Local News

Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its October 2019 Employee of the Month, Linda Sweppy, and its October 2019 Volunteer of the Month, Mary Hoffman. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Linda is a Pharmacy Technician in the Retail Pharmacy and has been with LHMC since 2014. She was nominated by a peer who commented, “During our recent “code” event, Linda went above and beyond for a customer.  A gentleman arrived at our pharmacy with a high level of frustration. It turned out he was the husband of an employee. His wife had just had a baby and they needed supplies & equipment. We are unable to provide the items needed through our pharmacy, but he had been turned down & rejected already several times.  He needed supplies for his wife and couldn’t find anyone to cover it. Linda spent over an hour making phone calls trying to find out where he could go to get the supplies he needed for his wife. This was all occurring during the code event. Knowing we couldn’t personally get the equipment for him, she tried all resources known to try to find some help and directions for him.”

Mary volunteers with the Better Breathers Club and has been volunteering at LHMC since June 2012.  Her anonymous nomination reads: “Mary is a very kind and gentle person. She demonstrates her caring heart with the members of the Better Breathers Club.  She has been a diligent and faithful volunteer for over 7 years, ever since the Breathers Club began. Mary takes her volunteer position seriously. You can find her at the center keeping equipment clean, bringing water to the members, folding flyers, or giving a helping hand wherever she is needed.  The members look forward to seeing Mary and all that she brings to the program. She is truly an inspiration and as asset to Lake Huron Medical Center. Mary, we are thankful for you!”

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Linda and Mary as we celebrate their accomplishments.

Melissa Davey has been named the Employee of the Month for September. She has worked at McLaren Port Huron for 24 years and is currently an administrative charge nurse.

Davey was nominated by her peers because she always strives to do what’s best for patients and staff. She is an extremely hard worker who gives 100 percent every day. With over 20 years of experience, Davey’s knowledge of the hospital and its procedures makes her a very helpful and resourceful administrative charge. Her professionalism and positive attitude are apparent at all times, whether she is working with patients or hospital staff. She always finds the good in every situation, is willing to learn, and helps others be the best they can be.

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.

The Fort Gratiot Department of Public Works (DPW) staff will be flushing fire hydrants through December. The goal of flushing the hydrants is to remove the accumulated sediments that may be in the system, and the township wants residents to know that they may notice a slight decrease in water pressure or discoloration of the water. The discoloration is a result of disturbances of the normal water flow with the township’s pipe system. The short-term change in flow may stir up naturally occuring minerals and sediment that settle within the water main. The township says that if the water discoloration occurs, residents should try to refrain from using hot water and run cold water faucets until the water appears clear again. Questions can be directed to the Fort Gratiot Township DPW.

Reporting for WGRT – EBWtv.

E-sports is coming to St. Clair County Community College. E-Sports, short for “electronic sports” is competitive gaming between individuals or teams. Last month, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) announced that they are creating a new association that will be the governing body for two-year collegiate e-sports programs. SC4 Athletic Director, Dale Vos said they plan to start the program at SC4 in January 2020, and that the college has already been contacted by an individual that wants to coach along with a few player inquiries as well. SC4 is among 50 of 520 NJCAA schools that will be fielding a team. 

According to Vos, the great thing about e-sports is that there is no traveling to compete against other schools.” Each school competes from the confines of their own campus in a four on four competition. Voss said, “The Esports industry is growing at a rapid pace, and fielding a team allows SC4 to lead the way in providing innovative and in-demand opportunities for current and future students as well as the broader community.” 

The games that will be played in the new sport include Rocket League, Madden Fall 2019, and Super Smash Bros. The games are played using a personal computer, PS4, or Nintendo Switch.  E-sports brings the total collegiate teams at SC4 to 14.

Reporting for WGRT – EBWtv.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reporting a second case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a 2 year-old doe harvested by a hunter in southwest Saginaw. CWD is not common among deer in Michigan, but the DNR is encouraging hunters to get deer tested through the organization’s various check stations which can be found on their website. CWD is a fatal disease that affects deer, elk, and moose.  

DNR deer and elk specialist Chad Stewart said when conservation officers “find CWD a few townships over from a prior detection in the same county, it becomes increasingly important to discover if and where additional cases might be within that area.” Stewart also said, “In light of this, they are asking hunters in southeastern Gratiot and southwestern Saginaw counties, especially, to have their deer tested this year.” The Department of Natural Resources encourages hunters to assist in disease surveillance. Stewart said some of the easiest ways hunters can help address CWD are to keep hunting throughout the remaining deer seasons, dispose of leftover parts in the trash and, if possible, take additional does in the Lower Peninsula’s CWD areas. To date, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in people. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that infected animals not be eaten by humans or animals.

Reporting for WGRT – EBWtv.

Costumes, candy, and trick-or-treating, Halloween can be a lot of fun, and with a few tips, it can be safe as well. St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon said that “the county has had wonderful luck with trick-or-treating and they want to keep it that way.” He offered a few tips. 

Always wear some sort of reflective material on costumes so you are easy to see. If a costume has a mask with it, consider replacing the mask with make-up to offer better, unobstructed vision. “Always,” said Donnellon, “stay off the roadways when going house to house, and use sidewalks.”  He also suggested bringing a flashlight alone for better visibility. Sheriff Donnellon also warned against going inside any home, and if the lights are off at a house, do not approach it. Finally, when returning home, inspect the candy. Any candy that does not come from a brand name company should not be eaten.  Donnellon said if trick-or-treaters run into any issues they should contact their local law enforcement agency.