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Local News

Portion of Riverside Drive Closed Starting May 4th

Weather permitting, on Monday, May 4, 2020, the City of Port Huron will begin construction on the Blue Water Bridge Plaza Sewer Separation project. The project is part of the ongoing State of
Michigan mandated Combined Sewer Separation work and will complete the combined sewer overflow (CSO) elimination program that was required by the consent order the City entered in to
with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. This project is expected to be completed by December 2020.

Work includes sewer construction, asphalt paving and lawn restoration within the area from Scott Avenue to Hancock Street and Riverside Drive to 12th Avenue.

Due to construction, Riverside Drive, from Scott Avenue to Mansfield Street will be closed to traffic starting May 4, 2020 and lasting until late July 2020. We encourage the public to use alternate
routes while this portion of Riverside Drive is closed.

Lawmakers Authorize Lawsuit Challenging Whitmer’s Authority

Michigan lawmakers did not approve an extension of the State of Emergency for the coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers instead authorized a lawsuit challenging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s authority. Whitmer has asked the legislature to approve a 28-day extension of the emergency declaration, which expired April 30th.

Legislators agreed  on a package of bills that would change how the state responds to the coronavirus pandemic. They also voted to approve the lawsuit against Whitmer. Members of the Republican-led House passed bills that would replace a series of orders issued by Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

House Speaker Lee Chatfield said republicans support decisive action to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but Whitmer’s “unchecked and undemocratic approach” is not the best way. “The current status quo relies on one-size-fits-all edicts that unfairly punish millions of people across the state without giving them any recourse or voice in the process,” Chatfield said. “The people deserve a better solution, and we can provide it.”

Whitmer has vowed to veto the legislation and promises to move forward on her own.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Lake Huron Medical Center Earns A in Safety

Lake Huron Medical Center was awarded an ‘A’ in the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing the hospital’s achievements in providing safer health care. Lake Huron Medical Center is the only hospital in St. Clair County to earn an A, the highest grade, and has received straight A’s since 2018.

“As the Nation copes with a challenging pandemic, our gratitude extends to hospital leadership and health care workers everywhere for their tremendous dedication,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We hope this ‘A’ helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for Lake Huron Medical Center. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need.” 

 The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Safety Grade is a letter grade assigned to all general hospitals across the country and updated every six months, assessing how well the hospital prevents medical errors and other harms to patients. 

 “We are extremely proud to have earned straight ‘A’ grades for hospital safety since fall of 2018 because it reflects the commitment that Lake Huron Medical Center, our physicians, staff and nurses make – every day – when caring for patients,” said Jose Kottoor, Lake Huron Medical Center, Chief Executive Officer. “Our dedicated staff remains committed to providing the highest quality of care, even in times of crisis, to our community.”

Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

Lake Huron Medical Center was rated a five-star facility by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), placing it in the top 9% of hospitals nationwide. Lake Huron Medical Center received the Level III trauma center designation from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. This three-year designation means Lake Huron Medical Center will be able to treat patients with more serious, possibly life-threatening injuries. 

For more than 65 years, Lake Huron Medical Center has been providing high quality, compassionate healthcare to our community. Our mission remains the same for the next 65 years: to continue to deliver compassionate, quality care to patients and better healthcare to communities. 

To see Lake Huron Medical Center’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook. 

For more information about Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.  

Submitted by Lake Huron Medical Center

Court Sides With Whitmer: Order Doesn’t Infringe Upon Constitutional Rights

In a decision today, the Michigan Court of Claims sided with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and denied a motion for preliminary injunction holding that the current Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order, and earlier versions of it, did not infringe upon the constitutional rights of Michigan residents, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.

The plaintiffs in Martinko et. al. v. Whitmer et. al. alleged that the “mandatory quarantine” imposed by the Stay Home, Stay Safe order (EO 2020-59) and the intrastate travel restrictions contained in an earlier version of the order (EO 2020-42) violate their rights to both procedural due process and substantive due process.

In the first substantive ruling examining the constitutionality of the executive orders, Court of Claims Judge Christopher M. Murray acknowledged in his opinion that the rights asserted by plaintiffs are fundamental.

“But those liberty interests are, and always have been, subject to society’s interests – society being our fellow residents. They – our fellow residents – have an interest to remain unharmed by a highly communicable and deadly virus, and since the state entered the Union in 1837, it has had the broad power to act for the public health of the entire state when faced with a public crisis.”

Murray stated that issuing injunctive relief “would not serve the public interest, despite the temporary harm to plaintiffs’ constitutional rights.”

The plaintiffs also alleged that the Emergency Management Act is an unconstitutional delegation of legislative power to the Governor, but the Court noted the act does not provide the Governor with “uncontrolled, arbitrary power.” Instead, he indicated that the act provides for very specific procedures and criteria for the Governor to declare a state of disaster or emergency, and what conditions qualify as a disaster or emergency.

“I am pleased with the court’s decision,” Nessel said. “This pandemic has already taken more than 3,600 lives in Michigan and many more around the world. The primary goal of the Stay Home, Stay Safe order has always been to protect human life.”

The court’s decision can be read in full <HERE>.

Submitted by the office of Attorney General Dana Nessel

Trump Wants to Classify Meat Processing Plants as Essential

President Trump indicated that he will sign an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to require meat processing plants to stay open during the coronavirus pandemic. The order will classify meat processing plants as essential infrastructure.

Several large processing facilities have already shut down because of coronavirus outbreaks among workers. “As pork, beef and chicken plants are being forced to close, even for short periods of time, millions of pounds of meat will disappear from the supply chain,” said John Tyson, Chairman of the Board of Tyson Foods.

“As a result, there will be limited supply of our products available in grocery stores until we are able to reopen our facilities that are currently closed.” In addition the lack of demand for food products from schools, restaurants, hotels, and cruise ships, has left many farmers concerned that their businesses won’t  survive the pandemic.

Michelle Jones, co-owner of Country Style Marketplace, said that, so far, they haven’t been affected by any shortages. Their meat processor has made them a priority, and they pick up their own meat orders from the supplier. “We’ve got everything in stock right now, and we grind our own hamburger, so even if higher-end cuts of meat become scare, we will still be able to make burger.” she said.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

 

Changes to Auto Insurance in Michigan Will Bring Down Cost But May Not Provide Adequate Coverage if Injured

A new auto insurance law will take effect for insurance policies that issue or renew after July 1, 2020, and Michigan drivers will be able to choose how much PIP medical coverage to purchase with their policies. PIP medical coverage pays for medical care, recovery, rehabilitation, and some funeral expenses if a person is injured in an automobile related accident. The new options for choosing PIP coverage could mean a reduction in insurance premiums for Michigan drivers.

“This is great news for Michigan drivers and their families,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Last year, we worked across the aisle to pass a historic, bipartisan auto insurance reform to bring down costs for drivers everywhere. It’s great to see that it’s paying off for Michiganders, especially during a time when drivers may need extra money in their pockets. I look forward to continue working across the aisle to ensure lower rates for Michiganders.”

Karen Mundt of Ft. Gratiot is not sure what these changes will mean for her family. Her son Joseph suffered a permanent brain injury in 1995 after being hit by a car while playing outside his home. PIP medical coverage from the driver’s auto insurance has provided Joseph with 24 hour care for the last 25 years. Karen suggests people consider the risks of reducing PIP coverage on their policies.

The options for PIP medical coverage that will be available to Michigan’s insured are $50,000, $250, 000, $500,000 and unlimited. The lower the amount of coverage, the lower the cost of premiums. While drivers may be tempted to save money, Karen said that even $500,000 is not enough for most victims of a catastrophic accident: Joseph’s care was over $500,000 in the first year after his injury.

Auto insurance companies are preparing for these changes, and can inform their clients about the risks and benefits involved with selecting coverage.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand