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

Lake Huron Foundation’s Volunteer Organization is offering a scholarship to those students enrolled in a community college or university who are studying for a career in the health care field. The deadline is April 30, 2019, and the maximum scholarship award is $1,200 per academic year.  “We are pleased to offer these scholarships to future health care providers in our community,” commented Rosemary Hunger, Lake Huron Foundation’s Volunteer Coordinator. “The Volunteer Organization’s scholarship program has created a lasting legacy while benefiting generations of students.”  According to Hunger, The eligibility requirements and considerations include: students enrolled in a community college or university who are studying for a career in the field of health care, are currently enrolled, carrying a minimum of six (6) credits per semester and demonstrating satisfactory progress. Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate a financial need and Lake Huron Medical Center employees and their dependents.

To be eligible for consideration of scholarship funds, applicants must:

• Complete the formal scholarship application found on Lake Huron Foundation’s Volunteer Organization website (https://www.mylakehuron.com/Lake-Huron-Foundation/Volunteer-Organization/Health-Care-Scholarship.aspx)
• Submit a transcript of the most recent classes completed or enrolled
• Submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or employer
• Enclose a copy of an acceptance letter into the specified program (for example: a letter of acceptance into a nursing or health care administration program). If a program specific letter is not applicable, a letter of acceptance from the college or university the applicant will be attending will suffice.
• Applications must be received by April 30, 2019

Completed applications should be submitted to the Lake Huron Foundation Volunteer Coordinator via U.S. mail at Lake Huron Foundation Volunteer Organization, Attn: Volunteer Coordinator, 2601 Electric Avenue, Port Huron, MI 48060.

McLaren Port Huron’s diabetes education team will present a free diabetes care program. Wake Up Your Diabetes Care takes place Tuesday, April 30, 1:30 – 3 p.m., in the McLaren Port Huron Drew Classroom.  What is the connection between diabetes and sleep? Mark Buckley, lead technologist at McLaren Port Huron’s Center for Sleep Medicine, will discuss sleep disorders and their effects on health and diabetes. Enjoy “dreamy” samplings of fresh spring recipes and participate in a fun diabetes challenge game that will keep you wide awake! Members of our diabetes education team will be available to answer questions.  This program is free, and registration is required.  To register or for more information call HealthAccess at 1-800-228-1484 or visit www.mclaren.org/phevents.

The Blue Water Convention Center in Port Huron is the location for the BlueWater International Comic-Con this Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31.  According to St. Clair County Administrator Controller Kary Hepting, show times are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday with advance ticket purchase of $7.50 – or $12 the day of the show – Sunday, hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with admission $5 in advance and $8 the day of the show.  A two-day pass may be purchased in advance only for $10 – kids 5 and under are free.  The Show is produced by Fantasticon – creating a mid-size show created for true comic book and pop culture collectors and fans.  Organizers say if you collect it, you will find it at a Fantasticon Show.  A number of well-known comic-con guests and artists will be in attendance, along with the Great Lakes Ghostbuster Coalition, the Dadpool Street Cruiser and Kitt, the Knight Rider Car.

The First Congregational Church has withdrawn its request to rezone a residential block in the city’s Old Town Neighborhood to a central business district, according to City Manager James Freed.  The Center currently rents space inside the church building and offers healthcare and addiction recovery services to low income and at risk residents. Authorities say that some of the healthcare services offered by The Center are not allowed in a residential zoned neighborhood, therefore the church was seeking to rezone that property.  When area residents voiced opposing concerns, the church withdrew their request and are expected to ask for a conditional zoning request which would be more restrictive on what kinds of programs can be offered at the 723 Court Street location.  Rezoning is determined by a recommendation from the Planning Commission, followed by a vote from City Council.  The next Planning Commission meeting will be Tuesday, April 2nd at 6 p.m. at the Port Huron Municipal Office Center, however, no discussion concerning the rezoning is expected at that meeting.

St. Clair County Community College is offering a new Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences degree program in respiratory therapy, with courses beginning in the fall 2019 semester. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in respiratory therapy are projected to grow 23 percent through 2026, much faster than the average for other occupations.  SC4’s 24-month program combines classroom and practicum experiences in hospitals, outpatient testing facilities and physician offices to give graduates the knowledge and skills they need to enter the field as licensed respiratory therapists.  “Respiratory therapists are in demand across the country, so we’re very excited to begin offering this program to our community,” said Christine Robinson, director of respiratory therapy at SC4. “Earning an associate degree is an essential step to become a respiratory therapist. Our hands-on curriculum in a personalized learning environment will give SC4 graduates and those students transferring on to attain a four-year degree a real advantage.”  St. Clair County Community College is currently in the process of seeking the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) provisional accreditation for the respiratory therapy program. However, St. Clair County Community College can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by CoARC.  SC4’s respiratory therapy program is now accepting applications for the fall 2019 semester, which begins Monday, Aug. 19. Students interested in the program must submit required application materials by Sunday, June 30. Detailed information, including how to apply, is available online.