Port Huron, MI — The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office has credited four officers with saving the life of an inmate at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center. The inmate was trying to take his own life but the act of desperation was thankfully interrupted by the officers.

The incident occurred on April 1st when Deputy Rick Rodriguez first noticed the inmate in trouble and immediately called for help. Deputies Gerald Dove, Robert Taylor, Andrew Smith, and Sergeant Kyle Prone responded quickly and were able to rescue the inmate. The officers gave medical treatment until medical staff took over.

St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King said, “The quick actions of the deputies involved saved the life of the inmate. I am proud to present them with the Sheriff’s Office Life-Saving Award.”

Deputy Rodriguez received a Life-Saving Award in December of last year for a similar rescue. He was credited with saving the life of another inmate who was attempting to take his own life.

The St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center provides mental health screening and help along with addiction and behavioral programming. Spiritual and psychological counseling services are also available to inmates.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

The COVID-19 mitigation rules for workplaces have been updated once again on the unpredictable path to “normalcy”. 

On Monday, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration made some updates to the emergency rules that have been dictating how businesses operate for over a year. They had been under pressure from business interests and the legislature to do so. 

The new rules remove the requirement that employers must allow employees to work from home if possible. 

Other changes include allowing fully vaccinated employees to go mask-free, removing industry-specific requirements, and aligning cleaning recommendations to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control. Employers are still required to have a written COVID-19 preparedness and response plan.

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Acting Director Susan Corbin said, “These updated emergency rules will give workers and businesses the clarity and confidence they need to bring our economy back to full-strength.” 

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel said, “We continue to move toward normalcy as more and more Michiganders get vaccinated.”

The state vaccination rate is currently around 55%.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

It’s National Safe Boating Week! Boat trips are a way of life in the Blue Water Area, but even seasoned boaters sometimes need a safety reminder.

Wearing a life jacket can be the difference between life and death and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourages all boaters, especially youth boaters, to wear their life jackets any time they are on a boat.

The DNR’s top rules are to wear a life jacket and to boat sober. The DNR also suggests making sure your boat is operating properly before leaving shore, having a float plan, and carrying a two-way communication device. Boaters are also asked to stay alert, as conditions on the water can change quickly.

When it comes to life jackets, boaters have many excuses for why they aren’t wearing one. The National Safe Boating Council says having life jackets on board is not the same as wearing them. Being a strong swimmer is not an excuse either, as plenty of strong swimmers become drowning victims. For those who don’t like the bulkiness of life jackets, there are new styles that look like suspenders or a belt pack and inflate when needed.

For more information, go to safeboatingcampaign.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Pandemic or not, fallen heroes will not be forgotten during this year’s Memorial Day holiday. While parades have largely been canceled, a few observances still remain.

Port Huron’s Pine Grove Park will be the location of the annual Memorial Day Program to be held on May 31st at noon. Fallen heroes will be recognized for their service in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. Thirty-five names will be added to the monument in Pine Grove Park to recognize those service members who have been identified by the St. Clair County Allied Veteran Council and Memorial Tablet Committee.

Daniel J. Crocker, retired State Director of Veterans Services, Department of Michigan of Veterans of Foreign Wars, said, “This is another historical moment for our community.  The bottom line is 35-former servicemen with ties to St. Clair County who paid the supreme sacrifice on the altar of freedom will finally and forever be memorialized on the sacred tablets located in Pine Grove Park. “

Crocker said this is the largest number that has been added since the Vietnam War, and more could be added in the future.

Community groups are also placing flags on veterans’ graves on Friday, in preparation for the holiday weekend.

There will also be a Memorial Day parade in downtown Lexington, MI on Monday, May 31st at 11 AM. The parade will end with a ceremony.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland