Local News

The Port Huron Police Department has been awarded a grant for a drug collection unit as part of CVS Health’s medication Disposal for Safer Communities Program.  The new unit will be located at the police department’s lobby on the ground floor of the Municipal Officer Center located at McMorran Blvd., Port Huron and according to Captain Marcy Kuehn, will provide residents with a safe and environmentally responsible way to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired medication, including controlled substances.  Kuehn says the new drug disposal unit will help to reduce the amount of unneeded medicine in residents’ homes and decrease the potential for prescription drug abuse, which has soared in recent years, especially among teenagers.  Proper drug disposal also helps to prevent the contamination of local landfills and water supplies from unused medication.  This new drug collection unit site is open to the public from the hours of Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

January is National Radon Action Month – an opportune time for St. Clair County residents to test for radon in their homes. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk for health issues caused by radon, an invisible, odorless gas. Free radon test kits are available to residents during the month of January at the St. Clair County Health Department, 3415 28th Street in Port Huron.  Radon is a naturally-occurring, radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of radium, found in soil and rock. Outdoors, radon is diluted by the atmosphere to safe levels. However, radon can concentrate in indoor air and lead to elevated and harmful radon levels. Radon enters buildings through openings in the foundation floor or walls (sump openings, crawlspaces, floor/wall joints, cracks, etc.) and can become trapped inside.  Environmental Health Director, Steve Demick, encourages residents to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about radon and test their home for this gas. “Radon exposure is considered the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking,” Demick said. “Fortunately, testing is easy and high radon levels can be lowered.” “You can’t see or smell radon, so people tend to ignore the possibility that it might exist at high levels in their homes,” said Kevin McNeill, Sanitarian. “Winter is the ideal time to test for radon because the windows and doors are closed.”  For more information contact the Environmental Health Division at (810) 987-5306 or visit www.scchealth.co or www.epa.gov/radon. Follow us on social media @scchdmi.

There is a great program coming up this Thursday at the Marysville Library.  According to St. Clair County administrator Karry Hepting the library is presenting “Helping Birds Through Winter”, featuring Wild Birds Unlimited of Macomb.   It will take place on Thursday, January 17 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and will answer questions such as “do birds need our help to make it through the winter”.   The event will discuss bird survival skills, impacts to their environment and how our choices in planting trees, shrubs, and flowers can make a difference.  The public is invited to attend at no cost, however registration is required as the event is limited to 30 participants.  Registration according to Hepting can be accomplished by call the library Main Branch, or logging on to the library’s website and registering there.  Marysville Library is located at 1175 Delaware in Marysville.

The suspect in an officer-involved shooting on Pine Grove Avenue between Church and Elmwood Street has been arraigned.   On Saturday, January 5^th at 7:16 a.m. Port Huron Police Officers were dispatched to the McDonalds at 2509 Pine Grove Avenue on a report of a man stabbing himself in the parking lot.   The suspect, who was armed with a knife and covered in blood, charged the officers in an aggressive manner.  According to Police Captain March Kuehn, one of the officers, acting in self defense, shot the suspect multiple times.   On Friday, January 11, Genio Scott Morgan, a 21 year old from Lexington was arraigned on one count of carjacking; two counts of a dangerous weapon-carrying with unlawful intent, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of resisting and obstructing and habitual offender.  A bond of half million dollars cash surety was set set.  Morgan is in the custody of the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and a pre-hearing date is set for Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Lake Huron Foundation (LHF) has announced Chandra Gruber as the new Director, effective December 31, 2018. In her role, Ms. Gruber is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, strategic plan and financial viability of the Foundation.  Ms. Gruber brings more than 20 years of combined corporate and non-profit organizational leadership, program development experience, fundraising and grantmaking experience. She succeeds Laura Cottengim, who held the position for three and a half years, co-leading efforts to re-locate the People’s Clinic for Better Health to expand services offerings to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the most vulnerable members of the local community. During her tenure, both individuals served and assets tripled in size. “I can’t express enough gratitude for the privilege of serving this foundation or for the successes we have all achieved together throughout the past three years,” said Laura Cottengim, Director of Business Development and Marketing for Lake Huron Medical Center. “Chandra’s leadership, sincere appreciation for our culture and proven track record for fostering relationships that deliver positive outcomes will ensure Lake Huron Foundation continues to serve those most in need for many years to come.”  Ms. Cottengim will continue to serve as a member of the Lake Huron Foundation Governing Board and the Director of Business Development and Marketing for Lake Huron Medical Center in a full-time capacity.  “I would like to thank Laura for her dedication, commitment and passion to keeping the mission of the Foundation moving forward. I am excited to help further advance the important and impactful work of the Foundation and the People’s Clinic for Better Health. I look forward to collaborating with local leaders and stakeholders to enhance our sustaining partnerships with community organizations and donors, and identify and cultivate new relationships to ensure our organizational sustainability.” said Ms. Gruber. “Continuing the legacy of the foundation and its assets, including the People’s Clinic for Better Health, are of the utmost importance.”  “We are excited to have Chandra leading the foundation’s initiatives” said Jennifer Smith- Deegan, Chair of the Lake Huron Foundation Board. “Her experience and proven track record will ensure we continue to meet our standards for delivering high-quality patient care.”  Previously, Ms. Gruber was the Director of Corporate and Foundation Giving for Children’s Heartlink in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She also held foundation and giving positions at General Motors Foundation in Detroit, Michigan and St. Jude Medical in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Information Systems from Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis, Minnesota.