TSA announced that its employees must wear facial protection while at screening checkpoints. The decision to require TSA officers to wear facial protection will be implemented over the coming days. It is an additional measure to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 and help raise the overall health and safety levels inside the airport environment. Wearing protective eye wear remains voluntary by TSA personnel who are serving in an active screening position.

“TSA is making this change to protect our employees and travelers as social distancing cannot always be maintained in the screening process,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.

Passengers are encouraged to wear facial protection and individuals may be asked to momentarily lower their facial covering for identity verification purposes or if the facial covering sets off the screening equipment alarms.

TSA is considering more changes to its screening system to further minimize the risk and to limit physical interactions in the security checkpoint.  For more information about the TSA response to COVID-19 and other adjustments TSA has made at security screening checkpoints, please visit tsa.gov/coronavirus.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

As the weather warms up, and things in Michigan begin to grow, many people are anticipating the opening of the Vantage Point Farmer’s Market. Organizers announced that opening day for the 2020 season will be May 30th.

The farmer’s market typically runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the season, but this year, they will only have a Saturday market. They are also implementing some safety practices to make shopping as healthy as possible for vendors and guests.

They are asking guests to observe the 6 foot distance between themselves and others by refraining from entering the market between the farmer’s stalls and from either side of stalls and keeping your distance while standing in line. They are also asking guests to wear masks if possible, bring smaller bills to reduce the need for vendors to make change, and not touch items that are for sale. Farmers and vendors will collect the items guests need to purchase.

Visitors to the market should also come alone if possible to limit the number of people shopping at one time, and stay home if they are experiencing any signs of illness.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The local Ottawa Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Lt. Isaiah Fuller Society, Children of the American Revolution hosted a drive-by parade on Saturday, May 9th to celebrate the 105th birthday of Mr. Walter Krupa of Port Huron.  Mr. Krupa served the U.S. valiantly during World War II, and the groups wanted to honor him with this outpouring of respect and support.

Over 50 cars joined the parade to celebrate Mr. Krupa. You can watch the parade on YouTube <HERE>. 

United Way of Sarnia-Lambton issued grants to six agencies in Lambton County on behalf
of United Way Centraide Canada and funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons
for Seniors Program. These six non-profit community service organizations met all
requirements for funding which included meeting the immediate and urgent needs of seniors in
Sarnia and throughout Lambton County. Organizations who received grants were: Family Counseling Centre – $16,000, Lambton Mental Wellness Centre – $1,261, North Lambton Community Health Centre – $15,000, St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank & Help Centre – $9,886, and YMCA of Southwestern Ontario – Petrolia and Sarnia-Lambton – $3,192 per site (2).

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded a $6.6 million grant to the Blue Water Area Transportation Commission as part of the CARES Act. The commission will use the grant funds to continue essential transit service during the COVID-19 public health emergency and to rehabilitate the roof at its administrative and maintenance facility.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Due to the state’s ongoing Stay Home, Stay Safe order, the organizers of the Port Huron Memorial Day Parade had to cancel the Downtown Port Huron Parade and the ceremony at the Eternal Flame Monument in Pine Grove Park.

However, they are asking Blue Water Area residents to proceed with observing the holiday and paying respect to our nation’s heroic men and women who sacrificed their lives for our country.

“Perhaps if each person in the Blue Water Area could observe a moment of silence at 12 noon as a show of respect for our fallen soldiers, we could still consider this another successful Memorial Day Celebration.” organizers said in a press release.

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May, the 25th this year, and became an official federal holiday in 1971. WGRT joins our community in its strong tradition of honoring members of the U.S. military and their families, and we are grateful for their sacrifices for our freedom.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its May 2020 Employee of the Month, Patricia (Trish) McNeil, and its May 2020 Volunteer of the Month, Martha Bennett-Lewis. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Trish is Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department and has been with LHMC since 1998. She was nominated by a peer who commented, “Trish has been a steadfast leader through this COVID pandemic.  She has been a constant in a sea of uncertainty and change.  Her management of the day to day work in the ER has made the flow and integrity of the process manageable and safe.  She is calm, knowledgeable, motivating, and makes sure everyone is on the same page.  She has stepped up beyond the call of duty, working extra when needed. She is what I hope to become!”

Martha has been volunteering at the hospital since 2010 in various roles. Martha’s nomination from an employee reads: “Martha goes above and beyond to ensure the front desk runs smoothly on the days she volunteers.  She greets each patient with a warm smile and is very welcoming.  Martha handles the front desk with ease- it can become very hectic when patients are checking-in, but she is always willing to take on additional tasks.  She is a valuable member of our team!”

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Trish and Martha, as we celebrate their accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com. 

During these last several weeks, we’ve heard nurses referred to as heroes, rock stars, and miracle workers. Although the origins of nursing predate the mid-19th century, the history of professional nursing traditionally begins with Florence Nightingale.

Nightingale, the well-educated daughter of wealthy British parents, defied social conventions and decided to become a nurse. It takes a certain kind of person to become a nurse as they are called on to serve the sick, injured, or dying. Nurses Week is May 6-12 and the theme this year is ‘Year of the Nurse.’

“Nurses are the heart of healthcare. They are the patient’s advocate while balancing the needs of family, physicians, and other clinicians. This takes devotion. Nurses cannot promise to fix all of your problems, but they can promise you won’t have to face them alone,” says VNA & Blue Water Hospice Vice President of Clinical Operations & COO Stacey Lambert.

During Nurses Week, WGRT joins the community in saying thank you for all our nurses do. We appreciate the sacrifices you make and your dedication to patients.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn