local news

Beeler Serves as Chair of Taxpayer Protection Caucus

Lansing, MI — Last week, State Representative Andrew Beeler was asked to serve as the Caucus Chair for the newly formed Michigan House Taxpayer Protection Caucus. State Representative Steve Johnson, a Republican from Wayland, MI will be the Co-Chair.

Beeler said, “I am honored to be asked to chair this caucus. The members of our group all share a common belief that the taxpayers of Michigan need a strong voice in the Legislature, perhaps now more than ever.”

The Caucus is made up of State Representatives who signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge which places emphasis on the best interest of taxpayers instead of lobbyists or special interest groups. The pledge comes from a group called the Americans for Tax Reform, an advocacy group in the United States founded by Grover Norquist, and an essential element of the pledge is an opposition to any and all tax increases.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Bridge Builders Looking for Volunteers

Port Huron, MI – Bridge Builders Counseling and Mentoring strengthens and connects single-parent families, and the organization is currently looking for volunteers to support its programs.

A New volunteer orientation is scheduled for March 20th from 12-2 PM, and those interested in helping can attend the session to learn about opportunities to serve Bridge Builder’s families. A few opportunities include helping youth with homework, helping parents find resources, and providing childcare so parents can attend classes.

Registration for the Volunteer/Mentor orientation is available online at www.bluewaterkids.org or by calling Bridge Builders at (810) 987-8772.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Leave Behind Naloxone Program Aims to Prevent Overdose Deaths

Local Emergency Medical Services will soon be part of the EMS Leave Behind Naloxone Program. EMS workers will hand out the lifesaving opioid reversal drug for possible future use at non-fatal overdose calls. The program is a partnership between MDHHS and the EMS providers.

St. Clair County is near the top of the list of Michigan counties with the highest rate of fatal opioid overdoses. Overdose deaths leave children without parents and parents without children, and the victims don’t get a chance to try to beat the addiction and turn their lives around. Having the reversal medication on hand could change the outcomes.

Esther Mae Rosner, Program Officer at Vital Strategies, which provides funding for the program, said, “Having naloxone on hand can make the difference between someone living or dying from an overdose. We applaud MDHHS for teaming up with EMS to get this life saving medication to people that need it.”

EMS responses for opioid overdoses have shown a staggering increase since the pandemic began, according to MDHHS. The program is starting out in Macomb, Wayne, Wexford, and St. Clair counties, with plans to expand to sixteen more counties.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

24/7 DAD Program Helps Fathers Be Their Best

Port Huron, MI — I.M.P.A.C.T. works hard to enrich the lives of the people they serve through information, referral, advocacy, prevention, and treatment, and the organization is excited to offer a new program that focusing on fatherhood called 24/7 DAD.

The 24/7 DAD program is for fathers in all stages who hope to become the best father possible for their kids. It will also address the unique needs of fathers who are working with the court system and need parenting classes or those who are working through custody issues and want to learn their rights and improve their communication skills.

The program lasts 12 weeks, and it will take place at the I.M.P.A.C.T. center on Military Street in Port Huron. The program is partially funded by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County which cut the participant fee in half bringing it to just $60 per person.

For more information or to register, contact Pamela Motte at 810-985-5437.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Dr. Jason Whateley McLaren

Dr. Jason Whateley Joins McClaren Medical Group

Ft. Gratiot, MI — Dr. Jason Whateley, D.O. has recently joined the team at Ft. Gratiot Internal Medicine on Lakeshore Road in Ft. Gratiot. He is the newest primary care physician in the McLaren Medical Group.

Dr. Whateley is board certified in internal medicine and has previously practiced medicine in Rochester, MI and Washington, MI. In a YouTube video featuring an interview with Dr. Whateley, he said, when it comes to patient care, he’s, “pretty down to earth” and likes to engage his patients in their own treatment plans.

“I like to explain to them what their disease is, so they understand. [Then] they know what we are doing, and they can make choices in their care also,” said Dr. Whateley, a 5 star-rated physician on healthgrades.com.

Dr. Whateley is accepting new patients, and he accepts most insurances including Medicare. Contact Ft. Gratiot Internal Medicine at 810-385-6370 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

McClain Meeting Constituents for Town Halls

Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) announced she will be holding town halls on March 15th and 16th.

During the town hall tour, McClain will visit with constituents in Harbor Beach, Port Austin, Caseville, New Baltimore, Marine City and Marysville.

Full details on the town halls are below.

Monday, March 15, 2021:

9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Harbor Beach City Hall

766 State St.

Harbor Beach, MI 48441

 

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Port Austin Township Hall

8751 North Hellems Road

Port Austin, MI 48467

 

12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Caseville City Hall

6767 Main Street

Caseville, MI

Tuesday, March 16, 2021:

9:30 a.m.– 10: 15 a.m.

New Baltimore Civic Club

36551 Main Street

New Baltimore, MI 48047

 

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Marine City Chamber

480 South Water Street

Marine City, MI

 

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Marysville Community Center

867 East Huron Boulevard

Marysville, MI 48040

Learn more about Congresswoman McClain <HERE>.