George James

Tax Returns Accepted Starting Feb. 12: Watch for Fraud

Tax season is just about here. Both federal and state returns can start being processed on February 12th. The processing date is later than usual.  The April 15th filing deadline remains the same.

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said, “We coordinate with the IRS to process tax returns and issue refunds. This year, the IRS has pushed back the processing date due to software updating and testing. This means our processing date will also be pushed back. The state of Michigan will be ready to process your returns and issue refunds when the season opens early in the month.”  

Eubanks warned against rushing to file without all the necessary documentation. Sending in an incomplete return will put any refund on hold until the correct paperwork is turned in.

For those who may have received unemployment benefits in 2020, they should have received a 1099-G in the mail. If a 1099-G was received, and the recipient did not actually receive unemployment, they may, unfortunately, be the victim of identity theft. Instructions for reporting the theft are on the envelope in which the 1099 came and should be followed closely.

Visit the UIA’s website for questions about reporting a fraudulent claim or filing your 2020 taxes.  

To report fraud or file a general consumer complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team. Filing a complaint online is the best way to make Your Connection to Consumer Protection and provide a comprehensive report to the Attorney General’s office to ensure investigators have the information they need. If a consumer is unable to fill out an online complaint, they can call the toll-free Consumer Protection hotline at 877-765-8388 and staff will provide a hard copy form to fill out and return.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Schools Switching to Full-Time In-Person Instruction March 1st

Port Huron, MI — Students in the Port Huron school district will be going back to class full time starting March 1st after having a mix of all-virtual and hybrid learning since last March.

In a message to parents in his weekly newsletter, Superintendent Jamie Cain said that the change in plans is due to a vote by the Port Huron Schools Board of Education last Friday. The February hybrid schedule remains in effect with the full time, five-days-per-week schedule beginning March 1st.

Students whose parents elected the full-time all-virtual learning model will stay enrolled in that program for the rest of the school year. Students whose parents had elected the hybrid model will be going back to school full time. Questions are directed to building principals.

The hybrid plan was implemented to reduce numbers of students in classrooms. In the message, Superintendent Cain stressed the continuation of mask-wearing, social distancing, frequent hand-washing, and facility sanitizing.

School districts have been urged by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to find ways to get back to in-person learning by March 1st. Transmission of COVID-19 at school has not been as big of a concern as was previously thought it could be.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

It’s Free Fishing Weekend for Brave Anglers

While it may not be the most romantic Valentine’s Day date, it’s the perfect weekend for ice-fishing. It’s Free Fishing Weekend across Michigan and the weather seems to be cooperating to make ice fishing possible for those who aren’t scared off by single-digit wind chills.

Along with the license fee being waived, State Parks and Marinas are fair game as no Recreation Passports are required on February 13th and 14th. Anglers are asked to share a picture of their catches using the hashtag #MiFreeFishingWeekend on social media.

For those who venture out onto the frozen lakes and rivers, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources advises to be extra cautious on the ice and remember that safety is the responsibility of the angler. Help in case of an accident is not guaranteed. The DNR says to avoid slushy or snow-covered ice. Clear ice with a bluish tint is the strongest ice. Ice-fishing participants should always have some kind of two-way communication device and life-jackets with them on the ice.

More information about ice fishing and how to stay safe while enjoying cold-weather recreation can be found at Michigan.gov/IceSafety.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MSP Promote “Safer Internet Day”

Today is Safer Internet Day. The Michigan State Police remind families to be extra vigilant as kids are spending more time online for school and recreation. The benefits of the internet are “amazing”, according to the State Police, but there are risks associated with being online and using social media.

The State Police advise parents to talk with their children about online risks so they know how to identify suspicious behavior. They also recommend that parents stay involved in the digital worlds of their children, from schoolwork to Minecraft to Snapchat, and always know with whom their children are connecting online.

Information about privacy and security settings can be found at the State Police’s Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force website. There is specific information about Chromebooks, which nearly every student has for both in-class and virtual learning.

The website also has a link to information about the many apps available to and targeted at children. There are many that have disappearing messages or have ways to conceal messages from parents.

If children are contacted with inappropriate messages, a cyber tip can be submitted to the Michigan State Police at michiganicac.com or 1-877-MI-CYBER.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Blue Water Area Transit Get Grant for Wheelchair Securement System

Port Huron, MI — The Blue Water Area Transportation Commission is one of the recipients of a Michigan Department of Transportation Grant to install innovations to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The grant will pay to install an automated wheelchair securement system.

The grant is part of the Federal Transit Administration Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program. The state received $600,000 which is being shared among six public transit agencies. The other winners were in Saginaw, Jackson, Marquette, Western Washtenaw, and Charlevoix County.

Jean Ruestman, MDOT Office of Passenger Transportation administrator, said, “Public transit remains a vital service for many citizens getting to work, school, shopping, or doctor’s appointments. We continue to work with our partner transit agencies to look for grants for innovative solutions to protect passengers and transit workers from the virus.”

The Blue Water Area Transit will get a system developed by Q’straint which allows passengers to self-secure their wheelchairs and eliminate close contact with the bus driver.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

States Get Settlement in Opioid Pusher Case

Michigan is part of a $573 million settlement that is the result of suit brought against major players in the rise of the use of prescription opioids over the past two decades. The payout comes from McKinsey and Company, which is a consulting firm that worked for Purdue Pharma, among others, the maker of the highly addictive painkiller, OxyContin.

Michigan’s cut of the payout, $19.5 million, will be used to address some of the fallout of the opioid crisis that has ravaged many Michigan communities and destroyed families. There is further litigation still in the courts, with suit filed against Cardinal Health Inc., McKesson Corp., AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. and Walgreens. The accusation is that the use of OxyContin and other schedule II and III narcotics increased drastically due to aggressive marketing schemes that focused on profits over health and safety of the users.

Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel, said, “I want to be clear, this one case, while significant, is only the beginning, and our collective efforts are underway to obtain extensive additional support for those grappling with addiction and to ensure those responsible for creating it answer for their actions.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland