George James

Sarnia Revises COVID Guidance to Follow County, Province

The Province of Ontario is lifting capacity limits and physical distancing requirements in those places where proof of vaccination is required. Sarnia is following suit with lifting restrictions in the city arenas.

Mask wearing is still mandatory. Proof of vaccination for anyone over the age of 12 is required for all sports and recreational facilities in Lambton County, by November 30th.

The borders are now open for non-essential travel between Canada and the United States, but there are requirements to follow. Non-essential travelers must be vaccinated with few exceptions.

For Canadians heading back into Canada, even after a brief trip, and anyone else crossing the border, a negative coronavirus molecular test, taken within the last 72 hours is required. A rapid test is not acceptable.

Ontario is planning to lift remaining public health and workplace safety measures by March 2022.

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/provinces#entering

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Read for Life Needs Tutoring Volunteers

Students have had a rough two years and many young learners are in need of some additional help. The Read for Life program is looking for volunteers to help with their tutoring program at the Literacy Academy at Cleveland Elementary.

The program needs help with tutoring first and second graders on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15 in the afternoon.

Organizer Mary Depner said that volunteers “work with students starting with where their reading ability is and try to catch them up to grade level so they become successful in school and will graduate.  We hope they will continue their education or a training program so they will break the cycle of poverty in their lives.”

Depner said there is a big celebration when the student can say, “I can read”. It often makes behavior problems go away and the students then become leaders.

Depner shared that illiteracy is closely tied to future incarceration, juvenile delinquency, and poverty. Read for Life has been reaching out to increase literacy and break the cycle of poverty since 2010.

For more information, please call or text Mary Depner at 810-334-4567 or email marydepner@yahoo.com. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Chili and Coats Event Nov. 20 at Woodrow Wilson: Donations Welcome

Chili and coats. Both are ways to keep warm and both will be given away on November 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Woodrow Wilson Steam Academy Gymnasium on Chestnut Street in Port Huron.  

The outreach program is part of a collaboration of ministry, business partners, and the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, who are all working to connect with families in need in the mid-town Port Huron area.

Pastor Kim Brown of Zion Cathedral of Praise International Ministries said that this is the 8th year of the event and that up to 300 coats are given away each year. New and gently used coats are still needed, along with winter wear like boots, hats, and gloves. They can be brought to the school between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. on the day of the giveaway.

There will also be a food truck on site. Chili is being prepared by Blue Water Christian Church, and there are raffle baskets and prize drawings throughout the day.

The event is first-come, first-serve for receiving the coats. Volunteers are still needed and can show up at the event to get assigned a job.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Blue Water Conservation District Awarded MDARD Funding

The Blue Water Conservation District was a big winner in the $9.7 million allocation of grants for soil, water, and wildlife protection. The Blue Water Conservation District serves St. Clair, Sanilac, and Macomb counties.

Gary McDowell, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said, “This funding will help support and elevate our conversation district partners. These funds will allow districts to identify and prioritize the most pressing needs in their communities and ensure landowners have access to technical assistance for their farms.”

The Blue Water Conservation District received a $40,000 grant for basic operations, two $73,500 grants as part of the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program, and $77,000 from the Conservation Technical Assistance Initiative. They also received $78,500 from the Produce Safety Program.

The Blue Water Conservation District has the goal to “Assist the people of the Blue Water area in the wise use and management of their natural resources for a healthy environment and sustained economic growth.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Yale Passes Bond to Remodel Schools

Voters in the Yale Public Schools district approved a ballot proposal that allows the district to spend $15.8 million to remodel the existing buildings.

The bond measure passed with 788 yes votes to 614 no votes. The impact on taxes will not take place for a year. After that, those who pay property taxes in the Yale school district can expect the tax rate to be around 3.12 mills. The bond will be paid back in 12 years.

The district plans to replace all unit ventilators in their five buildings: the high school, junior high school, and the elementary schools located in Yale, Avoca, and Emmett.  The current HVAC system has lasted beyond its useful life and it’s time for modernization, according to the Bond Proposal webpage.

Efficiency, maintenance costs, and reliability are issues with the current mechanical systems in the district. Electrical systems will also get brought up to date throughout the district, with the public announcement, clock, and fire alarm systems getting addressed.

The Yale Junior High will get a lot of work, with a new roof, lighting, and classroom modernization.

Work is expected to begin next summer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland