Local News

A ribbon-cutting was held recently at the St. Clair County International Airport after a major renovation was completed on the main runway. The re-opening of the airport runway will result in economic benefits across the area. Airport Director Kathy Reaume said that on a daily basis you will see many different groups and organizations use the airport. St. Clair County Administrator Karry Hepting said it has been estimated by Michigan Department of Transportation officials that the airport has a $60 million dollar impact on the local economy and supports over 600 jobs. The cost of improvements at the airport was $4.2 million dollars. Of that, Hepting said $212,000 was the county’s share, and the rest of the funds were federal and state grants. She went on to say that with the upgrades the airport is in much better condition, and it will continue to support our local economy.

The United Way of St. Clair County held their campaign kick-off at the Blue Water Convention Center this week. Over 45 volunteers gathered along with members of the community to celebrate the 95th United Way campaign in the Blue Water Area. Michelle Shepley, 2019 Campaign Chair, was emotional at times as she unveiled this year’s theme, “Give a Little Bit, Make a Big Change”, and shared the effect United Way has had in her life and the lives of others in the community. She also enthusiastically announced the campaign goal for this year which is $1,208,000. Special guest Debbie Post encouraged guests with the announcement of a $25,000 matching grant from the Stebbins Family Fund dubbed the Leadership Challenge Grant. This 100% matching grant will apply to new contributions raised by November 15^th that put contributors at the leadership level of $500 or above. The grant challenges and inspires new givers with the incentive of turning their $500 gift into a $1,000 gift. For more information about the United Way of St. Clair County and this year’s campaign and giving options, visit  www.uwstclair.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The YMCA of the Blue Water Area is helping kids start the school year off with a program called Back to School, Back to You. Executive Director of the YMCA of the Blue Water Area Denise Brooks said donors can bring in new or gently used school clothing for a child or teen to the YMCA between now and September 30th.  Donors are also welcome to “pay the day” and join the Y for that month. For instance, if you donate clothing on September 13th, you pay $13 to join. Brooks said they end up with a lot of clothing donations that are then taken to Kids in Distress Services, Inc. KIDS has a referral system with local health and human service organizations and provides a week’s worth of clothing, toiletries, and school supplies to the most fragile at-risk population. Denise also said the YMCA enjoys doing the program, and it helps to make kids feel respected and valued.

In addition to the opening of runway 4/22 at the St. Clair County International Airport on Wednesday, there was a presentation by state officials to a few individuals from around the region. The Michigan Aeronautics Commission presented their Award of Excellence to the Women in Aviation Great Lakes Chapter. Helen Hagg, Mary Poirer, and Pam Tobin were recognized for their contributions to aviation education through their leadership with  Women in Aviation Great Lakes. The mission of the group is to inspire women to explore the field of aviation. Specifically, the Michigan Aeronautics Commission pointed to a women’s aviation career symposium that the three women set up and promoted throughout Michigan. John Mayfield, Manager of the Detroit District Office for the FAA, was also at St. Clair County’s International Airport on Wednesday and was presented an award from the group. Mayfield was recognized for his leadership while ensuring the safety, strength, and stability of Michigan’s airport system.

Lake Huron Huron Medical Center is the first hospital in St. Clair County to begin using a new type of software that shares patient health information between EMS and the hospital. The Health Data Exchange, or HDE, connects the emergency center at the hospital with EMS providers. The information shared over the system will ensure the patient receives appropriate intervention by the physician when they arrive at the hospital. Interim Administrator and Chief Nursing Officer at Lake Huron Medical Center Pat Roberts said improving communication and strengthening relationships with EMS partners and getting access to vital patient information in a simple and more effective way is going to help the hospital better care for patients. Tri-Hospital EMS CEO Ken Cummings said the Health Data Exchange is a very big deal for his organization. He said he applauds Prime HealthCare (parent company to Lake Huron Medical Center) for bringing the program to St. Clair County. Cummings said the new system will enable both Lake Huron Medical Center and Tri Hospital EMS to share information more efficiently.

For some people, Friday the 13th of September is a mystical sort of day. In addition to the mystery that surrounds Friday the 13th, tonight will also see a full moon. The last time a full moon and Friday the 13th coincided nationwide was October of 2000. According to the website earthsky.org, for those in the Northern Hemisphere, the full moon that will occur tonight counts as the closest full moon to the September autumnal equinox, making it a Harvest Moon. Are you wondering what constitutes a full moon? The moon appears full to the eye for a few to several days in succession when actually, it’s only truly full for a fleeting instant. Astronomically speaking, the moon is full at the moment that it’s exactly 180 degrees opposite the sun in ecliptic longitude. For time zones in the eastern United States, the full moon technically falls on Saturday, September 14th at 12:33 a.m. EST. In all other U.S. time zones, it falls on Friday, September 13th. The next time this rare phenomenon will happen is August 2049.