port huron

Beeler Tours Blue Water Bridge

State Rep. Andrew Beeler and several other state legislators on Tuesday toured the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron.

“Port Huron is a hub of international commerce and travel, and the Blue Water Bridge plays a major role in that,” said Beeler, R-Port Huron. “The bridge powers our economy and symbolizes the dependable spirit that thrives in our community.”

The Blue Water Bridge, which opened in 1938, spans the St. Clair River between Port Huron and Sarnia, Ontario. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) oversees the bridge on the United States side of the border. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as with other points of entry, ensures that people and cargo crossing the border do so in compliance with federal law.

On the tour, Beeler heard about the daily operations at the bridge and how the COVID-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions have reduced traffic across the bridge.

“I am grateful to MDOT and the CBP for the opportunity to see their facilities and learn about their work to keep the bridge safe and our border secure,” Beeler said. “It was also great to hear about the upcoming plaza expansion, which will better facilitate commercial and recreational travel to Port Huron.”

A multi-year expansion of the customs plaza is currently being planned to make customs processing more efficient.

Submitted by Rep. Beeler’s Office

PHS Addresses Parent Concerns

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas sent a letter to all families in the district to answer questions about upcoming procedures as the pandemic lingers on, and to address issues that have been of concern to parents.

Kerhoulas stated in the letter that the district will follow all orders from local, state, and federal authorities and that at this time masks must be worn on buses, and are encouraged, but not required, in classrooms.

Sick or exposed unvaccinated students and employees will have to stay home, and close contacts can plan on quarantining unless they can prove vaccination or a documented diagnosis in the past 90 days.

The district is not requiring vaccinations for staff. Ventilation systems have all been upgraded to meet CDC recommendations.

Addressing parent concerns about teaching critical race theory, Kerhoulas said that it is not part of the curriculum. In the letter, he said, “We support our professional teaching staff and trust them to answer student questions and guide meaningful, appropriate discussions in our classrooms.”

A link to the full letter.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Beeler Will Hold Office Hour in Ft. Gratiot

State Rep. Andrew Beeler invites the people of Sanilac and St. Clair counties to join him at his upcoming office hour on Saturday, Aug. 28th.

Beeler, of Port Huron, will meet with residents between noon and 1 PM at Big Boy Restaurant, 3961 24th Ave. in Fort Gratiot.

No appointment is necessary to attend. Beeler will be available to provide assistance, answer questions and discuss his legislative work in the state Capitol.

Thumb residents can also contact Beeler’s office by phone at 517-373-0835 or by email at AndrewBeeler@house.mi.gov.

Beeler represents Michigan’s 83rd House District, which includes all of Sanilac County, and Burtchville Township, Fort Gratiot Township and the city of Port Huron in St. Clair County.

Delaying Health Screenings Dangerous for Women

The Centers for Disease Control have reported an 87% drop in breast cancer screenings and 84% decrease in cervical cancer screenings in the U.S. in April 2020 compared to the previous five years.

Many screening tests for women are performed or ordered during their annual physicals or gynecological exams, routine appointments that many skipped during the first year of the pandemic.

In response to the CDC’s report, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging Michigan women to connect with their doctors and schedule an appointment for their yearly exams if they are behind.

Screening tests for breast and cervical cancer enable healthcare providers to discover abnormalities early which leads to better outcomes for patients.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy for Health at MDHHS, said, “Simple, proactive measures can catch cancer in its early stages and allow doctors to intervene before it progresses.”

Those interested in getting a head start on their health screening can attend the Community Health Fair at Lake Huron Medical Center on August 26, 2021  from 1-6 PM at the main hospital at 2601 Electric Avenue in Port Huron.

The Lake Huron Medical Center Community Health Fair is offering free breast health screenings, blood pressure testing, and diabetes education.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Men Need Self-Care Too

St. Clair County Community Mental Health is hosting session three of its Men’s Health Series on Thursday, August 19th from 6:30 – 8 PM.

The seminar takes place in the auditorium of the Municipal Office Center in Port Huron, and the topic is Mastering the Art of Self-Care.

Self-care for men isn’t frequently addressed, and the speakers for this event will approach it from their background in nursing and healthcare.

Kevin Watkins is a nurse and instructor in the nursing department at St. Clair County Community College. His background includes working with students, caring for residents at the Mediloge of Port Huron, and educating the public on health matters.

Dr. Wilfred M. Allen PhD is an Assistant Professor at the University of Detroit Mercy McAuley School of Nursing who teaches and researches on topics such as the influence of masculinity ideology on health behaviors and health promotion and risk reduction in patients with chronic illness.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Boat the Blue Brings Art, Boating History, and Fun to Downtown Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — The Boat the Blue Antique and Classic Boat Show is just a few weeks away, held on September 10th and 11th in Downtown Port Huron.  Port Huron is preparing for the event in a lot of ways, one being the artwork that is displayed in the windows of downtown businesses.

Cynthia Cutright of the Downtown Development Authority said that the art is an extension of the Boat the Blue Art Contest for youth and a contest amongst businesses. Local artist Faith Serio freehand painted each of the pieces, which can be found at Casey’s, Moe’s Deli, Sperry’s and MiMutual.

Boat the Blue Organizer Mark Walker said that boating history and heritage are unique to the area and the boat show is a way to remember, celebrate, and appreciate the history.

The family-friendly boat show offers free boat rides to the public, which started in Port Huron and is now being modeled throughout the country. On September 10th, there will be a music and painting show with the group, “Empty Canvas”.

Walker said, “There are no more generous people in the world than right here in our communities.” He praised the hard-working committee that is working to make the show the best it can be.

http://boattheblue.org/2021-event-schedule

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland