pets.

The bottom line is that extreme weather events are anticipated to increase, and you can never be too cautious or over-prepared to protect against Mother Nature. “It’s a bit alarming to discover that, although natural disasters are in the news on a seemingly regular basis, many Americans still aren’t properly preparing themselves if one happens in their neighborhood or city,” said O’Rourke. “These events can have serious repercussions and adopting a wait-and-see attitude is not an option.”