port huron

New Law Gives Local Road Authorities Power to Make Construction Zones Safer

With road construction season underway, a new bill has been signed into law to protect the construction workers who are making Michigan’s roads and bridges safer.

House Bill 5286 was signed into law last week. The bill gives the Michigan Department of Transportation, county road commissions, or local road authorities the authority to implement traffic control measures. They are also able to use a digital message board to display the reduced speed limit required to protect safety.

The bill’s sponsor, State Representative Mark Huizinga, a Republican from Walker, said, “Having drivers reduce their speed when workers are present can decrease the likelihood of a tragic accident, but sometimes drivers don’t see the road crews until they are too close. By allowing for these modified signs, we can inform drivers about the presence of workers so they can follow the law and protect lives.” 

Construction labor unions are endorsing the bill, saying that it will help improve worker safety as the state works to rebuild its infrastructure.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Project Blue Light to Deter Crime, Build Relationships

Blue lights are going to be going up around town, and there’s a good reason. The Port Huron Police Department is partnering with local businesses to deter crime with Project Blue Light.

The lights signal a relationship between law enforcement and Port Huron bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, stores, and gas stations that have surveillance equipment that meets the standards required by the project.

Lieutenant Jeremy Young said that the point of the Project is to deter crime and build relationships with local businesses. The businesses that agree to have the lights installed agree to partner with police to use their existing surveillance equipment to help the police increase response time and solve crimes if they occur in the vicinity.

Lieutenant Young said, “Ultimately, this program uses advanced surveillance as a deterrent.” Young emphasized that the police are not able to watch live footage, and they only have access to the private property of the businesses with the permission of the business.

So far, many businesses have signed on to the program and residents should start seeing the blue lights in the coming weeks.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Westphal Commended for Bravery

A St. Clair County Sheriff’s Deputy was recently recognized for extreme bravery and for carrying out a successful apprehension to get a dangerous felon into custody.

Deputy Mike Westphal, a nineteen-year veteran, was presented with a St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Department Citation last week for his apprehension of an armed suspect who had multiple felony warrants outstanding.

The incident for which Westphal was recognized occurred in December of 2021. Deputy Westphal set up surveillance and ended up pursuing the subject on foot. The subject pulled a gun on Deputy Westphal, at which point, Westphal requested backup and switched from taser to gun. Westphal continued to pursue the subject on foot and eventually from his patrol vehicle. He was able to apprehend the subject and remove the gun, and eventually place the subject under arrest.

St. Clair County Sherriff Mat King said, “I am very proud of Mike and his decision making in an extremely stressful situation. After reviewing the bodycam footage, I found Mike’s actions to be very brave and professional with a suspect who pointed a handgun at him.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Diane Bedore Receives Award from Woman’s Life Insurance Society

St. Clair, Michigan resident, Diane Bedore, was recognized at Woman’s Life Insurance Society’s 2021 Individual Producer of the Year.

Bedore has won the award several years in a row due to her success as an Individual Producer, or sales person of Woman’s Life Insurance Society life insurance plans and annuities.

Woman’s Life Insurance Society was founded in Port Huron in 1892 by Bina M. West, a school teacher from Capac who wanted to help women achieve financial security for themselves and their families. Woman’s Life was one of the first organizations in the U.S. to offer life insurance to women.

After receiving the award, Bedore said, “When I began working for Woman’s Life, I believed strongly in Bina’s vision, and have promoted her beliefs throughout my career. I also believe in continued education in order to present current knowledge in an ever-changing environment. I am committed to providing Woman’s Life members the very best service – because our members deserve the very best.”

Woman’s Life National President Christopher J. Martin said, “I congratulate Diane Bedore on this well-deserved award. Throughout her long-term relationship with Woman’s Life, Diane has consistently achieved high production levels because she is committed to helping Woman’s Life members build and enjoy financial security.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Share Michigan’s Thumbcoast with Your Friends

If you have friends and family from outside the Blue Water Area, sharing the new Official Michigan Thumbcoast Visitors Guide may tempt them to spend some time visiting.

The new guide is available in hard copy at MDOT Welcome Centers, local hotels, and the Blue Water Convention Center now, and it’s also available in digital form <HERE>.

The full-color guide features stunning photography of beaches, trails, and many more amenities from the Clay/Algonac area all the way up to Port Austin. Custom QR codes in every section of the guide lead to digital maps which will take users on customized tours of the area.

The guide is divided into sections such as the various communities along the Thumbcoast, outdoor recreation opportunities, and Things to Do like freighter watching, entertainment and performing arts, and historical tours.

The guide was produced by The Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Thumbcoast’s marketing organization that is dedicated to promoting our region to tourists.

Learn more about the Blue Water CVB at bluewater.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Lake Huron Medical Center Recognized for Exceptional Patient Safety 

Lake Huron Medical Center has received the 2022 Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades. The award goes to the top 5% of all short-term acute care hospitals that are evaluated by Healthgrades. 

The Port Huron facility, a member of Prime Healthcare, has also been recognized as the only five-star facility in St. Clair County by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It has also received straight As since 2018 from Leapfrog, a patient safety indicator. 

Healthgrades is looking in particular for common patient injuries like hip fractures, collapsed lungs, bedsores, and bloodstream infections acquired in hospital. If all hospitals had the level of care of their Patient Safety Award recipients, over 100,000 injuries could be avoided. 

Jose Kottoor, Chief Executive Officer at Lake Huron Medical Center, said, “Providing high-quality, compassionate, comprehensive and cost-effective health care to the mind, body, and spirit of all those who walk through our doors is not just something we say; it’s what we do.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland