local news

Lake Huron Medical Center’s September Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its September 2020 Employee of the Month, Candie Kay. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Candie is a Respiratory Therapist and has been with LHMC since January 2013. She was nominated by a patient who commented, “I had a complete pulmonary function test (PFT) and was extremely nervous to have it done.  Candie was very reassuring and kind.  She took the time to explain everything so that I knew exactly what to expect during the procedure.  She made sure I felt comfortable the entire time.  I appreciate Candie for making me feel at ease during my time at Lake Huron Medical Center.”

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Candie, as we celebrate her accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.  

Frontline Workers Can Apply for Tuition-Free College

The Sixty by 30 initiative has a goal of increasing the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree to 60% by 2030. Adults with a two year degree earn an average of $7,500 more each year than those with no college, and 75% of Michigan jobs will require education beyond a high school diploma in the future.

A New program, Futures for Frontliners, has just been launched by the State of Michigan, and it is the nation’s first program offering tuition-free college to those who worked during the Stay Home, Stay Safe Order.

Michigan residents without college degrees or high school diplomas who worked at least part-time for 11 of the 13 weeks between April 1st and June 30th, may meet eligibility requirements to receive tuition-free education to complete their diploma or attend community college.

The program is funded by the Governor’s Education Emergency Relief Fund, part of the CARES Act, and is expected to cost around $24 million.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “This initiative is Michigan’s way of expressing gratitude to essential workers for protecting public health and keeping our state running. Whether it was stocking shelves, delivering supplies, picking up trash, manufacturing PPE or providing medical care, you were there for us. Now this is your chance to pursue the degree or training you’ve been dreaming about to help you and your own family succeed.”

To learn more. visit www.Michigan.gov/Frontliners

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Main Street Ensemble Grand Opening September 14th

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron’s newest clothing store, Main Street Ensemble, is having their Grand Opening on Monday, September 14th.

The store will offer upscale vintage and thrifted clothing. A representative of the store said, “Our goal is to share our love of fashion with Port Huron, while helping spread sustainable habits by encouraging people to buy their clothing second hand instead of new. Overall, we want to be a hub where people can come hang out, feel safe, and find some cool clothes to wear.”

Main Street Ensemble is located at 207 Huron Avenue in the block where several other clothing stores, like Polka Dot Pandas, Spa 223, MiPassion, and Patrick & James Menswear are located. The space with restored hardwood and original brick keeps with the vintage vibe and supports the mission to “Resell, Recycle, Repurpose”.

The venture intends to “push the boundaries in fashion and culture, while working toward creating a better place for us all to live” according to their mission statement.

Details about appointments for consignment items and upcoming special events can be found on Main Street Ensemble’s Facebook page.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Residents Asked to Register Bikes

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Police Department is asking residents to register their bicycles. The Blue Water Area has a lot of great places to ride a bike, but the fun is ruined if your bike is missing.

In a social media campaign, the department said that they accumulate numerous unclaimed bikes along with taking complaints for stolen bikes. If the owners can not be found, the bikes are sold at auction.

Registering bikes gives the department a way to connect recovered bikes with their rightful owners. Registering bikes is free and just takes a few minutes. 

Registrants are just asked for their name and address and information about the bike like the brand, model, serial number, and color. The registration gives police the information with which to notify you if your bike turns up at the police station as recovered property. 

The form can be completed online by clicking “Bicycle Registration” at porthuronpolice.org.

If citizens have information about stolen or lost bikes, they can call the Port Huron Police Department at 984-8415 or make a citizen’s report online. 

There is no penalty for not registering a bike in the city.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Teen a Finalist for 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year

Oakland County, MI — Alina Morse, and Oakland County teenager, was 7 years old when she set out to find a candy that wouldn’t ruin her teeth. That was the beginning of Zolli® Candy, an all-natural, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and non-GMO candy that curbs your sweet tooth while improving oral health.

Zolli® Candy hit store shelves in 2014 when Alina was nine, and the line is now sold at over 25,000 retailers. In August 2020, Inc. Magazine named the company the nation’s Fastest Growing Private Candy Company, and now Alina has been named a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year for the Michigan and Northwest Ohio region.

Entrepreneur of the Year is a competitive award program for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies, and the nominees are evaluated by a panel of independent judges. If Alina wins the regional award in October, she will be eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards  in November.

To learn more about Alina and Zolli® Candy, visit ZolliCandy.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

EPA Grants Michigan $1.9 Million to Test Drinking Water for Lead

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has been awarded a $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for lead testing of drinking water at schools and child care facilities across the state.

EGLE is working with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to prioritize funding to areas of the state where blood lead levels are high and schools are unable to pay for testing. Invitations have been sent to schools and child care facilities that meet the criteria of the grant program.

Selected schools and child care facilities will have their drinking water tested and EGLE and DHHS will work with the facilities to remove or remediate locations with elevated lead results.

Michigan residents over the age of 18 can become a Clean Water Ambassador for their community by visiting Michigan.gov/CleanWater. Clean Water Ambassadors are actively engaged in clean drinking water initiatives around the state.