A career spanning more than 28 years has come to a close, as Undersheriff Tom Buckley has retired from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office.  During his career, Buckley worked his way from the ground up.   He was hired as a dispatcher by former Sheriff Dan Lane in July of 1990.  He was promoted to road patrol deputy in April of 1993.  In 2003, Buckley was promoted to sergeant and in 2008 he achieved the rank of lieutenant.  His final promotion was his appointment as Undersheriff by Sheriff Tim Donnellon in January of 2009.   During his career, Buckley worked several stints in the Drug Task Force, both as a deputy and a sergeant.  He was also a member of the Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team as a deputy, sergeant and finally as commander of the unit as lieutenant. Tom also is a 2014 graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy.  “I worked with Tom almost my entire career, so when I decided to appoint him Undersheriff, I knew the skill set he had,” said Sheriff Donnellon.  “With that said, he exceeded all expectations I had for him in handling one of, if not the most difficult jobs in our entire organization.  Tom is leaving our department in better shape than he found it.  He will be missed, not only by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, but by the entire first responder community throughout our area and the state.” Buckley has accepted a position with the Michigan State Gaming Commission.   Sheriff Donnellon has appointed Matthew Paulus as the new Undersheriff.  Paulus retired as a captain from the Sheriff’s Office in January of 2017.

A free community Christmas Day Dinner will be held at the Center of Port Huron at 723 Court Street.  The meal will be presented by the First Congregational Church.  Authorities say reservations are not needed for dine-in meals.  Use the Wall Street Entrance between 7th and 8th Street on Wall.  They will be serving from noon to 2 p.m. on Christmas Day.  The meal will consist of Roast Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, a vegetable, salad, cranberries, rolls and butter, dessert and beverages.

Is your child interested in the theater? The YMCA of the Blue Water Area is offering their NEWEST Spark Camp this December: Broadway Beginnings. Let your little actor dream, discover & do! This hands-on Sparks Camp is interactive and will introduce your child to acting, set design, lighting and more! The camp will be held on Saturday mornings and is for children ages 6 – 12 years old.
Ways to Register:
• Online: www.bluewaterymca.com
• In Person: Welcome Center, 1525 3rd Street, Port Huron
• By Phone: (810) 987-6400

The St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning Commission and the Community Foundation have kicked off an ambitious regional trail planning project which will impact state and regional trail efforts.  The planning will address gaps and potential economic impact for the Bridge to Bay Trail, Great Lakes to Lake Trail along with the Wadhams to Avoca Trail.   Under the leadership and guidance of St. Clair County Parks & Recreation, the Bridge to Bay Trail concept began back in the early 1990’s.  Its ultimate goal is a 54 mile trail system from New Baltimore up to Lakeport State Park.  The Great Lakes to Lake Trail is an ambitious state-wide trail project which began in 2009 and when complete will stretch from South Haven along the shores of Lake Michigan to Port Huron on the shores of Lake Huron.    “This is an important step for our region, including stretching into downtown Richmond,” said County Board Chair, Jeff Bohm.  “Over these last several years we have seen significant new developments throughout our region, and now is the time to see if we connect these new developments and assets with a completed regional pedestrian trail system.”   According to Dave Struck, Planning Director of the Metropolitan Planning Commission, the consulting firm of SmithGroup has been hired to conduct a detailed strategy and action plan outlining specific steps and recommended sequences for completing the Bridge to Bay Trail and the Great Lakes to Lake Trail.  Funding to support this work was provided from SEMCOG and the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.  SmithGroup designed and planned the Blue Water River Walk among other regional projects. Simultaneously, the Community Foundation has hired the firm of Public Sector Consultants to conduct an economic impact study which will help educate regional stakeholders on the potential economic benefits and impact of a completed regional trail system.    “We’re seeing a lot of new investment throughout our region,” said Randy Maiers, president of the Community Foundation.  “With continued financial support from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation we need to gain a better understanding of both the successes and shortcomings of other regions who have developed comprehensive trail systems.”  Maiers added that the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation provided a $100,000 grant to support this regional planning effort.    The first round of public input for the work being conducted by SmithGroup will take place December 11 with both a lunchtime focus group session at the St. Clair County Administration Building, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and an early evening focus group session at Sperry’s 2^nd Floor Dinnerhouse, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  The public is invited to both sessions to provide input on the future of the countywide trail network.    “Our timeframe is to have both reports done by the end of March 2019,” said Dave Struck.  “Then our regional stakeholders, led by Blue Meets Green, can decide what the next appropriate steps may be.”

One of the more common causes of back injuries during the winter months is snow removal. Using the wrong  body mechanics when shoveling snow can put undue stress on the spine and lead to muscle strains, falls, or more serious back injuries. These injuries can be prevented if proper precautions are taken.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU BEGIN
• Warm-up your muscles. Shoveling can be a vigorous activity.
• Pace yourself. Take frequent breaks and prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of
fluids. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath or other signs of a heart
attack, stop shoveling/blowing and seek emergency care.
• Use a shovel that is comfortable for your height and strength. Do not use a shovel
that is too heavy or too long for you.
• Try to push the snow instead of lifting it. If you must lift, do it properly.
• Do not throw the snow over your shoulder or to the side. This requires a twisting
motion that stresses your back.
SNOW BLOWERS
A snow blower can be a useful tool for removing snow quickly. But while often more
convenient, they can also be more dangerous than shoveling. Be aware of the proper
techniques of using a snow blower and read the user manual and pay attention to labels on
the machine.
• Never stick your hands in the snow blower! If snow jams the snow blower, stop the
engine and use a solid object to clear wet snow or debris from the chute. Beware of
the brief recoil of motor and blades that occurs after the machine has been turned
off.
• Do not leave the snow blower unattended when it is running.
• Add fuel before starting the snow blower. Never add fuel when the engine is running
or hot.
• Stay away from the engine. It can become very hot and burn unprotected flesh.
• Watch the snow blower cord. If you are operating an electric snow blower, be aware
of where the power cord is at all times.
SIDEWALKS & DRIVEWAYS
It’s also important to keep ice clear from your sidewalks and driveways to prevent accidents.
Ice melt and all-purpose sand can add traction to these surfaces, plus ice chippers work well.

Did you know most home fires start in the kitchen? Whether you’re making turkey or pie this holiday season, it is important to be careful when you’re cooking. Use these tips to make sure your Thanksgiving is safe and delicious: · Keep an eye on food when cooking. · Wear short sleeves or roll them up. Long sleeves can catch on fire. · Never leave frying food alone. Most home cooking fires start when food is left unattended.  Keep the cooking range free of clutter.   Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy while cooking. If a small fire starts in a pan on the stove, put on a flame-resistant oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner.   Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency and know how to use it.  To learn more about staying safe over the holidays, visit https://www.ready.gov/holiday-toolkit. Join the conversation on social media by following @Citizen_Corps and @Prepareathon. Share your holiday safety tips with #HolidaySafety!