Health Dept. Number Being Spoofed

The St. Clair County Health Department has been receiving reports from residents and non-residents that callers claiming to be from the health department has been occurring today. This practice is commonly known as spoofing. Spoofing allows it to appear as if the caller is dialing from a recognizable number to encourage you to pick up the phone.

Callers reported being asked for information such as Medicare/Medicaid account details or protected health information.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer stated, said. “It is important residents remember they should never give personal and confidential information to unsolicited callers. We would not ask for account information, like social security numbers, passwords, and so forth. Simply hang up and report the call to our office.”

No one should give out personal information to an unsolicited caller.

Mercatante continued, “If there is a concern by an individual who has been spoofed, we encourage them to contact us immediately to confirm if our department is attempting to contact them.”

Those who wish to make a report about these calls can do so by contacting the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. A complaint can be filed online at mi.gov/agcomplaints or by calling 877-765-8388.

Home Invasions on Gratiot Avenue

On Friday, July 30th around 11:30 p.m. homeowners in the 3800 block of Gratiot Avenue  heard noises inside their home and scared away suspects that had broken in. Once police were called, other neighbors came forward advising they had scared suspects away after the  suspects attempted to open a locked door.

Further investigation revealed another home in this  block was also entered by the suspects where items were stolen. Vehicles, garages, and  bedrooms were rummaged through. Road patrol officers and detectives collected evidence and the suspects remain at large. 

The suspects were described as younger white males with  masks over their faces. 

If you have any information regarding these home invasions or have video surveillance/Ring  camera in this area call the Port Huron Police Department Criminal Investigative Division at  (810) 984-9715 or CAPTURE at (810) 987-6688.

Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and the message/tip  to 847411 or by downloading the Port Huron PD app on an apple or android device. Tips can  also be emailed by clicking on the CAPTURE link at www.porthuronpolice.org. 

Please be diligent in locking up your vehicles and residences. Ensure windows are locked as well to prevent home invasions and thefts.

Look Out for Harmful Algal Blooms in the Water

Harmful algal blooms are kind of a big deal. They are naturally present in local waters but can cause serious harm to people and pets if ingested, thanks to cyanobacteria.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said, “Before going in the water, we recommend Michiganders look for visible algal blooms or scums on any lake, and that people and pets stay out of water in areas that look affected.”

Harmful algal blooms look like scums or mats, spilled paint or pea soup, or colored streaks on the water’s surface.

Symptoms of harmful algal bloom exposure in humans include rashes, runny eyes or nose, asthma-like symptoms, and gastrointestinal problems. Serious reactions require immediate medical attention. Dogs are especially susceptible to harm from exposure.

Algal blooms happen when the water nutrient level is too high. Prevention includes maintaining natural shorelines, keeping fertilizers away from the water, and keeping pet waste and detergents with phosphates out of the water.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Why is Proposal 1 So Confusing?

In September of 2020, the Port Huron City Council passed a marihuana ordinance that allowed six licenses for marihuana establishments in the city. The ordinance allowed for 3 retail locations, 1 microbusiness, a safety compliance facility, and a secure transporter. The ordinance became effective in the first part of October, but was repealed after the November 2020 election by the passage of Proposal One.

Proposal One made changes to the way marihuana businesses would be approved to operate in the city, and it allowed closer to 20 businesses to receive a license to operate in the city.

Now, voters are again faced with whether or not to pass Proposal One in a special election on August 3, 2021, and many are confused.

Postcards went out this week to Port Huron residents, one supporting Proposal 1 paid for by Progress for Michigan 2020, and one opposing the proposal sent out by The Exhibit Cannabis Company.

The Exhibit Cannabis Company is a domestic limited liability company from Warren, Michigan owned by Mark Aubrey, and it is difficult to identify details about the group “Progress for Michigan 2020”, although there is a similarly named progressive political action group named Progress Michigan that does not seem to be involved with the marihuana ordinances in the city of Port Huron.

What is clear about the situation is that Progress for Michigan 2020 is the group that initiated Proposal 1 in the November 2020 election, which negated the city’s marihuana ordinance and delayed the opening of marihuana businesses in the city. They are also the group currently involved in several court cases against the City of Port Huron which are further delaying the opening of marihuana businesses, and they are the group that initiated this special election that is costing Port Huron tax payers $20,000.

The opponent of Proposal 1, The Exhibit Cannabis Company, claims that Port Huron residents are being catfished by Progress for Michigan 2020, and because of the ambiguity surrounding the language of the proposal and the identity of Progress for Michigan 2020, it seems like it’s up to individual voters to determine if that’s what they believe.

According to Mayor Pauline Repp she understands the confusion but she cannot offer guidance to the voters on which vote is best for the city. However, she did say that “We should’ve stuck with what the city council passed, and it would all be in order right now.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

New Principals for Central and Fort Gratiot Middle Schools

Port Huron Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of two new principals in our district. Starting in the 2021-22 school year, Mr. Joe Kramer will become the Principal of Central Middle school and Mr. Craig Cassady will become Principal of Fort Gratiot Middle School. Previously, both were leaders in the district as principal of the STEAM Academy at Woodrow Wilson and assistant principal of Central Middle School respectively. 

Joe Kramer led the STEAM Academy as it transitioned to a 3rd-5th science, technology, engineering, arts and math focused school, which paired with K-2nd sister school the Literacy Academy at Cleveland. He has been the principal there since 2017. Prior to Port Huron Schools, Mr. Kramer was an innovative education leader in the Baltimore County region of Maryland. He has a strong athletic background, with an impressive college baseball record at Saginaw Valley State University. 

Since 2011, Craig Cassady has served as the assistant principal and athletic director at Holland Woods and then Central Middle Schools. Prior to joining Port Huron Schools, Mr. Cassady taught in Albion, Jackson and Algonac, Michigan. He is a proud graduate of Port Huron Northern High School. 

Mr. Kramer and Mr. Cassady respectively assume roles held by Shawn Shackelford and Alycia Shagena who recently accepted administrative roles in the district’s Central Office as Executive Director of Student Services & Diversity and Director of Human Resources.

“We had an excellent candidate pool for both principal positions,” noted Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas. “It speaks to the strength of our district that both of these positions were filled by internal candidates. Both Mr. Kramer and Mr. Cassidy have proven themselves as committed educators who focus on student success and well being. They have big shoes to fill but I feel the schools will thrive under their leadership. They both build great relationships with the students and families they serve. ” 

Submitted by Port Huron Schools

Sex Offender Registration Act Ruled Unconstitutional

After nine years of litigation, the Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that the 2011 Sex Offenders Registration Act is unconstitutional ex post facto punishment. What does that mean?

According to a press release from the State Appellate Defender Office, it means that many of the Act’s requirements cannot be imposed against those whose offenses requiring registration came before the enactment of the 2011 Sex Offenders Registration Act.

Referencing the case People v Paul Betts, State Appellate Defender Jessica Zimbelman said, “The Court correctly recognized the extreme and unconstitutional burden placed on nearly 40,000 Michiganders by requiring registration with no determination as to who actually poses a risk to the public.”

The decision was based on the court’s view that being on the Sex Offender Registry restricts where registrants can live, work, and loiter and is comparable to shaming. The court also felt that the registry resembles parole, given the “significant amount of supervision by the state” and it imposes onerous burdens, all without any evidence of reducing crime.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland