A Beautiful Me Grows with Help From Community Foundation, James C. Acheson Foundation

Port Huron non-profit, A Beautiful Me, is expanding their office and training space. After outgrowing their former office space, they have moved to a new space above PH Country Style Marketplace across the street from their retail store, The Closet by A Beautiful Me. 

The new Empowerment and Training Suite was made possible by donations including a $15,000 grant from the Community Foundation of St. Clair County and a James C. Acheson Foundation gift of $10,000.

The Community Foundation grant was distributed by the Grants Committee and the Youth Advisory Council. The new space was celebrated with a ribbon cutting in April with over 100 attendees.

A Beautiful Me Executive Director, Karen Palka said, “After exhausting our current footprint to train youth we explored options to provide an adequate space of growth. Within this new 2,200 square foot Empowerment & Training Suite in Downtown Port Huron we will be able to serve teen girls in all three stages of our original business, philanthropy and entrepreneurial program – building confidence and self-esteem.”

Teens in 8th-11th grades who are interested in free business training can get more information at WGRT.com.

Teens in 8th -11th grade can apply for this free training by texting emerge360 to 586-623-4407 or call 810-662-3248 for more information.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Baby Formula Shortage Continues

Where is all the baby formula? Frustrated parents are scrambling to find some types of infant formula amid a nationwide shortage.

The reason for the shortage is the shutdown of a Michigan formula processing facility that was blamed for producing contaminated formula that resulted in the deaths of two babies. The company, Abbott, disagrees with the findings. Abbott has said they could open back up in as soon as two weeks.

There are also supply chain issues related to pandemic purchasing patterns and trade laws that prevent getting formula from other countries, such as Canada.

Specialty formulas and critical medical foods, those used by people of all ages with severe food allergies, are the most scarce right now. Some pediatricians have samples that they can share, or families can deal with Abbott, who makes most of the highly specialized formula. 

The FDA warns parents to be leery of recipes for homemade baby formula and should never water down formula to make it last longer. Toddler formulas are recommended only as a last resort for older babies. A link to more information can be found at WGRT.com.

Anyone needing specialized formulas can call Abbott at 1-800-881-0876 to request a product on a case-by-case basis.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-important-steps-improve-supply-infant-and-specialty-formula-products

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bird Flu Found in Local Fox Kits

Bird flu is making its way into local wild mammals. The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus was found in young red foxes, or kits, from Lapeer, Macomb, and St. Clair counties. The virus mainly affects poultry, waterfowl, raptors, and scavengers.

The fox kits were reported to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources because of signs of illness they were exhibiting. Two foxes died within hours of collection, one at a later time, and one survived, but it developed blindness and is now housed at a nature center.

Megan Moriarty, the state wildlife veterinarian with the DNR, said, “HPAI H5N1 viruses may occasionally transmit from birds to mammals, as occurred in these cases, and there may be additional detections in other mammals during this outbreak, but they likely will be isolated cases. At this point, it is unclear how the fox kits became infected, but it’s possible that they were exposed by consuming infected birds, such as waterfowl.”

How to Report Suspected HPAI:

Calling the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory at 517-336-5030.

Calling a local DNR field office to speak to a field biologist.

Using the DNR’s Eyes in the Field app. Choose the “diseased wildlife” reporting option.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sergeant Todd Leveille’s Name Added to MSP Fallen Trooper Memorial

It’s National Police Week and to honor it, the Michigan State Police added Sergeant Todd Leveille’s name to the Fallen Trooper Memorial at the MSP Training Academy.

Leveille, who resided in Port Huron Township at the time of his passing, died on December 9th, 2021, after a duty-related exposure to COVID-19, according to the State Police.

Leveille was a 25-year veteran of the State Police and won the “Trooper of Year” award in 2005. He served at the Lapeer post. Leveille left behind a daughter and many family members and friends.

Leveille is one of 55 Michigan State Troopers who have been lost in the line of duty.

The Michigan State Police Fallen Trooper Memorial is located near Lansing. It is funded entirely with private donations. The memorial was constructed in 2001.

National Police Week occurs every year in May to honor the law enforcement community and pay respect to those who have fallen in the line of duty.

Go to WGRT.com for information on donating to the MSP Fallen Trooper Memorial.

https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/training/academy-news/fallen-trooper-memorial

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Jessica Martin-Whitley Takes New Position at VNA & Blue Water Hospice

Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice has a new Vice President of Clinical Operations & Chief Operating Officer. Jessica Martin-Whitley, RN, BSN was appointed this week.

Martin-Whitley had been Director of Hospice with the agency since 2018, and her leadership helped achieve improved satisfaction scores and national ranking along with successfully achieving accreditations and completing regulatory surveys.

Angela DeLaere, President and CEO of VNA and Blue Water Hospice said Martin-Whitley’s passion for veterans was evident when she partnered with Quilts of Valor to present quilts to veterans under the care of VNA and Blue Water Hospice.

 “We are fortunate to have her on our leadership team,” said DeLaere. 

Martin-Whitley will use her experience as a leader at the organization along with her knowledge as an instructor at North Central Michigan College and Baker College in this new role.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

United Way Supports Letter Carriers Food Drive

 

The Letter Carriers Food drive is back after a 2 year hiatus, and Brent Gillette, Executive Director of United Way of St. Clair County, and Terra Anderson, Food Coordinator for the National Association of Letter Carriers, stopped in to share why they support this effort to alleviate hunger.

Learn more about the National Letter Carriers Association food drive here:

https://www.nalc.org/community-service/food-drive/2022-donor-drive

Learn more about the United Way of St. Clair County here:

https://www.uwstclair.org/

 

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