George James

Record Expungement Process Explained on New Webpage

The saying goes, “You commit the crime; you do the time.” But what about when the time has been served and having a record prevents employment and otherwise getting on with life? Or when the crime is no longer a crime under new laws? There’s a webpage for that.

The new webpage, created by Michigan’s Department of Attorney General, lays out the criteria for expungement. While cleared records are not automatic, there is a process for making it happen. The webpage explains the new law, clarifies eligibility, and provides checklists to make sure all the steps are filled for completing the expungement process.

A new law went into effect on April 11th specifically addressing misdemeanors and local ordinance marijuana crimes. A person convicted of such crimes can petition for expungement if the convictions were based on activity that would not have been illegal after December 6th, 2018, when recreational marijuana use was legalized.

There is also an email address dedicated to questions about the process. A link to the email address and the expungement webpage can be found at:

https://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-359-82917_104464_104524—,00.html

For questions, use this email address: ag-expungements@michigan.gov

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Local Cities Get “Tree City USA” Designation

Port Huron, MI — Trees make communities better. The cities of St. Clair, Marysville, and Port Huron have all been given the “Tree City USA” designation for 2020. The cities are recognized for their work in promoting and caring for trees in the community.

The honor went to 124 Michigan communities, nine college campuses, one hospital, and one utility: ITC. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources certifies the Tree City USA recipients.

Kevin Sayers, urban and community forestry specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said, “Michigan ranks eighth nationally in the number of communities with Tree City designations.”

To earn the designation, organizations must have a city department or tree board, a public tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita, and a proclamation about and celebration of Arbor Day, which takes place April 30 this year.

Sayers said that trees help to cool sidewalks in the summer and clean the air. He said, “Michigan is still looking forward to seeing its first K-12 school become certified through the newest program, Tree Campus K-12. “

More information about getting certified with Tree City USA can be found at ArborDay.org/Programs.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Treasury Announces Homestead Property Tax Credit

Working families and individuals with a total household income of $60,000 or less who own or rent a home could be getting a little more tax relief on their 2020 taxes with the Homestead Property Tax Credit.

The tax credit is related to total household income and the amount paid in property taxes, whether directly through homeownership or indirectly when paying rent.

More than one million taxpayers claimed the credit on their 2019 taxes with an average credit of $669 per household.

To get the credit, taxpayers’ homestead must be in Michigan, whether they own or rent. They must also have been a resident of Michigan for at least six months in 2020, and own or pay rent on a Michigan homestead on which property taxes were levied. The value of the home cannot exceed $135,000.

Deputy State Treasurer Glenn White, head of Michigan Treasury’s Revenue Services programs, said, “Homestead Property Tax Credits provide tax relief for Michigan’s working families and individuals. These tax credits can reduce tax owed and may provide a refund.”

2020 Income Taxes are due to be filed by May 17th, 2021.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Ontario Locks Down Most Everything But Schools

With a COVID test positivity rate of around 6% province-wide, the provincial government of Ontario has issued an emergency stay-at-home order. It went into effect last Thursday. The order closes most “in-person” events except for school. Some schools in “hot spots” have closed.

Michigan has a positivity rate of around 15% with St. Clair County closer to 30%. Many schools have paused in-person learning.

In Ontario, the stay-at-home order is intended to “save lives, prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed, protect in-person learning and keep children in schools, allow more time to vaccinate Ontarians, and stop the spread of COVID-19 in communities”, according to the official Ontario.ca website.

Going to the grocery or pharmacy is allowed, as is going to the doctor, exercising outdoors, and walking pets, as well as work that cannot be done remotely.

Travel is prohibited unless absolutely necessary. Contact between households is limited. Even outdoor gatherings are limited to 5 people.

Personal care services, cinemas, and all indoor sports and fitness centers are completely closed.

The order is in effect for 28 days after which time it will be reevaluated.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Blue Water Arts Committee Want to Get Kids Hooked on Music

The Blue Water Arts Committee, affiliated with the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, is looking for ways to break down barriers that are keeping kids from getting involved in music.

They are offering grants to local nonprofits, schools, community organizations, service clubs, and churches that nurture musical pursuits in children in the community. Music can open doors to lifelong careers, hobbies, and connections for children and families.

The Blue Water Arts Committee wants to know how non-profits and groups can help to reach broader audiences for music, reach out to kids who want to explore music and get kids excited about music.

They also want to address the lack of access to instruments and increase the diversity of young musicians across the county, even in rural areas.

Organizations are asked to share how they reach out to children who have financial barriers to musical instruments or lessons, and how they strive to maintain a diverse group of young musicians.

Learning music at a young age is linked to greater self-confidence and concentration as well as improved communication and teamwork skills. Musical competency often carries over into schoolwork competency and it’s fun!

To learn more about the grant opportunities visit:

https://www.stclairfoundation.org/arts-committee-wants-more-kids-involved-in-music/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sheriff’s Office Cracking Down on Texting while Driving

That text message can wait. Texting while driving is against the law because it is dangerous and deadly. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is targeting those who text and drive from now until April 12th.

The campaign is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration’s “U Drive, U Text, U Pay” effort. The high-visibility law enforcement is part of a national campaign.

St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King said, “People know texting and driving is dangerous and illegal, but they do it anyway.”

King went on to say, “Deputies will be stopping and ticketing anyone who is caught texting and driving. We are not trying to rack up citations, we are trying to save lives.”

Texting and driving took at least 70 lives in 2019 and resulted in 18,096 crashes.

It is against Michigan law to read, type, or even send a text message while driving unless it is for reporting a crash, crime, or in the case of an emergency.

The fine is $100 for the first offense and $200 for subsequent offenses.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland