local news

McLaren Port Huron August Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Kurt Brinker has been named the Employee of the Month for August. Brinker has worked at McLaren Port Huron for 15 years, and is the physical therapist lead for inpatient care.

Brinker was nominated by his peers because he exemplifies the hospital values and always does what’s best for patients and coworkers. Brinker cares about his patients. You can always find him with a patient laughing, encouraging them and reassuring them they are safe and doing great. When a patient has a need, Brinker is proactive and personally talks with Care Management staff so patients have what they need to be safe when they are discharged.

He is always positive and freindly. You can count on him to get any job done in a timely manner. He is an excellent employee, and even better person who deserves this recognition.

This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.

Thumb Land Conservancy to Name and Dedicate Nature Preserves

The Thumb Land Conservancy is naming and dedicating an exciting new addition to outdoor recreation in the Blue Water Area. A stretch of natural areas from Burtchville to Marysville will be officially brought into the portfolio this weekend. The land is part of a major investment from multiple community donors to allow nature enthusiasts to experience a lakeshore coastal forest.

A public naming ceremony is being held in partnership with the Blue Water Indigenous Alliance. Names for each of the preserves, using languages that are native to First Nations people will be implemented.

The naming ceremony is at 1:00 on Saturday, October 3rd at 8759 Lakeshore Road, a ½ mile north of Jeddo Road. The area is called Ode Zibi. After the naming ceremony, the Bidwell Sanctuary will be dedicated. It is located at 3540 Metcalf Road. The group will then head to Dead End Woods Sanctuary in Fort Gratiot, located on Wilson Drive. The final leg of the dedication journey will be at Loznak Sanctuary in Marysville located on Wills Street, about 1/3 mile north of Busha Highway.

The public is invited and asked to RSVP. More information is at thumbland.org.

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

COVID Cases in Sarnia Traced to Commercial Ship

Sarnia, Ontario — Lambton Public Health is investigating verified COVID-19 cases the originated from a commercial ship docked in Sarnia Harbor. The members of the ship’s crew have been transported to a hotel in Point Edward while the situation is handled by public health experts.

If the public has questions or concerns, they can contact Lambton Public Health directly at their main phone number Monday through Sunday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, or visit their website <HERE>.

The last update from Lambton Public Heath on September 30th, showed only two active cases of COVID-19 in the county, and cases have been stable in the county since August.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

United Way Grant Helps Childcare Providers

Ten childcare providers will receive funds from the United Way of St. Clair County to help with cleaning and sanitization supplies. These grants will relieve the burden on childcare providers to secure supplies and maintain the increased levels of sanitization required for safe operations during the pandemic.

In collaboration with the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, the funds will be distributed to St. Clair County RESA and go from there to the childcare providers. This is a great example of collaboration between funding sources and community partners.

Grants are still available through the United Way of St. Clair County’s Emergency Services Fund – COVID-19 Relief for any businesses experiencing unexpected costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the United Way’s website for more information <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Gov Whitmer Press Conference April 6, 2020

Whitmer Extends State of Emergency

Governor Whitmer extended the State of Emergency for Michiganders until October 27, 2020 at 11:59 PM. She also extended four executive orders pertaining to e-notaries and e-signatures, restrictions on the entry of individuals into health care facilities, protections for inmate populations, and safety measures for workers and customers at grocery stores.

Whitmer cited the need for these extensions to protect the lives of vulnerable populations. Michigan was once among the states hit hardest by COVID-19, but cases have now plateaued at a level well below the national average.

“This emergency will end, and it is a matter of months. But we are not out of the woods yet. Right now, the federal government and all 50 states have been under some form of state of emergency. We must continue doing our part to fight this virus on behalf of our families, frontline workers, and our small businesses, ” said Whitmer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Suspect Shot After Breaking Into Clyde Twp. Barn

Cylde Twp, MI —  A man who was caught breaking in to a pole barn in Clyde Township was shot after allegedly driving his vehicle at the owner of the property.

Deputies from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office were called to the 6000 block of Lapeer Road Monday afternoon shortly after 3:30.  Dispatch told deputies that there was a breaking and entering in progress.  While they were enroute, they were told that shots had been fired at the scene of the break-in and the suspect had fled the location in his vehicle.

A deputy went to the property, while other deputies searched the area for the suspect, who was driving a black Dodge Avenger.  The deputy located the property owner, a 50 year old man from Port Huron, in front of the barn.  When asked to explain what had happened, the man said he had made a report to Michigan State Police on Sunday about the barn being broken into.  He said he came back earlier Monday and discovered more of his property sitting outside the pole barn.  He decided to wait to see if the suspect would return.  When the suspect, a 23 year old man from Port Huron Township, came back to the property, the man, who was armed with a pistol, called dispatch and decided to try to stop suspect from leaving.  The property owner said the suspect jumped into his car and drove at him. The man said he shot his pistol at the vehicle in self-defense.  It was later discovered that the suspect had been shot in the face.

The suspect vehicle was located a short time later.  It had driven through a barrier for the Wadhams to Avoca Bike Trail, went off the trail and was located behind a residence on Bartlett Road that belonged to a relative.  The suspect then took off in a vehicle that was parked in the yard.

Deputies and members of the Port Huron Police Major Crimes Unit went to the suspect’s residence, where they located bloody clothing.  While at the residence, they were told the suspect was being driven to McLaren Port Huron Hospital.  Deputies and members of the Major Crimes Unit located the suspect in the emergency room at the hospital.

The investigation has been turned over to the Major Crimes Unit.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office