Choze Powell

Hearing and Vision Screening at Health Department

The St. Clair County Health Department is offering free hearing and vision screening for any child entering preschool or kindergarten in the Fall.

All children must have a hearing and vision screening before entering kindergarten. Hearing and vision screenings can identify problems that could interfere with your child’s development and hinder their success in school.

Early diagnosis of a hearing or vision problem can help prevent permanent issues down the road.

Appointments are available at the main location on 28th Street in Port Huron, and walk-ins will also be accepted.

Screenings are available in June and July, Monday – Friday from 8:30 – 4 PM. Screenings are not available during lunch hour from noon- 1 PM, or on July 7th.

In August, screenings are available on Mondays from 10:30 AM – 6 PM (not available from 2 – 3 PM) and on Tuesdays – Fridays from 8:30 AM – 4 PM (not available from 12 – 1 PM).

For more information, call the Health Department at
(810) 987-5300.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Family Night Planned for July 22nd

Port Huron, MI — Operation Transformation invites families to enjoy one of the area’s favorite parts of Boat Week: OT’s Family Night. The event is planned for Thursday, July 22nd from 5 – 9 PM.

This evening of fun for families takes place on the lawn just northeast of the 10th Street Bridge, and it features activities specifically geared toward children.

This year’s event will feature pony rides, a petting zoo, live music, carnival games, and giveaways.

Operation Transformation works with sponsors to provide the event for free to the community. This year’s sponsors are the James C. Acheson Foundation, Community First Health Centers, Kiwanis Club of Port Huron, Power 88.3/Hope FM, and Pollock Randall Funeral Home.

OT is also looking for volunteers, and interested people can contact Renee Hernandez at 810-966-8660.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Boating Safety App is Helpful Tool

With so many options for enjoying our lakes and rivers, water safety should be a priority in the Blue Water Area. The U.S. Coast Guard has an easy to use safety tool that may help in case of an emergency on the water.

The U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety App includes features to keep boater’s safe, help them report problems, and file float plans with the Coast Guard. Available through the App Store and Google Play Store, the free app is helpful for boaters of all types.

One feature allows water-goers to file a float plan that documents their planned trip with the Coast Guard. Before leaving the shore, boaters, kayakers, and paddleboarders can file the float plan on the app. If something happens and they do not arrive at their destination, the float plan could be a valuable asset for locating them.

The app also allows the user to report suspicious activity and hazards they notice on the water and contact the U.S. Coast Guard for assistance.

Learn more about the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety app <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Child Tax Credits Being Issued Monthly Starting in July

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer  is urging parents to file a federal income tax return if they haven’t yet done so or use the Non-filer Sign-up Tool in order to be eligible  for  federal Child Tax Credit  payments.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 increased the  federal Child Tax Credit to $3,600 per year for children under 6 years old and $3,000 per year for children 6–17 years old.  The Federal Government is now preparing to issue those tax credits in the form of monthly payments.

Families meeting the guidelines will receive Internal Revenue Service-issued checks or direct deposits once a month from July – December: on July 15th, August 13th, September 15th, October 15th, November 15th, and December 15th.

These payments will not count as additional income that could affect a family’s eligibility for public assistance.

Low-income families with children are eligible for this program – including those who have not made enough money to be required to file taxes. The Non-filer Sign-up Tool is designed for those individuals who don’t normally file a tax return, such as families experiencing homelessness, the rural poor, and other underserved groups. The tool is available <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Vote for 5th Graders in Sturgeon Story Contest

The Friends of the St. Clair River need the community’s help to judge the 14 finalists in their Sturgeon Story Contest. After receiving 275 Sturgeon Story posters this year, they are ready to select their winner before August 22, 2021.

The Sturgeon Stories finalists are viewable on the Friends of the St. Clair River’s website <HERE> and include art from students at Algonquin Elementary, Belle River Elementary, Keewahdin Elementary, and Michigamme.

Students used a combination of art and words to express their knowledge and appreciation for Lake Sturgeon and their contribution to the area’s ecosystem.

Winners will be announced Sunday, August 22 at the Sturgeon Full Moon Lighthouse Climb event at Lighthouse Park in Port Huron. The top three vote getters based on funds raised will each receive a $50 gift card. All finalists have the chance to see their art in the 2022 Lake Sturgeon calendar featuring past and present contest winners.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

More Grants to Support Community Colleges

Nine community colleges will receive grant funding to support adult students in the Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect programs. One of those, St. Clair County Community College, will receive a grant to hire a college completion coach.

The grants are part of the State of Michigan’s  Sixty by 30 goal to ensure 60% of Michiganders will have a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2030. The credential attainment rate is currently 49.1%,

In the 2018-19 school year, the success rate for students attending all community colleges in Michigan was 23.8% after two years. The new grants are aimed at increasing the degree completion rates for the more than 88,000 Michiganders now enrolled in the Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect programs.

Susan Corbin, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity acting director, said, “We know that it can be tough to juggle life – many who are returning to their studies will have jobs, family obligations and bills to pay which can get in the way of receiving that degree or certificate.” She believes “it will take more than just tuition assistance to get us to 60% by 2030.”

St. Clair County Community College will receive a $20,000 grant to hire a full-time AmeriCorps member to serve as a completion coach for adult students. Completion Coaches provide extra support and direction for students which increases their potential for success.

To learn more about the Michigan Reconnect program visit www.michigan.gov/Reconnect

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand