Updated 05-09-2008 7:00 a.m.
RARE CONGRESSIONAL LOCAL HEARING SET
Monday will bring a Congressional subcommittee hearing to the local area as the House's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee holds a session concerning the impacts of nutrients on water quality in the Great Lakes. Congresswoman Candice Miller is a member of the committee and says the area is a perfect setting to look at Great Lakes issues. Among the experts giving testimony at the hearing will be Dr. John Lehman, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Michigan. He's written about aquatic ecosystems in North America. The session is set to start at noon at the County Administration Building along Grand River Avenue.
YMCA TOURS AVAILABLE
How about a water park with a view of the Saint Clair River? Add some exercise areas and meeting rooms and you could call it a center. That's exactly what a large part of the new YMCA is all about as the group readies itself for a grand opening later this month. There is one word to describe it all according to the Y's Jeffrey Ryan…..”wow”. He says the view of the St. Clair River and passing freighters is simply amazing. Mini-Tours are available at the Acheson Ventures site on a half dozen dates including Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of next week. The new Blue Water YMCA’s “grand opening” is May 31st.
CELL PHONE USE….SMOKING ISSUES IN LANSING
State lawmakers this week began reviewing separate proposals to end cell phone use while driving and to ban smoking in the work force including bars and restaurants.
BIRTHING UNIT SECURITY BEEFED UP
There'll soon be a new patient safety and security program at Port Huron Hospital. The Acheson Family Birth Place on the 4th floor and the Pediatrics unit on the 6th floor will now be secured with an electronic locking system at all times. The Hospital's Sherry Sheleny says the measure is similar to the one that's now in place for the Intensive Care Unit. Sheleny says the security system will aid in the flow of visitors and provide staff with the knowledge of who is in the unit, and complement the other safety processes already in place. The program goes into effect mid-month.
RICHMOND SCHOOLS IN LABOR DISPUTE
Informational pickets greeted students this week in the Richmond Community School District. Teachers have been without a new contract since last year and some are facing the prospect of layoffs due to dwindling funds. School is in session. Superintendent Dr. Patrick Bird says there are around 100-unionized educators. The district has just over 16-hundred students. Ongoing contract negotiations includes mediation according to Bird.
BIG FOOD DRIVE THIS WEEKEND
Thousands of pounds of products for local food banks expected to be collected Saturday in the national Association of Letter Carriers “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive. Tomorrow place non-perishable items in a bag next to your mailbox.
THURSDAY LOTTERY RESULTS
Mid-Day 3: 7-8-7 Eve 3: 7-5-1
Mid-Day 4: 6-3-5-6 Eve 4: 2-7-1-3
Fantasy Five: 5-10-16-27-32 Mega Jackpot: $145M
