George James

Weatherization Program Helps Reduce Energy Costs

Help is available for low-income Michigan residents who need help winterizing their homes. It might still feel like summer, but winter is on its way, and along with it, high heating costs. Winterization can help reduce household energy costs.

Blue Water Community Action is the provider of the winterization service in St. Clair County. Those who sign up for the program will have trained energy auditors use energy audit software and advanced diagnostic equipment to create a comprehensive energy analysis of their homes.

After analysis, the most cost-effective ways to reduce heating costs are then determined and trained contractors install the energy-efficient health and safety improvements. Examples of improvements are insulation, air sealing, lighting upgrades, and water-saving measures. Safety issues like CO2 exposure, ventilation problems, and system efficiency are also addressed. Improved health outcomes like reduced asthma triggers have been attained with the program.

There are income eligibility requirements and homes must be in adequate condition to handle the upgrades.

Anyone interested in applying for the Weatherization Assistance Program can contact their local provider. 

More information about home energy savings can be found by visiting the websites below that cover:

Air Sealing your home. 

Energy Efficiency Tips from Consumers Energy. 

The Energy Saver Guide from Energy.gov. 

Twenty-five Quick and Easy Energy Saving Tips from Direct Energy. 

Energy Efficiency Tips for Renters and Homeowners from Energy.gov.

Training for those working in the Weatherization Assistance Program is provided by the Michigan Training and Education Center. For more information about the training, visit www.MichiganTEC.org. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Friends of the St. Clair River to Present Improvements in Drinking Water Source

The community is invited to a presentation by the Friends of the St. Clair River on the health of the water used for the area’s drinking water supply.

Chemical spills in the 1980s sparked a “Drinking Water Impairment for the St. Clair River Area of Concern”. There are misconceptions about what that designation means and the presentation is a chance to clear things up. It will be held on Tuesday, October 19th, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom. It is free to attend.

A survey was done by the Friends of the St. Clair River this spring to gather residents’ perceptions of the quality of their drinking water and to gauge the understanding of where municipal water comes from and the safety of that supply.

Results of the survey will be shared at the presentation. Water professionals will share information about the treatment process and industry partners on both the U.S. and Canadian sides of the St. Clair River will be on hand to share the progress made over the last three decades.

Sheri Faust of the Friends of the St. Clair River said, “Protecting drinking water is a complex responsibility, and in the case of the St. Clair River, it’s an international responsibility.”

Registration is required at www.scriver.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Voter Fraud Charges Announced by AG

Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel commented on the charges, saying, “These cases highlight the scrutiny applications and ballots undergo throughout the election process, as well as the thorough investigative process that ensues when instances of attempted fraud are suspected. 

The three people charged included a Macomb County nursing home employee who filled out voter applications without consent of the voters, a Wayne County grandmother who filled out an absentee ballot for her grandson who also voted in person, and a legal guardian who fraudulently obtained ballots for legally incapacitated individuals in both Wayne and Oakland counties.

Signature matching and security checks revealed the fraudulent applications or ballots. If found guilty, the penalties range from 90-day misdemeanors to five-year felonies for each charge.

Nessel said, “I appreciate our partners at the Department of State and Michigan State Police who brought these cases to us. These collaborative investigations assist in maintaining the integrity of our elections. We will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who attempts to undermine our elections.” 

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Marysville Gets Law Enforcement Grant

The City of Marysville will be getting $75,000 as part of a larger $1 million program to support officers and public safety across Michigan. The grants are part of a plan to increase public safety. Marysville was one of eleven municipalities that received grants, in addition to a grant to the Michigan State Police.

The City of Marysville’s grant is for supporting law enforcement in seeking accreditation, as are the grants given to several other cities.

The Michigan State Police received a grant of over $182,000 to support de-escalation training.

De-escalation programs improve communication when police and civilians have an encounter. The strategy helps officers maintain security, prevent crime, and advance community policing.

Colonel Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police said, “At the core of de-escalation is communication. Our troopers and the communities we serve benefit when we improve how we approach and treat each other. “

The grants are awarded through the United States Department of Justice’s Community Development De-Escalation program.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Both Agritourism and Farm-to-Table-Month Observed in October

October is both Agritourism Month and Farm-to-Table Month. The designations are meant to draw attention to Michigan’s family farms, processors, wholesalers, and retailers who rely on local customers especially during harvest time, and the connection between Michigan agriculture and school lunches.

Agritourism includes things like apple orchards and pumpkin patches, where agriculture and tourism connect by the public being invited on to the farm to enjoy their products and services.

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell said, “Agritourism opportunities are available in every county in our state, providing loads of family friendly fun.”

The National Farm to School program helps connect local dairy, fruits, vegetables, eggs, honey, meat, and beans with schools to get the products on the menus in school cafeterias. There is also a component of a nutrition-based curriculum and exposure to food growing.

State School Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice said that over a quarter of a billion meals have been served to school children and their younger siblings throughout Michigan since March 2020.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Federal Money to Go Toward Clearing Up Court Backlog

Courts have been backlogged for over 18 months since COVID slowed things down. A plan is in the works to take one aspect of the backlog, firearms-related cases, and speed up their processing with an increased number of visiting judges and increased funding for prosecution and defense.

The MI Safe Communities framework would use federal American Rescue Plan money to put $75 million into safety programs to help the justice system operate more efficiently.

Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget M. McCormack said, “Courts pivoted quickly to remote proceedings to keep our justice system running, and trial courts statewide have held nearly four million hours of remote hearings since April of 2020. To protect the rights of defendants, however, many criminal proceedings must be in person, creating a substantial backlog in many courts. Additional visiting judges will help tackle that backlog, resolve cases more quickly, and help keep our communities safe.” 

Part of the plan also calls for investment in Collaborative Community Violence Intervention Programs and an array of prevention and treatment services. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland