Local News

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its March 2020 Employee of the Month, Kimberly Fleming, and its March 2020 Volunteer of the Month, Barb Kreutzer. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Kimberly is a Patient Registrar in the Admitting department and has been with LHMC since 2012. She was nominated by a peer who commented, “Kim has a heart of gold.  Recently, a mom with two small children were brought to the Emergency Department via ambulance. Upon discharge, the mom had to wait a very long time in the waiting room for a ride home.  Without hesitation, Kim took the young family down to the cafeteria to buy them all lunch out of her own pocket. She is truly an exemplary employee.”

Barb has been volunteering at the hospital since 2015 in various roles. Barb’s anonymous nomination reads: “Barb has been a volunteer since 2012.  Currently she is a very valued volunteer in the Emergency Room Department, but besides this area, she also has been the Volunteer Board President for the past two years.  While President, she continues to volunteer for all the current fundraisers that the volunteers have. Being both the President of the Volunteer Board, and previously as the Vice President/Fundraising Chair of the Volunteer Board, requires countless hours organizing, planning, and then carrying out meetings, events, and fundraisers.  Barb is a wonderful motivator and cheerleader for the volunteers and staff.”

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 Kimberly and Barb, as we celebrate their accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.  

Opening night for the cast of Port Huron Northern’s production of “Big Fish” looked a little different than expected, but the cast still found a way to make it special.

After four months of practice and behind the scenes work, Port Huron Northern was ready to show off their hard work, beginning with opening night on Thursday. However, with the shutdown of the school and large groups, the performances could not happen as planned. Cast member and choreographer, Ben Adair, said the news was devastating to the cast.

Then, the morning of the date of their opening night, Adair had an idea. He asked the performers to join a large video chat which he hoped would serve as a preview of their performance. The actors gathered online from the comfort of their own homes, sang a few of the songs, and then digitally parted ways.

Although no future dates could be confirmed, Adair says he hopes that the cast will be able to perform the show for a live audience before the end of the school year.

For the full story, go to ebw.tv.

St. Clair County is holding at 7 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of 4 PM today. The Health Department is still monitoring 51 people along with 76 of their contacts. There are 549 confirmed cases in the state of Michigan.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer at the St. Clair County Health Department stated, “This unparalleled event is continuing to unfold and public health officials are working on all aspects. The St. Clair County Emergency Operations Center is fully operational, including partners from Emergency Management, public health, hospitals, law enforcement, Tri-hospital EMS, fire, city, county government and more working to protect the health and wellbeing of our community.” 

 A general COVID-19 Informational Hotline is available Monday through Fridayfrom 8 AM – 4:30 PM at (810) 966-4163,  or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org.

The State of Michigan hotline is 1- 888-535-6136 and is operational daily 8:00am – 5:00pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov.

St. Clair County Community College (SC4)  has cancelled this year’s graduation ceremony, scheduled for May 8. The Center for Disease Control has banned all gatherings of 50 or more people through May 8. The difficult decision adds the SC4 commencement to the growing list of cancellations that put an abrupt end to traditional college life this semester. 

Currently, students are taking their classes online and the campus is closed. The college said in a statement on their dedicated CoronaVirus Update page that they will continue to honor the Class of 2020 graduates with a larger celebration in December that all the year’s graduates can attend. They are also hoping to be able to have a pinning ceremony for graduates of the nursing program in the summer. 

Graduates will still get their degrees mailed to them. A similar story is being told at colleges and universities across the nation as students and their families, along with faculty and administration, are forced to adjust their expectations for the graduation season.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a positive message for Michigan residents amidst a lot of uncertainty. There has been a steady stream of “closure” information and messaging about self-isolating to slow the spread of COVID-19. While we are in uncharted territory, and such steps are critical in protecting Michigan residents from coronavirus risk. Safeguarding mental health is just as important, and spending time outdoors – whether in your backyard, on your balcony or in big, open spaces – can boost mind, body and spirit.

Although public contact areas (restroom buildings, shooting ranges, visitor centers) at many DNR-managed facilities are temporarily closed, people are still welcome to enjoy the public outdoor areas at state parks and recreation areas, state game and wildlife areas, state forests, state trails and, of course, our lakes, rivers and streams. For the duration of the COVID-19 situation, the DNR waiving the need for the Recreation Passport for entry at state parks and other destinations.

You can explore things to do on their website for inspiration; check out the YouTube channel for how-to videos; and get hunting and fishing licenses at the new license system website. Closer to home, you could soak up some sun on the back deck, walk around the block or jog the nearest local trail.

If you choose to enjoy the outdoors, the DNR is urging you to practice effective “social distancing” and other measures to help stop the spread of the coronavirus and keep you, your family and your community safe:

• Go out only if you’re feeling healthy.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting, including the outdoors.
• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If those aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Minimize UV sun exposure by properly applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher.
• When driving, keep windows slightly open to provide air flow.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning that scammers are spoofing phone numbers of at least one local public health department in the state and calling residents to offer medication while asking for their Medicaid and Medicare numbers for billing purposes. Incoming calls to the local health department are then jamming up phonelines and delaying official business in responding to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

Reports so far have been focused on the Ionia County Health Department, but residents around the state are urged to be aware as it could happen anywhere. 

To seem more official, scammers often use a process known as “spoofing” – when a call appears to be coming from a legitimate government phone number. The caller may also sound professional and be very persuasive. Anyone who receives a phone call they suspect to be a scam should hang up the phone. No one should give out personal information to an unsolicited caller. 

Residents should also be aware of online coronavirus scams selling bogus products and providing false information on COVID-19 tests and treatments. These attempts to obtain the personal information of consumers may include emails or online posts pitching unreliable products, advice, fake tests and cures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Those who wish to make a report about potential scams, price-gouging and any other violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act can do so with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team by filing a complaint online or by calling 877-765-8388.