Choze Powell

Increased Vaccination Rates Could Help MI Get Back to Normal

As of April 29th 48.8% of Michiganders have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and Governor Whitmer announced her “MI Vacc to Normal” plan which will use future vaccination rates to determine when to lessen public health restrictions and get the state back to normal.

The first milestone that affects change will be two weeks after 55% of Michiganders have received their first dose of the vaccine. When that happens, the plan indicates that in-person work can resume for all sectors of business.

The milestones are hit 2 weeks after every 5% increase in first doses.

At 60% indoor capacity will be increased at sports stadiums, conference centers, banquet halls, and funeral homes to 25% and exercise facilities and gyms to 50%. It will also lift the curfew at restaurants and bars.

At 65%, all indoor capacity limits will be removed and only physical distancing will be required indoors.

When the state reaches two weeks after 70% of residents vaccinated, face mask orders will be lifted and there will be no limits on gatherings of any kind unless unexpected circumstances arise.

If cases remain greater than 250 daily per million people in a 7-day average, MDHHS may delay implementation of a proposed milestone until the case rate decreases.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “The MI Vacc to Normal challenge outlines steps we can take to emerge from this pandemic as we hit our vaccination targets together. On our path to vaccinating 70% of Michiganders 16 and up, we can take steps to gradually get back to normal while keeping people safe. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to rise to the challenge and be a part of the solution so we can continue our economic recovery and have the summer we all crave.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

REAL ID Enforcement Date Extended to May 2023

The Department of Homeland Security has been urging travelers to get their REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards for some time in anticipation of the October 2021 enforcement date. Due to the challenges state agencies have had during the COVID-19 pandemic, the enforcement date has been extended to May 3, 2023.

Many states have cancelled and/or limited in-person service at their licensing agencies and state governments have extended the deadlines for renewing licenses during the pandemic. As a result, DHS reports that only 43% of state ids and driver’s licenses are currently REAL ID compliant.

The 19-month extension will enable individuals, states, and the Department of Homeland Security more time to implement and adjust to the changing requirements.

All U.S. travelers planning to fly domestically or visit a Federal facility after May 3, 2023 will have to have a REAL ID compliant id card. All enhanced driver’s licenses and state ID cards are already REAL ID compliant.

To receive or convert a Michigan driver’s license or identification card to REAL-ID, you must  show two forms of documentation: one with your social security number such as a social security card, W-2, or pay stub, and one showing citizenship, naturalization, or residency status such as a certified birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or valid U.S. or foreign passport.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Sheriff’s Office Seeking Information on Suspicious Death

Port Huron Township, MI — The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance regarding a suspicious death.

Deputies were called to the 3000 block of Howard Street at about 12:30 Tuesday afternoon for a dead body found in a field.  When they arrived, they were directed by a witness to a vacant lot, where the body of a man was located.  

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office were able to determine the identity of the body, a 34 year old white male from Port Huron Township.  A preliminary investigation determined that the man had died in another location and was later transported to the field, where he was left.

The investigation regarding the cause and manner of death is ongoing.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Kelsey Wade at (810) 987-1738.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

Get Ready for The Great Michigan Scavenger Hunt

Port Huron, MI — The Michigan Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus wants people to get out and explore Michigan’s towns, cities, and scenery, and the organization is planning a statewide scavenger hunt from May 2 – 8th complete with hidden treasures.

The Great Michigan Scavenger Hunt starts with a check in on social media with one of the participating visitor’s bureaus. The Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is the closest for those who want to find one of the 9 treasures hidden in the Blue Water Area. A map of all participating location is available <HERE>.

Clues will be posted on social media that will lead participants to a silver tin with a sticker on top that says, “The Great Michigan Scavenger Hunt”. Once found, the contents of the box belong to the treasure hunter. Prizes include gift cards to restaurants, shopping destinations, and Michigan activities.

After the scavenger hunt, the promotion continues throughout May, and Michigan travelers can share their favorite travel memories on Twitter and Instagram using the #MIPowerOfTravel. Ten winners will be chosen for a special Michigan Road Trip Travel package.

For more information about the local scavenger hunt, follow the Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau on Facebook and Instagram or visit BlueWater.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

 

Steps for Life Virtual Event to Help Families of Workplace Tragedies

Sarnia, Ontario — The Sarnia Steps for Life event is a fundraising walk that helps families affected by life-altering workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths. This year’s event will take place virtually, and the online opening ceremony is on Saturday, May 1, 2021.

Participants can walk individually, or create or join a team, and walkers can walk wherever they’d like as long as it respects local public health guidelines. All participants who register on or before May 31st qualify for a chance to win a $1,500 VISA gift card.

Register for the walk <HERE>.

Funds raised from Steps for Life support Threads of Life’s family support services which help more than 3,000 families throughout Canada. Last year, the event raised $440,000.

In Canada, close to 1000 workers die every year from a work-related injury or occupational disease and many more are injured.

Steps for Life is also doing a fundraiser with Plantables, a plant service that ships garden-ready plants directly to your home. For more information about the fundraiser, visit Sarnia Steps for Life on Facebook.

 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Payroll Tax Credits Available to Small Businesses for Paid Leave

The American Rescue Plan extends two important tax benefits to small businesses: the Employee Retention Credit and the Paid Leave Credit. The Paid Leave Credit helps small businesses provide paid sick leave to their employees who had to take time off work to care for themselves or family members with COVID-19, and the plan was recently extended to include leave taken to receive or recover from the COVID-19 vaccine.

The original Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act went into effect on March 31, 2020 and applied throughout the year. If a small business provided paid leave to their employees in 2020 and has not claimed the credit, they should contact their tax advisor to see if they can file an amended payroll tax form and receive their refund.

The Paid Leave Credit is related to the amount of payroll taxes an employer pays for their employees, not the amount of income tax paid. Therefore, the tax credit applies to nonprofit organizations with paid employees and to those who are self-employed.

Under the extension of the Paid Leave Credit provided for in the American Rescue Plan, businesses with fewer than 500 employees can receive a payroll tax credit if they provide paid sick and family leave to their employees dealing with COVID-19 by claiming the credits on quarterly payroll taxes from now until September 30, 2021.

According to the Department of Treasury, the goal of these credits is to keep employees safe and encourage people to take time off when they are sick and schedule time to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

More information is available <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand