Local News

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Maternal Infant Strategy Group are partnering in a Mother-Infant Health and Equity Plan. The improvement plan includes comprehensive statewide strategies that will align stakeholders around key goals to improve the health of mothers and babies. The plan was developed through public comment, continued engagement, and discussion with maternal-infant health stakeholders and advisement of the Maternal Infant Strategy Group. Michigan has a higher infant mortality rate than the national rate, with 6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. There are also significant disparities that exist across race. The plan emphasizes addressing both clinical and non-clinical factors, such as housing, racial biases, access to family planning and promoting safe sleep practices. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun chief medical executive for MDHHS said, “while many people are doing great work to improve the lives of mothers, infants, and families, the data shows there is much more we need to do.”  The plan will be released in 2020 and run through 2023.

Recycling programs in the state of Michigan are getting some help through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The infrastructure grants totaling $1.23 million hope to improve and expand recycling programs in eight Lower Peninsula counties. Locally, Sanilac County is one of the eight that will be receiving funding. The county will receive $129,000. The funding will be used to expand the county’s recycling collection program by adding storage, thereby enabling staff to accept recyclable materials that are currently not being collected. Recycling locations will also be increased throughout the county. The grants will also support the new “Know It Before You Throw It” campaign, EGLE’s first-ever statewide effort to better inform Michiganders of what can – and cannot – be recycled and how to recycle correctly. EGLE Director Liesl Clark said the state of Michigan wants to inspire and inform more people than ever before about how to recycle better and more frequently.

Monitoring contaminants has become increasingly important in the United States and especially in Michigan. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently awarded a grant to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to support statewide toxic chemical biomonitoring. Michigan was among six state health departments selected nationwide and will receive about $4 million over five years to support two different programs. Matt Geiger, Chemistry and Toxicology Division Director at the MDHHS State Public Health Lab, said that Michigan has a legacy of industrial activity and a high number of hunters, anglers, and private well users. He said that Michigan adults may be exposed to environmental chemicals in different ways than the rest of the U.S. population. The first test will aim at testing PCB levels in a group of adults that represent Michigan adults statewide. The second will test for PFAS levels in Michigan Firefighters. Data from recent studies show firefighters have a higher level of PFAS in their blood than the national average. Robert Gordon, Director of the MDHHS, said that statewide toxic chemical biomonitoring will benefit Michiganders. He believes it will allow the department to better assess and address exposure to environmental chemicals in our communities.

On Saturday, the Sanilac County Sheriff’s office will be hosting the 3rd Law Enforcement Torch Run. The mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run is to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement. It is a 1-mile community run beginning at the Sandusky High School and ending at the Sheriff’s Office. The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon created it. He thought the Torch Run would help law enforcement be active in the community while supporting Special Olympics Kansas.

In 1983, Chief LaMunyon presented the program to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). The association decided to endorse Torch Run, and law enforcement agencies like the Sanilac County Sheriff’s office eventually became involved. With the national association’s support, the Torch Run became the largest public awareness and fundraising group for Special Olympics. Sanilac County Undersheriff Bradley Roff said people are welcome to sign up at 9 a.m. before the race begins at 10. He also said that if individuals are not planning to run or walk, they are welcome to come and cheer on finishers at the Sheriff’s office.

Scott May, a Port Huron High School graduate and former RESA TEC student, finished in 22nd place in the world for CNC milling at the WorldSkills Competition in Kazan, Russia. The competition took place August  22nd–27th and showcased trade skills from construction and building technology, creative arts and fashion, information and communication technology, and more. In his profile interview with World Skills USA, May said he loves that his skill allows him “to create nearly anything one can imagine.” He also said that the more one perfects skills in the trade, the more knowledge of things one has to create, and that’s what drives him to perfect his talents. May has been involved with SkillsUSA since he was a junior in high school. Through the rigorous training that goes into competing, he says he’s improved his soft skills as well as his technical skills. Last year, May won the national SkillsUSA title in CNC milling, representing St. Clair County TEC. At the bi-annual WorldSkills Competition this year, thirty-one young people from around the world competed in CNC milling at Kazan. 

The Imagination Station at Greig Park in St. Clair is set to be rebuilt next week, September 10-15th. The rebuild is happening thanks to a volunteer-organized committee that has been planning since early this year. However, due to low numbers of volunteers signed up to help with the rebuild, the committee was forced to make a decision that will increase the costs of the project. Play By Design will be sending project leaders out a day early to start the build with committee members and volunteers, but the group says they are “still in dire need of volunteers throughout the week.” The group is counting on the same community that came together 25 years ago to build the original Imagination Station, to make it happen again next week. 

For residents interested in contributing to the project, the rebuild committee is asking for anyone that is willing to donate their time for tasks that include anything from skilled trades and painting to childcare and food prep. Out of the nearly 1500 shifts that need to be covered, around a 1000 individual shifts in varying positions still need to be covered. The group of community volunteers is also accepting monetary donations toward the cost of the rebuild. If you would like to volunteer to help with the rebuild, sign up HERE.