Local News

The Transportation Security Administration is expecting a record breaking number of flyers this Thanksgiving and holiday travel period. More than 26.8 million passengers will be traveling through security screening checkpoints nationwide Nov. 22 through Dec. 2. TSA officials are prepared to process the volume of passengers at airport security checkpoints, working closely with airports and airlines to project numbers and peak periods, but travellers should still be ready.

The busiest travel days leading up to Thanksgiving will be tomorrow, November 27, the day before the holiday, with 2.7 million passengers and crew expected. December 1, the Sunday after Thanksgiving could be equally as busy when more than 2.8 million travelers are expected to be flying home. On a typical weekday, TSA screens about 2.1 million passengers.

TSA says the best way to ensure a quick trip through the security screening process is to arrive early and be prepared. Passenger preparedness can have a significant impact on wait times at security checkpoints nationwide. Travelers are encouraged to allow time to park their cars or return rental cars, check their bags with their airline, and get their boarding passes, all before heading to the security checkpoint. TSA recommends getting to the terminal at least two hours early for domestic travel and at least three hours for international travel.

Reporting for WGRT, ebw.tv.

 Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its November 2019 Employee of the Month, Elizabeth Reason, and its November 2019 Volunteer of the Month, Pat Robbins. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Elizabeth is the Director of Business Office Patient Accounting and has been with LHMC since 2014. She was nominated by a peer who commented, “Elizabeth is the epitome of what every employer would hope to have to represent their organization.  She is dedicated, enthusiastic, hardworking, extremely knowledgeable over multiple areas, and always smiling! She has been instrumental with many projects and always goes above and beyond, helping wherever needed.”

Pat volunteers with the Better Breathers Club and has been volunteering at LHMC since July 2016.  She nominated by employee who commented: “I had the pleasure of seeing Pat in action at the Better Breathers Club.  She has a calmness that puts our patients at ease. Her easy laugh and upbeat nature made the patients smile. Pat was supportive and knowledgeable and is a huge asset to us.”

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 Elizabeth and Pat, as we celebrate their accomplishments.

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

Donna Lepien has been named the Employee of the Month for October. She has worked at McLaren Port Huron for 4 years as a laundry aide.

Lepien was nominated by her coworkers because she is an outstanding employee. She is a team player who sees how the small things make a big difference. When she sees someone who needs a helping hand, she does not hesitate to help them. Donna has a positive attitude, makes others feel good about themselves, and takes the time to show her appreciation for others. Lepien’s communication and follow-through skills are impeccable, and her heart shows through in everything she does every day.

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 St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office received several calls last week regarding a suspicious black BMW vehicle and two suspicious people from that vehicle walking on residents’ property. Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office investigated and made contact with the pair Thursday afternoon in Port Huron Township. What appeared to be suspicious, ended up being miscommunication at DTE.

The people who had contacted DTE about meter readers had contacted the electrical portion of DTE, who told callers they had no meter readers in the area. It turns out that the pair work for the engineering portion of the electric company. 

Contact was made with two separate supervisors in the engineering department of DTE. They confirmed the men are currently working on obtaining serial numbers from the smart meters at homes in the area. That information will be used to determine which electrical grid is feeding the residences. Sheriff Donnellon said, while this instance has been found to simply be some miscommunication on DTE’s part, they appreciate being called. 

The DTE employees have been advised to make sure their credentials are worn on the outside of their clothing, so residents will be readily able to identify them as DTE workers.

The Blue Water Area has a lot for which to be thankful. This year, area churches will be collaborating to hold a Community Thanksgiving Service at the newly renovated St. Clair Inn on Riverside Drive in St. Clair. 

The service is free and the public is welcome. The one-hour long service begins at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26. The format of the service is worship, reflection, and praise. The community service will include participation from eight area churches 

This service is a product of the work done by Blue Water Area Churches, which is a group of over 50 churches in the area whose purpose, they say, is to “connect, serve, and collaborate in the name of Christ.” If you need more information about the Community Thanksgiving Service, visit optrans.org for more information.

Donovan McDonald, a freshman at Croswell-Lexington High School, has been selected to represent the USA in the United World Games 2020 in Italy, Austria and Germany. At just 14 years old, McDonald will be one of the first in the area to compete at this event. The international sporting competition is set to be held in Austria in June of 2020. 

McDonald, a basketball player, will prepare for the competition by playing Junior Varsity (JV) basketball at Cros-Lex this season. He also plays year-round through different AAU programs. Donovan has aspirations of playing at the college level and is currently listed as the only Michigan player on the roster at this time.  

Student-athletes are chosen for the team based on a combination of their athletic ability as well as their academics, leadership ability, and character. The trip includes not only the international sport competition but also sightseeing and opportunities for personal growth and leadership development through international travel.