Local News

The Mid City Nutrition Program has announced the last of three winter mobile food pantries, to be held at their facility will take place Tuesday, March 26.  The trucks will deliver fresh produce, pantry staples, and protein at Mid City, at St. Martin Lutheran Church at 805 Chestnut (at 8^th Street) from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until the food is gone.  Attendees are asked to bring ID, carry bags and to dress appropriately for the weather.  The event is being held outside.  All are welcome and no one will be turned away unless the food runs out.  According to Susan Bennett Executive Director of Mid City Nutrition, this food pantry is made possible through the Stebbins Family Fund, the St. Clair County AFL CIO, and the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.

Beginning Wednesday, WGRT is rolling out a new podcast by Stacy DeShon of DeShon Law Office.  Stacy will be sharing her knowledge of wills and trusts and the questions people have about such legal documents.     DeShon is a dedicated Attorney who focuses on Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Estate Administration, and Probate.  In the podcasts entitled “Where There’s A Will There’s A Way,  she will explain why it is important to have a will or trust and what should be included.  The podcast will air on WGRT Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:20 a.m. and 5:20 p.m.  Podcasts can also be heard at WGRT.com by clicking on podcasts and then clicking on Stacy’s picture.  DeShon Law Office is located in the Sperry’s building in downtown Port Huron.

A sure sign of spring is the arrival of chicks and ducklings in local feed and agriculture supply stores. Health experts at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) want people to know about the potential for baby poultry to carry Salmonellabacteria which can make people sick. If proper precautions are not taken, even handling baby birds displayed in stores can cause a Salmonella infection.  “Raising birds for eggs and meat can be fun and educational, but all poultry, even those that appear healthy and clean, have the potential to carry the Salmonella bacteria,” said MDHHS Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Mary Grace Stobierski. “Washing your hands thoroughly before and after handling chicks and other poultry protects both you and your family from the risk of Salmonella, and also helps keep the birds healthy.” Salmonella usually does not make the birds sick but can cause illness in people. Salmonella can cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever and/or abdominal cramps lasting four to seven days or more. Certain groups have a greater chance of illness from handling live poultry or contact with areas where the birds live. Children younger than 5 years old, older adults or people with weak immune systems should not handle or touch live poultry because they are more likely to become severely ill.  In 2018, 334 people from 47 states were sickened by Salmonella after having contact with live poultry in backyard flocks, including 18 people from Michigan. Of the 334 illnesses, 21 percent were children younger than 5 years.

Follow these simple steps to help protect your family and others:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching birds or anything in their environment. Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.
• Use hand sanitizer after touching birds or their environment until you can wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Do not kiss or snuggle birds, touch your mouth or eat or drink around live poultry.
• Don’t let children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65 or people with weakened immune systems from conditions such as cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS or organ transplants, handle or touch chicks, ducklings or other live poultry.
• Do not keep live poultry inside the house where people live, eat or sleep.                        
• Keep live poultry away from areas where food or drink is prepared, served or stored, such as kitchens or outdoor patios.
• Frequently clean all equipment such as cages, feed, water containers and other materials associated with raising or caring for poultry. Always clean equipment outdoors.
• Set aside a pair of shoes to wear while caring for poultry and keep those shoes outside the home.

For more information, visit Cdc.gov/features/salmonellapoultry/index.html.

State Rep. Gary Eisen this week voted to approve a bipartisan plan to make state government more accountable to the people of Michigan.  Eisen, of St. Clair Township, said the governor and legislators should be held to the same standards of transparency as local and state governments. “As a legislator, we need to be accountable to the people we represent. Supporting this plan is giving Michigan residents the transparency they deserve,” Eisen said.  Michigan is one of just two states that still exempts its governor and the Legislature from open records laws. The bipartisan solution approved today would end these exemptions and increase transparency in state government.  The proposal will subject the governor and lieutenant governor to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and hold state representatives and senators to the same high standard by creating the Legislative Open Records Act (LORA).  While LORA mirrors FOIA in many ways, there are exemptions for constituent inquiries to ensure that personal information is protected and kept private. Other types of communications – including those lawmakers have with state departments and lobbyists – would not be exempt.  The LORA plan also ensures residents have access to a fair and effective way to appeal improper denials and excessive fees.    House Bills 4007-13 and 4015-16 now advance to the Senate for consideration.

For 32 years, the Blue Water Pregnancy Care Center has offered HOPE to  young moms and dads, and their phone number even spells HOPE.  HOPE in Latin is Spero (pronounced sparrow). This image of a bird inspires rising above circumstances, freedom, and HOPE. We find how our Lord provides even for the birds and are we not more valuable than they? (Matt 6:26, Luke 12:24).  The Blue Water Pregnancy Care Center changed their business name to Spero Center effective March 15, 2019.  They will continue to  specialize in pregnancy diagnosis and options with compassion and practical help, upholding the highest standards in accordance with national affiliations. All their services are free: pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, options counseling, pre-natal and parenting classes, baby items, community referrals, and much more. According to Executive Director Jennifer MacDonald, they help nearly 800 men and women every year until their baby is 24 months old.  The change in name, MacDonald says,  makes the clinic distinct and we won’t be confused with BW OB/GYN! We are keeping everything else the same—mission, website, phone numbers, etc. We are looking towards expanding our services for the future and want to make sure to include both men and women.
We’ve made many improvements over the years. Our office is professional and private, yet warm. We’ve implemented on-line scheduling, clients can text us 24/7, there’s 24 hour hotline access, and use short, appealing, educational video clips on large TVs!. We have liberal open hours, and we’re open during the holidays (only closed 10 weekdays in the year).  Under much consideration, the board approved this exciting change. We ask for your blessing and assistance in reaching out to the community for a smooth transition.

The Community Foundation has announced it will award two lifetime achievement awards at its 75^th Anniversary Dinner on May 9^th at the Blue Water Convention Center in Port Huron.  Don Fletcher and Marty Weiss, who between them have more than 75 years of community leadership experience, are the two recipients of the 2019 Distinguished Service Award.  “We’re excited to recognize two outstanding community leaders,” said Mike Cansfield, Chair of the Board at the Community Foundation.  “This prestigious award is rarely given out and goes to an individual who has not only supported and provided leadership to the Foundation, but has made significant contributions to the revitalization and overall economic growth of this region.”  The DSA was first awarded in the late sixties, honoring four individuals: Louis A. Weil, founder of the Times Herald; Fred L. Riggin Sr., President of Mueller Brass; Edgar W. Kiefer, President of Port Huron Sulphite & Paper Co.; and local philanthropist Henry G. McMorran.  Since then, this award has only been given when an individual exhibits the extraordinary characteristics and achievement worthy of this honor.   Among past recipients are F. Granger Weil, son of Louis and former editor and publisher of the Times Herald; John F. Wismer owner of Radio First; along with Howard Acheson and his son Jim Acheson.   Don Fletcher is best known as the retired President and CEO of Port Huron Hospital.  He started with the Foundation as an Advisory Trustee in 1999 and has continued as a valuable member to this day, including his time as Board Chair from 2010-2013.  Outside of the Foundation, Don offered his time and leadership to various local boards and professional organizations including: United Way Campaign Chair in 1999, elected Chair of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association in 2000, and as the first Co-Chair of Blue Meets Green.  Marty Weiss, our own Foundation historian, began his adventures with the Foundation back in 1964 when he became an Advisory Trustee.  He continued to serve as trustee and on numerous committees and initiatives until his retirement in 2013.  He served more than 50 years on the SC4 Foundation board as well.  Mr. Weiss provided leadership as a local business owner in downtown Port Huron and served as President of Downtown Port Huron, Inc. in 1974.  Also that year, he received the notable recognition of “Outstanding Young Man of the Year” by the Port Huron Jaycees.  The Community Foundation of St. Clair County is the oldest and largest foundation in Michigan’s Thumb Region.  On May 9^th it will celebrate its 75^th Anniversary.   Event and ticket information is available on the Foundation’s website at:  Stclairfoundation.org