St. Clair County

St. Clair County Animal Control Looking for Donations to Help with Rescued Animals

The St. Clair County Animal Control needs help from the public as they deal with an influx of recovered animals from two suspected animal hoarding cases in the past two weeks.

Concerned residents are asked to donate Clorox bleach, Dawn dish soap, cat litter, and towels.  They can be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Animal Control office at 3378 Griswold Road.

The most recent case involved suspected cat hoarding at a home in Burtchville Township. Sixteen cats were taken from a residence by animal control after thirty-one cats had already been removed by private citizens. A recent seizure in Port Huron rescued nineteen cats and three dogs.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America describes animal hoarding as “the compulsive need to collect and own animals for the sake of caring for them that results in accidental or unintentional neglect or abuse”.

In both cases, the animals were discovered after citizen complaints that resulted in search warrants being issued. Upon searching the properties, officers found unsafe conditions for the animals and seized them for rehabilitation. The animals will need a few weeks to get healthy and will then be ready for rehoming.

Animal Control is also asking for financial donations to offset medical costs for the animals.

Financial donations can be made at paypal.me/sccanimals.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Officer Huisman Achieves Status as National SRO Practitioner

Port Huron, MI–School Resource Officer Dennis Huisman was recently recognized by the National Association of School Resource Officers as a National SRO Practitioner. To achieve that status, Huisman had to meet certain qualifications that included training, a commitment to school-based policing, and leadership in the school-based field of law enforcement.

School resource officers are not security guards, but rather sworn law enforcement officers that are placed in schools to ensure the safety of students and staff and to foster positive relationships with youth. Having school resource officers in place has been proven to minimize property damage in schools, prevent student injuries, reduce the need for schools to call 911, and increase the feeling of safety among students and staff.

Officer Huismen has been a school resource officer since March of 2018 when the program began as a partnership between the Port Huron Police Department and the Port Huron Schools. His recognition as a National SRO Practitioner identifies him as one of the elite School Resource Officers in the nation, and it signifies a high commitment to the youth in our community.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Additional COVID-19 Variants Identified in St. Clair County

St. Clair County, MI — The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant that originated in the United Kingdom was first identified in St. Clair County in February, and the Health Department has just reported three more cases in the county.

Even though the B.1.1.7 variant has been shown to be more contagious, currently, it doesn’t seem to cause more severe illness or affect clinical outcomes.

Dr. Annette Mercatante Medical Health Officer of the St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) said, “We (SCCHD) are doubling down with variant case investigations. Suspect cases will be contacted more often and required to quarantine for 14 days vs. 10. Since the variant can be more contagious, the virus could potentially infect more people with less exposure.

The recommendations for protecting oneself against the new variant remain the same as the COVID-19 prevention practices health organizations have been encouraging for the last year. Wear a mask, observe physical distancing, wash your hands, avoid crowds, and follow isolation and quarantine guidance. The Health Department also recommends getting vaccinated when the vaccine becomes available to you.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

A Little Hobby Ceramics Studio Marysville

Ceramics Studio Provides Creative Outlet for Kids & Adults

Marysville, MI — Kristie Evans-Hutchinson has been interested in ceramics for a long time, and when the First Congregational Church in Port Huron sold their building and offered to gift her the materials in their studio, she became a business owner.

Kristie is now the owner of A Little Hobby Ceramics Studio located in Market Square Plaza in Marysville, and it caters to both walk-in patrons and those who want scheduled classes.

Kristie’s husband, Harold “Hutch” Hutchinson, went from no knowledge of the intricacies of working with clay, slip, and molds, to keeping himself busy creating new pieces for clients to paint and glaze along with running the studio’s kiln.

Hutch said ceramics is a perfect way to unwind and take care of yourself. When he’s working in the studio, he said, “I’m focusing on this, not what I’m going to make for dinner or what I’m going to do this afternoon, or how to get peace and quiet. My brain is already at rest because I’m focusing on one thing.” He also said, “I take the moment to myself because if I’m not good mentally or physically, I cant help anybody else.”

The Hutchinson family has spent months building and organizing the studio and creating a bright and inviting space for their customers. Pieces available for painting and glazing include lighthouses, animal statues, toad and bunny houses, and even a complete set of chess pieces.

New classes begin the first week of each month, and there is an ongoing fundraiser on their website to help offset the cost of their After School Program (ASP). The ASP provides a safe, creative outlet for kids in grades 4-12 and offers them 4 classes each month.

To learn more about A Little Hobby visit ALittleHobby.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Volunteer Training Starts April 1st at Spero Center

Port Huron, MI — Spero Pregnancy Center wants to remind you that volunteering is good for your health, and they have a volunteer training session beginning April 1st that will help you plug in to their nonprofit medical clinic.

Spero Center has a holistic approach to working with women and men experiencing unexpected pregnancies. They provide support through client advocates, mentors, medical staff, and many other staff members and volunteers.

They provide a five-week training program that equips volunteers with the skills they need to serve their clients well. There are opportunities to work with the center’s clients along with providing volunteer IT support, graphic design, cleaning, community outreach, and office support.

Volunteering is rewarding in many ways, and it’s proven to increase over-all well-being in the areas of physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Learn more about volunteer opportunities at Spero Pregnancy Center  by visiting their website at BlueWaterBabies.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

24/7 DAD Program Helps Fathers Be Their Best

Port Huron, MI — I.M.P.A.C.T. works hard to enrich the lives of the people they serve through information, referral, advocacy, prevention, and treatment, and the organization is excited to offer a new program that focusing on fatherhood called 24/7 DAD.

The 24/7 DAD program is for fathers in all stages who hope to become the best father possible for their kids. It will also address the unique needs of fathers who are working with the court system and need parenting classes or those who are working through custody issues and want to learn their rights and improve their communication skills.

The program lasts 12 weeks, and it will take place at the I.M.P.A.C.T. center on Military Street in Port Huron. The program is partially funded by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County which cut the participant fee in half bringing it to just $60 per person.

For more information or to register, contact Pamela Motte at 810-985-5437.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand