George James

It’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and a Good Time to Help The Arc of St. Clair County

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The Arc of St. Clair County is making a difference for those living with developmental and intellectual differences one person at a time.

The Arc’s Executive Director, Valorie Hudgens, told us that recently the Arc staff worked with an individual who was experiencing homelessness. He was moving around the community from shelter to living on the streets. 

Hudgens said that the Arc staff, along with other community agencies, assisted him in obtaining secure housing, social security income, food assistance, and health care. The man said that he appreciated being treated like a human being again.

The Arc also advocates for families who are navigating the educational system with Individual Education Plans and behavior plans, as well as for people trying to gain independence through employment.

The non-profit is asking the community to help them to continue their work with this year’s silent auction. There are only a few more days to bid on the variety of interesting prizes.

https://zoomgive.com/2383/c/achieve

It’s Reading Month!

For decades, March has been known as Reading Month, with schools and libraries offering incentives for kids to delve into books and develop a lifelong love of reading.

The need for emphasizing the joy of reading is greater than ever, with reading for fun declining in popularity for nine- and thirteen-year-olds, according to a Pew Research study. Less than half of the kids surveyed said they actually read for fun.

Michigan Teacher of the Year, Leah Porter, said, “Reading is a gift that opens the doors of possibility. It allows every single person the opportunity to grow, reflect, question, and empathize with situations that are both lived and unfamiliar.”

Young readers in St. Clair County are likely celebrating March is Reading Month at School, but they can also get involved and maybe even win some prizes at all branches of the St. Clair County Library System.

The Library is offering March is Reading Month Bingo, where kids get a Bingo sheet, fill in the challenges, and turn it in to get entered into a prize drawing. Go to stclairlibrary.org for more information.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

County to Pay for and Coordinate Spraying for Spongy (Gypsy) Moths

Those pesky gypsy moths, now renamed spongy moths, won’t know what hit them if St. Clair County’s mitigation strategy works. After county residents reported the infestation of the little caterpillars with the huge appetites, the county adopted a plan to provide aerial spraying in areas identified as spongy moth hot spots.

County Commissioner Jorja Baldwin said, “Through a partnership with multiple county departments, St. Clair County MSU Extension and the Friends of the St. Clair River, an annual Spongy Moth Mitigation Program and 2022 aerial spray both have been successfully designed and implemented.”

Baldwin said that there will be no cost to residents or municipalities for the 2022 aerial spray, which could cost up to $550,000.  The county is picking up the tab this year.

Over 5500 acres of land have been identified as needing treatment. Spraying will begin in May and should be completed no later than the first of June. Affected property owners will be contacted and have the option to decline.

More information will soon be available at stclaircouty.org.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

$400 Auto insurance Refunds in the Mail

Auto insurance refund checks are in the mail. The $400 returns for each insured auto have been processed by the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association. The $3 billion transfer of funds has to be completed no later than May 9th. Eligible vehicles are those that met minimum insurance requirements at 11:59 p.m. on October 21, 2021.

Anita Fox, Director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services said, “Our goal is to make sure that Michiganders understand the eligibility requirements and to help ensure that this money makes it into consumers’ pockets as quickly and securely as possible.” 

The refunds are the result of bipartisan legislation that has been criticized by accident victims and health care providers who have had their funding severely reduced. Two billion dollars remain in the fund.

For those who are expecting a refund, but don’t receive it, there is a hotline and a webpage to answer questions.

Eligible consumers who do not receive their refunds by the deadline should contact their auto insurer or agent. If consumers have questions or concerns that cannot be resolved directly with their insurer, they should contact DIFS by calling Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 833-ASK-DIFS (833-275-3437) or by emailing autoinsurance@michigan.gov.  

To help Michiganders learn more about these refunds, DIFS has launched a consumer FAQ page at Michigan.gov/MCCArefund.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SC4 Announces STEM and Athletic Summer Camps

Summer Camps are back at St. Clair County Community College. There is a wide selection of athletic camps along with a STEM-based camp.

The Galaxy Quest STEM Summer Camp is for students in 5th through 8th grade. There are two sessions in July, each with limited capacity. The cost is $300. Galaxy Quest STEM Summer Camp will use hands-on science in the new Challenger Learning Center.

Referring to the STEM Camp, Dr. Deborah A. Snyder, president of SC4 said, “Participants in this camp will be among the first to experience our Challenger Learning Center, which officially opens this spring.”

The athletic camps include baseball, basketball, cross country, esports, soccer, softball, volleyball, and wrestling. Costs range from $80-$150 per athlete.

SC4 Athletic Director Dale Vos said, “These camps provide a wonderful opportunity to learn from collegiate coaches, athletes and experts. We expect these camps to fill fast and look forward to welcoming youths to camp this summer.”

For more information and to register for SC4 athletic camps, visit sc4.edu/camps, email athletics@sc4.edu or call 810-989-5662.

A link to more information can be found at WGRT.com.