George James

Summer Storm Cleanup Efforts Ongoing with FEMA, State Help

The Village of Armada and Armada Township were both hit hard by storms in July, including a tornado touchdown, and will now get money from the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund.

The Village of Armada will receive $41,468 and Armada Township will get $92,456. White Lake, Southfield, Farmington, and Farmington Hills will also receive shares of the $1.2 million assistance.

Food benefits are also available for those who may have lost food in the storm or lost income. In-person interviews will be held with MDHHS to approve eligibility for assistance.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration will have their Hazard Mitigation Team at the Menards store on Van Dyke Avenue in Warren from now until November 9th on Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Team will be sharing strategies on cleaning up after flooding or other disasters and giving free information for both general contractors and do-it-yourselfers. 

For more information about Michigan’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4607

For food assistance: applications will be accepted:

  • Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Thursday Nov. 4, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov. 5, from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 6, from 8 a.m.-noon
  • Monday, Nov. 8, from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 9, from 8 a.m.-noon.

Residents can apply at three Kensington Church locations:

  • Macomb County.
  • Kensington Church, 25000 Hall Road, Clinton Township.
  • Oakland County
  • Kensington Church, 4640 S. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion.
  • Kensington Church, 1825 E. Square Lake Road, Troy.

 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Old Newsboys Raising Funds to Keep Kids Warm

No one likes cold feet in the winter. Thanks to the Port Huron Old Newsboys, St. Clair County kids should be able to have toasty warm feet all winter long.

The local charitable organization has been providing access to warm socks, underwear, and boots to kids in need for over nine decades. Families who sign up for help from the Old Newsboys get a voucher to Meijer where they can purchase brand new socks, underwear, and boots of their liking to get them through the cold winter and beyond.

To pay for these necessities for around 1000 children, the Old Newsboys are trying to raise $70,000. Almost all of the money raised goes to the children. The organization is run by volunteers and there is no paid staff.

The Old Newsboys organization partners with MDHHS to verify eligibility for families that request assistance. Michelle Brown, a volunteer, said that the application period is closed because the target goal of 1000 children has been met. If donations pick up, they will be able to help more children.

To donate to the Old Newsboys, look for donation canisters in local restaurants, donate online, or mail a check.

https://www.facebook.com/PortHuronOldNewsboys/

Old Newsboys

PO Box 100

Marysville, MI 48040

Old Newsboys Fund at Community Foundation of St. Clair County

https://www.stclairfoundation.org/fund/old-newsboys-association-of-port-huron-fund/ 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Beeler Has Plan to Help Veterans Become Teachers

There is a shortage of teachers in Michigan. There are also veterans looking for jobs. To possibly help both situations, State Representative Andrew Beeler, a Port Huron Republican testified before the House Committee on Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security.

Beeler presented a plan to make it easier for qualified veterans to get a teaching certificate.

The bill would allow United States veterans to get teaching certificates more quickly if they have instructional experience in the military. Honorably discharged veterans with both a bachelor’s degree and military certification to train service members could be eligible for taking a subject area test to gain teaching credentials.

Beeler said, “The goal here is to help veterans with the requisite experience move past some of the red tape involved in earning a teaching certificate in order to expedite them getting into the classroom. By helping veterans translate their military training experience into civilian terms, we can make Michigan a more attractive place to move for transitioning service members.”

House Bill 4913 is under consideration by the Committee.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Fake Laced Pills Bring Urgent Warning from DEA

Local community agencies are echoing the urgent alarm from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency regarding the counterfeit pills that are flooding the nation. Fake pills laced with fentanyl and methamphetamine are being pushed by criminal enterprises nationwide.

The DEA says, “The only safe medications are ones prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.”

The fake laced pills look like the real pills and people are definitely falling for the scam. The opioid dependence crisis is fueling the scam, giving the criminal enterprises a market for counterfeit opioids like Oxycontin, Vicodin, Xanax, and others; and stimulants like Adderall. Parents need to warn kids and teens to never take an unprescribed pill. Fentanyl can kill with one pill.

The warning does not apply to legitimately prescribed medications from licensed pharmacies. The deadly fake pills are often marketed on social media and e-commerce platforms.

The DEA blames fentanyl for the unprecedented 93,000 overdose deaths reported last year.

A link to more information: www.DEA.gov/onepill

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

States to FDA: Do a Better Job at Regulating Baby Food

Baby food really should not have lead or mercury in it. That seems obvious, but there is concern that the FDA is not adequately regulating the baby food industry to address the mounting concerns over toxic heavy metals in baby food.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel signed the letter petitioning the United States Food and Drug Administration to accelerate their efforts to remove toxic heavy metals from infant and toddler foods. The petition is asking the FDA to move faster to reach their “Closer to Zero” plan.

Nessel said, “There is no population more vulnerable than infants and toddlers, and action must take place swiftly to ensure that foods designed for growing children are safe to eat.”

The petition was prompted by a report from the U.S. House of Representatives’ Oversight and Reform Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy that found high levels of toxic heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, in many baby foods.

Rice cereal is of particular concern and the petition asks for the FDA to lower the acceptable level of inorganic arsenic in the popular “first solid food” of many infants.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland