Choze Powell

Blue Water Woman of the Year Awards 2024 Recognize Remarkable Achievements

The prestigious Blue Water Woman of the Year Awards is set to honor extraordinary women in the Blue Water Area of Michigan for their outstanding contributions as volunteers, mentors, professionals, or community leaders. 

The 2024 Awards Ceremony, taking place on March 13th, at McMorran Place Theatre, will showcase women who exemplify excellence, creativity, and innovation in their respective fields.

Nominees for the coveted Blue Water Woman of the Year title must meet rigorous criteria, emphasizing their commitment to excellence in professional, volunteer, mentoring, passion, or educational pursuits. Nominators play a crucial role in ensuring nominees receive the recognition they deserve, with a call to actively promote attendance at the ceremony. This year, the focus is on creating a supportive and celebratory atmosphere where each award recipient can bask in the well-deserved applause from a dedicated fan club.

Click here for more details. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Empower Brands Recalls PowerXL Dual-Basket Air Fryers Due To Safety Concerns: 41 Incidents Reported

Empower Brands, LLC has issued a recall for two models of its PowerXL dual-basket air fryers sold nationwide at major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Kohls. The egg-shaped air fryers, available in black or cinnamon, with models DUAF-10 and DUAF-005, have garnered attention due to safety concerns. 

The recall was prompted by 41 incidents of the product breaking during use, resulting in three reports of burns. Consumers who purchased these air fryers between August 2021 and October 2023 are urged to stop using them immediately. 

Empower Brands advises contacting them for a full refund. The affected products can be identified by a silver label on the front bearing the name “PowerXL” the model number can be found on the white label at the bottom of the air fryer or on the power cord. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

United Way Of Sarnia-Lambton Surpasses Fundraising Goal, Raises $1.42M For Community Programs

In a remarkable achievement, the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton proudly announced that its 2023 fundraising campaign has not only met but exceeded expectations, raising an impressive $1,420,000, nearly 101.4% of the initial target of $1.4 million. 

Vicky Ducharme, the 2023 United Way Campaign Chair, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and revealed that key anonymous donations played a crucial role in surpassing the goal. She highlighted that, despite the official goal being $1.4M, the actual community needs are closer to $1.6M.

The success comes after the United Way faced challenges during the COVID pandemic, missing previous fundraising goals. The campaign anticipates ending near 104%, supporting 18 agencies and 30 local programs, primarily focused on poverty-related services, youth programming, and community well-being.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

State Rep. Mike Harris Urges Committee Action On GOP Plan To Revamp Troubled Unemployment Insurance Agency

State Representative Mike Harris (R-Waterford) pressed the House Ethics and Oversight Committee to deliberate on a comprehensive plan, introduced by House Republicans, aimed at overhauling Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). The call for action follows an audit released Wednesday by Michigan’s nonpartisan Office of the Auditor General, revealing systemic failures within the UIA during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The audit disclosed negligence by the UIA in investigating improper payments, leading Rep. Harris to challenge Governor Whitmer’s assurances that the issues were resolved. “Our tax dollars went to the incarcerated and deceased just a year ago. Democrat policies have burdened employers, leaving countless individuals jobless through no fault of their own,” says Harris. 

The proposed GOP reforms focus on transparency, fraud prevention, and enhanced customer service for both unemployed workers and contributing employers.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Americans Anticipate Increased Take-Home Pay In 2024 As Higher Federal Tax Brackets And Deductions Take Effect

Effective beginning in January, Americans are poised to experience a potential boost in their take-home pay in 2024, as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ushers in higher federal income tax brackets and standard deductions. 

The IRS, addressing concerns about “bracket creep,” announced these adjustments in November, with the intention of preventing taxpayers from being pushed into higher-income brackets due to inflation. 

In a year where inflation remains higher than the pre-pandemic average and the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, the 5.4% increase in tax brackets is expected to result in substantial savings for taxpayers across all income levels. As the adjustments take effect, millions of Americans may find relief in shielding more of their income from IRS scrutiny.

For more information, visit: irs.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Unusual Earthquake Strikes St. Clair County, Prompting Urgency For Residents To Familiarize Themselves With Safety Measures

On Wednesday, December 27th, an unexpected earthquake hit the St. Clair County area measuring at 2.5 on the Richter scale, prompting earthquake awareness and safety precautions for Michigan residents. 

While earthquakes are uncommon in the state, the recent seismic activity underscores the importance of preparedness, especially given Michigan’s proximity to states with a higher seismic risk. Notably, parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee lie on the New Madrid fault line, where earthquakes as high as 7.7 on the Richter scale have occurred. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a map highlighting earthquake-prone areas in the U.S. Residents are advised to recognize earthquake signs, including roaring sounds, violent shaking, and jolts, and to prepare for potential aftermaths such as structural damage, fires, land disturbances, and hazardous material releases.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell