port huron

Shopping Local Farmer’s Markets May Reduce Stress

With many areas of life feeling chaotic since March, where you choose to shop is one thing you can control. As weather begins to warm up, many people are anticipating the opening of farmer’s markets and roadside produce stands as more enjoyable and less stressful options for picking up essential food items.

Amanda Shreve, Executive Director for the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), said “Michigan is home to more than 300 farmers markets. Each market will make important decisions about how and when to open for the season with the safety of their vendors, employees and patrons in mind.”

MIFMA provided their farm market network with online tools to help establish and communicate standard safety practices for farmer’s markets in light of COVID-19. Shopping local markets offers positive benefits such as knowing where your food comes from, reducing waste from excess packaging, shipping and handling, and supporting local economies.

Visit the Michigan Farm Market Association’s website <HERE>  to find a market in your community. The Vantage Point Farmer’s Market is slated to open on May 30th and continue on Saturdays until Fall.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

McLaren Port Huron’s Employee of the Month: April 2020

Port Huron, MI – Paige Smith, RN, has been named McLaren Port Huron’s Employee of the Month for April. Smith has been employed with McLaren Port Huron for seven years and currently works on the cardiac stepdown unit.

Smith was nominated by her peers because she demonstrates the hospital values every day. She is described as being thorough and timely with patients’ needs and empathetic and compassionate to all of whom she encounters.  Smith lives the values of honesty, integrity and mutual respect and often volunteers to work over or take on extra shifts.

Smith resides in East China.  In her free time, Smith enjoys kayaking, traveling and spending time with her co-workers outside of wok.

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.

Grant Opportunity from United Way of St. Clair County

United Way of St. Clair County received $7 5,858 in federal grant funding to provide for homeless shelters, soup kitchens, food pantries, and organizations helping individuals with emergency utility and mortgage assistance. The United Way of St. Clair County acts as board chairperson for the Federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), and has authority to grant the money to eligible organizations in St. Clair County.

This category of funding (EFSP) is provided annually through a provision in the federal budget, which is targeted to address the needs of families impacted by unemployment and emergency medical events.  The funds are determined for each County through a formula based on the number of funds allocated by congress and the rate of unemployment within that particular County.

All organizations are required to apply using the application process available online, www.uwstclair.org/EFSP; instructions are provided.  All applications must be submitted to United Way of St. Clair County by 4:30 PM on May 25, 2020 for consideration.

Agencies previously receiving funding through EFSP dollars are: Blue Water Safe Horizons, The Harbor, Salvation Army, Downriver Helping Hands, Downriver Bread of Life Nutrition Center, Blue Water Community Food Depot (Port Huron), Harbor Impact Ministries, Trinity United Methodist Food Pantry (Algonac), SOS Marysville Food Pantry, Blue Water Area Rescue Mission, Detroit Rescue Mission (Port Huron Pathway Shelter), Mid City Nutrition, and the C3 Connection.  

DTF Arrested 9 Young Men During a Raid on Vanness St.

The St. Clair County Drug Task Force seized about $30,000 worth of methamphetamine during a raid Tuesday night.

According to Sheriff Tim Donnellon, the DTF was conducting an investigation into the sales of illicit drugs, which led them to execute a search warrant in the 2500 block of Vanness Street around 7:00 p.m. on May 5th.  Once inside, they located and seized the meth, along with $900 worth of ecstasy, $400 worth of crack cocaine and $300 worth of analogue pills.  They also seized two handguns, a rifle, a sawed off shotgun, cash and drug paraphernalia.

Members of the Drug Task Force arrested 9 men, ranging in age from 17-24 years old and took two minor boys, ages 14 and 16 into custody.  They were all later released pending warrants.  Those arrested face charges including possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession with intent to deliver ecstasy and felony firearm.

Virtual Cocktail Party to Support McLaren Port Huron Foundation

This year, the McLaren Port Huron Foundation has announced  that the popular “Cocktails for a Cause” fundraiser is coming back.  However, this year it will be going virtual!

McLaren Port Huron Foundation is partnering with McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation and Karmanos Cancer Institute to bring Cocktails for a Cause to everyone’s home! People are invited to check out full details at www.mclaren.org/phcocktail.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the McLaren Port Huron COVID-19 Relief Fund. This fund will allow the McLaren Port Huron Foundation to provide support to our hospital and caregivers for needs related to COVID-19. They are committed to giving the best possible care to our patients.

Foundation officials guarantee that 100 percent of contributions will go toward helping McLaren Port Huron caregivers and patients involved in the fight against the virus.

Lynn Griffor, Foundation Executive Director, told WGRT, “During these unprecedented times, we have seen St. Clair County come together in extraordinary ways. So, cheers to brighter days ahead and let’s share a cocktail or mocktail together for healthcare workers in our community!”

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Art on the River Rescheduled for June 2021

Citizens for a Vibrant Community, the organizers of Art on the River, have made the difficult decision to cancel the art festival for this year. They were hopeful that the event could continue as planned, but the growing uncertainty about holding large public events this summer has forced them to reschedule.

The groups is optimistic that they are in a good position to make the 10th year of the festival a good one. “With great support from our vendors, sponsors, artists &crafters, bands and more, the event is well underway” for June 11, 12, and 13th 2021.