Children and their families visiting Pathways Health Centre for Children will now be welcomed with brighter and engaging waiting rooms, thanks to the generous support of Smilezone Foundation and an anonymous donor.  Over a single weekend at the end of December, the Centre’s main waiting area and aquatics waiting area were fully transformed with colourful murals, drawing boards, comfortable seating, iPad stations, autographed hockey jerseys, and sensory activities to engage and entertain the children and families who visit the Centre. Hundreds of children, youth, and their families will benefit from the Centre’s newly refurbished spaces during their visits.  The Centre’s staff worked very closely with Smilezone Foundation to design spaces that children and youth would love and feel comfortable in. “Pathways is exceptionally grateful for the generosity of Smilezone and our Pathways supporter as these improvements are guaranteed to enhance the experience of our clients whenever they come into the Centre and as they wait for their therapy or programs,” says Jenny Greensmith, Executive Director of Pathways Health Centre for Children, “Pathways always has been committed to supporting children, youth and young adults to achieve their potential through the development of effective partnerships.  Working with the team from Smilezone is a tremendous example of such a partnership in action”.    “On behalf of our Board of Directors, Smilezone Foundation is honoured to help improve the experiences of the kids and their families during their visits to Pathways,” says Scott Bachly, co-founder and chair of Smilezone Foundation. “We hope the new changes in the waiting rooms will bring smiles to their faces each time they walk through the door!”  Pathways is located at 1240 Murphy Rd, in Sarnia.

The Senate Energy and Technology Committee chairman and local Macomb County legislators on Friday announced their support for a review of Michigan’s energy supply after a Consumers Energy facility fire resulted in a statewide call for residents to turn down their thermostats during record low temperatures.  “I want to thank the residents of Michigan for their quick response in reducing the demand for natural gas and ensuring heat for those all across our state,” said Sen. Dan Lauwers, R-Brockway Township. “This situation brought together multiple utilities and forged cooperation between the state and suppliers through the Michigan Public Service Commission.  “As chair of the Senate Energy and Technology Committee, I look forward to reviewing the commission’s report on the incident soon and their review of our state’s ability to provide reliable energy resources to consumers.”  A fire on Wednesday at Consumers Energy’s Ray Natural Gas Compressor Station in Macomb County resulted in all three of the facility’s compressors being shut down. The facility handles a significant amount of the natural gas for the utility, and the shutdown reduced the amount of natural gas that could be delivered to customers from underground storage.  The utility appealed to the public to reduce their natural gas use by turning down their thermostats to 65 degrees and an emergency alert with the request was sent out by the state.  “Public utilities must be available and reliable, especially when it comes to heating our homes in the dead of winter,” said Sen. Peter J. Lucido, R-Shelby Township. “I appreciate the swift action to address this issue that impacted so many Macomb County residents, but I do agree that there needs to be a thorough review of our state’s energy infrastructure. We must work to ensure that our utilities are always equipped to handle problems as they arise, including having adequate supplies and sufficient diversity of distribution.”  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has requested Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to complete a statewide review of supply and deliverability of natural gas, electricity and propane and come up with a contingency plan by July 1 with a final report to follow.  “Michigan families should never have to worry about losing heat in their homes during deadly cold temperatures because of an energy supply issue,” said Rep. Jeff Yaroch, R-Richmond. “Thankfully, because of the action of thousands of Michigan homeowners and dozens of businesses, a true crisis was averted.”  According to Consumers Energy, the response to the request to reduce energy demand led to a 10 percent decrease in natural gas usage, which helped avoid heat interruptions.  The average natural gas demand on a typical cold winter day in Michigan is 2.5 billion cubic feet, and the record for demand was 3 billion cubic feet. On Wednesday, the state hit a new record demand of 3.3 billion cubic feet.

Latwan Turner , a New Haven Volleyball Coach was charged Monday with four counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct,  and one count of gross indecency, according to a release from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s office.  Turner is accused of engaging in a number of sexual encounters with a 17-year old student athlete this year, most recently at a Red Roof Inn.  Police say they found the 43-year-old coach in the motel’s parking lot at Eleven Mile and Dequindre in Warren at approximately 4 p.m. Sunday.  Both Turner and the student were inside his vehicle.  Reports say Turner requested a court-appointed attorney during his video arraignment in 37th District Court in Warren.   Police had notified New Haven Community Schools after the arrest, and the district sent a notice to parents.  A court date of February 14 has been set, with a preliminary exam scheduled for February 21.

Blue Water Area Transit will put eleven new buses on the road this month. With the new multipurpose buses, BWAT will provide dial-a-ride and fixed-route service. BWAT is replacing buses that have reached their seven-year life expectancy.      “Investing in these new buses continues our commitment to giving our community clean, comfortable and dependable transportation, while improving air quality,” said Jim Wilson, BWAT general manager.      BWAT’s new Champion (model LF-Transport) buses can each carry 16 seated riders (or 12 seated riders with two wheelchairs). The new buses feature a “smart” electronically controlled suspension system that maintains a smooth air ride. Drivers are able to lift the entire low-floor bus up to 2.5 inches when needed to clear bumps. Also, a large passenger-side cab window increases the curbside visibility of drivers.    The new buses are powered by compressed natural gas, an economical alternative fuel that results in cleaner air than diesel fuel. The new buses represent a $2.1 million investment in improving the quality of life throughout the Blue Water Area.    “BWAT supports local air quality by running its entire fleet of buses on earth-friendly compressed natural gas,” explained Anita R. Ashford, Blue Water Area Transportation Commission Board vice chair.  “It’s better for riders and the entire community.”   BWAT is Michigan’s leading producer of compressed natural gas, with the largest fleet of CNG buses in the state. The agency started producing the alternative fuel in 1996 and now operates four public CNG fueling stations.    The federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program provided grant funding to purchase the new buses. The Federal Highway Administration funds 80% of the CMAQ program funds. The Michigan Department of Transportation contributes the other 20% local funding match.   The CMAQ program supports projects that contribute air quality improvements and/or provide traffic congestion relief. The program supports the attainment or maintenance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone, carbon monoxide and particulate matter.   BWAT awarded Hoekstra Transportation a contract for up to 65 buses during the next five years. Based in Grand Rapids, Hoekstra is a distributor for Champion Bus Inc. in Imlay City.   “We are always happy when a local firm bids competitively and receives the contract,” said Dave Frasier, BWAT director of procurement and capital projects.   Blue Water Area Transit continues a proud tradition of innovation that was started more than a century and a half ago by William Pitt Edison. The older brother of world-renowned inventor Thomas Alva Edison started local service with a horse-pulled trolley. In 1866, he expanded to horse-pulled streetcars guided by rails along several local routes.  Port Huron became one of the nation’s first communities to operate electrified trolleys in 1886 and then motor coaches in 1927. After an eight-year hiatus ended in 1976, BWAT became the area’s first publicly funded bus service. Since then, BWAT buses have carried more than 31 million riders.    BWAT provides ADA compliant, lift-equipped bus service six days a week. Fixed-route service is offered in the City of Port Huron and Fort Gratiot Township. Dial-a-ride service is offered in Marysville and the townships of Burtchville, Port Huron and Fort Gratiot. The agency further provides on-call service for persons with disabilities, commuter service to Macomb County, and shuttle service to major shopping centers on the northern end of the community.

Photo Credit: Dave Frasier, BWAT director of procurement and capital projects, and Lisa Delong, assistant procurement manager, inspect the newly arrived Champion buses. (photos by Rose Norton)

Friends of the St. Clair River & Blue Water Audubon Society are hosting the 5^th annual Winter Bird Blast on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the St. Clair County Administration Building Auditorium from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & Studio 1219 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Winter Bird Blast is a day-long birding extravaganza for beginner through advanced-level birders to explore the abundance of winter waterfowl along the St. Clair River. All proceeds benefit Friends of the St. Clair River and Blue Water Audubon Society.  The morning session is from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the SCC Administration Building Auditorium, 200 Grand River Avenue, Port Huron. It begins with an “Intro to Winter Birding” presentation by Tom Dennis, local naturalist and Times Herald Columnist, then moves outdoors to several birding hotspots along the St. Clair River. Optional items to bring include a field guide, binoculars, camera and warm clothing. Registration is not required for this family-friendly event. A $5 donation is suggested.  The afternoon session is from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Studio 1219, 1219 Military Street, Port Huron. Participants follow step-by-step instruction to paint a Common Goldeneye duck scene. Tickets are $45. All ages welcome. Pre-registration is required through Studio 1219 atwww.studio1219.com or 810-984-2787.   Friends of the St. Clair River is the Blue Water Area’s largest environmental non-profit organization that inspires citizen action through stewardship, monitoring and education to restore, protect and enhance the St. Clair River and its watersheds. For more information contact Sheri Faust at info@scriver.org, (810) 730-5998, or visit www.scriver.org and “Friends of the St. Clair River” on Facebook.