Historic Redistricting Process Underway

The Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission got to work last week. The Commission was formed in response to the passage of Proposal 2 in 2018. They began with virtual orientation and information gathering.

Michigan Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, said, “Michigan’s citizens made their desire to put democracy back in the hands of the people loud and clear when they overwhelmingly passed Proposal 2.  This historic meeting is the culmination of years of citizen engagement, and months of work preparing to give our commissioners the tools they need to do this incredible work.”

The Commission is made up of four Republicans, four Democrats, and five members with no party affiliation. The members spent two days receiving instructions as to their duties and expectations and were presented with experts on the map making process.

Benson, a Democrat, keeps a public record of the process, but does not have a vote. During the preliminary meeting, the commission was charged with selecting a chairperson and determining their schedule. They have fourteen months to complete the redistricting process, with a November 1, 2021 deadline. The decisions will affect the 2022 election.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Courthouse Seeks to Quell Rumors on COVID-19 Cases

PORT HURON, MI – Since March 2020, the safety of the public and court staff has  been of highest importance. Identification of cases will continue throughout the county,  and county employees are not an exception. The court system works closely with the  St. Clair County Health Department to identify cases and exposures as well as  identifying risk reduction strategies. At this time, NO public exposures have resulted  from any identified cases within the court system. All individuals who may have been  exposed to COVID have been notified. The exposure situation was handled swiftly and  exceptionally well by court directors and leadership.

Daniel J. Kelly, Chief Judge for St. Clair County Courts, further states, “These are  challenging times we are living through today. Our main goal right now is to protect,  serve and maintain precautionary procedures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Those that have circumstances required to be handled within the court are encouraged  to continue to use remote resources, such as email, fax, telephone and the court  website when possible.

General court system inquiries, please visit: http://www.stclaircounty.org/Offices/courts

Submitted by St. Clair County

Visiting Nurse Association & Blue Water Hospice Honor Shining Stars

Port Huron, MI –  Visiting Nurse Association & Blue Water Hospice recognizes staff for going above and beyond through the Shining Star program. Those awarded regularly demonstrate the mission, vision, and focus of the agency while helping patients, clients, and each other. Leadership nominates staff for the award quarterly.

This past quarter, the following individuals were given the Shining Star award:

Carrie Barnes, Health Services

Judy Bloink, Blue Water Hospice Home

Jackie Cole, Blue Water Hospice Home

Carol Hill, Home Health Care

Paula LaFortune, Blue Water Hospice Home

Louise Markovic, Private Duty

Suzanne Tomczak, Home Health Care

Jeannie Westbrook, Health Services

Amanda Whitmore, Blue Water Hospice Home

Cindy Wisdom, Blue Water Hospice Home

 

Since 1952, Visiting Nurse Association has provided a continuum of care including home health care, palliative care, private duty, and hospice care to the people of St. Clair, Sanilac, Lapeer, and Macomb counties. Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice is a non-profit organization that provides high-quality, cost-effective health care to any patient and family member with short-term, long-term, or end-of-life care. Learn more about the services offered by VNA/BWH by visiting www.vnabwh.com.

Ten Micro-Grants Awarded to Entrepreneurs

Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs gathered in an open-air barn at Green Thumb Gourmet Garlic in China Twp last night to award ten micro-grants to local entrepreneurs.

The micro-grants of $200 each will help local businesses with marketing costs, websites, business supplies, and other costs associated with getting a new or young business more established in the community.

The grants were funded through the generosity of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County and distributed through Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs, a supportive group of business owners who meet to encourage one another in their entrepreneurial journeys.

The following businesses were awarded grants:

  • D B Delivery Solutions
  • Dannie Shalom Beauty Supply
  • Loving Hands Home Care Services
  • Main Street Ensemble
  • Pretty N Peace
  • RM International Resources Group
  • Sheer Brilliance
  • The Cookie Bar- St. Clair
  • The Makairos Life
  • Zoe Counseling & Consulting

Matt Brooks, Founder of the Blue Water Startups & Entrepreneurs said, “We are excited about these entrepreneurial pursuits and look forward to having them plug into our community of peers.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Catalyst Communities Program Aims to Help Local Officials Deal with Climate Change

The Catalyst Communities program has been established by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The program will provide local public health officials with education, training, and planning, as well as technical resources as they deal with climate impacts on emergency response and public health.

EGLE Director Liesl Clark said, “The impact of climate change is real. We’re seeing it in our pink skies from West Coast wildfires and in mosquito-borne diseases as well as severe weather that is made worse by high lake levels.” 

The program is a series of online classes for local officials. Sign up begins now for the program that starts in November. The topics covered include Emergency Preparedness, Adaptation Planning Resources, Economic Resilience, and Integrating Equity. After successfully completing the sessions, attendees will be better equipped to prepare their communities for potential climate impacts, according to EGLE. 

More information about Catalyst Communities can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EGLECatalystCommunities. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Hunter Hospitality House Plans New “Family House”

Port Huron non-profit, Hunter Hospitality House, is adding a third property to its roster of homes away from home for people who need to stay close to local hospitals.

HHH has announced the acquisition of a ranch style home next door to Lake Huron Medical Center. The house will be named the Hunter Hospitality Family House.

The organization saw the need for a house that was specifically designed for families, unlike their other properties that are more bed-and-breakfast style, more suitable for adults. The new home will be more comfortable for entire families to stay in while being close to loved ones in the hospital. While the house is near Lake Huron Medical Center, transportation to McLaren Port Huron is provided by HHH.

The house needs renovation. Roofing, flooring, construction, and landscaping all need professional attention. Donations of both time and talent will be needed to make the Family House a reality, just as those donations have sustained the other HHH properties.

The new house is scheduled to be opened on December 7, 2021, which is the 30th birthday of the late Hunter Willard, after whom the organization is named.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland