George James

Landmark’s Wilton Selected as MAPSA Administrator of the Year Finalist

Kimball, MI — Landmark Academy in Kimball has something to celebrate. Landmark’s Superintendent Debby Wilton has been nominated as a finalist as the 2021 Michigan Charter School Administrator of the Year.

Wilton was a semi-finalist and one of only ten administrators chosen from among over 1500 charter school administrators across Michigan. According to MAPSA, the Michigan Association of Public School Academies, they received over 700 nominations from parents, teachers, school leaders, and students from urban, suburban, and rural areas statewide.

It was announced last week that Superintendent Wilton made it to the finalist round of just five administrators statewide.

Wilton has been Superintendent at Landmark since 2014. Landmark has around 800 students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Last year, Landmark Academy Teacher Bonnie Camm was a finalist for the 2020 MAPSA Teacher of the Year.

The winning MAPSA Administrator of the Year will be announced during Charter Schools Week on May 14th.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Don’t Get “Smished”

Phishing, brushing, now “smishing”. These are all different types of scams that try to get personal and financial information for identity theft or other fraudulent activity. “Smishing” refers to using text messages to commit fraud.

The latest scam involves text messaging and fake COVID-19 vaccine surveys. The texts ask people to complete limited-time surveys and then offers rewards. To get the rewards, shipping has to be paid with a credit card. For the people who fall for the scam, there is no reward and the scammers then have their credit card numbers.

Responding to a Federal Trade Commission report, Michigan’s Attorney General’s Office issued a consumer alert.

Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “Scammers are continuing to prey on our fears and concerns surrounding the ongoing pandemic. As a result, they are attempting to use the vaccine rollout to bamboozle people out of their personal information. Do not fall for these tactics.”

Smishing texts should be reported by texting 7726 for investigation. Unwanted messages can be filtered through wireless providers or with a call-blocking app.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

SC4 Students Could be Eligible for SNAP Benefits

Port Huron, MI — St. Clair County Community College is raising awareness of resources available to students who may be needing food assistance. Federally funded SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, benefits are available to qualified students.

The December Covid Relief Package passed by Congress made more people eligible for food benefits. Being enrolled in only six credit hours at SC4 is enough for some people to qualify for SNAP.

Students who are eligible to participate in federal or state work-study programs or students with an Expected Family Contribution of $0 are likely qualified for SNAP for the duration of the public health emergency. Whether or not a student actually holds a work-study job does not matter for eligibility.

Qualifying for eligibility is determined by the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s not too late to fill out the FAFSA for this school year. Applicants need to be sure to check the box that asks if students are enrolled in school at least half time. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services may follow up to prove eligibility.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Hospital Visiting Restrictions Tighten Up as COVID Infections Surge

Visiting hospitalized loved ones is restricted as the pandemic goes into its second year with a local surge in infections.

Visitors with a positive COVID test or who are waiting on the results of a test need to stay home. Hospitals generally screen all entrants for COVID symptoms and require masks to be worn at all times.

McLaren Port Huron allows one visitor per patient per day with visiting hours restricted to noon to 6 p.m. Check with the hospital before visiting as policies could change at any time.

Lake Huron Medical Center is no longer allowing visitors or nonessential traffic into the hospital. They are asking loved one to use FaceTime or Zoom. In-person visiting is only allowed if arranged ahead of time for extenuating circumstances.

Beaumont Hospital in Detroit is allowing fully vaccinated individuals, 14 days post final dose, to visit non-COVID patients. Proof of vaccination needs to be provided.

Exceptions to visitation policies are generally allowed for situations like patients needing a support person after anesthesia, mothers giving birth, and end-of-life or hospice situations.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Spero Pregnancy Center Updates Boutique

Port Huron, MI — The Spero Pregnancy Center in Port Huron has done some Spring Cleaning and is revamping its Baby Boutique. The Boutique provides free items to clients who use the services at Spero.

If you are doing some spring cleaning yourself, you may come across some items to donate to Spero.

Most of the items in the Boutique are donated by community members who either buy new items or donate gently used items. Donations are accepted from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays.

Spero gladly accepts diapers, wipes, and baby toiletries. New cribs, along with new small toys and small stuffed animals with tags are accepted, as are infant car seats if they are new and in the original box.

Used items that are accepted include maternity and nursing clothes, parenting books, and children’s books for kids up to age five. Used strollers, high chairs, and other equipment are accepted if the serial number is visible and all parts are included with the donation.

Spero can not accept items for a child over 24 months, knitted or crocheted items, used baby clothes, used bottles, used breast pumps, or adult clothing. They also no longer accept used toys, baby walkers or saucers, or furniture.

For the full updated list of accepted and unaccepted donations:

https://bluewaterbabies.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/S-Material-Donation-Items-Accepted-2.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Home Depot Donates To Blue Water Habitat for Humanity Project

Port Huron, MI — Home Depot is partnering with Blue Water Habitat for Humanity to “Bring on Spring” by donating products to a Port Huron neighborhood revitalization project. Port Huron is one of 11 recipients nationwide.

Sean Walker, the Programs and Partnership Manager for the Home Depot Foundation said, “Home Depot is pleased to support the communities involved, including the Blue Water Habitat for Humanity, which has played a pivotal role in the Port Huron community for 31 years.”

Walker said, “Due to longstanding partnership of The Home Depot Foundation with Habitat for Humanity – and Habitat’s innate “doing” spirit – the partnership was a no brainer!”

While the exact project is still being worked out, CEO of the Blue Water Habitat for Humanity Ernest C. Werth-Toward said, “Spring projects will be coordinated by local Habitat for Humanity organizations. Blue Water Habitat for Humanity will select and coordinate the Bring on Spring project in Port Huron based on community needs.”

Home Depot had a good year. Walker said, “Spring is an important time for homeowners everywhere and it’s no secret that many folks took on DIY projects over the last year. The Home Depot wants to continue to empower that spirit of ‘doing’ by supporting the community.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland