local news

Suicide and Bullying Top Reports to OK2SAY

Michigan State Attorney General Dana Nessel released the Annual Report for the OK2SAY program last week. The student safety program provides an opportunity for students across Michigan to submit anonymous tips about criminal activity or potential harm directed at students, school employees, and schools.

OK2SAY received 5,742 tips in 2019, and the top five categories were:

  • 1,298 tips on suicide threats
  • 1,001 tips on bullying
  • 624 tips on drugs
  • 401 tips related to “other” (e.g., anxiety, stress, depression, harassment)
  • 368 tips on self-harm

When a tip is reported, specially trained OK2SAY technicians at the Michigan State Police screen and forward them to the appropriate responding agency. Agencies include local law enforcement, schools, local community mental health organizations, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

“OK2SAY has done more than save lives, it’s prevented violence and has ensured that Michigan students have a safe place to learn and grow,” said Nessel. “OK2SAY has played an important role in helping students get the support they need, both in school and out in their communities.”

Tips can be submitted by phone at 8-555-OK2SAY, TEXT: OK2SAY ( 652729), or email OK2SAY@MI.gov.

There is also an OK2SAY mobile App and website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids Opens New Wellness Center

St. Clair Shores, MI — Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan has been providing support services for children experiencing hair loss due to cancer and other diseases and disorders since 2003. The nonprofit serves between 250 – 350 kids a year, and they have opened a new wellness center to expand the number of services they can offer their clients.

When Maggie Varney founded Wigs 4 Kids, she wanted to address the unique needs of children who had lost their hair due to cancer. She realized through her work with adult cancer patients that there were no services tailored to children.

Now, after serving over 4,700 children, she is excited about the opening of the new 4,600 square foot Wellness Center that establishes a permanent brick and mortar location for the organization. The Center will allow the charity to double the amount of children it currently serves and expand programming to include wellness education, nail services, skin care treatments, and a tea room for snacks and celebrations.

“Children need a wig to feel comfortable going out into society – to look and feel normal, but they also need healing, ” Maggie said. The new Wellness Center will help children beyond hair loss to address complications such as when eyebrows fall out; nails become brittle, discolored, or fall off; and when skin changes occur.

The new Wellness Center also offers a full-service salon where members of the community can have their hair cut. Hair is donated toward a wig for a child, and the cost of the haircut contributes to the programs. Hair can also be mailed or dropped off to support the organization.

Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan Wellness Center is currently hiring cosmetologists to meet the increased demand for their services. Interested persons can submit a resume <HERE>.

To learn more about the Wellness Center, visit their website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Boaters Reminded to Stop Spread of Invasive Species

Port Huron, MI — This week is “Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week” for all the Great Lakes states and bordering Canadian Provinces. According to Kevin Walters, aquatic biologist at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, “Millions of dollars are spent each year in Michigan to control the impacts of aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels, sea lamprey and Eurasian watermilfoil. It only takes a few minutes to do a walk-around of your watercraft and trailer and drain water to make sure everything is clear of material that doesn’t belong.”

Part of the awareness campaign is to remind boaters to clean, drain, and dry watercraft and trailers to prevent the spread of animal and plant species that can cause harm to the Great lakes.

Boaters are asked to make sure all watercraft and trailers are free of aquatic organisms and plants before transporting or launching. They also need to remove drain plugs and drain all water from bilges, ballast tanks, and live wells before moving watercraft. Anglers should release fish only into the same water body where they were caught, and avoid releasing unused bait into the water. Boaters can be fined for failing to adhere to the rules.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Head On Crash Kills One, Other Driver Flees Scene

Berlin Twp., MI — One person was killed in a head on crash in Berlin Township early Friday morning, while the driver of the other vehicle fled the scene on foot.

Deputies from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Dryden Road and Cameron Road shortly after 5:30 a.m. on June 26th.  When they arrived, they observed a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee on its side on Dryden, just east of Cameron Rd.  A 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis was found in the ditch in the area.

Investigation into the crash found that the driver of the Grand Marquis, 49 year old Robert John White of Capac was deceased.  The driver of the Jeep is believed to be a 39 year old Berlin Township man.

A search of the area was conducted by deputies, including a K-9 Unit, along with troopers from the Michigan State Police, an MSP K-9 Unit and agents from the United States Border Patrol.  The driver of the Jeep has yet to be located.

If anyone has any information regarding the crash, please contact Detective Chris Schwartzkopf at (810) 987- 1729.

Mussey Township Fire and Rescue, Tri-Hospital EMS and the St. Clair County Medical Examiner’s Office also assisted at the scene of the crash, which remains under investigation.

United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Announces Fall Campaign Goal

Sarnia, Ontaio — United Way of Sarnia-Lambton will tackle the fall campaign with a $1,900,000 Needs Target. The target, set by the local volunteer Board of Directors, is unchanged from 2019. 

“The vital programs that are funded by United Way remain a critical component in invoking positive change throughout Lambton County”, said Vicky Ducharme, Volunteer Campaign Chair. “Before this pandemic and in the future, we must continue working to help vulnerable youth, families and seniors. The $1,900,000 is needed to fund United Way programs at appropriate levels.” 

The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton campaign will focus on three priority areas; Healthy Resilient Successful Kids, Empowering and Strengthening Self Sustaining Families; and Healthy, Safe and Independent Seniors. 

The Day of Caring, the annual campaign kick-off, has been cancelled along with many of the fundraising events that the United Way relies on. The campaign will focus on employee giving while increasing the direct mail and online giving programs. 

MI Passion Celebrating First Year and Crowdfunding with patronicity.com

Port Huron, MI — MI Passion Boutique in Downtown Port Huron is having a grand re-opening and one-year anniversary celebration tomorrow, Tuesday, June 30th. Starting at noon, the first 40 patrons will get gift bags. There is a ribbon cutting at 12:15.

MI Passion has had quite a year, but it is still hanging on and looking forward to a bright future. After opening last summer, MI Passion quickly outgrew its small storefront. The store relocated into an expanded space down the street at 229 Huron Avenue in late January. Just a few weeks later, everything shut down for the pandemic.

Anita Varty, owner of MI Passion, said she kept the business afloat through online sales and Facebook live presentations where she featured her merchandise. Varty said that she was unable to get any of the government relief aid available, but she was able to make the cut for an innovative crowdfunding initiative, one of just a handful in the area.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is partnering with patronicity.com and matching grants to give a boost to local businesses that are important to communities. MI Passion is hoping to raise $4000 to help with their economic recovery.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland