Choze Powell

TEC Students Awarded Medals at SkillsUSA

St. Clair County, MI — Students attending the Digital Media Technology program at St. Clair TEC learn a variety of media production techniques including audio, video, photography and graphic design. This year’s class included two teams of students who won awards at the SkillsUSA virtual contest.

Kristian Duffy from Port Huron Northern and Maria Falleti from Marine City achieved a Bronze Medal for Audio Production.

Noah Atherton from Port Huron Northern and Zachary Floyd from Virtual Learning Academy won a gold medal for Digital Cinema Production, and they will represent Michigan at the National Virtual SkillsUSA competition in June. Their winning project can be viewed <HERE>.

Students at St. Clair TEC compete in Skills USA to improve their skills and develop a competitive edge in vocational and technical career areas. Skills USA also heavily focuses on developing positive attitudes, professional skills, and teamwork.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Legislation Would Hold Universities Accountable for Sexual Abuse

Bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would hold universities accountable for sexual abuse was reintroduced by several U.S. Senators and Representatives from Michigan. The Accountability of Leaders in Education to Report Title IX Investigations (ALERT) Act would require leaders of public colleges and universities to submit an annual certification stating they reviewed all sexual abuse allegations involving their employees.

The ALERT Act is sponsored by U.S. Representatives from Michigan Lisa McClain, Elissa Slotkin, and Fred Upton, and Brad Schneider from Illinois. In the Senate, it is sponsored by Michigan Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, and John Cornyn from Texas.

The necessity of the ALERT Act is the result of a failure by universities to fulfill the requirements of Title IX, which requires federally funded colleges and universities to establish clear procedures for promptly responding to sexual violence on campus and ensuring that high-ranking university officials report it truthfully.

Cases of sexual abuse by faculty at Michigan State University by Larry Nassar and Pennsylvania State University by Jerry Sandusky made it clear to legislators that Title IX was insufficient, and the ALERT Act is an attempt to increase the accountability among university leaders.

Senator Gary Peters said, “The excuse of ‘I didn’t know’ can never be used again by university leadership — they have a solemn responsibility to protect students. The ALERT Act would implement the measures necessary to hold college and university officials accountable. Survivors, their loved ones and our higher learning communities deserve better. I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to enact this critical legislation.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

TSA Extends Face Mask Order

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the organization focused on keeping transportation by air, bus and rail safe and secure for travelers. In response to COVID-19 in February of 2020, the TSA initiated a face mask requirement for all travelers, and they have extended it until September 13, 2021.

Children under 2 years old and those with certain disabilities are exempt from the face mask order, but all other travelers in airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on buses, and on rail systems will be required to wear a facemask or risk a fine ranging from $250 – $1,500.

TSA officers at screening checkpoints will continue to require people to lower their face mask to confirm their identity, but the mask must be worn in all other areas of public transportation facilities.

The CDC only recommends travel for those who are fully vaccinated or who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 3 months and have fully recovered. People in those categories have the least chance of spreading COVID-19 or becoming infected with the virus.

Form more information about travelling safely, visit the CDC’s website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Grants to Sarnia-Lambton Organizations Meet Community Needs

Sarnia, Ontario — The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton was able to approve two Critical Service grants to supplement and bring much needed services to the community. They approved grants to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank and the Walpole Island First Nation Warming Shelter.

St. Vincent de Paul food bank has received an increase in requests for cleaning supplies and vitamins along with fresh food. Senior citizens have also requested more nutritional supplement drinks, hygiene items, and diabetic supplies. The $20,000 grant from the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton will help meet those needs along with assisting clients who need help paying for dental work.

Susan Platt, Manager, St. Vincent de Paul in the food bank.

A $30,000 grant went to the Walpole Island First Nation Warming Shelter which will allow the shelter to expand and add a space specifically for women. The shelter currently cares for over 20 individuals each night, and the expansion will make room for more clients.

James Jenkins, CEO, Walpole Island First Nations and Larissa Wrightman, Community Planning and Political Office Assistant at the Warming Centre.

Jason Killingsworth, United Way volunteer Board President, said, “As the pandemic continues, we have to determine how to best support our local community given the increase in need for services. The approval of these grant speaks to the incredible work being done across Sarnia-Lambton.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Vantage Point Farmers Market Opens Saturday

Port Huron, MI — Those of you who have been waiting for your favorite Farmer’s Markets to open, can get ready to begin your outdoor shopping this weekend. Saturday, May 8th is opening day for the Vantage Point Farmers Market, which rings in outdoor market shopping in the Blue Water Area.

Vantage Point Farmers Market opens up at 51 Water Street in Port Huron at 8 AM on May 8th, and it will be open until 2 PM. Shoppers can enjoy a stroll along the St. Clair River while collecting fresh grown and homemade foods, plants, hanging flower baskets, and locally grown and packaged meats.

The St. Clair Farmers Market is slated to open June 2nd and take place every Wednesday from 7 AM until noon until the end of October. It takes place in the Riverview Plaza parking lot across from the St. Clair Inn.

If you’re up for a little road tip, you can discover other farmers markets in Michigan by visiting the Michigan Farmers Market Association’s website. The site has an interactive map of all farmers markets in the state <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

Work Day and Wildflower Walk Planned at Columbus County Park

St. Clair County, MI — The Friends of the St. Clair River are inviting to community to join them for an Eco-Stewardship Work Day and Wildflower Walk on Saturday, May 8th from 10 AM – 12 PM at Columbus County Park.

The event will focus on exploring the park in search of spring wildflowers and then removing invasive species. Naturalist and wildflower enthusiast, Mary Kay Weber, will lead the hike and provide educational information about the park’s ecosystem.

This is a free event, but registration is required by emailing stewardship@scriver.org. Participants are asked to dress for the weather and bring their own gloves, face covering, water, and snack. Gardening tools are optional.

This event is part of the Friends of the St. Clair River’s Second Saturday Stewardship Series, and more information is available at scriver.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand