Logan, before he was injured.

State Rep. Paul Muxlow is holding a news conference this Friday, May 17, to discuss the impactHouse Bill 4534, “Logan’s Law,” can have on reducing animal abuse in Michigan.     The news conference will be at the Blue Water Area Humane Society, 6266 Lapeer Road, Clyde, at10:30 a.m.  “We have received overwhelming support for this legislation and I am heartened to see how it has already had an effect on bringing awareness to this issue,” Muxlow said. “Our hope is that we can get this bill quickly through committee and up for a full vote of the House.  ”My commitment is to change the way we handle instances of animal abuse in this state and to bring heightened awareness to it in an effort to prevent it from happening.”  Logan’s Law is a proposed legislation package that would create an offender’s database for anyone convicted of animal cruelty laws.  The news conference is being held at the location where Logan, the bill’s namesake was sheltered after his abuse. Logan’s owners, Matt and Nancy Falk, will also be on hand to talk about the effects of animal abuse.  Co-sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Harvey Santana, D-Detroit, will speak at the news conference as well.

Survivor Luncheon: Saturday, May 18, 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Survivor Ceremony: Saturday, May 18, 1:00 p.m.

Silent Auction: Saturday, May 18, 3:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Luminaria Ceremony: Saturday, May 18, 9:30 p.m.

For more information about Relay For Life 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.relayforlife.org.

Carolyn Crowe

Honoring the dedication and commitment of its corps of more than 150 active volunteers, St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron (SJMPH) celebrated the members of the Mercy Auxiliary Volunteer Organization (MAVO) during its Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner held in April 2013. SJMPH also announced that Carolyn Crowe of Port Huron Township was named the 2012 St. Joseph Mercy Volunteer of the Year.  Crowe has been a volunteer at SJMPH since 1987 when she began working on the Octoberfest event. In 1994, Crowe joined the hospital’s Developments Council, which later would become the St. Joseph Mercy Foundation, where she served until 2007. At that time, Crowe was named Fund Development Representative at St. Joseph Mercy while still maintaining a number of volunteer committee memberships. In 2008, Crowe began visiting the hospital in her off-hours with her certified Therapy Dog; and in 2012, Crowe developed, launched and was named Chair of the Heavenly Hounds program.  “Carolyn and her dog Toby make regular visits to brighten the days and recovery of hospital patients through the Heavenly Hounds program,” comments her nominator. “She has dedicated the past several years to providing an extra spark in the lives of patients who have the pleasure of a pet visit.” In addition to her personal commitment, Carolyn has also recruited a number of other four-legged volunteers and their owners who visit patients three times each week.  The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to one of the MAVO members who had been named a Volunteer of the Month in the previous 12 months.  “As a not-for-profit hospital, St. Joseph Mercy is grateful to be supported by such an important and devoted group of outstanding volunteers,” comments Rebekah Smith, St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron President and CEO. “Not only does the dedication of these individuals provide financial support to the hospital’s success but, more importantly, MAVO provides uncompromising commitment and service to our patients and staff. I think every one of our MAVO members deserves this distinguished award.”  To learn more about volunteer opportunities at St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron, go to the volunteer information section of our website at mymercy.us; or call Cindy Henrion, Volunteer Coordinator at 810-985-1674. To check out the 2012 Volunteer Recognition Dinner photo gallery, search St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron on facebook

State Rep. Dan Lauwers

Michigan public schools that may be required to change mascots due to a state department complaint against Native American imagery would not have to pay for any costs incurred in the change under legislation unveiled this week by Rep. Dan Lauwers.  House Bill 4735, sponsored by Lauwers, helps create a $3 million fund to cover schools’ expenses for changing mascots, should the federal complaint be successful.  The $3 million would come from the budget of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, which filed the complaint independently, without prompting from any Native American group or individual.  ”If a state-funded department is going to arbitrarily issue a complaint that could hurt our public schools, then it’s only fair they pick up the tab for any potential costs,” said Lauwers, R-Brockway Township.  “Every school dollar possible should be going into the classroom to teach our children, not be spent on the new paint and letterhead needed to change mascots.”  A total of 35 Michigan schools were listed in the complaint, including the Capac High School Chiefs and Port Huron High School Big Reds. Community leaders, area Native American groups and parents were not asked whether a change was necessary.  ”Hopefully nothing will come from the state’s misguided complaint, but a plan must be in place if the feds do require schools to change mascots,” Lauwers said.  “The complaint unfortunately is a solution in search of a problem.  Many American Indians say they are honored by a school that chooses to show respect for their tribe’s heritage.”  The state Department of Civil Rights in February filed a complaint with the federal Department of Education, requesting the removal of all native American mascots and imagery, including logos and slogans, from Michigan public schools.  The Lauwers legislation is part a two-bill package, which also includes House Bill 4734.