St. Clair County

Survey Helps Determine Eligibility for Vaccine

The St. Clair County Health Department has published a survey to determine which St. Clair County residents are eligible for the current supply of Covid-19 vaccines. Members of the Phase 1A priority group are currently able to be vaccinated immediately.

The first phase of the process includes health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities. Long term care includes nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

According to the Health Department’s survey, Phase 1A eligibility also includes those with direct patient contact while conducting high risk procedures such as dentistry, endoscopy, dialysis, respiratory therapy, as well as those working in public health, pharmacy, and mortuary services.

According to MDHHS, Phase 1B includes frontline essential workers and individuals 75 years of age and older. Phase 1C includes other essential workers, persons 65 to 74 years of age, and individuals 16 to 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions. Phase 2 is a mass vaccination campaign for all persons age 16 years or older.

A link to the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6NGRVPC?fbclid=IwAR07YdsjXey1BjeKELI2MhqEFEJl31hGkiHq4luFM8FCXPx2dASLrWVsldQ

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Little Black Dress Event Moves to Facebook Live for 2021

Port Huron, MI — The 15th Annual Betty Kearns Little Black Dress Event is moving to Facebook live for 2021. On  Friday, March 5th at 6 PM,  the committee will be streaming live from Kate’s Downtown Café. They have lots of fun planned for the event including raffles, memories, and support.

Raffle tickets can be purchased online at bluewaterlittleblackdress.org and sponsorships can be purchased in amounts from $500 to $3,000. There are no tickets needed for the event, simply visit the Facebook page <HERE> to view.

The Betty Kearns Little Black Dress Event was established in 2007 to raise money for local Breast Cancer Programs. The Betty Kearns Cancer Fund was established in 2016 to help all people fighting cancer. In 2020, the fund helped McLaren Port Huron purchase new equipment to help diagnose and treat prostate cancer. It also established a donor advised fund at the Ct. Clair County Community foundation to help St. Clair and Sanilac County residents who may need cancer treatment outside the Blue Water Area.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Bridge to Bay and North Channel Projects on the DNR Funding List

Until the pandemic subsides, outdoor recreation is the safest kind of recreation. Responding to the uptick in Michigan residents spending time in public outdoor spaces, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Board has advised 76 recreation development projects and land acquisitions.

Included in the recommendation are two projects in St. Clair County: the acquisition of property on the North Channel Shoreline and further development of the Bridge to Bay Regional Trail Connector.

DNR Director Dan Eichinger said. “This year’s grant recommendations represent a broad range of land acquisition and outdoor development projects that will make a real difference. With the results of Proposal 1 this fall, it’s clear that Michigan’s residents support this program and its continued investment in projects that speak to the recreational needs of communities across our state.”

The recommendations from the Trust Fund Board will go to the Michigan Legislature appropriations review. Trust Fund Board Chair Bill Rustem remarked, “Under the challenges of gathering with friends and family this year, outdoor spaces and public recreation played a major component in people’s lives.”

A link to the full list of projects can be found at Michigan.gov/MNRTF.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sheriff’s Deputies Commended for Life-Saving Actions

Port Huron, MI — A tragedy was averted at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center in Port Huron Township this fall. Two deputies have been recognized for saving the life of an inmate who was attempting to take his own life.

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Deputies Richard Rodriguez and Kent Porter were recently recognized for their heroic actions. The pair were on duty at the county facility on October 29th when they noticed an inmate taking actions to hang himself. The deputies rushed up the stairs and performed a dramatic rescue to save the troubled individual before he could harm himself.

The inmate was given medical attention and suicide prevention protocols were put in place. The jail provides mental health screening and treatment, as well as addiction and behavioral intervention programming to inmates in need of help.

St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King said, “I am proud of the work all of our corrections deputies perform every day. I am especially proud of the way Rich and Kent went above and beyond to rush to the inmate and save his life.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Downtown Port Huron Ready for Shoppers & Diners This Weekend

Downtown Port Huron business owners have their lights twinkling and their holiday spirit ready to welcome visitors this weekend for the Sperry’s Drive-Thru Santa Spectacle, Black Friday, and Small Business Saturday.

The Sperry’s Drive-Thru Santa Spectacle is a reverse parade staged in Pine Grove Park. Participants can register for a free timeslot to enter the parade route from McMorran Blvd. and travel north through the park in their own vehicle. For even more fun, participants are encouraged to decorate their cars as well. Register for your slot <HERE>.

Black Friday is always a big day for shopping, and shopping local businesses helps the local economy. Small Business Saturday is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and many stores will have extended hours to welcome guests. Special teddy bear themed holiday displays are in many of the Downtown shop windows, and bears can be adopted to support the nonprofit A Beautiful Me.

For those who enjoy holiday lights, the trees along Huron Avenue are sparkling, and the Christmas Tree is ready to view  in front of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County’s building in the corner of Huron and Lapeer Avenue.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

VNA & Blue Water Hospice Kick Off Light Up a Life Campaign

Visiting Nurse Association & Blue Water Hospice just kicked-off their annual fundraising campaign, Light up a Life. From now until the end of December, you can support the organization by donating to their campaign and honoring a loved on on their Tree of Remembrance.

The Tree of Remembrance will be lit with a shining light for each donation, symbolizing the life, hope, and dreams of loved ones who have passed as well as those who cared for them. The tree is open for viewing in the Tom Lock Memorial Observatory on the grounds of the Blue Water Hospice Home in Marysville. It is lit daily between 5 – 7 PM from now until December 31st.

Donations to the campaign ensure that the VNA & Blue Water Hospice can continue to care for the community’s needs by providing charity nursing care and room & board at the hospice home.

To donate to the Light Up a Life campaign and honor a loved one, visit vnabwh.org/donate or call (810) 984-4131.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand