George James

Bus Drivers Desperately Needed in Most Districts

There is a desperate need for school bus drivers. Local districts are having to cut routes and kids are the ones who get left out in the cold when buses have to be late. It is a huge disruption to instruction as well when schools are waiting on late buses and kids are absent with no ride to school.

First Student, which operates buses for the Port Huron Area School District, is advertising a $2000 sign-on bonus and other perks like a Child Ride-Along Program, paid training, and flexible hours.

Bus Driver working hours are definitely unique, with an early start to the day and a long break mid-day, but school holidays and summer vacations are also part of the schedule.

First Student takes applications from those who are over 21, have a driver’s license, and have a good driving record.

Yale Public Schools is actively looking for bus drivers as well and has had to cut some routes to accommodate staffing shortages. St. Edward on the Lake, Landmark Academy, Dean Transportation, and others are also looking for bus drivers.

Advertised pay for various districts is between $16 and $20 per hour with varied signing bonuses. Substitute drivers are also needed.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Tires and Treads Community Project to Host Old Fashioned Country Christmas

When your heart is in the right place, good things tend to lead to more good things. That couldn’t be truer for the Tires and Treads Community Project. Volunteers are hosting an Old Fashioned Country Christmas on November 28th at 6:00 p.m. at the Ruby Community Church on Abbotsford Road.

The Old Fashioned Country Christmas gives guests an opportunity to create Christmas tree ornaments to remember loved ones who have passed on. The practice has become a tradition, with people traveling long distances to memorialize their loved ones, according to Tires and Treads founder, Fran Morris.

Donations at the Old Fashioned Country Christmas will be accepted to help Tires and Treads with their ambitious projects, like stocking complete closets of new clothing, winter wear, and classroom supplies at Port Huron elementary schools. They are working with their 7th elementary school, Michigamme, this year. They also provide emergency “outfitting” for kids who need new clothes and shoes on a moment’s notice.

Along with the school project, Tires and Treads is making wishes come true for local kids who are in cancer treatment. The project gets its funding from a multitude of fun events. A link to their Facebook page, which has much more information can be found below.

https://www.facebook.com/TiresandTreadsCommunityProject/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

State’s Childcare Subsidy Expanded

Low-income families could be getting free or low-cost childcare with the expansion of the state’s Child Development and Care Program. The race is on to remove childcare barriers and get people back into the workforce.

Brian Calley, President of the Small Business Association of Michigan said, “Workforce shortages have become the top concern among most small business owners. Providing support to Michigan families for quality childcare will make it possible for more parents to reenter and stay in the workforce. This bipartisan initiative to remove barriers to employment will be a game changer for many Michigan families.”   

Family contributions toward childcare are waived until September 30th, 2022 for eligible families, which generally means those that earn up to $49,000. Nearly 40,000 Michigan families receive the childcare assistance right now.

Muna Jondy, Chair of the Michigan Women’s Commission said, “Increasing access to state childcare support helps women continue their economic recovery and strengthens Michigan families.”

Visit NewMiBridges.Michigan.gov to apply today.  

Need help finding childcare? Visit GreatStarttoQuality.org to find care that meets your needs.   

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLain Co-Sponsors “Our Veterans Earned It” Act

Congresswoman Lisa McLain, a Republican representing the 10th district, which includes St. Clair County, has co-sponsored legislation with Congressman Brian Babin of Texas to prevent veterans from losing Veterans Administration benefits if they choose to skip the COVID-19 vaccine. 

McLain announced the introduction of HR 5892, the Our Veterans Earned It Act, saying, “Our veterans earned their benefits when they fought to protect our country. The fact that they could be at risk of losing these benefits due to a vaccine mandate is disturbing.”

While there is no threat to benefits based on vaccination status under any current law or mandate, this bill would prevent such from occurring in the future.

There is currently no federal mandate that withholds Veterans Administration benefits for unvaccinated veterans. Addressing false rumors that circulated in the early fall, Veterans Affairs Press Secretary Terrence L. Hayes responded to an Associated Press inquiry, saying, “The President has not and will not withhold benefits to Veterans who choose not to be vaccinated. The spread of this misinformation is extremely detrimental to our Veterans and their families and should cease immediately.”

While active-duty military members are required to get certain vaccinations, veterans have no such requirement once discharged from service.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Bridge Cards to Get November Increase

The 700,000 Michigan households that use Bridge Cards to buy groceries will be seeing another increase in their monthly benefits. Cards will be loaded with the additional money, a separate payment from the November payment, by November 23rd.

Some families have been receiving increases since April 2020. The money is automatically loaded onto the cards. No additional application for benefits is necessary.

The increase is at least $95 monthly, depending on family size. A family of four’s maximum food benefit is $835 per month on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The USDA estimates that a realistic budget for a family of four is around $892 per month.

Federal approval is needed for every month that the additional benefits are added. The added food security measures are funded by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

In announcing the approval of the monthly application, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said that making life easier for Michigan families is her top priority.

Federally funded food benefits reach around 1.26 million individuals in Michigan.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Laws Make Changes to Vehicle Registration

Michigan drivers will soon have the option to renew their vehicle registrations for two years at a time. House Bill 4177 was signed into law last week giving vehicle owners the choice of one or two years.

Senate Bill 220 was also signed into law, giving no-cost registration for some agricultural and industrial vehicles. The bill amends the Michigan Vehicle Code to require the Secretary of State to provide a system under which special vehicle registrations related to certain agricultural or wood harvesting operations could be renewed at no additional charge.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said, “HB 4117 will add yet another convenient service to our catalog and, while not implementable as written, SB 220 will be beneficial once the Legislature requires insurance companies to provide the Department with electronic access to their policies for agricultural vehicles.” 

Drivers will be able to get a two-year recreation passport with their two-year registration if they choose. Registrations will still expire on vehicle owners’ birthdays.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland