The Michigan State Police, working closely with Port Huron Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, investigated an embezzlement complaint involving a local charity.  According to Port Huron Police Captain Marcy Kuehn, the investigation revealed that an accountant for the Blue Water Center for Independent Living is responsible for embezzling over a million dollars during his employment.  Investigations found the suspect had a prior embezzlement conviction from the year 2000, having embezzled more than $3 million from a Detroit-area auto supplier over the course of six years.  A search warrant on the suspect’s home in Okemos, MI on March 29 led to the arrest of the suspect, whereupon he admitted his involvement.  71-year-old Richard Laurence Hartwick was arraigned on six felony charges.  Bond was set at $1 million and a probable cause hearing is scheduled for April 9, with a preliminary exam set for April 16 in front of the Honorable Judge Cynthia Platzer.  If you have any knowledge that would assist investigations, please call Port Huron’s MCU at 810-984-5383.

Patients can now fill out a state form that directs health professionals and emergency medical services personnel to not administer opioids to them.  The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently made the nonopioid directive form available to the public on its website in response to a new state law. The directive is part of the State of Michigan’s multifaceted plan to address the opioid epidemic.  “This law helps ensure nonopioid options to pain management are considered in the medical treatment of Michigan patients,” said Dr. Debra Pinals, MDHHS medical director of Behavioral Health and Forensic Programs. “Providing this supportive tool for patients to notify their health professionals that they are seeking alternatives for pain treatment is critically important for those who are most at-risk of misusing opioids, including those with a history of an opioid disorder.”  A link to the directive form can be found under “Additional Resources” at the bottom of the “Find Help Page” on Michigan’s Opioid Addiction Resources website, www.michigan.gov/opioids, along with other information.  The nonopioid directive can be filled out by the patient or a person’s legal guardian or patient advocate. Once submitted, the directive must be included in the patient’s medical records. There are exceptions in the law, such as a provision that a prescriber or a nurse under the order of a prescriber may administer an opioid if it is deemed medically necessary for treatment.  Public Act 554 of 2018 amended the Public Health Code to provide for the form and required MDHHS to make it available on its website.  Michigan has been significantly affected by the national opioid epidemic. The number of  annual opioid-related overdose deaths in the state have more than tripled since 2011, from 622 to 2,053. As part of the state-government-wide plan to address the issue, MDHHS has developed an action plan that is focused on prevention, early intervention and treatment.

The city of Port Huron has been named a 2018 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.  According to Port Huron City Manager James Freed, Port Huron achieved this recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements which include: a tree board or department; a tree care ordinance; an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.  Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation, stated that “Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand, creating a sense of community pride, whether it is through volunteer engagement or public education.”  He says trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained.  They help improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, can increase property values, reduce home cooling costs and remove air pollutants as well as provide wildlife habitat, among mother other benefits.  More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Long Term Care Policy Section has issued a Request for Proposal for nursing home quality of life enrichment.  The purpose of the Nursing Facility Enrichment Program is to fund projects and activities that benefit and enrich the lives of nursing facility residents. All proposals must include enhancements to nursing facility services and go beyond the services required to be provided by a nursing facility.  Eligible applicants include hospitals and health care organizations, academic institutions, nursing facilities, nonprofit organizations, private businesses, Native American tribal organizations and other organizations able to plan, implement and evaluate projects, programs and process system improvements designed to protect or improve quality of life and care for residents of nursing facilities.  The enrichment program’s priorities are projects that support resident and/or family councils and other consumer involvement in assuring quality care. Priority will be given to projects that include resident and other stakeholder input in the development of the project and improve the quality of life for residents through innovative approaches to implement person-directed values within the nursing facility.  Grants starting at $5,000 are available for organizations to provide these services.  Authorities say grant applications must be submitted electronically through the MI E-Grants program. Applications will be accepted through May 3, 2019, at 3 p.m. The Nursing Home Enrichment Program period is Oct. 1, 2019 – Sept. 30, 2020. For more information or to apply, visit the MI E-Grants website and select the “About EGrAMS” link on the left side of the screen to access the “Competitive Application Instructions” training manual. The complete Request for Proposal document can be accessed on the MI E-Grants website in the ‘Current Grants’ section by selecting the “Medical Services Administration” link and accessing the “NFEP-2020” grant program

Spring has arrived, and the baseball and softball seasons are underway at SC4 as the Skippers gear up for home games against conference and non-conference opponents.  Led by head coach Ryan Kottke, the Skippers baseball team looks to make an early impact with home games against Mott Community College on April 5 and Cleary University JV April 7. The SC4 softball team, led by head coach Ron Matthews, will play home contests against Alpena Community College April 6 and 7, Oakland Community College April 9, and Delta College April 12.  All home baseball games are played at Sanborn Park in Port Huron, while softball contests take place at Pine Grove Park.  Fans can have some extra fun at the ballpark during special promotional games this season. During rivalry days on Saturday, April 20 (softball), and Saturday, April 27 (baseball), attendees will receive free SC4 rally towels. And during Pup at the Park days on Saturday, April 13 (baseball), and Saturday, May 4 (softball), fans can take in the game with their four-legged friends.  A number of Skippers baseball and softball players have gone on to play and coach in local and national collegiate and professional sports. For instance, former Skipper Paul Fry is off to a great start with the Baltimore Orioles this season, and Bill Nahorodny’s Major League Baseball career was just recently featured by NBC Sports.  For more information, including rosters and full season schedules, visit sc4.edu/athletics