Local News

The crowd hanging around Keifer Park in Port Huron Saturday afternoon was full of happy chatter and friendly inquiry. The main question, “What are you drinking?” Port Huron Beer Fest, an annual event sponsored by Citizens for a Vibrant Community and Wolverine Market, gave attendees a chance to celebrate their love of craft brews and sample some new things. Representatives from several Michigan breweries were on hand to offer suggestions and share a little about their brewing process and what’s new in the craft beer world.

Visitors to the event received fifteen tickets to use on samples of beer, mead, cider, seltzers, and wine. Members of the Pod’ems UP! podcast circulated the crowd interviewing people about how their palates were faring. There were many interesting comments about sour and wild ferment beers which are becoming more popular. The reviews ranged from various descriptions of repulsion to delight at the new and complex flavors. Some noted changes in what they liked this year expressing a preference for stronger flavors and more potent brews–proof that beer tasting is an important component of becoming a craft beer connoisseur.

Port Huron Beer Fest held its inaugural event in 2013 and has been going strong ever since. The event happens annually on the 4th Saturday in September, and it is the only beer festival of its kind in the area. If you’re up for trying new brews and hanging out with an enthusiastic group of fellow beer-lovers, you won’t want to miss next year’s event.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) was awarded a grant of nearly $20,000 from the Governor’s Highway Safety Association and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility. With this, the Michigan State Police are looking to have more officers trained to recognize drug-impaired driving. The grant will fund five additional Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) trainings for officers which will help them better observe drug impairment or a combination of drug and alcohol impairment in drivers. 

In 2018 there were 9,628 drunk drivers involved in traffic crashes in Michigan. 12 percent or 1,201 were suspected of using drugs. Michael L. Prince, Director of the OHSP said, “Drugged driving is deadly and poses a threat to not only the driver but also their passengers and other motorists.” Prince said, “This grant will allow [them] to train additional officers to recognize the signs of impaired driving before there are tragic consequences.” The two-day ARIDE sessions for officers begins this week. Other sessions are planned across the state until the end of 2019. 

The 30-day challenge started three years ago at Happy Dog Yoga Studio in Port Huron when Rhonda Jones wanted to combine physical and mental health around the holidays with helping others. Jones, the Owner of Happy Dog, began the program three years ago and it’s growing. The way it works is that participants choose a start date between October 1st – 28th. Once a start date is chosen,  individuals must practice on the mat 30 times in 30 consecutive days.

The giving comes with the requirement that participants bring a non-perishable food item for each in-studio class. Those interested in participating can stop by one of the Happy Dog Studios and buy a wristband and tote bag for twenty dollars. The net proceeds will be donated to Mid-City Nutrition. In addition to money raised from wristband purchases, the food items are also donated to Mid-City. Jones said, “If the challenge is completed, not only will [the organization] be feeding people, [participants] will get a free month of unlimited Yoga, a $90 value.” 

Did you know that October through December, in Michigan, individuals are more likely to experience a motor vehicle-deer crash than at any other time of year? According to the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and AAA Michigan, motor vehicle – deer crashes are almost two-and-a-half times more likely during the last quarter of the year. 

Michigan’s Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) says an average of 20,000 collisions occur during that time frame. The OHSP says the deer herd is currently about 1.8 million strong and accounts for $130 million per year in damages to vehicles.

There are some measures that motorists can take to help avoid a crash.  Always stay alert, wear your seatbelt, and watch for deer crossing signs. Statistics from AAA Michigan show that most collisions take place around dawn and dusk, so stay especially vigilant during those hours. If a crash is unavoidable, don’t swerve, brake firmly, hold onto the steering wheel, stay in your lane and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. Remember deer travel frequently in groups, if you see one, others may be in the area as well. 

Reporting for WGRT – EBWtv

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will be conducting aerial spraying in 14 Michigan counties to combat the outbreak of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). As of September 27th, EEE was confirmed in nine people in Michigan in Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties. Three of those cases proved fatal. 27 cases have been found in animals in 13 counties.  

The outbreak has made national news. Officials at the MDHHS say that spraying was scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 29th, at 8 p.m., but that has been changed due to weather.  Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health said, “We are taking this step to help protect the health and safety of Michiganders in areas of the state that are being affected by this dangerous mosquito-borne disease.” 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report about a Michigan man being infected by tuberculosis (TB) from a deer. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the 77-year-old man contracted the disease through his nearly 20 years of hunting and living in and around northern, lower Michigan. The CDC determined that deer in Michigan are hosts for the disease and can transmit TB to cattle herds and humans.

The four-county area in Michigan that the man is from has a low incidence of human TB. However, levels of TB in deer are higher in that region than in the rest of the state. It was noted in the report that the man had a lower immunity to disease because of certain medications he was taking.  

Michigan residents should be aware that exposure to an infected deer can lead to an infection that shows up right away, or the disease may lay dormant for a number of years. This is especially true in a host who has a compromised immune system.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.