Choze Powell

Adult Learners Gain Opportunities to Increase Wages

Adults in Michigan can improve their employability status and increase their wages by receiving industry certifications or completing their associate degree. For those 25 and older who want a tuition-free way to achieve that, The Michigan Reconnect program launched by the state last week offers a tuition-free pathway to an associate degree or skills certificate.

Tamara Kenny, Chief Academic Officer of Occupational Studies & Health Sciences at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) , said SC4 is a great place for adult learners to begin growing their resume to excel at their current job or to begin or finish the credentials for a new one.

Kenny said, “Students that receive industry certifications are so much more employable, employers are scooping them up right away. Not only can you achieve your associate degree, which increases your earning potential, but you can receive industry certifications too [in many SC4 programs].”

SC4 offers a broad range of Career and Technical Education programs including Health Sciences, Computer Information Systems, Engineering, and Criminal Justice. They work with organizations like the St. Clair County EDA to assist employers with advancing the skill level of the county’s workforce and helping new employers in the area recruit SC4 graduates.

The college is also helping adult learners take advantage of programs like Futures for Frontliners, which helped frontline workers in 2020 go back to school, and the new Michigan Reconnect program which require participants to seek a degree or certificate from their in-district community college.

More information about Michigan Reconnect and other programs for helping adults with tuition-free options for higher education can be found on the State of Michigan’s, Sixty-by-30 website <HERE> 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

EDA Provides COVID-19 Resources for Businesses

As state regulations concerning COVID-19 continue to change, area businesses may be overwhelmed with where to find helpful information for keeping their employees safe, applying for grant funds, or helping their employees get vaccinated. The St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance (EDA) provides a COVID-19 Resource page on their website with relevant information for businesses of all sizes.

Business owners can also access articles on topics like Human Resources and find quick links to current Executive Orders and CDC Guidance for Workplaces. There is information on  financial relief such as grant opportunities and educational programs including the recently announced Michigan Reconnect Program that will provide tuition free community college and certificate programs to equip Michigan’s adult workforce.

The St. Clair County EDA’s staff is also working with a team of community stakeholders to identify COVID-19 vaccine related issues that will affect businesses and the county’s workforce.

EDA staff is available to discuss any COVID-19 related business issues St. Clair County businesses are facing. Businesses can stay up-to-date with the EDA by connecting with them on the web at https://edascc.com/covid19 or by phone at (810) 982-9511.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Border Keep Games Coming to Downtown Port Huron

Greg Campbell and Derek Helsom have taken their love of gaming and transformed the former Port City Communications building into a gamer’s haven. Border Keep Games is getting some final touches to prepare for a grand opening at the end of February or beginning of March.

The assortment of products ranges from unique children’s games to family games to elaborate hobby game creation. Favorites like Pandemic, Settlers of Catan, and Dominion which are great for game nights can be found alongside a plethora of unfinished miniatures ready for paint and landscapes for role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons.

The back rooms of the store will be decorated in a castle theme to reflect the store’s name and include a private game room for small private parties, a group gaming and lounge area, and a painting studio for creating miniatures and dioramas.

You can learn more about Border Keep Games by following them on Facebook <HERE>.

You can also find a photo gallery on Instagram <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Tax Season May Reveal Identity Theft

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency are letting individuals know of important tax documents for people who may be victims of identity theft as a result of widespread fraudulent unemployment claims in 2020.

With tax season underway, the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has begun issuing 1099-G tax forms to all claimants who received unemployment benefits. If someone receives a UIA 1099 form but did not receive unemployment benefits, that person is likely a victim of identity theft and should report it immediately. The envelope containing the 1099 form from the UIA will include instructions on what should be done by victims of identity theft. Please follow those instructions closely.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the employment status of many Michiganders and allowed scammers to find new ways to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals,” Nessel said. “I urge anyone who may be a victim of identity theft to take action and report it immediately. This is also a good time to remind everyone to be cautious about sharing your personal and financial information with others.”

“We’ll continue to work to root out the imposter fraud that is impacting so many Michiganders,” said UIA Acting Director Liza Estlund Olson. “We urge everyone to follow the guidance on our website and from the Attorney General and IRS on protecting yourself and reporting identity theft.”

The law requires that the UIA issue a 1099 form to every claimant who received unemployment benefits, even those who reported identity theft. Once the UIA has fully investigated the identity theft claims, it will issue an amended 1099 form to those determined to be victims of identity theft.

Visit the UIA’s website for questions about reporting a fraudulent claim or filing your 2020 taxes.

To report fraud or file a general consumer complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team. Filing a complaint online is the best way to make Your Connection to Consumer Protection and provide a comprehensive report to the Attorney General’s office to ensure investigators have the information they need. If a consumer is unable to fill out an online complaint, they can call the toll-free Consumer Protection hotline at 877-765-8388 and staff will provide a hard copy form to fill out and return.

Forms may be returned via fax (517-241-3771) or via U.S. mail, by sending to:

Consumer Protection
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909

Submitted by Attorney General Nessel’s Office

Contact Sports Activity Resumes Today

Winter contact sports will resume this week in schools across the state. According to the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSA), winter contact sports like basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling have been able to practice since January 16th, but only with non-contact activities. Competitive activity can resume for basketball and hockey today, and cheer and wrestling on February 12th. 

 Last week in the state legislature, Republicans brought forth a plan to open up schools and get winter sports going, and also to shut down future Executive Orders to close school sports. Later the same day, Governor Gretchen Whitmer gave the green light to resuming in-person practice and competitions starting on Monday, citing the success of her and President Biden’s work to get Michigan going in the right direction. 

Whitmer thanked the athletes for their passions, possibly referencing the thousands of “Let Them Play” protestors who were at the Capitol last weekend. She and MDHHS said teams can play if they wear masks, and if masks simply can’t be worn, like in a pool, there are testing protocols that must be followed. MDHHS and the Governor warned that failure to follow the rules could cause sports to take a break again if COVID rates go back up. 

For a list of regulations for each contact sport, visit the MHSA’s website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Contact SEMCO if Floodwater Affecting Furnace or Water Heater

MI, February 4, 2021 – SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company is requesting that customers contact the company if floodwater is impacting their natural gas furnace or water heater.

Please contact SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company to have a SEMCO technician respond to your home and secure any gas facilities affected by the flooding.

SEMCO can be contacted at 1-800-624-2019. Please allow the technicians to conduct their work and keep an appropriate social distance. Please secure pets inside when SEMCO technicians are working in the area.

Our employees will wear masks and gloves if required to enter your home. We will also wipe down all surfaces where we work before and after. We perform self-health checks and will maintain social distancing. We ask that you do too.

Please keep at least 6 feet away from technicians. Please let your customer service representative and your technician know if someone in your home has been ill.

We appreciate your help as we work to provide the best possible service during this weather emergency. The health, well-being and safety of our customers, associates and communities will continue to be our top priority each day.

Submitted by SEMCO