Soon you will be seeing some new trees being planted at St. Clair County Community College. The college recently received a $1500 grant to plant trees on the college campus. The grant was awarded through a partnership between the DNR, the DTE Energy Foundation, and ReLeaf Michigan. SC4 is one of 33 communities in the state to receive the award and the only college or university awarded the grant this year. SC4 President Dr. Deborah Snyder said they are thrilled to once again receive the grant and that the college looks forward to having new trees on campus. The program, according to the college’s website, supports SC4’s commitment to environmental stewardship and represents one of the college’s many green initiatives. The trees proposed were chosen by faculty who were designing their selections for varietal and environmental impact. It is estimated the new trees will intercept nearly 450 gallons of stormwater runoff. The DNR says the tree planting program is part of an initiative supporting environmental care. Since the program’s founding, nearly 46,000 trees and seedlings have been planted in more than 500 Michigan communities.

An area in Port Huron between Dove and Nern as well as 28th and 32nd streets will be receive funding to prepare the land as a new industrial zone. The current industrial park is almost at full capacity, and officials want to increase the confidence of potential investors in the area. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has approved a Site Readiness Grant submitted by the Economic Development Alliance. The grant is for an amount up to $100,000, and the City of Port Huron has committed to match the grant up to that amount. The grant will provide funds to assist in clearing, tree removal, leveling, ground seeding, geotechnical investigation, and potential site development studies. The MEDC initially announced a $1.5 million dollar commitment to the Site Readiness Program in the state of Michigan, but it had to double their statewide commitment after receiving so many requests. Dan Casey, CEO of the EDA of St. Clair County, said the EDA worked closely with the City of Port Huron on the grant application, and they are pleased to be receiving the maximum grant award allowed by the program. 

University of Michigan students were recently in the area for some underwater research. Katie Stepp, owner of Michigan Boat Rentals in Port Huron, said an underwater research team from the University of Michigan recently chartered a pontoon boat from her company. The group from the University of Michigan was testing low cost underwater autonomous mapping technology.  On their website, the group explains that current technology is expensive and only effective in depths around 3500 feet. Much of the ocean below those depths, according to the group, remains unexplored. The group brought a test vehicle to the area that weighs 45 pounds and is just over 3 feet long. It can operate at a depth of nearly 20,000 feet. The AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) costs about $30,000 to build and is easily assembled using off the shelf parts. The group believes the vehicle will have commercial applications for deep sea fishing and underwater mining to name a few.  

Many Marysville residents are responding to encourage a conversation about diversity after racist comments were made by a former candidate running for Marysville City Council. One resident, Jason Stier, who is also  Principal of Riverview East High School in East China, has started a campaign to display yard signs throughout the city. Stier said he believes that diversity is not just about race, but about everyone having a different experience in life, with varying challenges, strengths, and weaknesses they bring to the table. As a former art educator, Stier decided to design a yard sign with a simple message on it, “Marysville, where everybody is welcome.” Scott Forster, President of ForSports and a fellow Marysville resident, said he was contacted by Jason about making signs. The signs are now available for purchase on the ForSports Facebook page or website.  

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is investigating reports of e-cigarette and vaping-associated respiratory illnesses. Between June 28th and August 27th this summer, there were six cases reported to MDHHS, which the organization is now investigating. All of the cases have been reported in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, and most of the individuals, whose average age is 19-39, have been hospitalized for severe respiratory illness. Sarah Lyon-Callo, MDHHS state epidemiologist said, “The severity of illness people are experiencing is alarming.” She said Michiganders should be aware that using e-cigarettes and vaping can be dangerous because the products in vaping and e-cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that can result in damage to a user’s lungs, heart, or other body systems.

As of August 23rd, 203 possible cases of severe respiratory disease associated with e-cigarette use have been reported in 23 states. So far, the Michigan investigation has not identified a specific brand of device or e-liquid that is causing these illnesses. Similar to reports across the nation, there does not appear to be an infectious cause of the illnesses. MDHHS is working closely with state and federal partners during this national outbreak investigation. If an individual vaping or using e-cigarettes develops symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, fever and/or nausea and vomiting, he or she should contact a health provider immediately and know that symptoms may occur long after use of a device.

Jay de los Reyes, CEO of Lake Huron Medical Center, submitted a letter of resignation to the healthcare provider last week. de Los Reyes has served as CEO since June 2017 and, according to a hospital spokesperson, has been an integral part of the hospital’s growth and development. During his tenure, Lake Huron Medical Center has earned a three-year, level III trauma center designation from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, received an “A” in hospital safety from the Leapfrog Group in the Fall of 2018 and Spring 2019, received the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award, and obtained a four-star rating by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Patricia Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer at Lake Huron Medical Center is serving as the interim Administrator during the transition.