Local News

Ron Akred has been named McLaren Port Huron’s Employee of the Month for March. Akred has worked at McLaren Port Huron for a year in Care Management.

Akred was nominated by his peers because he lives the hospital values every day. He is very passionate about working with patients. He makes every patient feel like he works only for them, taking a personal interest in their cases. He optimizes patient advocacy, making sure, even in difficult situations, the patient’s best interests are being considered. At discharge, Akred always follows up with patients to make sure they have everything they need. His peers say Akred is an asset to the hospital. He is a team player, very resourceful, and lives the values of honesty, integrity and mutual respect.

 This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.

Eissmann Autmotive in Port Huron is utilizing their cutting and sewing equipment to produce up to 1200 masks per day. They have 15 employees working on this project creating washable masks that can be sanitized and used 40-50 times by medical personnel.

The SOS Marysville Food Pantry is open to serve and ready to help those who need food. The pantry operates out of a building located at 2929 Gratiot Avenue in Marysville. Carmela Burns, who founded the pantry in 2009, told WGRT that people often ask her what SOS stands for. The S stands for Sharing. The O stands for Our. The S stands for Strength. Carmela said her daughter came up with the name.

“Now, more than ever, it is vital we stay united as a community to learn together, lead together, and take care of one other,” she said.  The pantry got its start when Carmela Burns felt a calling from God to serve her community. In the past three weeks, they have provided food for over 1000 people, which adds up to $7000 worth of food. The all-volunteer pantry is staffed by 8 people, and due to the COVID-19 health crisis, the SOS Marysville Food Pantry does “no contact” safe delivery. The center operates on donations and grants, including one recently received from the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. For food assistance, people are urged to contact the them at 810-364-6333 to make arrangements.

North Lambton Community Health Centre is the tenth recipient to receive a grant from the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton COVID-19 Compassion Fund. They provide primary healthcare, health promotion and community development services to a priority population that includes seniors, First Nations people, mentally ill, low income families, and youth at risk. The $5,000 grant award will be used to assist clients and seniors who may have mental illness or vulnerable health with food, personal and cleaning supplies, and transportation.

The Compassion Fund is comprised of community donations from those who want to help our most vulnerable in the wake of COVID-19.  Donations can be made online at <HERE> or by calling 519-336-5452.

Looking for help? Looking for food? Deacon Dennis at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish has teamed up with Mike’s Food Fair. Working together, they are giving away FREE X-Large Pizzas with 2 toppings to anyone who is in need, for a limited time. You need the coupon to get your FREE pizza, so Call Deacon Dennis at 810-531-8232 to get your coupon. Then, take it to Mike’s Food Fair located at 1928 – 10th Street in Port Huron, and enjoy your X-Large 2 topping pizza.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Nancy Winzer, Port Huron Parks and Recreation Director, sent a message to City officials about the damaged grass at Thomas Edison Parkway, Kiefer Park, River Street Marina,  Lincoln Park, and Knox Baseball field. The parks division hired a contractor to fertilize grass at those locations last fall, and it is believed that the contractor applied an incorrect mix of nitrogen and herbicide which ultimately killed the grass.

The City is doing soil samples to discover a solution and repair the grass as soon as possible. It is a large-scope repair, and there is a limited number of companies who could do the work. The City’s insurance company confirmed it will pay for the claim filed, and the Parks Department is working to resolve this matter quickly to get the parks looking as they should.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 17th at 3:30 PM are as follows:

• State of Michigan: 30,023 confirmed cases; 2,227 deaths
• St. Clair County: 262 confirmed cases; 9 deaths
• Ontario: 9,525 confirmed cases; 478 deaths
• Sarnia-Lambton: 128 confirmed cases; 13 deaths

Starting today, Michiganders across the state can access a specially-curated collection of science-backed, evidence-based guided meditations, along with at-home workouts that guide people through mindful exercises, sleep and kids content to help address rising stress and anxiety. Available at www.headspace.com/MI an internet connection is the only thing that is needed to access these tools to while you stay home and stay safe.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will provide this new mental health resource for Michiganders to access for free during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please continue to rely on reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

• Centers for Disease Control:  cdc.gov/coronavirus
• State of Michigan: Michigan.gov/coronavirus  or Info Hotline  1-888-535-6136 Daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov
• St. Clair County Health Department: COVID-19 Info Hotline (810) 966-4163 Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org
• St. Clair County Community Mental Health COVID-19 Support Line (810) 985-8900, available Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Lambton Public Health: https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus/
• City of Sarnia COVID-19 Hotline: 1-877-4-SARNIA (1-877-472-7642)

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Nearly two weeks ago, thirty St. Clair County businesses were selected to receive Small Business Relief Grants from The Michigan Strategic Fund. St. Clair County was allotted $140,787 in grant monies to provide local companies working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business.

Final criteria for grant selection included: number of employees; geographical location, and the significance of the business to that specific area; the impact the grant dollars would have on helping the business; how the grant dollars will be used; effects of COVID-19 on revenue; and completeness of the applications.

A panel of judges representing the North, South, East and West Regions of the county used the applications and supplemental information companies provided to make their determinations.  Thirty businesses in twelve communities shared the $140,787 grant pool with an average award of $5,000. Additional funding opportunities for local businesses will be announced as they become available.

List of Award Recipients:

401 Diner, LLC (Cavis Grill) – Port Huron

A&D Capital LLC (Alexander’s Premier Banquet Facility and Catering) – Marysville

Blue Water Controls, LLC – Clyde

Buck’s Dixie Diner LLC – Ira Township

Dock 421 LLC – Algonac

Family First Health Care – Yale 

FHF Sports Inc.,   (ForSports Inc.) – Fort Gratiot

Fieldhouse Sports Bar and Kitchen – Marysville

Fore Lakes LLC (Solitude Links Golf Course and Banquet Center) – Kimball

Goabeach LLC  (District 43) – Port Huron

Harris Restaurants, Inc.  (Casey’s Pizza and Subs) – Port Huron

Independent Floor Covering – Fort Gratiot

Inn on Water Street – Marine City 

J&J Family Restaurant – Yale

JCHZEF1  (Algonac Flaming Grill) – Algonac

Jeff’s Rubbish – Emmett

Kate’s Downtown – Port Huron

Lakeport Tavern – Lakeport

MLW Investments  (Chef Shell’s Restaurant & Catering) – Port Huron

Port Huron Hospitality Holdings, LLC (Sperry’s Moviehouse) – Port Huron

Riviera Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge, Inc. – Marine City 

Hossain Bar & Restaurant Management LLC ( Raven Café) – Port Huron

Scoreboard N More – Algonac

Sir Speedy – Port Huron

Stevens Gables  (Atrium Café) – Port Huron

The Anchor Point Bistro – St. Clair

Vintage Tavern – Port Huron

War Water Brewery – St. Clair

Willow Ridge Golf & Ski Club, Inc.  (Bogey’s Bar & Grill) – Fort Gratiot

Wings, Etc. – Port Huron

Submitted by Tina Frazer

St. Clair County Community College received $954,739 as part of the Federal Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act recently approved by Congress. They added some emergency scholarship funds to that pool and created a $1 million emergency aid fund to assist current students.

The money is available to help existing students who are experiencing additional financial need caused by the COVID-19 crisis. It provides relief for housing, transportation, basic living needs, and other college-related costs that may affect a student’s ability to attend SC4. Students experiencing hardships due to unemployment or reduced financial support from their families are encouraged to apply. The application is available online at SC4.edu/CARES/.

Registration for fall classes at SC4 opened up on April 15th. Fall semester begins on Monday, August 24, 2020.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand