local news

SC4 Plans Arab American History Month Presentation

St. Clair County Community College is looking ahead to April with the announcement of an Arab American History Month Presentation.

SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be hosting David Serio of the Arab American National Museum on April 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Fine Arts Theater on the Port Huron campus. Registration has begun.

Serio is an Education and Public Programming Specialist with the Arab American National Museum. He will be leading explorations of the history, culture, and immigration of Arab Americans to the United States.

Those who attend will learn about ethnic and religious diversity in the Arab community and analyze stereotypes.

The Arab American National Museum is located in Dearborn, Michigan. The Museum is devoted to “documenting and sharing Arab American contributions that shaped the economic, political and cultural landscapes of American life.”

To register, please fill in the online form at: https://sc4.edu/offic…/news-and-events/event-registration/ or email dei@sc4.edu. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Better Together” Kitten and Cat Adoption Special at SCC Animal Control

St. Clair County Animal Control is gearing up for kitten season, which lasts from April to August and the public can help with either giving kittens and grown cats a home or by supporting a virtual “Kitten Shower” to get the animals off to a good start.

Director Melissa Miller said that they are running a “Better Together” promotion where the first cat adoption costs $75 and adopting a second cat or kitten is only $25. Cats often do better with a buddy.

Miller said that she currently has a great assortment of adult cats aged two to ten that have been surrendered by owners going through life changes.

Animal Control is also having an online kitten shower where animal lovers can send the most needed items, like high-quality cat food, cat litter, and other items to Animal Control. Cash donations are also gladly accepted.

Miller also reminded that if you find a group of healthy kittens alone, don’t rush to “save” them. Their mom might be off hunting. Keep an eye on them for about twelve hours and if mom doesn’t come back, then take them to Animal Control.

Links to more information can be found at WGRT.com.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QZQWZH9RVKM2/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sccanimals

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Construction Planned for Pine Grove Between M-136 and Hancock

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced a new project that will disrupt traffic on a busy road in St. Clair County while making much-needed repairs to a critical stretch of roadway. 

M-25, better known as Pine Grove Avenue, is in line to get some major improvements between Hancock Street and M-136, stretching from the City of Port Huron into Fort Gratiot Township. 

An informational meeting is planned for Thursday, March 24th at 5 p.m. and will be held virtually. Interested residents and local businesses are invited to join MDOT staff and contractors. 

The $5.8 million investment includes resurfacing and improvements over the Black River Spillway. According to MDOT, work includes paving, curb and gutter work, drainage improvements, new signage, and guardrail and joint replacements. 

The road will remain open during the work, but delays are inevitable. There will be a detour posted for traffic traveling south and turning onto Holland Avenue. Work is expected to be completed by August. 

Meeting details can be found at WGRT.com. 

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only): 248-509-0316 

Phone Conference ID: 630 604 589#

Public comment:

Comments and input can be submitted by mail, online comment form, or e-mail to Linda Burchell BurchellL@Michigan.gov,  phone, in addition to the public meeting.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Lake Huron Medical Center Recognized for Exceptional Patient Safety 

Lake Huron Medical Center has received the 2022 Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades. The award goes to the top 5% of all short-term acute care hospitals that are evaluated by Healthgrades. 

The Port Huron facility, a member of Prime Healthcare, has also been recognized as the only five-star facility in St. Clair County by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It has also received straight As since 2018 from Leapfrog, a patient safety indicator. 

Healthgrades is looking in particular for common patient injuries like hip fractures, collapsed lungs, bedsores, and bloodstream infections acquired in hospital. If all hospitals had the level of care of their Patient Safety Award recipients, over 100,000 injuries could be avoided. 

Jose Kottoor, Chief Executive Officer at Lake Huron Medical Center, said, “Providing high-quality, compassionate, comprehensive and cost-effective health care to the mind, body, and spirit of all those who walk through our doors is not just something we say; it’s what we do.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Help Timothy Jenks See the Ocean with Fundraiser

Timothy Jenks, Jr. has been dealing with health impairments for most of his life but has still made the best of it. Now, as Tim’s health problems have escalated, and he requires 24-hour care, his family is reaching out for help from the community. 

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Tim will be held on Saturday, May 7th, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the VFW Hall at 3815 Knapp Avenue, in Port Huron. Donations are being accepted for raffles and advance tickets can be purchased at The Raven Café in downtown Port Huron.

Any funds raised will go toward the maintenance of Tim’s wheelchair transport van, helping him fulfill his dream of going to the ocean, and for his eventual end-of-life expenses.

Tim’s mother, Sarah Jenks, said that her 29-year-old son attended Michigan School for the Deaf before he transferred to Port Huron Northern, where he was in the marching band, graduating in 2013. His most recent diagnosis is terminal Cerebellum Ataxia and an extreme case of scoliosis.

 

 

More information on the community benefit for Tim Jenks and photos can be seen below.

Saturday, May 7, 2022, 1:00-6:00 p.m.

VFW Hall, 3815 Knapp Ave., Port Huron, MI 48060

$10 (in advance) $12 at the door, 12 & under – $7 and 4 & under – FREE

TICKETS GO ON SALE MARCH 15TH @ RAVEN CAFE, DOWNTOWN PORT HURON

 Call Sarah Jenks at 810-937-7220. Donations are being accepted for raffles.

Funds raised will go toward his wheelchair transport van’s maintenance, helping

him get to the ocean and, finally, his end-of-life expenses.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Operation Transformation Plans Open House to “Spring Ahead” with Fundraising Goals

Operation Transformation is hoping to “Spring Ahead” by raising $25,000. They will be hosting an Open House where donors and interested community members can see what the Port Huron non-profit does in the area.

The Open House is Thursday, March 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at their headquarters at 1904 Poplar Street in Port Huron. Donations can be made at the Open House, or by phone or mail. They have a $6,000 matching fund that could be doubled at the fundraiser.

Those who attend the Open House will get to see what OT has been up to over the past year and get a look at their ongoing projects.

Operation Transformation works with civic and service organizations to reach out to the community. Projects include the Seek God for the City Lenten program, the Compass Christian Business Alliance, Foster Care Assistance, and other initiatives like food giveaways.

OT is also the organizer of the popular Family Night activities during the annual Blue Water Fest in the summer.  

Go to optrans.org for more information.

https://www.optrans.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland