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Local News

Michigan Families Urged To Learn About Resources During Perinatal Mood And Anxiety Disorders Awareness Month

May is Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Awareness (PMAD) Month and Michigan women and families are being urged to learn more about PMAD and available resources by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division of Maternal and Infant Health.  PMAD, historically known as postpartum depression, affect many Michigan families each year. PMAD is different and more intense than the “baby blues” that many women experience in the weeks after birth of a baby.  Symptoms can feel overwhelming and include depression, anxiety, guilt, irritability, anger, difficulty sleeping and eating, feeling disconnected from one’s baby and experiencing frightening and intrusive thoughts. These symptoms can appear during pregnancy and up to two years after a baby is born. PMAD can affect birth mothers, fathers and adoptive mothers.  “PMAD affects the physical health and emotional well-being of pregnant and postpartum women,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health. “We must join together to increase awareness, reduce stigma and assist women with getting the support and treatment they need.” To help increase understanding of the disorders, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed May as PMAD Awareness Month and the Michigan Statewide Perinatal Mood Disorder Coalition is hosting its annual Walk on the Capitol Wednesday, May 8, noon – 2 p.m., at the state Capitol.  For more information about PMAD and available resources, visit the Maternal Infant Health Program website.

IDC Rolling Out Pilot Program To Assist Opioid Addicts

Inmates who are addicted to opioids will have a new opportunity to get into recovery at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center.  A pilot program, called Medication Assisted Treatment, or MAT will begin on May 9th.  The program is designed with a multi-prong approach to assist those who are attempting to recover from an opioid addiction.  Inmates who are involved in the program will have a variety of medical treatment options.  They may receive a daily dose of methadone, a daily dose of suboxone or a monthly injection of Vivitrol.  Inmates in the program will also be involved with treatment groups and one on one counseling.  There are only 12 openings available in the pilot program, which is funded through Federal State Targeted Response (STR) funds from Region 10 Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).  “We are pleased to be a part of this pilot program to fight the opioid epidemic,” said Sheriff Tim Donnellon.  “We are hoping to see a lot of success with those who go through this program.”  In addition to the medication and counseling at the IDC, inmates involved will each have a case worker, who will assist them in getting into an aftercare program once they are released.  “I am hopeful that this program eliminates opioid use for those inmates involved,” said Deborah O’Brien, Program Director at the Intervention and Detention Center.  “They are beginning a program in jail and will be set up for continuing treatment once they have served their sentence here.”  Oakland County is already participating in the MAT, with Macomb County scheduled to be a part of the pilot program in the near future.

Southern St. Clair County Flooding

St Clair County Emergency Operation Center is partially activated. Local Emergency Management officials are aware water is impeding on roads, homes and buildings. If your home is impacted please contact the Emergency Operation Center at 810.989.6392 or via email at sccdamage@gmail.com. Please include your address, phone number, foundation type, amount of water in your home, and damage pictures in the email.  This is a very dynamic situation and does have the opportunity to change quickly with amount of projected rainfall, wind direction and waves depending on where you are located within the county. Please pay attention to National Weather Service watches and warnings regarding information in your local area.  If you need sandbags, please contact your Local Township or city office.
The following locations are providing sandbags to their residents:
 Clay Township Water Department on Muskrat Run between the hours of 7am and 3:30pm.
 Ira Township Office 7085 Meldrum Rd. Monday – Thursday 7am – 5pm
 Or email Algonac DPW at DPW@cityofalgonac.org (810) 794-9361
 East China Twp located west of the waste water treatment plant 1244 Recor Rd, East China Twp, MI
Please make your local government officials aware of any flood damage to occupied dwellings.
Here are safety measures to take for flooding:
What to do if my house starts to flood:
 Stop the flow of water and minimize damage.
 Move essential items to an upper floor
 Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water
 Shut off water, gas and electricity, if you are instructed to do so.
If you need to leave your house, you should do the following:
 Secure your home.
 Take your disaster kit (remember medicine, vital documents, food for your unique situation)
 Take your pets and supplies need to care for your pets.
 Shelter locations will be opened in the event you are to leave your home and are in need of sheltering. Contact
your city or township office.
 If you cannot physically leave or have difficulty call Central Dispatch at 810-985-8115 or dial 911
 Notify your insurance company
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ST. CLAIR COUNTY WINS SYSTEM will be used to contact you in an emergency situation.  If you have caller ID, you may not recognize the number, however please answer and receive the information.
Stay Informed
 Listen for updates on the radio or television.
 Check the Be Ready St Clair County Facebook page for updates.
 Check the local government website
If you need assistance:
If you need any non-life threatening assistance related to the flood, please call
your local dispatch at 810-794-9381 for Clay/Ira Township all others call: 810-985-
8115 or dial 2-1-1 for local community-based organization disaster response
assistance.

The Winner Of The Weber Grill From Ace Hardware In Wadhams

Throughout the month of April through May 3rd,  WGRT gave away $25 gift cards on Fridays to lucky listeners.  WGRT also gave away two cards on Facebook.  The entire contest sponsored by Ace Hardware in Wadhams and Vinckier’s Foods in Wadhams culminated in a drawing on Friday, May 3rd for the winner of a Weber Grill.  All the contestants had to do was sign up on the WGRT web page under the contest icon.  The winning name was selected and WGRT’s Cathie Martin made the call to Leslie.  She was incredibly excited to win and came by on Monday to pick up her brand new grill compliments of Ace Hardware in Wadhams and Vinckier’s Foods in Wadhams.  She and her family will be cooking outdoors in style this summer.

Siren Testing

The City of Port Huron will be conducting intermittent tornado siren testing starting Tuesday,
May 7 through the remainder of this week. Please be advised that periodic tornado siren activation and deactivation may occur during this time.

DTF Seizes Heroin, Crystal Meth In Raid

An investigation into the sales of narcotics in the Port Huron area ended on May 1st with the seizure of heroin and crystal methamphetamine.  According to Sheriff Tim Donnellon, the St. Clair County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant in the 600 block of 11th Street in the city of Port Huron at about 10:00 p.m. Wednesday night.  Once inside, they located and seized about $5600 worth of heroin and $400 worth of crystal methamphetamine, along with drug paraphernalia.  Four people were in the home at the time of the raid, a 31 year old woman and three men, ages 28, 29 and 34, all from Port Huron.  The suspects face charges including possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine, destruction of evidence, resisting and obstructing and maintaining a drug house.