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Local News

Port Huron Schools Switches Up Free Meal Distribution

Port Huron, MI — It’s School Lunch Week nationwide. Also this week, Port Huron Schools has launched a change to their meal distribution plan. The district continues to provide lunches to all students whether they are learning virtually or in-person with the hybrid schedule. Parents are now able to pick up a whole week’s worth of food in one visit every Monday

Starting this week, meals were not sent home with students. The school district switched to parents picking up the lunches in order to provide a greater selection and allow uninterrupted instruction time at school. Both breakfast and lunch are provided and are available for all children ages 18 and younger.

Meals can be picked up on Mondays between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. and between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. at both the Port Huron Northern High School and Port Huron High School Performing Arts Centers. Meals can be picked up by friends or family if parents don’t have a ride to the centers.

Michigan State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice said, “The federal waivers have just been extended through the rest of the school year so children will not lack the essential nutrition to be healthy.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Law Helps Those with Criminal Records Get a “Clean Slate”

Michigan House Bills 4980-4985 and 5120 were signed into law on Monday. The “Clean Slate” criminal justice reform is aimed at expunging the records of people who have committed certain felonies and misdemeanors.

With recreational marijuana decriminalized since late 2018, those convicted of both felonies and misdemeanors are now able to get one or more pot charges set aside if the crime would not have been a felony after the decriminalization. Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II said, “This anti-poverty, pro-job opportunity Clean Slate legislation will reinvigorate the economic potential of hundreds of thousands of Michiganders whose records have hindered their availability to get a job or secure housing, and it will help us grow our workforce.”

This law is estimated to affect over 80,000 Detroiters and likely has effects on residents of the Blue Water Area. A University of Michigan Law School study found that people who receive expungements see a 23% increase in income within a year.

The bipartisan effort was praised by Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield who said it helps to end the “cruel cycle of poverty and crime”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Schools and Health Departments Have 24 Hours Inform of Possible COVID-19 Exposure

Any confusion over requirements for schools reporting COVID positive students has been cleared up by a ruling from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The ruling went into effect on Monday and is in effect until further notice. The ruling fills the gap left by the Executive Orders from Governor Whitmer that were ruled against by the Michigan Supreme Court.

According to the order, schools, both public and non-public, need to identify who may have been exposed using the criteria of being within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from two days before illness onset. “The best available evidence demonstrates that these notifications must be made no later than 24 hours after suspected or confirmed exposure”, according to the order.

Once the local health department is notified that the case is school associated, they have to notify the school within 24 hours so the school can help them identify who needs to be called for contact tracing. Then, a public notice needs to be made in a highly visible spot on the school’s website.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Safe Sleep Awareness Protects Infants

October is Safe Sleep Awareness month, and caregivers are encouraged to take measures to ensure their infants have a safe environment for sleeping.

Babies 0-12 months old should be placed on their backs in a crib, bassinet, or pack ‘n play every time they need rest. Mattresses should be firm with a tightly fitted sheet and be free of pillows, fluffy blankets, or toys.

Babies can be kept from overheating by using a sleep sack or footed pajamas and limiting the use of blankets. Caregivers should also avoid covering infant’s heads while they are sleeping.

The newly signed 2021 budget for the State of Michigan included funding for the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies plan which provides services for expectant mothers. Those services include guidance for new parents and caregivers on infant sleep safety and can be accessed through the MDHHS Safe Sleep Website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Flu Clinics in October

The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) will be offering flu clinics across St. Clair County.

All ages welcome. Flu vaccine will be administered by St. Clair County Health Department public health nurses. Vaccine is available for ages 6 months and up; FluMist (no needle) for ages 2-49; enhanced for ages 65 and up; and standard flu vaccine for all ages. *(While supplies last)*

Making an appointment is quick and easy online at www.scchealth.co and click “Make an Appointment”.  All clinics will run 3:00pm to 6:00pm.

No out of pocket expenses for participants, and insurances will be billed. Please wear a short sleeve shirt and bring a photo ID and a copy of your insurance card. Masks or face coverings are required.

October 13, 2020: Algonac Lions Hall – 1905 Mill St. Algonac, MI

October 15, 2020: American Legion – 1026 6th St. Port Huron, MI

October 19, 2020: American Legion – 299 Huron Blvd. Marysville, MI

October 22, 2020: Knights of Columbus – 3501 Rattle Run Rd. St. Clair, MI

October 26, 2020: Yale VFW – 4 West Mechanic St. Yale, MI

Absentee Voters Can Change Their Minds

Absentee voters who just can’t make up their minds until the last minute, or who change their minds, or who lose or damage their ballots have options. The legal term is “ballot spoiling”. According to the office of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, voters need to submit a written request to their city or township clerk if they need to “spoil” their ballot. They must sign the request and let the clerk know if they would like a new one mailed to them or if they will pick it up in person.

Voters can’t really wait until the very last minute, as they need to have their request in to the clerk by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the election, so October 30th this year. They can take care of the whole transaction in person at the clerk’s office on the day before the election. An absentee ballot that has been returned to the clerk may be spoiled in person until 10:00 a.m. on the Monday before the election, and until 4:00 p.m. on that day if the ballot has not yet been returned to the clerk.

Additionally, if a voter loses or destroys their ballot, or never got around to turning in their absentee ballot, they can vote at the polls. They will need to sign an affidavit and vote in person. But, if your ballot is already turned in and you change your mind on election day, it’s too late.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland