Local News

Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) wants residents to check their medicine cabinets for prescriptions that are no longer being used or are out of date. The local health care provider is partnering with the Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (OPEN) and the Port Huron Police Department in a medication take back event. On Saturday, October 26th from 10 to 2 at Lake Huron Medical Center, residents can bring any of those unused or unwanted medications for disposal. The local hospital provides a safe way for disposal rather than simply putting medicines in your everyday garbage. 

Lake Huron Medical Center says that every 10 minutes a child visits the emergency room for medication poisoning. The hospital also says that 12.5 million people ages 12 and older have misused opioids in the last year, and three in five teens say prescription pain medication is easy to get from their parents’ or grandparents’ medicine cabinet. There are other locations throughout the state for disposal. They can be found at the Michigan OPEN website.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.

Some may think of Sweetest Day as one of those made up Hallmark type holidays, but there is actually a story behind what the day means and how it came about. It is observed on the third Saturday of October and it’s observance began in Cleveland in 1922. Herbert Birch Kingston, a candy company employee wanted to bring happiness into the lives of orphans, shut-ins, and others who were forgotten. Herbert was a philanthropist, and with the help of some friends, began to hand out candy and small gifts to the underprivileged.  A couple of movie stars of the time, Ann Pennington and Theda Bara joined in on the charity and the day grew in popularity. 

In the present day, it is more of a regional observance around the Great Lakes and the Northeast.  Ohio is actually the top state in Sweetest Day sales, followed by Michigan. Over the years, the day has evolved, and is now recognized as a day to express romantic love or appreciation to close friends. So remember the history when you, maybe, brush off the day as playing second fiddle to St. Valentines Day.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.

This week a Michigan Court of Claims Judge, Cynthia Stephens, issued a preliminary injunction on allowing the sale of flavored vaping products in Michigan. This comes weeks after Governor Gretchen Whitmer banned flavored vaping products, citing many dangers of youth vaping. The governor issued the ban under an emergency order. In her ruling, Judge Stephens said that e-cigarette companies presented sufficient evidence that their businesses would be irreparably harmed by the ban, and would likely win their case if it proceeded to a full trial. The judge also noted that there had been an eight-month gap between the time the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) had received the data it used to justify an emergency order. 

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “They are resolute in the efforts on behalf of Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services to protect the health of Michigan’s children.” She said, “The youth vaping crisis is an urgent public health matter that demands immediate action, and [her office is] preparing to seek an immediate stay” that will seek to appeal the judge’s decision directly to the Supreme Court.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s office is forming an Explorer Post that is designed for young people ages 15 to 21 who are interested in a career in law enforcement. The program will meet for two hours every week and attendees will learn about different topics including traffic stops, firearms, and evidence collection among other topics. Candidates must meet certain qualifications to be considered. An open house is planned for October 30th at the Sheriff’s office on Michigan Road from 6 to 7 pm. Anyone interested should call the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office to reserve a spot. If an interested individual cannot attend the open house, contact the Sheriff’s Office for more information.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The water quality at area beaches has been improving. The St. Clair County Health Department monitored water quality at eight area beaches in 2019 located on Lake Huron and the St. Clair River. The beaches were monitored over a 14-week stretch from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During that time frame, beaches were only closed for three days, making it one of St. Clair County’s healthiest beach seasons on record. 

Improved water quality has been made possible by reducing pathogen sources through sewer separation projects, elimination of illicit discharges, and installation of green infrastructure along the 58-mile county shoreline. The Health Department entered data into the Michigan Beach Guard website showing real-time information on beach closures. The department plans on analyzing water quality samples that were collected over the summer to track the bacterial contamination’s source. The organization also plans to continue the monitoring program in the future.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) still remains a threat in the state of Michigan. 10 people have been diagnosed with disease, and  five of those cases have ended in fatality, with the most recent case this week. The most recent case happened in an individual who was a resident of Cass County, which is in the southwestern part of the state. An additional horse has also been diagnosed with the disease. 40 animals from 16 different counties, including Lapeer County have been confirmed as having contracted EEE. Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy for Health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said, “The risk of EEE continues if there has not been a sustained period of freezing temperatures.” 

The MDHHS wants residents to continue using measures to avoid contact with mosquitoes, as they are responsible for the spread of the disease. Aerial treatment covering more than 557,000 acres targeting 14 counties was completed October 7th to help combat EEE. It is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the United States with a 33 percent fatality rate.

Reporting for WGRT, Mike Smith.