Local News

The St. Clair County Community College radiologic technology program is making quite an impressive impact on the field. For the sixth year, the program continued its impressive 100 percent first-time passage rate on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, a national registry exam that grants certification in the field. Recently, eleven SC4 graduates passed the 2019 exam, bringing the total number of SC4 graduates passing on their first try to 61 since the program began at the college in 2012.

According to SC4 Dean of Health Sciences Jenny Giles-Voss, the excellent training and preparation provided to students ar credited to the expertise and dedication of Professor of Radiologic Technology Sandra Geliske and Program Director Monica Rowling. Voss added, “A perfect record like this is incredibly rare.” SC4’s radiologic technology associate degree program – which received an impressive maximum eight-year accreditation award from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology in 2016 – prepares students to become radiologic technologists by combining imaging technology with patient care skills to create quality radiography images. The program has a 24-month, competency-based curriculum that includes practical experience degree programs, two bachelor’s degree programs, and four hospital-based programs with experiences in hospitals and imaging centers. 

August 6th marks a good day for local residents and A&W establishments alike. It all started with a tiny root beer stand. Entrepreneur Roy W. Allen set up shop on the streets of Lodi, California offering a brand new creamy and refreshing drink served in a frosty mug. It was a hot June day, and Allen thought his concoction would be the perfect accompaniment for the parade honoring the return of World War I veterans. His Root Beer was a hit — a unique and tasty, fresh-made blend of herbs, spices, barks, and berries that has now turned into the signature product for A&W establishments across the country.

According to the company’s website, a lot has happened and changed since those early days, but much remains the same. They continue to serve signature, made- fresh Root Beer in a frosty mug, and today happens to be the day the founding roots are celebrating. On August 6, National Root Beer Float Day, A&W is giving away free floats to honor the company’s roots by continuing to provide support in the homecoming of U.S. service members. Residents are invited to stop by a local A&W August 6th to celebrate National Root Beer Float Day. Free, small root beer floats will be available from 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. As part of the celebration, the restaurant will be collecting donations for DAV (Disabled American Veterans).

The time is ripe for picking fruits and vegetables in Michigan.  Area orchards and farms are gearing up for the annual harvest. This year’s crop promises to be a good one.  Some vegetables have come in late due to the delay in planting because of the amount of rain that fell during the Spring.  Corn, for instance, just became available in the last 2 weeks here in the Blue Water region. Cheryl Hulett owner of Hulett’s Farm Market on Pine Grove in Port Huron said, “Corn was usually available around July 15th, and this year it was pushed back to July 30th.”  She went on to say, “Corn will be available later into the fall, but only until the frost comes.”  In Jeddo at McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill, tart apples and peaches are ready to be picked. McCallum’s Owner, Ray Peltier, said, “The large amount of rain that was received early on affected different crops in different ways.” 

Steve and Emily Goudy started the Taking a Shot at Breast Cancer Calendar and Human Ribbon in 2010 after one of Emily’s closest friends shared that her sister was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer.  At that moment, Emily decided she wanted to do more, and she shared her thoughts with Steve. With that, the idea for the calendar and Human Ribbon were born.

Over the past several years, the couple has worked very closely with the Community Foundation of St. Clair County donating to different community breast cancer funds. In 2014, they started the “Taking a Shot at Breast Cancer” Fund with the community’s support. One of their events, The Human Ribbon, took place last weekend. Community members wearing pink gathered at Keifer Park to form a human ribbon. The effect was stunning and symbolized hope and community for cancer patients and survivors.  The group hosts several fundraisers throughout the year. 

The first Tuesday in August is a day for whole communities to get together for fellowship.  The National Night Out is a community-building campaign that looks to strengthen police and community partnerships as well as promote neighborhood camaraderie.  The National Night Out has grown over the years, and 2019 marks its  36th year.

During National Night Out, area residents and law enforcement will be out visiting and getting to know one another. Many residents and neighborhoods have planned block parties and other events to participate in the campaign. This grassroots effort to build relationships between neighbors and law enforcement seeks to reduce crime through friendship and familiarity. For some people, their only interaction with police is during negative circumstances, so National Night out is a chance for residents to meet and mingle with officers in a casual and fun atmosphere. You can bring National Night Out to your neighborhood by learning more about the event on their website. 

Volunteers in St. Clair have been working diligently to plan a redesign and build of the popular Imagination Station playground on Carney Drive. After several months of planning and fundraising, the group says construction is set to begin September 10-15th 2019. However, this weekend marked the last days of the existing playset’s current existence, and residents said goodbye to the wooden playscape on Sunday.

The planning process for the new playscape involved community input, design days for kids, and several volunteer committee meetings. The original playground was built in 1994, and according to Committee Director Matt Alley, has been well-loved. He said the group of volunteers is,  “trying to take this entire Imagination Station process and put it into the scope of what needs to be done for the next generation of children in the area to take advantage of the Imagination Station for decades to come.”

The efforts to re-imagine the playground are completely donation and volunteer-based, and they’re still trying to fulfill the goal for the project. If local residents or businesses are willing to volunteer for the project, over 1200 will be be needed over the course of the five day build with needs ranging from skilled trades to childcare positions. You can send the group a message through their Facebook page at Imagination Station Rebuild.