St. Clair County

Time Running Out to Complete 2020 Census

The final push by the U.S. Census Bureau to count the last of uncounted Americans is underway. The Bureau estimates that 91.8% of the population has been counted for the 2020 Census. 

According to statistics from the Census Bureau, Michigan has a 97% response rate at this point. Over 70% of those responses were considered “self responses”, with the remainder being contacted by the Census Bureau. Nationally, 65.8% of Americans are considered to be “self-responders”. 

In St. Clair County, the self-response rate is estimated to be around 76% so far, with 52.4% of respondents using the online option to complete the census.

According to the Census Bureau, “The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade.”

The census collection period is set to end on September 20 with reports being generated as soon as December 2020 and legislative redistricting counts done by March 31, 2021. Full reports can be found at https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates. 

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Virtual “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” This Weekend

This year’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” is going on as planned this Saturday, September 19, but with a socially distant twist. Participants are asked to walk in their own neighborhoods or favorite park and take a picture of themselves while walking.

MaryBeth Fleury, President of the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee, said that walkers can post their walk pictures on the Committee’s Facebook page and share who they are walking for or why they are walking.

Fleury said that the committee is not seeking donations from the walk this year due to the community’s financial strain under COVID-19 restrictions, but general donations are always accepted. The annual goal of raising awareness of Alzheimer’s continues this year even without the large fundraising gathering. 

The Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee was organized in 2014 by a local caregiver and advocate, Marcia Haynes, who realized that St. Clair County had some wonderful dementia care resources, but that collaboration was needed to get them together in one place to better serve the dementia caregiver.

 More information about the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee can be found at www.darcscc.org. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Parents Concerned About Youth Vaping Can Learn More at Summit

Parents and caregivers who are concerned about vaping can learn more at the Virtual Vaping Summit on September 23rd from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM. The St. Clair County Substance Prevention through Early Action and Knowledge (SPEAK) Coalition is hosting the event through live stream on their Facebook page.

A survey completed by the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) in 2017-18 reported that 10% of St. Clair County 7th graders used vaping products, and 38% of 11th graders acknowledged regular use.

The SPEAK Coalition focuses on many areas of substance abuse and addiction, and addressing the youth vaping crisis is one of their primary goals.

Vaping is unhealthy for kids, teens, and young adults because it contains high amounts of addictive nicotine and many other harmful substances. Use can adversely affect brain development and contribute to future cigarette use.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Social Justice Educator Presenting Virtually Through SC4

St. Clair County Community College’s office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is holding a presentation on social justice on October 9th. Social justice educator Jen Fry will speak to the community via a virtual presentation on Zoom.

Fry is a native of Arizona, Division II athlete, and a veteran volleyball coach with over 15 years of experience coaching at the collegiate level. She began teaching on the topic of social justice to student-athletes and educational professionals, and was a presenter at TEDxDuke in 2019.

Social justice education includes becoming culturally competent,  self-reflecting on one’s position, power and privilege, and creating an inclusive culture.

SC4 students and community members can reserve their spot for the presentation by emailing SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at dei@sc4.edu by Thursday, October 8th.

 

Three Port Huron Area Schools Closed for 14 Days

Parents of students at Port Huron Northern, Fort Gratiot Middle School, and Keewahdin Elementary received a message tonight informing them that in-person classes are cancelled at all three schools for the next 14 days. The message from St. Clair County Health Department Medical Health Officer, Dr. Annette Mercatante, and Superintendent of Port Huron Schools Jamie Cain, said that a small number of COVID-19 cases were identified and confirmed at the schools.

The three schools will transition from a hybrid model to an all-virtual format for 14 days starting on Tuesday, September 15th. No students should report to the building on the 15th, but the building will be open on a limited basis beginning Wednesday, September 16th for students to pick up supplies or receive support from staff.

Meal services will continue, and food may be picked up from the Port Huron Performing Arts Center on Tuesday between 9-11 AM or 5-7 PM. Five days of breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Extracurricular activities will continue as scheduled unless students receive word from their coaches.

Lake Huron Medical Center’s September Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its September 2020 Employee of the Month, Candie Kay. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Candie is a Respiratory Therapist and has been with LHMC since January 2013. She was nominated by a patient who commented, “I had a complete pulmonary function test (PFT) and was extremely nervous to have it done.  Candie was very reassuring and kind.  She took the time to explain everything so that I knew exactly what to expect during the procedure.  She made sure I felt comfortable the entire time.  I appreciate Candie for making me feel at ease during my time at Lake Huron Medical Center.”

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Candie, as we celebrate her accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.