George James

GSRP Free Preschool Available for Qualifying 4-year-olds

Even though it’s the middle of summer, it’s time to look ahead to back-to-school time. Free preschool is available to qualifying families in St. Clair County and the time to sign up is now. The Great Start Readiness Program, or GSRP, is a state-funded preschool offered at no cost to families.

GSRP is for four-year-olds and is designed to ensure every child is prepared to thrive when they enter kindergarten. There are locations throughout St. Clair County.

Students must be four years old on or before September 1st of this school year to apply now. Eligibility is based on 2021 income guidelines. A family of four qualifies for GSRP if their yearly income is below $66,250, according to the St. Clair County RESA website.

Families can apply to GSRP by completing an online application. Parents will need to provide proof of age, such as a birth certificate; proof of residency, and proof of income. Prospective GSRP students will need to have a health appraisal with vision and hearing tests, as well as vaccination records.

A link to more information:

http://sccresa.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=496562&pageId=13039156

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Drug Makers Could Pay $26 Billion in Historic Opioid Lawsuit

The Blue Water area is no stranger to the opioid addiction crisis, but money for help could be coming in soon.

The opioid crisis has its roots in the over-prescription of pain pills and drug companies could soon be made to pay. A historic $26 billion settlement has been proposed by a coalition of states.

A lawsuit was filed against the nation’s three largest pharmaceutical distributors, Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen. Part of the settlement would include industry changes to prevent history from repeating itself.

Michigan could receive nearly $800 million over the life of the settlement. Michigan has already received around $16 million from a previous settlement. Michigan is the first state to sue the drug companies.

The settlement has been agreed upon in principle, but the details are still being hashed out. If the state attorneys general get their way, the drug companies will shell out $26 billion over 18 years to go toward opioid addiction prevention and treatment.

Over 1700 Michigan residents died from opioid overdoses in 2019. Preliminary 2020 data shows no improvement.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Senior Millage Provided $4.7 Million Worth of Services in 2020

Senior citizens in St. Clair County have a lot of resources for maintaining a high quality of life in their later years, as do their caregivers. Much of that is due to the county’s support of the Senior Citizens Millage.

While not on the ballot this year, the Senior Millage renewal will be on the August primary ballot in 2022. Jennifer Posey, Administrative Services Manager and Senior Citizens Millage Administrator, shared with us all the services that are funded by the Senior Millage.

Posey explained that services are provided for residents aged 60 and over. Over $4.7 million worth of services were provided to county seniors in 2020. Those services cover everything from adult daycare to meals on wheels to foster grandparent programs through the Council on Aging, and partnerships with community agencies like Catholic Charities, Hunter Hospitality House, and Visiting Nurses Association.

Taking care of seniors is a point of pride for the county, as St. Clair County is thought to be the first county in Michigan to authorize a Senior Citizens Millage. Posey said that the community has a long history of caring for and supporting senior residents. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Students and Parents Urged to Be Cautious When Taking out Student Loans

College is expensive and most students are forced to take out student loans. The Michigan Department of Treasury is alerting parents and students to seek the information they need to make informed decisions when it comes to borrowing money for school. Americans owe about $1.7 trillion in student loans.

Robin Lott, director of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning for the Treasury, said, “More and more, students and families have to cover a considerable amount of their higher education costs. When student borrowers become financially empowered, they can better understand how to manage and leverage the financial aid they receive.”

The Treasury’s MI Student Aid Team has some tips for making the best of the student loan process. They say to complete the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, to maximize options.

Not every student understands that loans need to be repaid, with interest. Loans are not “free money”. Students and parents should check the amount of interest being offered before accepting it. Shop around and only accept the amount you need.

Finally, students should make an account with studentaid.gov to keep track of their loans.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Latest Text Message Scam Promises Food Stamp Eligibility

A text messaging scam has been reported that targets people who may be looking to receive food benefits from the government. Text messages that say something like “you are eligible for food stamps” are scams that are just trying to get personal information. This style of criminal activity is called “smishing”.

A warning has been put out by the Office of the Attorney General and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Criminals are impersonating government agencies, and preying on the vulnerable, in this instance.

Elizabeth Hertel, Director of MDHHS said, “I urge people to be on the alert for suspicious emails or texts about public assistance benefits.” 

Consumers are reminded not to assume a text is legitimate because of a familiar area code or phone number, not to click links in suspicious texts, and not to provide personal or financial information to unsolicited texts or linked websites.

Even if the message says to “text STOP”, don’t do it. Report the message to your cell phone service provider by copying the message and texting it to 7726 (SPAM) to report it as suspicious.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Fairgrounds Jam-Packed with Monster Truck Fans

The St. Clair County 4-H and Youth Fair brought Monster Trucks to the masses Tuesday night and they were not disappointed. It was standing room only as several Monster Trucks put on a loud and full-throttle show at Goodells County Park.

No one in the crowd of thousands had as much fun as four-year-old Tyler Z. of Clinton Township. Tyler jumped in delight throughout the night as he cheered on his favorite truck, the Reptoid. Tyler’s mom said that he has been watching Monster Trucks on television, but this was his first live show and it was definitely worth the drive.

Tyler is obsessed with Monster Trucks and plans to be a driver when he grows up. He has already started working on building a vehicle with his dad, Matt.

World Champion Freestyle Monster Truck Driver Jim Koehler, a hometown competitor from Columbus, said that he loved the crowd and that they were “awesome”, as he gave his trophy back to the fans after another win as the driver of “Avenger” Tuesday night.

Koehler’s Team Scream, consisting of crowd favorites like Brutus, Axe, and Rage, put on an impressive show for the hometown crowd.

The St. Clair County 4-H and Youth Fair runs through Saturday. Full details can be found at stclaircounty4hfair.org/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland