port huron

OptOutside Hike Offers Refreshing Alternative To Black Friday Shopping Tradition

In a break from Black Friday consumerism, Friends of the St. Clair River and St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission are partnering to present the OptOutside Hike on Friday, November 24th, at 10a.m. at Columbus County Park in Columbus Township. Families are encouraged to trade shopping bags for hiking boots and embrace the outdoors.

The St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission and Friends of the St. Clair River has observed this tradition for five years. 

Melissa Kivel, Friends Education Manager, emphasizes the event as a laid-back alternative to the holiday shopping rush, inviting participants to kick off the season with a guided hike in the picturesque 400-acre county park. The hike concludes with a cozy bonfire featuring s’mores and hot cocoa. The event is free, promoting a festive and eco-friendly start to the holiday season. 

For more information, contact Melissa Kivel at (810) 531- 6906.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

SC4’s Jessica Brown Honored As A Notable Leader In Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion By Crain’s Detroit Business

In a remarkable achievement, Jessica Brown, Chief Diversity Officer at St. Clair County Community College (SC4), located in Port Huron, has been named a 2023 Notable Leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) by Crain’s Detroit Business. 

This recognition acknowledges Brown’s exceptional leadership in SC4’s DEI Office, recruitment efforts, the TRIO program, the Strive Mentorship initiative, Women in Sports panel discussions, and her contributions to the adaptive wheelchair basketball team. 

Brown’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and promoting diversity has left a lasting impact on the college community. The prestigious accolade from Crain’s Detroit Business highlights Brown’s significant role in advancing DEI initiatives at SC4.

For more details, visit: crainsdetroit.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Study Shows Lack Of Sleep May Lead To Women Developing Diabetes

As World Diabetes Month unfolds, a new study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reveals that chronic insufficient sleep can heighten insulin resistance, especially in postmenopausal women. 

Published in Diabetes Care, the research emphasizes the critical role of adequate sleep in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance, a key factor in diabetes development, hampers the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar effectively.

Marishka Brown, Ph.D., Director of the National Center on Sleep Disorder Research at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, underscores the importance of understanding sleep’s impact on women’s health, particularly postmenopausal women. The NIH-funded study sheds light on the long-term consequences of sleep disturbances, linking them to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and insulin resistance leading to type 2 diabetes.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Blood Drive At Lake Huron Medical Center Encourages Community Participation In Life-Saving Donations

Lake Huron Medical Center is set to host a blood drive in their auditorium on Thursday, November 16th, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event aims to bolster blood donations, emphasizing the ease and significance of this simple act.

With the event coordinated in partnership with the Red Cross, individuals can schedule appointments through RedCrossBlood.org using the sponsor code: LAKEHURONMEDICALCENTER or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Moreover, attendees can streamline their donation process by utilizing RapidPass® to complete pre-donation reading and health history online before their appointment.

The drive seeks to encourage community members to participate, highlighting the life-saving impact of blood donations. The organizers hope to garner lots of support from the public, emphasizing the ease and vital importance of donating blood to save lives within the community and beyond.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

St. Clair County’s EDA Secures $2.5M For Regional Small Business Boost

The Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County celebrates its $2.5 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Small Business Support Hubs program (SBSH). The awarded funds are earmarked to enhance the Small Business Development Center’s services in Region 6, fostering growth in the Port Huron SmartZone Hub and the affiliated Underground Incubator for tech and non-tech startups.

This initiative extends its reach to Shiawassee, Lapeer, Tuscola, Huron, and Sanilac Counties, establishing counseling and training hubs. Co-working spaces in St. Clair’s Village of Capac and Huron’s Bad Axe will emerge through local community foundations.

The EDA plans to expand its Emerge Fund across Region 6, seeding it with grant funds of around $426,000 for eligible small businesses over three years. Collaboration with service providers aims to provide essential support in legal, accounting, marketing, and other vital areas, fostering entrepreneurial success and regional economic growth.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Michigan Department Of Health And Human Services Expands Vehicle Purchase Assistance Program To $4000

In a bid to enhance accessibility for residents in need, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has raised the ceiling for its Direct Supportive Services (DSS) for Vehicle Purchase Assistance to $4,000. 

The updated criteria outline the eligibility requirements for individuals seeking financial aid for a vehicle, emphasizing the importance of prior approval from MDHHS, limited to one vehicle purchase per lifetime. Applicants must be recipients of specific MDHHS benefits, possess a valid Michigan driver’s license, and demonstrate the necessity for private transportation due to a lack of reliable public options.

This expansion aims to empower individuals to secure reliable transportation, particularly those engaged in employment or self-employment, reinforcing the state’s commitment to fostering self-sufficiency among its residents. 

For more information, contact your local DHS specialist.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell