local news

$100K Gift to Help Equity and Inclusion Committee

As the saying goes, people put their time and their money into that which is important to them. The Community Foundation of St. Clair County is putting both human resources and substantial funds, $100,000 to be exact, into supporting the Equity and Inclusion Committee.

According to an announcement from the Foundation, the major gift is intended to bolster efforts at advancing philanthropy in communities of color throughout the region. 

Equity and Inclusion Committee Chair Shawn Shackleford said, “The Equity and Inclusion effort is the result of dedication and hard work of many in this community. This gift from the Foundation is validation of that work. It will allow the Equity and Inclusion Committee to continue to support minority-related issues and opportunities.”   

During the start of the pandemic, the Committee hired experts to guide businesses through the process to get financial help. They also facilitated partnerships with the Economic Development Alliance and the Blue Water Chamber of Commerce to support long-term success.

The Committee has recently supported community organizations like SONS, the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial, and Blue Water Indigenous Alliance.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Ft. Gratiot Vaccine Clinic Friday, April 30, 2021

Ft. Gratiot, MI — A coordinated effort by the St. Clair County Health Department, the Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County, and Fort Gratiot Charter Township is bringing a COVID-19 vaccine clinic to Fort Gratiot on Friday April 30, 2021.

The clinic will be held at the Fort Gratiot Fire Department at 3720 Keewahdin Road from 11 AM – 1 PM. It is open to all Fort Gratiot businesses and their employees.

Registration is required and the deadline to register is Tuesday, April 27th at 4 PM. The registration form is available on the EDA’s website <HERE> or by clicking on the COVID-19 Resources banner at the top of the page.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be administered at this clinic, so participants must be at least 18 years old. The follow up date for the second dose of the vaccine is Friday, May 28th.

For more information, visit the EDA’s website.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Post Election Audit Report Completed

On April 21, 2021, The Michigan Bureau of Elections released a forty-one page Post Election Audit Report for the November 2020 election. The bureau found “no evidence of intentional misconduct of fraud by election officials.”

The election audit was the most extensive in state history and included an audit of every ballot cast in Antrim County which was “conducted specifically to provide additional assurance in light of misinformation in that county.”

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, said in a press release, “The audits are concrete evidence that November’s election was fair, secure and accurate, and that the results reflect the will of Michigan voters. Legislators should be working to build on this success, rather than seeking to undo the policies that made it possible.”

The full Post Election Audit Report includes the findings of the Michigan Bureau of Elections along with a description of each type of audit performed, details on how the audit was performed, and explanations of discovered imbalances.

The report is available in its entirety <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Police Conduct Underage Alcohol Purchasing Sting

Port Huron, M–On Wednesday, April 21, 2021 the Port Huron Police Department conducted a compliance  check operation focusing on the underage sales of alcohol to minors. 

During the operation, police sent underage decoys into 32 Port Huron stores licensed by the  Michigan Liquor Control Commission to sell alcohol. Of the 32 businesses checked, 26 were  found to be in compliance by refusing to sell alcohol to the underage decoys. 

Six establishments were not in compliance and were cited for selling alcohol to a minor:

  1. CVS, 940 Lapeer Ave., Port Huron 
  2. Liquor Locker, 520 24th Street, Port Huron 
  3. Party Express, 937 Oak Street, Port Huron 
  4. Speedway, 2611 Ravenswood Road, Port Huron 
  5. Brians Drive Thru Eggery, 1635 Pine Grove Ave, Port Huron 
  6. Joe’s Party Shop, 2304 Hancock Street, Port Huron 

The Port Huron Police Department would like to thank all of the stores who were found to be  in compliance and encourage all licensed establishments to check ID’s to prevent the use of  alcohol by underage minors. 

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

No Waiting Period to Give Blood After COVID Vaccine

Port Huron, MI — The American Red Cross has still been experiencing a shortage of blood donations, and they want to inform the public that there is no waiting period to give blood after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Those who receive a vaccine and want to donate blood can do so immediately as long as they are symptom-free, feeling well, and can provide the Red Cross with the vaccine manufacturer’s name.

When you become a blood, platelet, or plasma donor with the American Red Cross, your donation will automatically be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. If the test discovers high levels of antibodies present, your donation could be used to help COVID-19 patients who are actively fighting the virus recover more quickly.

They are also screening donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait which provides donors with valuable health information and helps the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require blood transfusions for treatment.

For more information about donating blood and to find a blood drive near you, visit Red CrossBlood.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Drug Take Back Day is Saturday

St. Clair County, MI — It’s time to clean out those medicine cabinets and prepare to safely dispose of unwanted and expired pills. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in National Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, April 24th.

The Sheriff’s office is located at 1170 Michigan Road, and the public can drop off unwanted pills in the lobby between 10 AM and 2 PM. Simply enter the Sheriff’s office lobby and empty your pills into the designated container.

According to a 2019 survey on Drug Use and Health, millions of people misused prescription pain relievers, stimulants, and tranquilizers, and the majority of those drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

Sheriff Mat King said, “This event has been great for our community. It allows citizens to get rid of expired and unwanted medication, keeping it from being used improperly and keeping it out of our water supply.”

Residents who can’t make it to the Drug Take Back event on Saturday can turn their pills in at the Sheriff’s Office during normal business hours, Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand