port huron

Kasey Wolak McLaren Port Huron Employee of the month

McLaren Port Huron December Employee of the Month

Kasey Wolak has been named the Employee of the Month for December. Wolak has worked at McLaren Port Huron for 13 years and is currently a unit assistant on 4 South.

Wolak was nominated by her peers because she exemplifies the hospital values. Her customer service skills are amazing. She goes above and beyond to help patients and visitors, making their visit to the hospital better. Wolak is sincerely compassionate and caring, ready and willing to help anyone who needs it. Her coworkers look forward to working with her because she is always happy, helpful, and a joy to work with. Wolak is friendly, happy, bright, has a positive attitude and smiles all the time. She is an example of what all employees should strive to be and is without a doubt worthy of this award.

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.

Submitted by McLaren Port Huron.

Bridge Card Recipients Getting a 15% Increase

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Benefits will increase 15% per month for Michiganders eligible for the program. The first of the additional payments will be added to Bridge Cards by the end of January and continue each month ending in June.

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow led the initiative for the increase and it was approved by congress as part of the Congressional relief bill.

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or by calling a customer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.

 

Reginald Cu-Nu Grasty

Grayfox Homicide Suspect Arrested and Arraigned

On January 19, 2021, at the request of the Port Huron Police Department, the United States Marshals Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team did locate and arrest Reginald Cu-Nu Grasty in the City of Detroit near Jefferson and Conner Street.

Grasty was taken into custody without incident. He was transferred to Port Huron and placed in custody of the Port Huron Police Major Crimes Unit. Grasty was interviewed and lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention Center on the charges of Open Murder and Disinterment / Mutilation of a Corpse. Grasty was arraigned yesterday on those charges.

His bond was set at $750,000.00. Grasty has a Probable Cause Conference scheduled for February 2, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. in front of the Honorable Judge Mona Armstrong. 

On June 23, 2020, the Port Huron Police Department responded to the Grayfox (a former Navy vessel) at 60 Griswold Street, regarding a deceased person. On June 25, 2020 the St. Clair County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy on the victim. The death was ruled a homicide, cause of death was trauma related. 

On July 1, 2020, the victim of the homicide on the Grayfox was identified as William Michael Orlow, a 44 year old male Port Huron resident.

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

McLaren Settles with DEA Over “Prescribing Irregularities”

McLaren Health Care entered into a legal settlement with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices pertaining to retail pharmacy operations at McLaren Port Huron.

According to a press release from McLaren, the agreement stems from a lengthy effort with the DEA, which discovered “prescribing irregularities” in 2018, which led to the firing of a pharmacist who was diverting opioids for personal use. The DEA found problems with recordkeeping, dispensing, and distributing controlled substances dating back to before McLaren acquired Port Huron Hospital.

April Rudoni, Interim Compliance Director and Chair of McLaren’s Controlled Substance Oversight Committee, said, “Our health system takes compliance very seriously and regrets any instance in which we do not meet our regulators’ requirements or our own high standards. From the moment the DEA’s first concern was brought to our attention we have worked diligently to strengthen protocols across our system. I am proud of the culture of accountability and compliance we maintain and look forward to continued collaboration with the DEA moving forward.”

McLaren reportedly paid over $7.7 million in the settlement and entered into a three-year plan to prevent future violations.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Become an Angel for People Seeking Recovery

Families Against Narcotics (FAN) created the Hope Not Handcuffs program to offer another avenue to recovery for those struggling with substance abuse. The program trains law enforcement to connect those who want help with a program volunteer,  or Angel, to help them find a treatment option.

Because of the Hope Not Handcuffs program, anyone struggling with a substance use disorder can go to a participating police agency and ask for help. They will receive support, compassion, and respect as they are guided through the intake process.

Becoming an Angel on the Hope Not Handcuffs team requires an online application process and virtual training program. Angels help participating organizations with intake paperwork and support clients until a treatment option is found. They are required to volunteer to be on call 8 hours a month.

For more information on Angel training and to register for upcoming trainings in January and February, visit familiesagainstnarcotics.org/hopenothandcuffs-angel.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Sheriff’s Office Phone Number Being Used in Scam

St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King is advising residents to be extra vigilant in watching for the latest scam to hit the area.  The latest involves a suspect calling the victim saying he must buy Green Dot or other types of cards or they will be arrested.  One person was told he had missed jury duty and had to buy a $400 Green Dot card and give the caller the confirmation number.  The suspect had somehow rigged the call so that the Sheriff’s Office main number showed on the victim’s caller ID.

“I want everyone to know that the Sheriff’s Office does not make calls to collect money,” said Sheriff King.  “If anyone receives that type of call, immediately hang up.  Do not give out any personal information and do not purchase any type of financial transaction device.  Then call our office to make a report.”

Sheriff King went on to say there are numerous types of scams that are occurring and likely will continue in the future.

To avoid being a victim of email or phone scams, Sheriff King has the following tips:

  • Do not answer calls from unknown phone numbers. If you must pick up, refuse to engage with telemarketers over the phone. While some seem friendly, they may attempt to sell products or services you do not want or need. Or, they may attempt to gain access to your money. Do not worry about offending anyone. Firmly say, “Remove us from your calling list.” You needn’t provide an explanation. Then, hang up.
  • Do not open emails you do not recognize. Avoid clicking on links that may bring you to fake websites that often look real. If you receive an email with spelling errors, it could be a red flag.
  • If a company or individual tells you to make payments in the form of gift-cards, or tells you to keep their call a secret, it’s a scam.
  • Register your phone number on the national do not call list, utilize caller ID to avoid answering unwanted calls from solicitors, or block numbers if receiving repeated calls.
  • Anyone who contacts you to demand money, and threatens or harasses you for payments, should be reported to your local police. If you receive an unwanted call after your number was on the National Do Not Call Registry for 30 days, report it to the FTC.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office