George James

Scarecrow Saturday to be Held at Fort Gratiot Pond

Break out the flannel shirts and pour a glass of cider; fall is officially here. To ring in the season, Fort Gratiot Township is hosting Scarecrow Saturday this weekend at the Fort Gratiot Pond off of Parker Road from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The annual event is being modified with social distancing and the removal of hands-on activities, but there will still be plenty to do to keep families entertained, and candy stops are still part of the fun.

Sharon Wilton, Fort Gratiot Township Community Development Director said, “Fort Gratiot Township has continued to provide this free event for a number of years and we enjoy seeing the smiles of the children!”

A firetruck and sheriff vehicle will be onsite for the kids to check out, and local firefighters and law enforcement officers will be there to talk to the children.

There will be an animal show in place of the traditional petting zoo, along with a magician scheduled to do two shows at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

The pond will be full of action as radio-controlled sailboats will be out on the water to entertain the crowds and food trucks will be onsite.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Another Month of U.S.-Canada Border Closure Announced

The U.S.-Canada border remains closed to non-essential traffic for at least another month. That’s the same story that has been told since March 2020.

The restrictions have been extended due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of the Delta strain of the virus that has been stressing healthcare systems on both sides of the border. The latest extension goes until October 21st.

Canada has lifted restrictions on vaccinated Americans. They have been allowed to enter Canada since August 9th.

The Biden administration is under pressure from lawmakers to clarify the reason for the land travel restrictions. Canadians are allowed to travel by air into the United States, as are other international travelers if they can show proof of vaccination and a negative Covid test.

The Mexican border is also closed to non-essential travel for at least another month.

Non-essential travel is defined as travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature. Essential travel, that is permitted, includes work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services, and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Ford Creating Jobs to Ramp Up Electric F-150 Production

Electric trucks are on their way to a driveway near you.

Michigan is about to be at the forefront of electric vehicle production with the Ford Motor Company rolling out the all-electric F-150 Lightning in the spring of 2022 and expanding the job market in the region.

Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford Motor Company, said, “We knew the F-150 Lightning was special, but the interest from the public has surpassed our highest expectations and changed the conversation around electric vehicles. So we are doubling down, adding jobs and investment to increase production. This truck and the Ford-UAW workers who are assembling it in Michigan have a chance to make history and lead the electric vehicle movement in America.” 

Jobs are opening up throughout southeast Michigan production facilities to increase capacity to 80,000 F-150s per year.

If electric trucks seem impractical, skepticism could be quelled with the stats of a 300-mile driving range on a single charge and a $40,000 base price, according to Ford. Over 150,000 have already been ordered.  Ford says the battery system yields “zero tailpipe emissions” and can generate power for homes and businesses if needed.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

State Reports Declining Unemployment Rate

The Help Wanted signs at many businesses, along with the resurgence of job fairs and signing bonuses are signs that unemployment numbers are getting pretty low. Unemployment has been declining for eight months and was recorded at 4.7% in August, the last statistical month.

Michigan is faring well as it emerges from the days of Covid shutdowns and unemployment checks padded with federal funds. The economy grew 7.6% in the first quarter of this year and turned a projected $3 billion deficit into a $3.5 billion surplus, according to the Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Whitmer is quick to credit her spending plans for the low unemployment numbers but also credits the “massive influx of federal funds” in bolstering the economy. Personal income was up 19.1% in 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020.

Even with unemployment so low, Whitmer is trying to create new jobs, saying, “We have more to do to ensure every family, community, and small business can thrive as we usher in a new era of prosperity for our state.”

A link to the full report can be found below.

August 2021 Unemployment Report.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Mental Health Care Access Could Expand with MI Healthy Communities Proposal

The MI Healthy Communities Plan has been proposed to expand investment in public health. The $1.4 billion expansion would be funded by federal relief dollars allocated in the American Rescue Plan.

The pandemic revealed areas for improvement in the health infrastructure in Michigan, particularly in mental health care, access to behavioral care and telemedicine, nursing homes, and local public health departments.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said that the plan “makes long-overdue investments to put Michigan families first”.

Mental health care investment is a major part of the plan with $335 million allocated to community-based behavioral healthcare. Antu Segal, President of the Michigan Psychological Association said, “Access to quality mental health care is a major issue in Michigan. The Governor’s plan would address this problem in a big way.”

Construction of a $325 million updated psychiatric hospital in Southeast Michigan and an increased number of providers are part of the MI Healthy Communities Plan.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland