A measles outbreak in southwestern Ontario has been traced back to a Mennonite gathering in New Brunswick last fall. The virus spread when attendees unknowingly brought it home, leading to 223 confirmed cases. Most cases are in unvaccinated individuals, with health officials linking the outbreak to under-immunized Mennonite and Anabaptist communities. Authorities urge vaccinations, allowing infants as young as six months to receive early doses. Measles can cause severe complications, including brain damage. A child in Hamilton died last year.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Rick Ziehm, a longtime Almont Township firefighter, is walking 140 miles across Michigan to raise awareness about cancer risks in his profession. He will take part in the 8th annual Michigan Walk for the Red, a four-day event from Macomb Township to Ada, starting September 4th. Ziehm, the only walker from Lapeer County, hopes others will join him. Firefighters face a 25% higher cancer risk due to exposure to toxic materials. Neighbors United has donated over $500,000 to Michigan firefighters battling cancer.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Larry Devere Middleton, a Sterling Heights resident, has been sentenced to 25 to 75 years in prison for sexually assaulting a young girl. Convicted in January on multiple charges, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, Middleton also faces concurrent sentences for lesser offenses. Prosecutors emphasized the bravery of the survivor and the commitment of law enforcement in securing justice. Middleton must register as a sex offender and, if released, will be monitored for life.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Federal prosecutors have filed new charges against Timothy Higle, a former substitute teacher in East China School District, accused of exploiting teen girls online. Investigators allege Higle used social media to solicit explicit photos from minors, offering money through apps like Venmo. The latest indictment adds four charges, including one involving a seventh victim. Higle faces seven counts of child exploitation and one count of possessing child porn, with potential sentences of 15 to 30 years per count. The district confirmed these incidents occurred after his employment ended in ’19.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Lambton Public Health confirmed two separate measles cases recently, with no connection between them. While personal details of the affected individuals were not released, exposure occurred at various local locations, including Sarnia’s Confederation Central school, Upward Basketball events, and Bluewater Health’s emergency department. Measles is on the rise in southwestern Ontario, partly due to lower vaccination rates. Symptoms include fever, rash, and watery eyes.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

On Saturday folks from Port Huron and Sarnia will gather under the Blue Water Bridge at noon for a friendly flag wave. Port Huron’s Mayor Anita Ashford and Sarnia’s Councilor Bill Dennis organized the event to show unity, with residents waving U.S. and Canadian flags across the St. Clair River. This comes after Sarnia’s Mayor Mike Bradley, who wasn’t consulted, pushed to remove U.S. flags from city properties over trade disputes. Bradley and Dennis, a Trump supporter, have clashed before, and Dennis slammed Bradley’s move as a slap to their American neighbors.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet