local news

Local Couple Starts “Inspire” Gift Basket Program to Thank Essential Workers

Port Huron, MI — A local outreach program, “Inspire”, is providing baskets of snacks to essential workers while also providing some inspiration to the organizers.

Joe and Jean Sabo, new to Port Huron, spearheaded a mission to recognize and thank those who are keeping things going in their new community in the midst of the pandemic. Jean Sabo said the idea started with her granddaughters suggesting they take donuts to the fire station. The idea grew into the Blessing Baskets, a collaboration with their pastor and fellow members of The Cornerstone Church in Clyde.

The Sabos have taken the baskets to eight local fire stations as well as several public schools. The idea has become so popular and well-supported that they are expanding to local high schools this month and to EMS and Dispatch stations in December.

Sabo said that “2020 can be a discouraging, chaotic time and we could all use some encouragement”. As often happens, the blessing was returned to the organizers. Sabo was herself inspired when “something so small turned into something so exciting.”

Donations of pre-packaged single serving non-perishable snacks, as well as cash donations are being accepted to help the “Inspire” team expand their work. Contact The Cornerstone Church at (810) 982-8720 to donate.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

NACW Boosts Career Development for Women

The National Association of Career Women (NACW) started in 1979 with a group of women in Lansing, MI. The founding members of the group would meet once a month for lunch to discuss professional opportunities open to them and their female peers. The Port Huron chapter joined in 1985, and the group is active and looking for new members.

The NACW is dedicated to creating a welcoming, supportive, engaging, and empowering environment for women to develop both personally and professionally. Membership is $150 for new members and $100 each year for a renewal. The group normally meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month for lunch and a speaker at the Culinary Institute of Michigan, but during this season, they have been meeting virtually over Zoom.

Samantha Cuppen, President of the Port Huron Chapter of NACW, said, “For me, its a low pressure situation to get involved in a group. Everybody is busy, but this is a good group of super-friendly people to get involved with. You can have lunch, learn something new, and just enjoy yourself.”

The group doesn’t fundraise, and it focuses on socialization and education for its members. Meeting topics are chosen based on relevancy to current events and have included human trafficking and stress management.

Each year, the local and National chapters select a Woman of the Year from their membership. An award is presented at their Annual Meetings to the woman whose conduct exemplifies the highest standards personally and professional while active in a full time career. This year’s winner for both the Port Huron Chapter and the National Chapter was Cathy Martinek, from WGRT.

To learn more about the Port Huron Chapter of the NACW, visit their website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Additional Food Assistance Extended

Approximately 350,000 Michigan families will continue to have access to additional food assistance benefits during the month of November as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance for March through June – and now that is being extended for the month of November with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.

Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card by Nov. 30, with payments beginning for some households on Nov. 21. Additional benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month.

Households eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in November to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. This change only applies to customers not currently receiving the maximum benefit amount. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent more than 50 percent of the more than 682,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in September.

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.

Move Over For Emergency Vehicles

This week is National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week. The observation is meant to bring attention to the hazards faced by those working unplanned incidents, like traffic accidents, on Michigan roads.

Emergency Responders are still being struck and killed at alarming rates, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. This year’s theme for the yearly observance is “Slow Down. Move Over. Be Safe.” Those actions can save lives.

MDOT encourages motorists to make sure their vehicle is in good working condition, and pack a roadside emergency kit for their vehicles. Kits should include batteries, a flashlight, a phone charger, water and non-perishable food, blankets, a first aid kit, and jumper cables.

The Move Over Law requires drivers to slow down at least 10 miles per hour under the speed limit for any kind of stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights, including roadside tow trucks and courtesy vehicles operated by MDOT, garbage trucks, and road maintenance and utility service vehicles with amber lights.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Suspect Arraigned for Explosives Violation at McLaren Port Huron

On Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at approximately 3:45 p.m. three incendiary devices went off inside trash cans within McLaren Port Huron Hospital. Port Huron Police were called to the scene and confirmed there were no injuries and no damage. However, the explosions made a loud sound that frightened and terrorized staff inside the hospital. 

Officers, Detectives, and members of the Major Crimes Unit collected evidence and will be sending samples to the Michigan State Police Crime Lab to identify the substance used to cause the small explosions. 

Detectives and the Major Crimes Unit worked cooperatively with McLaren Port Huron and identified a suspect. The suspect was a contracted employee at the hospital. After an interview was conducted on Thursday, November 5th, the suspect was placed under arrest, and transported to the St. Clair County Intervention Center on a variety of Explosive Charges. 

On Sunday, November 8, 2020 the suspect, Michael Patrick Barna, a 59 year old male Clyde Township resident, was arraigned on two charges: Explosives Violation – Vulnerable Target (health facility), a 20 year felony Explosive & Sending with intent to fright, a 5 year felony.

Michael Barna’s bond was set at $30,000 or 10%. He has a probable cause conference scheduled on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 9 a.m. 

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

McLaren Festival of Trees to Raise Funds for Lung Cancer Treatment Equipment

Port Huron, MI — McLaren Port Huron Foundation is planning to purchase an endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy (EBUS) machine with the proceeds from this year’s Festival of Trees. The medical equipment will allow for early detection and treatment of lung cancer. The new technology gives hope to those afflicted with the disease, as it can improve survival rates.

For thirty-one years, the Festival of Trees has traditionally been a highly social event, but this year’s version will employ creative measures that respect social distancing guidelines. Trees will still be decorated and the magic of the holiday season will still be present.

This year, McLaren Port Huron Hospital’s South Tower Lobby will be transformed into a winter wonderland with decorated window displays. The community can drive by or walk around outside to enjoy the display.

General donations, as well as sponsorships, are being asked for to fund the purchase of the new lung cancer treatment equipment. The holiday display will be up from Thanksgiving to the New Year. Donation information: www.mclaren.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland