George James

Fallen Heroes Remembered with Memorial Day Observances

Pandemic or not, fallen heroes will not be forgotten during this year’s Memorial Day holiday. While parades have largely been canceled, a few observances still remain.

Port Huron’s Pine Grove Park will be the location of the annual Memorial Day Program to be held on May 31st at noon. Fallen heroes will be recognized for their service in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. Thirty-five names will be added to the monument in Pine Grove Park to recognize those service members who have been identified by the St. Clair County Allied Veteran Council and Memorial Tablet Committee.

Daniel J. Crocker, retired State Director of Veterans Services, Department of Michigan of Veterans of Foreign Wars, said, “This is another historical moment for our community.  The bottom line is 35-former servicemen with ties to St. Clair County who paid the supreme sacrifice on the altar of freedom will finally and forever be memorialized on the sacred tablets located in Pine Grove Park. “

Crocker said this is the largest number that has been added since the Vietnam War, and more could be added in the future.

Community groups are also placing flags on veterans’ graves on Friday, in preparation for the holiday weekend.

There will also be a Memorial Day parade in downtown Lexington, MI on Monday, May 31st at 11 AM. The parade will end with a ceremony.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Unemployment Rules Starting to Tighten Up

Michigan’s unemployment rate is down to 4.9% according to the U.S. Department of Labor and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget. Help wanted signs are everywhere and over 6,000 jobs were added in April, according to the Governor’s office.

Those who have been relying on unemployment benefits will see some changes to the program. According to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, it’s time to start looking for work if one wants to continue receiving unemployment checks. The requirement to look for work at least weekly was waived in March 2020 when many businesses shut down. It will soon be required. Benefits will not be paid until work search activities have been reported.

At this time, the extra $300 in federal benefits remains, but Governor Whitmer is under pressure from the legislature to end it.

The national unemployment rate sits at about 6.1%. Addressing the state’s unemployment rate, Governor Gretchen Whitmer gave much of the credit to the American Rescue plan, which has pumped billions into the economy, and to the residents of the state who followed protocol during the pandemic. Whitmer said, “It’s clear that these actions have enabled us to grow our economy and get back to normal quicker than many other states.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Food Truck Brings Indian Cuisine to Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — The food scene in Port Huron continues to evolve with the latest addition of Aatma Indian Cuisine. The food truck brings the first taste of Indian food to the area. While there are plenty of Indian restaurants across the border in Sarnia and a few sprinkled throughout metro Detroit, Indian cuisine has been hard to come by, until now.

Owner Bretton Jones is no stranger to the food truck business, also owning and operating El Hombre Grande, which serves Mexican food. Bretton said that the community has responded to the new cuisine by helping him sell out of food for two weeks in a row.

Aatma offers regular items such as tandoori chicken and butter chicken, as well as specials. Saag, a popular Indian side dish of spinach simmered in a vegetable sauce is a permanent fixture on the menu, as well as vegetable korma and naan bread. Jones also caters to popular diets by offering cauliflower rice as a substitute for rice to make the meal keto-friendly.

Aatma Cuisine is open on Wednesdays only from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.. The truck is located in the parking lot of Ryan’s Liquor store at the intersection of Pine Grove and 10th Avenue on Port Huron’s north end. More information can be found on Aatma’s Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/AatmaIndianCuisine

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery Lays Out Plan to Get students Caught Up

The Michigan Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery has been released by the Student Recovery Advisory Council which was formed in response to the challenges students have faced during the pandemic.

The plan focuses on wellness, academics, school culture and climate, family and community engagement, and postsecondary education. According to Kevin Polston, Chair of the Recovery Advisory Council, “The Blueprint lays out a clear multi-year plan for the holistic, whole child recovery for Michigan’s students. Every recommendation is supported by leading research and designed to support Michigan students by those that know them best, leaders in education, health care, and child services from right here in Michigan.”  

The plan suggests things like employing school nurses, catching kids up on wellness visits and vaccinations, increasing physical activity, and ensuring recess is available during the school day. The plan also addresses teacher and staff burnout and overwork.

Some students have been fully disengaged from school while some have fallen behind or have not been given access to full instruction. The plan addresses how to reach out to those students as well as work on equity and inclusion for all students.

A link to the full plan can be found at:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dtmb/MI_Blueprint_for_Comprehensive_Student_Recovery_725617_7.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Chamber of Commerce Demands MIOSHA Clarity

Masks. To wear or not to wear; that is the question. Just a month ago we were reporting on a mandate for two-year-olds to wear masks while at daycare, and now one can shop for groceries with no mask if fully vaccinated, although it is unlikely anyone is checking actual vaccination status.

The inconsistency has the Michigan Chamber of Commerce saying, “Enough is enough.” In a statement issued this week, the influential pro-business lobby called on the Governor to stop what they called a “fiasco” with Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) regulations.

While the federal agency, OSHA, has aligned their recommendations with the current CDC guidelines, the state regulators are a little more vague in their response and in their timeline for implementing updates.

Rich Studley, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber, said, “The constant controlling and micromanaging of Michigander’s daily lives needs to stop. For over a year, Michiganders have been subjected to an endless stream of arbitrary, confusing and constantly changing state orders from Lansing.”

He went on to say, “It’s time for the Governor to start treating employees and employers like adults and allow Michigan to reopen safely.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Wants to Survey Residents

Getting out and enjoying nature and taking part in recreation on land and water are year-round activities in St. Clair County. The County Parks and Recreation Commission wants to know what kind of recreation is important to you and where you would like to see improvements.

The Parks and Recreation Commission is updating its five-year recreation master plan. A short survey has been designed and is available for all county residents to complete online and make their voices heard.

The survey asks about the use of the parks over the past year, as well as asking for ratings of the stewardship of the public parks through maintenance and condition. It also asks for suggestions in improving each individual park.

It also asks if residents are interested in extending the Wadhams to Avoca Trail into the City of Yale and whether additional parklands should be developed. The survey asks residents to prioritize efforts of the commission and what the best investments of tax dollars might be.

A link to the survey can be found at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sccparc2021

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland