Friends of St. Clair River Name Baby Sturgeon “Pauline” After Fundraising Contest

The Blue Water Area is celebrating Sturgeon, the ancient gentle giants that call the St. Clair River home, with this weekend’s Sturgeon Festival. Part of the buildup to the event was a baby sturgeon naming contest.

The contest was between Port Huron City Mayor Pauline Repp and St. Clair County Commission Chair Jeff Bohm. The two local leaders raised funds for the Friends of the St. Clair River, with the most successful fund raiser winning namesake rights for a baby sturgeon.

The winner is Pauline Repp, who edged out Bohm’s $840 with her $915. The baby sturgeon in an aquarium at the new offices of the Friends of the St. Clair River is now named “Pauline”.

Friends President Sheri Faust said, “All we have accomplished in 15 years as an organization at Friends of the St. Clair River, and all we are poised to accomplish in the next decade, is possible because people are helping build a culture of conservation and stewardship for Michigan’s Thumb Coast.”

 The Blue Water Sturgeon Festival will be held this weekend at the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Go to WGRT.com for more information.

Sturgeon Festival

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Celebrate the New Port Huron Theater District This Weekend

Port Huron is home to three theater companies within a two block area of downtown. This weekend, the city will celebrate the inauguration of the official Port Huron Theatre District with an opening ceremony and weekend-long festival.

The Port Huron Theatre District opening ceremony is Friday, June 3rd at 5 PM at the McMorran Plaza. The ceremony will celebrate Port Huron Civic Theatre, St. Clair County Community College Fine Arts Theatre, and Enter Stage Right and their contributions to the arts and culture scene in Port Huron.

The ceremony kicks off the Port Huron Theatre District Festival which runs through Sunday at McMorran Place Plaza and in McMorran’s north parking lot and will be filled with art vendors and live entertainment. The festival will also include indoor theatre performances on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 PM and Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM.

The Theatre District Festival coincides with First Friday which features various special events around the downtown Port Huron business district. Check PHTD.org for more information about the Theatre District Festival and Downtownph.com for special events happening at your favorite downtown businesses.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

LHMC Golf Outing to Support Both People’s Clinic and Pink Ribbon Fund

Lake Huron Medical Center’s Foundation is gearing up for its annual golf outing. This year’s outing supports both the People’s Clinic for Better Health and the Pink Ribbon Fund in one event.

The golf outing will be held on Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 at Solitude Links Golf Club.

The People’s Clinic for Better Health has been providing care to the uninsured and underserved for over thirty years. They deliver life-saving care to their patients while fulfilling the commitment of providing high-quality care regardless of their ability to pay.

The Pink Ribbon Fund provides early breast cancer detection services, education, screenings, and support services throughout St. Clair County and neighboring communities.

To register for the fundraiser, be sure to get it done by June 10th. The June 15th event starts at 8:00 a.m., with a 9:00 shotgun start. There are several contests, a buffet-style luncheon at 2:00, and raffle items.

If you would like more information on the available event sponsorships or to register for this event, please contact Mallory Michaluk at (810) 216-1675 or via email at mmichaluk@primehealthcare.com. 

To register for the Golf Outing visit www.lhfgolfouting.eventbrite.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Scammers Target Those with Past-due Taxes

The Michigan Department of Treasury is warning against falling for a scam that targets those with past-due taxes. Letters are showing up in mailboxes with a toll-free number provided to resolve the debt. The letters contain threats to seize property such as bank accounts, wages, business assets, cars, and others if the debt is not settled.

The scammers are doing their homework by accessing specific personal facts that are publicly available, giving credibility to their aggressive scam. The sinister plan is that scared taxpayers will call the number and make a payment to the thieves.

Deputy State Treasurer Glenn White, who oversees Treasury’s Revenue Services program said, “We have received reports that taxpayers are receiving these letters. Taxpayers have rights. If you have questions about an outstanding state tax debt, please contact us through a verified number so we can talk about options.”

Legitimate letters are printed on State of Michigan letterhead with the names of the governor and state treasurer, and provide several options for resolving tax debts. Those who receive fraudulent letters should contact the Treasury Department.

Treasury’s Collections Service Center at 517-636-5265.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Be On the Lookout for Ticks

Ticks can really ruin a summer. The pesky little insects can carry Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, which are serious ailments. Being aware of tick risk and taking steps to avoid tick bites are the best ways to avoid an unpleasant encounter with a tick.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said, “Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. If you find a tick attached to your body, promptly remove it. Monitor your health and if you experience fever, rash, muscle or joint aches or other symptoms, consult with your medical provider.”

Grassy, wooded areas are tick hotspots. MDHHS recommends avoiding tick-infested areas. If in the woods, walk in the center of trails and protect pets. Use insect repellant with DEET or picaridin on exposed skin. Clothes can be treated with an insecticide that kills ticks.

A link to more information can be found below.

https://www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/home/lyme-disease?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Dangerous Infant Sleep Items Now Off the Market

No more crib bumper pads or inclined sleepers will be available to purchase due to the Safe Sleep for Babies Act. The items have been blamed for infant deaths and are no longer allowed to be on the market.

Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Administration said, “The Safe Sleep for Babies Act will save the lives of Michigan babies. Parents see these items in stores and may think they are safe for their baby when they are not.”

Travis said, “These products have been involved in hundreds of infant deaths and we are grateful they will no longer be sold. Educating parents and other caregivers about the importance of infant safe sleep remains a top priority for MDHHS.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep on their backs in a crib, bassinet, or pack-n-play, by themselves, using a firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet. The days of pillows, blankets, toys, and bumper pads in cribs are gone. Babies should be clothed in a sleep sack or wearable blanket to stay warm.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland