St. Clair County

Dr. Reddy & Dr. Mercatante Receive Nasr Award for Community Service

The St. Clair County Medical Society (SCCMS) awards its prestigious Dr. Bassam Nasr Community Service Leader Award each year, and the 2021 honorees are Dr. Sushma Reddy and Dr. Annette Mercatante.

The SCCMS is made up of physicians from around the Blue Water Area who come together for philanthropy, professional development, and socialization. The Nasr award is named after the late Dr. Bassam Nasr, a local gastroenterologist, philanthropist, and one of the co-founders of Physician Healthcare Network.

Dr. Reddy was recognized as “one of the most dedicated volunteers our medical community has ever known.” She has led community health efforts such as The Blue Water Walking Club and the Walk for Summer Reading, and she has been a volunteer at the People’s Clinic for over 15 years.

Dr. Mercatante was noted as meeting the challenge of leading throughout the pandemic with “expertise, fast and precise decision making, and the swift actions needed to maximize available resources to care for COVID-19 patients.” Her colleagues in the SCCMS describe her leadership as “tireless, and her expertise has been a vital factor in minimizing the number
of COVID deaths in our community.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Animal Owners Reminded to Make Sure Pets are Warm

With a polar vortex settling in, some animal owners need a reminder that they have the responsibility to keep their animals warm. If they can’t stay inside a home or barn during winter cold snaps, dogs, cats, and livestock will need a safe outdoor shelter.

Melissa A. Miller, Director of St. Clair County Animal Control, said that outside dogs must have a 4-sided shelter with a floor and roof and straw bedding when temps are under 32 degrees. Livestock must have a three-sided shelter or windbreak providing equivalent protection. 

For those who neglect their pets, they could be facing a misdemeanor charge and a penalty of $500 or 90 days in jail, or community service.

According to Miller, her office does see dogs in unsafe conditions, particularly those that are used as protection dogs, and those that are permanently chained up. She said, “If you see something, say something.” Calling Animal Control could save an animal’s life.

Miller said that cat shelters for feral cats can be made with Styrofoam coolers and straw. Free straw can be picked up at the Animal Control office at 3378 Griswold in Port Huron.

The St. Clair County Animal Control Office has a great video about how to properly insulate a dog house with straw.

https://www.facebook.com/adoptsccac/videos/435006647619252

Vaccine Clinic Cancelled Today – Rescheduled for Thursday

The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) is cancelling its COVID-19 vaccination clinic for today, Tuesday, February 16 at the Blue Water Convention Center (BWCC). St. Clair County has closed all non-essential operations due to the winter storm and dangerous conditions.

Today’s clinic is rescheduled and will be combined with another clinic currently scheduled on Thursday, February 18, from 10:00am -7:00pm at the BWCC.  Individuals who had an appointment today, should plan for the same appointment time on Thursday.

If you are unable to attend the rescheduled clinic occurring on Thursday, please do the following:

  • Email covid19@stclaircounty.org
  • On Wednesday, 2/17, call the SCCHD (810) 987-5300 or (810) 966-4163 during regular business hours.

Submitted by the St Clair County Health Department

McClain Creates Advisory Council of Local Farmers

Today, Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) announced the creation of an Agriculture Advisory Council, a group of experienced farmers who will serve as the Congresswoman’s trusted voices for issues impacting the agriculture community in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District.

“Agriculture is a major industry in Michigan’s thumb, and there’s no one that knows the issues our farmers are dealing with day to day better than the farmers,” said Rep. McClain. “I look forward to routinely meeting with my new Agriculture Advisory Council to stay in tune with the issues impacting our farmers to ensure they are represented well in Washington.”

The Agriculture Advisory Council will consist of the following members: Clint Hagen, Carl (CJ) Bednarski, Mike Noll, Rita Herford, Kip Siegler, Larry Decock, Matt Frostic and Charlie Lewis:

Clint Hagen grows sugar beets, navy beans and white wheat at his farm in Huron County.

Carl (CJ) Bednarski resides in Tuscola County, where he grows sugar beets, dry beans, white wheat and corn.

Mike Noll is a farmer in Sanilac County who grows dry beans, soybeans, corn, white wheat, alfalfa and sugar beets. He also raises dairy cows and has a feedlot.

Rita Herford grows sugar beets, dry edible beans, wheat, corn and rye on her farm in Huron County.

Kip Siegler specializes in dairy. He also grows hay, corn, wheat and soybeans at his farm in Lapeer County.

Matt Frostic lives in Sanilac County where he raises beef cattle and also grows sugar beets, corn, soybeans and dry beans.

Larry Decock runs a specialty greenhouse and melon farm in Macomb County.

Charlie Lewis is a fifth-generation farmer in St. Clair County. He grows corn, soybeans, sugar beets, wheat and also raises beef cattle.

Rep. McClain looks forward to working with these farmers on agriculture issues in the coming months.

Submitted by the office of Congresswoman Lisa McClain

 

Beeler Wants Answers from Governor

LANSING – State Representative Andrew Beeler (R-Port Huron) today voiced his frustration with the lack of specifics given by Governor Whitmer’s administration regarding how the decision to close schools and athletics were made in the past – and how those decisions will be made going forward – in the face of mounting data which suggests the dangers to school-aged children are significantly lower than originally feared.

“The governor has repeated over and over that her administration is making decisions based on science,” Beeler said, “Michigan citizens deserve to know what criteria she is using to determine when these seemingly never-ending shutdowns are going to end.”

The Michigan House and Senate today held a joint meeting of their respective committees on Education where Beeler appeared annoyed by the lack of concrete metrics the administration would use to justify future shutdowns.

“Based on today’s hearing, I am convinced that the governor’s unilateral actions are based on criteria beyond merely ‘science and data’,” Beeler said.

According to the governor’s own statistics, less than two dozen people aged 24 and younger have died from COVID-19 or other causes related to COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.  Meanwhile, many mental health experts have warned the negative long-term effects associated with the governor’s shutdowns will be felt for many years to come.

Official statistics can be found here: Covid-19 By Age at Death (state.mi.us).

Submitted by the office of Rep. Andrew Beeler

Vaccine Pre-Registration System FAQs

According to a statement from Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer for the St. Clair County Health Department, almost 10,000 people have signed up on the county’s new vaccine pre-registration system. The Health Department wants the community to know that it is working on some technical issues, and they have already had their first vaccine clinic under the new system.

Here are the FAQs for the Vaccine Pre-registration System:

  1. What is the phone number, text code or email address that will accompany the notification? St. Clair County Vaccine Distribution. The caller ID may identify as a Massachusetts phone number. Looking into updating with a local number
    Phone: (781) 373-9800; Text ID: 88911; Email from: St. Clair County Vaccine Distribution. The caller ID may identify as a Massachusetts phone number. Looking into updating with a local number.
  1. How do I know I signed up properly in the system? You will not receive a message stating you are pre-registered. Create a user name and password to sign up. Complete the fields, save all pages and hit finalize at the end. Working on updating this.
  1. Can I go back in and edit my account information? It appears the system tracks the date of your last entry and may move you from your original placement if you make changes. Be as accurate as possible when signing up. Working on updating this.
  1. What if I registered multiple people using the same contact information (phone number, email)? Each person registered should receive a separate confirmation. The appointment confirmation will list first name, last name, appointment date/time and clinic location. It will arrive via the method(s) you selected to receive notifications. Whatever method you confirm first on accepts the invitation. Option 1= yes to confirm; Option 2 = Not available at this time; Option 3 = No longer need my appointment.
  1. What if I missed my window to confirm my appointment? Each person has one hour to respond. If you missed your window, you will be contacted as soon as the next appointment becomes available. You do not lose your placement and will be notified again. Please do not show up at a clinic if you did not receive a confirmation.
  1. When will you send out notifications? Notifications should typically occur during regular business hours.
  1. Who can sign up/pre-register? All individuals living or working in St. Clair County can pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine on the health department’s website www.scchealth.co click on the “Pre-Registration for COVID-19 Vaccine” link. Again, this is a pre-registration system only, or a placeholder.

Only individuals in the current priority groups will receive a notification when an appointment become available. This is all dependent on vaccine supply, which currently remains limited. Therefore, it will take time to move through the list. Thank you for your patience.

For seniors 65 and older needing assistance with the online pre-registration process options include:

  • Asking a family member, friend or neighbor for help
  • Council on Aging/Call 1-800-297-0099 or your local senior center
  • Dial 211 for assistance
  • Please DO NOT contact COA or 211 for technical assistance or for updates.