The American Red Cross has a severe shortage of type O blood and urges type O donors – as well as eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types – to give now to ensure lifesaving patient care isn’t impacted this winter.  Type O blood is the most in-demand blood type, helping patients facing life-threatening conditions and emergencies every day. Type O negative blood can be transfused to patients with any blood type and is what emergency room personnel reach for when there’s no time to determine a patient’s blood type. Type O positive blood is also especially needed because it is the most transfused blood type and can be given to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.  Having a readily available blood supply is critical for patients like Luna Giles, who at the age of 1 1/2 has already underwent two heart surgeries and required over a dozen transfusions.  “Each time, the nurse would bring in a bag of blood for her transfusion, I noticed a small label on each one that said ‘Donation Type: Volunteer,’” said Luna’s mom, Jessie Giles. “It made me think about each individual who donated blood for my daughter. I would never know who those individuals were, and they would never see the effect their donation had. But each of those individuals, strangers to us, absolutely saved my daughter’s life. They may never know it, but to me, they are heroes.”  Right now, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types, and blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Recent snowstorms and severe weather in many parts of the country have forced hundreds of blood drive cancellations, causing more than 20,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.  Individuals of all blood types – especially type O – are asked to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Now Through -March 31

3/4/2019: 7:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Anchor Bay High School, 6319 County Line Road in Ira

3/5/2019: 8 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., Port Huron Northern High School, 1790 Krafft Rd. in Port Huron

3/7/2019: 8 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., St. Clair High School, 2200 Clinton in St. Clair

3/13/2019: 8 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Port Huron High School Key Club, 2215 Court Street in P.H

3/19/2019: 8 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Memphis High School Library, 34130 Boardman in Memphis

3/20/2019: 12:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Palms Elementary School, 6101 Palms Road in Fair Haven

3/20/2019: 8 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Marine City High School, 1085 Ward in Marine City

3/20/2019: 8 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Marysville High School, 555 East Huron in Marysville

3/21/2019: 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., DTE Belle River, 4505 King Road in East China

3/25/2019: 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, 310 N. Main St. in Yale

3/26/2019: 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Belle River Elementary School, 1601 Chartier in Marine City

The Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 13^th Annual State of St. Clair County Luncheon Address from 11AM – 1:15PM on Friday, March 22, 2019 at Alexander’s Premier Banquet Center, 1200 Gratiot Blvd., Marysville.   The event is open to the public, however registration is required.  Individual registration is $40 per person and includes buffet lunch.  Business and corporate tables are also available at discounted rates.  Over 400 community and business leaders from the region, including Ontario, Macomb, Lapeer and Genesee counties, attended last year, making this event one of the Chamber’s signature event.   According to St. Clair County Administrator Controller, Karry Hepting the public is welcome and tickets may be purchased through the Blue Water Chamber of Commerce website, or by calling the chamber at  (810) 985-7101

 

The Smiths Creek Landfill lost power at approximately 10:00 p.m. Sunday, February 24 and  Landfill Operations were suspended.  Power has been fully restored to the Smiths Creek Landfill. All normal operations will resume at 10:30 a.m. Monday.  Due to high winds, Animal Control has lost phone and computer services. Dog Licenses can be purchased at the St Clair County Treasurer’s Office, located at 200 Grand River Avenue, Port Huron. Their hours are 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., with the office being closed from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. for lunch. Animal adoptions and lost pet retrieval are still available at the Animal Control facility, however credit cards cannot be accepted.  Further updates will be provided once power is restored and operations resume.

 

State Rep. Shane Hernandez will host local office hours on Friday, March 1 to meet with residents of Sanilac and St. Clair counties.   “Input from the people in our community is essential to effectively representing you in Lansing,” Hernandez said. “One of my top priorities as a state legislator is being open and accessible to you. I welcome anyone to attend.”

            The office hours are scheduled for the following times and locations:

• 10:30 a.m. at the Horseshoe Grill, 4000 Main St. in Brown City; and
• 12 p.m. at the Mainstreet Café, 40 S. Elk St. in Sandusky.

No appointment is necessary to attend office hours. Those unable to attend may contact Rep. Hernandez’s office by calling (517) 373-0835 or by email at ShaneHernandez@house.mi.gov.

Sen. Dan Lauwers is encouraging area schools to apply for a new set of state grants to make important safety improvements.  “Providing safe schools is the top priority of all teachers and administrators,” said Lauwers, R-Brockway Township. “The application period for a second round of school safety grants is open until March 1, and I encourage all schools in the district that are considering making critical safety improvements to apply for these competitive grants.” In 2018, the Michigan Legislature invested an initial $25 million into the Competitive School Safety Grant Program to help improve the safety and security of school buildings through the purchase of technology and equipment and through school building safety assessments.  The Michigan State Police in October awarded grants from the program to 188 schools, school districts and regional education agencies throughout the state.  In December, the Legislature put another $25 million into the program for additional grants.  Applications for the second set of grants are due no later than noon on Friday, March 1.  Information about the grants — including applications and instructions — is available by clicking here or by visiting www.Michigan.gov/CJGrants and clicking on the “General Grants School Safety” box.

Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its 2018 Employee of the Year, Stephanie Halsey, and its 2018 Volunteer of the Year, Larry Oleaga. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.  Stephanie is a Lead Environmental Services Tech and has been with LHMC since December 2014. Nominated by a patient for going out of her way to help, the nominator remarked, “Standing in the hallway, I’m sure I looked lost. Stephanie introduced herself and escorted me to where I needed go. She represents the hospital in such a professional way; I appreciate her kindness.”  Larry has been volunteering in the People’s Clinic for Better Health since 1991 and was nominated by a colleague who commented, “Larry always steps up to make sure we have coverage when others can’t make it. He helps keep the pharmacy organized and in date.”  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 Stephanie and Larry, as we celebrate their accomplishments.  To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.