Betty Kincaid has been named the Employee of the Month for February. Kincaid has worked at McLaren Port Huron for 39 years and is currently a clerical assistant in the medical imaging department.

Kincaid was nominated by her coworkers because she lives the hospital values. They consider her a shining star on their team who inspires them with every interaction. Kincaid makes patients her priority and communicates in a timely manner. She is always friendly, prompt and willing to help. Kincaid has a positive attitude and is a pleasure to work with.

This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.

McLaren Port Huron will present Family Safety Day, a fun, interactive, free event for both children and adults to learn safety tips, including how to prevent injuries and accidents. The event will be held Thursday, May 19, 4 – 7 p.m. in the hospital’s Elk Street parking lot (located between Elk & 10^th Avenue, Lincoln & Kearney Streets).

The hospital and its community partners will have interactive stations throughout the lot, including police car, fire truck and ambulance tours, Jaws of Life demonstration, Coast Guard boat and a smoke house. Other stations include MSU Extension, Blue Water YMCA, St. Clair County Emergency Management and Health Department, the DNR and McLaren Port Huron’s Emergency, Trauma and Mental Health services. Each child present can enter to win one of two bicycles. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

In the case of severe weather, Family Safety Day will be cancelled.

This event is free, and no registration is required. For more information about Family Safety Day call 810-989-3776 or visit www.mclaren.org/phevents.

Submitted by McLaren Port Huron

Port Huron Old Newsboys provides boots, socks, and underwear for children in need in St. Clair County at Christmastime, and they are looking for support from the community to fund the gifts with a 60 Dollars in 60 Days campaign.

The organization is asking for $60 donations to represent $1 per day for 60 days to help the kids in our community.

Executive Director of Port Huron Old Newsboys Mary Meadows said, “Everyday, children experience the unfortunate realities of life of not having appropriate warmth when it’s cold, and we know how we can help.”

Meadows also shared that the program helps both children and their parents.

You can contribute to the 60 Dollars in 60 Days campaign by texting onb60 to 44321, donate through the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, or mail a check to the Port Huron Old Newsboys at P.O. Box 100, Marysville, MI 48040.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

If you’re a U.S. citizen thinking of buying a property across the border in Canada, you’ll need to hit pause on that plan. The Canadian government has put a ban on foreigners buying houses in Canada, in the wake of skyrocketing home prices.

The nation’s new budget plan addresses housing affordability. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blames speculation and greed on the increasing home values. His administration has crafted a Homebuyers Bill of Rights to help Canadians achieve their dream of buying a home. 

A plan to increase housing supply to meet the demands of the growing population was also presented, as was a savings plan to help Canadians save for a down payment.

Sarnia’s real estate market is in line with the housing trends throughout Canada. A modest three-bedroom home can approach a half-million dollars.

Home prices in Canada have shot up over 50% in the last two years, with the national average price at over $800,000 Canadian. Trudeau’s administration has also proposed intervening in real estate practices that promote secret bidding which is blamed for driving prices to thousands of dollars over the asking price.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland