George James

Looking for A Fun Summer Job? St. Clair County Parks Job Fair April 20th

Looking for the perfect summer job in beautiful outdoor settings? St. Clair County Parks and Recreation might have the job for you. The Department is looking to hire workers to assist in seasonal park operations.

The County is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, April 20th from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Goodells County Park. They will be holding onsite interviews to match candidates with available jobs.

The county offers a flexible schedule and a variety of work opportunities. Student applicants must be at least sixteen years old and need to have a valid driver’s license.

Diane Barbour, Director of Human Resources for St. Clair County, said, “The beautiful St Clair County Parks are always changing. With new trails, kayak and canoe launches, and increasing water access, working for St. Clair County Parks is a great opportunity to enjoy the summer.”

County Parks operates Goodells, Columbus, Fort Gratiot, and Woodsong County Parks, Fort Gratiot Light Station, Wetland County Park, the Marine City Dredge Cut, and the Wadhams to Avoca Trail.

For more information, visit the link below.

https://www.stclaircounty.org/offices/parks/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Canada Bans Foreign Homebuyers for Two Years to Try to Stabilize Market

If you’re a U.S. citizen thinking of buying a property across the border in Canada, you’ll need to hit pause on that plan. The Canadian government has put a ban on foreigners buying houses in Canada, in the wake of skyrocketing home prices.

The nation’s new budget plan addresses housing affordability. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blames speculation and greed on the increasing home values. His administration has crafted a Homebuyers Bill of Rights to help Canadians achieve their dream of buying a home. 

A plan to increase housing supply to meet the demands of the growing population was also presented, as was a savings plan to help Canadians save for a down payment.

Sarnia’s real estate market is in line with the housing trends throughout Canada. A modest three-bedroom home can approach a half-million dollars.

Home prices in Canada have shot up over 50% in the last two years, with the national average price at over $800,000 Canadian. Trudeau’s administration has also proposed intervening in real estate practices that promote secret bidding which is blamed for driving prices to thousands of dollars over the asking price.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Student Loan Repayment Pause Extended to August 31st

The student loan repayment pause has been extended again by the federal government. The current ruling remains in effect until August 31, 2022.

As pandemic relief payments are being phased out, the pause is meant to give borrowers time to continue to recover from the economic consequences of the pandemic, now in its third year.

A statement from the press office of President Biden said that the extension will provide time for borrowers to get a plan in place for resuming payments and reduce the risk of default or delinquency once the billing resumes.

Borrowers can look forward to resuming payment in “good standing” with any previous delinquencies eliminated. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is expanding to automatically credit those working in public service. Those who work in public service need to apply for loan forgiveness by October 31st of this year.

More information about the payment pause and supports for borrowers can be found at StudentAid.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Heading West on I-69? Expect Delays as $54.5 Million Road Rebuild Begins

Commuters and travelers driving on I-69 in Lapeer County will be encountering construction starting April 18th. A seven-mile stretch of the interstate will be getting rebuilt and the Five Lakes Rest Area will be completely replaced.

The project has a $54.5 million price tag and is part of the Rebuilding Michigan program. Michigan Department of Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said, “This investment will greatly improve an important east/west corridor supporting commuters and commercial traffic.”

According to MDOT, drivers should expect lane closures and traffic shifts over the next two years. The estimated end date is October of 2023.

The project will start with the rebuilding of westbound I-69. Traffic will be maintained on I-69 throughout the project. 

Several ramps will be closed during the first phase of construction, including southbound M-24 to eastbound I-69, westbound I-69 to M-24, westbound I-69 to Wilder Road, Wilder Road to westbound I-69, and Lake Pleasant Road to westbound I-69.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PHS, City Recreation Collaborate for Ks for Kids Fun Run June 9th

If you need a goal for getting into shape for summer, how about training for the Ks for Kids Fun Run? The annual race is in a new location with a new partnership. The Superhero theme race will be held on June 9.

The race is a fundraiser for the Port Huron Schools Endowment Fund and is being held with cooperation from the City of Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department. The race will honor local heroes and participants are invited to dress as their favorite superheroes.

The race will be held at 6:00 p.m. on June 9th, launching and ending at Pine Grove Park in downtown Port Huron. The route goes along the St. Clair River. Awards will be handed out to the top three running times in each age group. There is also a prize for the best costume.

Organizer Kim Dooley said, “The partnership with the Port Huron City Parks & Recreation Dept. gives us an opportunity to have a more centralized location in our district for the run. We hope it’s a big family event and a celebration of the beginning of summer.”

For more information about the race, please go to: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/PortHuron/KsForKidsFunRun

Roe v. Wade Uncertainty Prompts Pre-emptive Lawsuits

Michigan’s Governor and Attorney General, along with Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union, are taking pre-emptive legal action to protect unrestricted abortion rights in response to the possibility of the U. S. Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that legalized abortion.

Planned Parenthood, the nation’s biggest abortion provider, is suing Attorney General Dana Nessel to prevent enforcement of a 1931 Michigan Law that bans abortion. They have targeted other states with similar suits.

Nessel says she won’t enforce the 1931 law anyway. In fact, she is part of a multi-state lawsuit to try to restore federal funding for providers such as Planned Parenthood.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has asked the Michigan Supreme Court to settle the issue as to whether the 1931 law will go into effect if Roe is overturned. Whitmer said she would “fight like hell” to maintain abortion rights.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland