George James

Big Money Headed to Port Huron and St. Clair County From American Rescue Plan

The City of Port Huron and St. Clair County will be getting big checks from the federal American Rescue Plan. Port Huron has been allocated $17,959,874 and St. Clair County is receiving $30,908,749 total with first payments being distributed this week.  

The money is for mitigating the effects of the pandemic and the shutdowns. It is to be used to bring back lost jobs, provide premium pay to essential workers, make up for lost revenue, and invest in infrastructure.

The race is on to identify projects and obligate funds by the 2024 deadline. The spending rules are enforced by the U.S. Treasury with fund distributed through the state treasury.

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said, “Local units of government should take their time to plan to use these dollars in a viable and sustainable manner that will have a lasting impact. The Michigan Department of Treasury continues to be a resource for helping local officials navigate through the ARPA process.” 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer called the money “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Schools and NAACP Collaborate for MLK Day

Students and staff at Port Huron Area Schools will be celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with activities and service projects.

Students in district elementary schools will host members of the Port Huron Branch of the NAACP. The volunteers will read selected books and engage in discussions with the students.

Secondary students will be engaging in a service project to benefit the local community. Students will be collecting and delivering both canned goods and basic toiletries to Blue Water Rescue Mission, New Life Women’s Mission, Carolyn’s Place, Pathways Homeless Shelter, and Harbor for Youth.

The partnership with the NAACP has been a yearly tradition. Port Huron Schools Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas said, “I am so proud that Port Huron Schools partners with our local NAACP each year to engage our students.”

Kerhoulas said that the students “are not only learning about Dr. King and his remarkable work, but also participating in a collective project that provides something of value and care to people in our community. Seeing our students exhibit the values of peace, love and equality on Dr. King’s holiday each year is truly something special.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Heart of a Hero Nominations Open

Calling all heroes…The 2022 Heart of a Hero Nominations are open and it’s your chance to recognize someone who makes a difference in the community.

The Heart of a Hero project is a fundraiser for The Arc of St. Clair County. It is sponsored by Woman’s Life Chapter 820 “Archangels”.

Heart of a Hero recognizes nominees at a banquet to be held this summer, on August 11th, at Alexander’s in Marysville. The nomination period goes from now until the end of April.

Jo Ann Wilton, President of Woman’s Life Chapter #820 said that the group is its third year of recognizing those who never get the recognition they deserve for all they do for the community.

Nominations can include those in the categories of law enforcement, military, first responders, and faith leaders, as well as anyone who makes St. Clair County a better place. It can include anyone to whom one goes for assistance including those who are retired, as well as those who volunteer.

The Arc of St. Clair County, who benefits from the fundraising banquet, advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Please email your nominations ASAP to Jo Ann Wilton at misspotter@comcast.net  or call 810-385-9040.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Adulting 101 Classes Offered in February

Being an adult is tough. The Michigan State University Extension is offering an Adulting 101 Winter Series online class for young adults.

The class will cover Wealth Building, Workplace Professionalism, Taxes and Your Paycheck, and Food Safety. The classes are held virtually using the Zoom platform.

Students will learn about managing savings and investments and what risk tolerance is. They will also learn how to manage their time and space as related to the workplace, as well as setting healthy boundaries at work.

Other topics include explaining the difference between salary and take-home pay and the very adult world of taxes. There is also a food safety lesson that gives young adults tips on storing and preparing food.

Adulting 101 is for high school students and young adults who are looking for knowledge that will help them navigate the transition into adulthood.

Those interested in the class can sign up for one or all of the sessions and will get a Zoom link for each topic. The classes are held from 4:00-5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays in February.

For questions or more information, please contact Kathy Jamieson at jamies13@msu.edu

https://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?eventID=62F48644D39B41ECE201C2F5AAFDD9AA9C1AE19A0E8C4805CC14954A4F8E106A

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDHHS Updates School Quarantine Guidance

New school quarantine and isolation guidance was issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service late Monday.

The updated guidance reflects the updates by the U.S. Center for Disease Control. The updates allow students and staff to return to school sooner than previously recommended.

Now, school students and staff who test positive with no symptoms should monitor for symptoms from the day of exposure through day 10 of isolation and isolate at home for 5 days. Day “0” is the day symptoms begin or the day test was taken for students, teachers & staff who do not have symptoms.

Those who test positive can return to school if symptoms have improved or they continue to have no symptoms and must wear a well-fitting mask for days 6-10. If unwilling or unable to wear a mask, they should stay home for a full ten days.

Close contacts don’t need to quarantine if they just had covid within the past 90 days or are fully vaccinated. They should still monitor for symptoms.

A link to the full guidance, including symptoms to watch for, can be found at the link below.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/MI_Safer_Schools_Guidance_for_Managing_Students_Exposed_to_COVID-19_734750_7.pdf?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

St. Clair’s Icy Bazaar Brings Ice Carving and Entertainment January 21-23

St. Clair will be embracing the cold with the Icy Bazaar on January 21st through 23rd. The festival will be held in the St. Clair Riverview Plaza Courtyard. 

St. Clair’s Icy Bazaar will feature live ice carvings done by Kaitlin Pfropper, who has competed in World Ice Championships in Alaska and Yellowknife, Canada carving huge sculptures from giant ice blocks. This is Kaitlin’s third year at the St. Clair festival. 

The Icy Bazaar will have creative craft vendors, food and drink specials, live entertainment, and fireworks. 

The music lineup has been published with Ryan Beaudry kicking off the entertainment starting at 5:00 on Friday, January 21st, followed by Alter Ego, then Los Gringos playing until midnight. 

Saturday’s entertainment starts at 2:00 in the afternoon with Greg Hind, followed by Paul and Oates, and headlining with The Gobies playing until midnight. 

Sunday features the Meldrum Brothers playing from 2:00-5:00 p.m.

St. Clair’s Icy Bazaar is hosted by the St. Clair Chamber of Commerce. 

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland