Local News

The holiday season is not over yet, but you may be thinking about what to do with all the leftover “stuff” from the festivities. With the new year approaching, many make the resolution to be more environmentally conscious or to adopt a more minimalistic approach. There are ways to recycle or reuse those used Christmas items to get your resolutions off to a good start. 

Did you know that Christmas lights can be recycled, as they have a decent amount of copper and glass? Goodwill also accepts working lights, and big box home improvement stores will accept them periodically throughout the year if you are upgrading to LED lights. You can also look online for organizations that will accept old lights.

Wrapping paper can also be recycled if it does not have glitter or tape on it. Add real Christmas trees to the list of items that can be recycled or reused. You can cut them up and use them as mulch, or backyard birds will enjoy your used Christmas Tree all winter. Once spring arrives, you can place it in the yard waste collection to keep it out of the landfill. Fake Christmas trees are not recyclable, but you can donate it for resale if you want to put off it’s inevitable landfill fate.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The American College of Surgeons Trauma Verification Review Committee determines the trauma levels for Michigan hospitals. The group recently visited McLaren Port Huron and has re-certified the local hospital as a Level III trauma center by the ACS, along with their certification by the State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The Level III designation demonstrates an ability to provide 24-hour coverage from emergency medicine physicians and prompt availability of specialized surgeons and anesthesiologists. It also recognizes comprehensive quality improvement programs and ongoing education of staff. 

Level III centers provide back-up treatment for rural and community hospitals that have lower levels of trauma certification and also have transfer agreements with hospitals that have higher levels of trauma certification. Lake Huron Medical Center is certified as a Level III trauma center by the state of Michigan, and Ascension River District is a Level IV. The nearest Level I and II hospitals, for more serious trauma, are in Detroit and Flint. Certifications are an ongoing process for hospitals and take serious commitment to quality health care.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Legislation to allow and regulate online casino-style gaming, along with sports wagering, was signed last week by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Online casino-style gaming and sports betting will now be allowed for those 21 and older through casinos already operating in Michigan, including Detroit’s three casinos and tribal casinos across the state. The new laws deal with fantasy sports, charitable gaming, and horse racing as well as sports betting and casino-style gaming.  

The Michigan Gaming Control Board will regulate online gaming with built-in safety features and strict state oversight – including age verification systems and protections against fraud. In-play sports betting will be based on official information provided by sports leagues such as the National Football League, National Basketball Association, and others.

According to Michigan House Republicans, the bipartisan bill, “will improve essential public services without asking Michigan taxpayers to pay more at the gas pump or grocery store.” They also assured “Several safeguards will be in place to protect and grow education funding, including a provision to ensure online games offered by casinos do not directly compete with games sponsored by the Michigan Lottery.”

A portion of revenue from the reforms will go to a state fund that compensates first responders for lost wages and medical benefits if they get cancer from fighting fires. Another portion will be dedicated to the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund to help those in need access treatment and prevention programs.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The CDC is reporting that flu activity is greatly increasing around the country. The organization is reporting that most of the activity is being caused by influenza B/Victoria viruses, which is unusual for this time of year. This has prompted the St. Clair County Health Department to again recommend and remind residents to get their flu vaccination. 

Michigan has already reached regional levels of reported flu activity. Anyone six months of age and older is eligible for the vaccine every year. Antibodies can take two weeks to

develop and provide protection against the flu. Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer says that, “Contrary to comments often heard, it is impossible to get influenza from the flu vaccine.” Mercatante says, “The vaccine is the best way of protecting yourself and those around you from the flu.”

The Health Department reports it has a variety of flu vaccines to meet everyone’s needs (while supplies last). Most insurance is accepted and flu vaccines are typically a covered benefit. For those uninsured or underinsured, cost will vary based on income eligibility and family size. Vaccines are available Mondays through Friday with varying hours and locations of availability. Contact the health department for more information.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The ban on deer baiting in Michigan will remain for the time being. Last month we reported about an attempt in the legislature to remove the ban, which was enacted to prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in deer and elk herds, as well as domestic livestock. While the bill made it through both the House and the Senate, it was ultimately vetoed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. 

The Governor explained her decision as an effort to protect the beef and dairy industries in Michigan, as well as to protect public health. She says that the authority to enact or lift a ban on baiting should remain with the Department of Natural Resources. 

The ban on baiting remains in effect for the entire lower peninsula and parts of the upper peninsula. Leaving piles of carrots, corn, and other agricultural products for deer to eat on both private and public property is prohibited. 

The Department of Natural Resources describes chronic wasting disease as a contagious, neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose. It causes a degeneration of the brain resulting in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and death. \

Sixty cases of Chronic Wasting Disease were confirmed in deer in six lower peninsula counties, but none have been reported in the Blue Water Area at this time.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

December 26 is not only a day for Santa Claus to catch his breath, but a public holiday known as Boxing Day in the United Kingdom and other British Commonwealth countries such as Australia, New Zealand and our northern Canadian neighbors. 

In spite of its peculiar name, Boxing Day has nothing to do with actual boxing, the trashing of empty boxes left over from Christmas or the return of unwanted presents to department stores. 

According to the History Channel, the “term is of British origin, and the Oxford English Dictionary traces its earliest print attribution to 1833, four years before Charles Dickens referred to it in ‘The Pickwick Papers.’ The exact roots of the holiday name are unknown, but there are two leading theories, both of which are connected to charity traditionally distributed to lower classes on the day after Christmas.”

Although the practice of charitable giving on December 26 has faded with charity now being given in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the Boxing Day name has endured. These days, December 26 is a popular holiday in the Commonwealth countries for watching sports such as soccer and cricket, shopping and visiting friends. If you plan to head north over the border today, remember, it’s a holiday and most businesses and government buildings will be closed.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.