George James

SC4 Continues Arts Rebirth with David Fisher Concert 

St. Clair County Community College is experiencing a rebirth of their community arts effort. One example is this week’s Noon Concert Series featuring SC4’s own David Fisher. 

Fisher is an adjunct faculty member in the music department at SC4 and will be sharing his piano talent at the concert. Fisher will be playing Schubert’s first set of Four Impromptus and music from four other composers. The concert is free to attend in-person at the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre or to watch through the live-streaming service. There are performances at both noon and 7:00 p.m.

Ethan J. Flick, Community Arts Director at SC4 said, “The Noon Concert Series epitomizes the inseparable link between the College and the surrounding community that sustains it. “

Flick said, “While the core mission of the College is, and always will be academic in nature, the broader purpose of SC4 is to enrich lives and expand opportunities. The Noon Concert Series plays an instrumental part toward that larger purpose by providing free community access to a variety of musical genres and performance groups. The ultimate goal of the series is to enrich, educate, and entertain.”

 A link to more information: https://sc4.edu/campus-life/arts/free-thursday-concert-series/

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PHS Strongly Encourages Quarantining if Exposed, Despite Rescinded Orders

The signing of the State Budget last week brought some confusing legislation into reality. Because of the threat of lost funding if local health departments issue COVID-19 mitigation mandates, the St. Clair County Health Department reluctantly rescinded quarantine orders out of fear of losing over a half-million dollars in state funding.

This order left school districts in limbo. Port Huron Schools Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas met with the Health Department and issued “strong recommendations” where possible and reinforced CDC mandates such as mask-wearing on buses.

Quarantine orders are the major issue for the district and Kerhoulas said that positive cases are still required to quarantine, but close contacts are now strongly recommended to quarantine. Mask wearing is encouraged and sick kids must stay home.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer at the Health Department, encouraged quarantining as an effective way to slow the spread of the disease, saying, “Our concern is that failure to comply with public health guidance will disproportionately affect those unable to get vaccinated and our most vulnerable. Taking care of our weakest will make us all stronger.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MPSC Says No to DTE’s $3.1 Million in Charges

The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved disallowing DTE Energy to recover over $3.1 million from customers.

Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel advocated for the ruling. Nessel said, “Utility consumers throughout the state pay large amounts of money to ensure that their energy is delivered safely, reliably, and in a manner that meets all state and federal environmental regulations.”

According to the Attorney General’s office, DTE provides electricity to approximately 2.2 million customers in Southeast Michigan and natural gas to 1.3 million customers across the state.  

The Department of Attorney General routinely sits in on Power Supply Cost Recovery cases as an advocate for consumers. Nessel argued against passing added costs on to consumers.

The Attorney General’s office also launched an online feedback initiative where consumers could weigh in on power outages, which were lengthy and widespread after severe weather this year. Over 4500 citizens have participated. There are also efforts underway to track tree trimming and prioritize customers and grids prone to outages.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Spero Needs Winter Baby Clothes

Spero Pregnancy Center in Port Huron is asking for help and all it takes is a few clicks on a smartphone or computer to help out.

Spero needs clothes and supplies for the children of their clients. They have a registry on Amazon that makes it easy to shop for the exact items that are needed and have them shipped right to the center. Winter baby clothes are at the top of the list right now. Diapers are always needed, but if donors are looking to make a bigger gift, car seats and cribs are on the registry also.

Clients at Spero Pregnancy Center take parenting classes and then choose items from the Baby Boutique to help them in caring for their babies.

The clothing items on the wishlist are basics for dressing a baby during a Michigan winter: warm layers. If donors decide to do shopping themselves, an appointment is needed to drop off items at Spero.

Spero is also looking for volunteers who wish to help mothers, fathers, and babies who need support. Training for new volunteers will be held October 7th -28th.

A link to the Amazon wishlist and training information can be found below.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/32W7LJFGGG8N7?ref_=wl_fv_le

Interested in volunteering? call 810.985.GIFT. Please send any inquiries and/or questions to Clients@BlueWaterBabies.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Native American Tribal Leaders Meet with Whitmer, Gilchrist

Michigan’s Native American tribal leaders met with Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, and cabinet members to discuss issues facing Michigan’s Native American community.

Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist said, “Michigan’s diversity is what makes our state so great, and today’s conversation with tribal leaders highlighted the important contributions that the Native American community adds to our state. Governor Whitmer and I are committed to empowering our tribal leaders and ensuring that Michigan is a state where everyone can succeed.”  

Whitmer’s office requires training on tribal-state relations for all state department employees who work on matters that have direct implications for tribes, and also requires each department and agency to adopt and implement a tribal consultation policy. 

Chairman Aaron Payment of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians said, “Tribal Nations support a substantive relationship addressing real issues to continue to improve relations. We appreciate the Executive Order calling for Consultation among all State agencies and the Tribal Nations but we have issues to continue to work through underscoring our work is a journey rather than a destination.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland