George James

New Direct Care Workers to Get $1600 Retention Pay

Newly hired direct care workers, who go into homes to provide care, usually to senior citizens, are in short supply. They will be given retention payments by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to try to keep them on the job.

The $3.9 million allocation is funded by the federal CARES Act. Partner Agencies include the Area Agency on Aging 1-B, which serves seniors in St. Clair County.

The program’s goal is to hire and retain at least 2,000 direct care workers by the end of 2020. New workers, who have not worked in home and community-based services over the last 60 days, are eligible for an extra $1600 if they complete training and 300 hours of work by December 30. Workers can be asked to repay the money if they do not stay at their jobs for six months.

According to a press release from MDHHS, the increase in direct care workers strengthens the workforce and could allow eligible adults to stay in their own homes instead of moving to nursing homes.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Detroit Zoo Open with Safety Precautions in Place

The Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak is back open after a long shut down. With capacity restrictions and social distancing enforced, families can feel like they have the zoo all to themselves. 

The indoor facilities are closed, but anything that is open air is fair game. In cooler weather, the animals are sometimes more active and there is still plenty of nature to enjoy. 

Fort Gratiot mom, Emily Herbert, took a trip to the zoo with her young children and friends last Friday. She reflected on the trip, saying, “We really enjoyed our visit. There were some Halloween decorations up, which was a fun touch. We felt very safe as everyone wore masks and could easily socially distance with signs and markings on the ground. It was not over crowded. Despite a few exhibits being closed, the animals we saw were more active than I can ever remember. It was a great experience.”

A trip to the zoo costs between $10 and $19 per person, depending on age. Reservations must be made in advance for a specific entrance time. Traveling to the zoo is about an hour’s drive from Port Huron. Details are at Detroitzoo.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Life Skills Centers, Inc. Fights Social Isolation with United Way Grant

The United Way of St. Clair County has approved a grant for Life Skills Centers, Inc. The grant will help the organization to purchase mobile devices to help combat social isolation.

Life Skills Centers, Inc. has centers in Fort Gratiot, Port Huron, Capac, and Marine City in St. Clair County. They have several others throughout Macomb and Oakland counties. They assist adults with developmental and physical disabilities in the community.

The mobile devices allow for telehealth visits and coaching of caregivers. Caregiver Karen Trisch, a user of one of the devices, said, “It makes me more comfortable sharing my story with someone when I can see the person’s face. Being able to see who I am talking to helps to develop a connection.” She went on to say, “Having a caregiver ‘coach’ to give me advice and support while going through the hardest times would be like someone throwing me a lifeline.”

Clients of Life Skills Centers, Inc. are at higher risk for the negative consequences of social isolation. Age, pre-existing conditions, and difficulty wearing face masks are prolonging the isolation as leaving the house or having visitors is difficult.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

StoryWalk Installed at Fort Gratiot County Park

Adventure awaits children and their families at the Fort Gratiot County Park. The St. Clair County Library System and St. Clair County Parks and Recreation have collaborated to present the new StoryWalk at the park, which is located off of Metcalf Road near M-25.

StoryWalk is a marked path through the park that includes installations of pages from a book. The current book is “Mother Bruce” by Ryan T. Higgins.

Kristin Stiger, Senior Librarian in the Children’s Department at the Main Branch of the Library System, said, “The story begins at the entrance to the play equipment, and then wraps around the trail. The boards are numbered to assist families along the way. The trail out at Fort Gratiot County Park is the perfect length for this: just long enough to get some exercise, but not too daunting for our littlest trail blazers.” 

The current story will be up until November 13th, after which a new story will be posted. The Library hopes to make a trip to the park to read a story a recurring event for local families. Information on all activities will be posted on the St. Clair County Library website and social media. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

East China Township Wins Grant to Help Fund Riverfront Redevelopment Plan

East China Township is the recipient of a $25,000 grant to help with the costs of preparing a waterfront redevelopment plan for a portion of the community along the St. Clair River. The grant is one of thirteen statewide.

East China Township Manager Cynthia Paparelli said that DTE provided half the grant application development costs and will also provide half of the $25,000 match for the $50,000 planning grant.

She said, “This planning project involves the preparation of a Riverfront Redevelopment Plan along the St. Clair River. The study area includes property presently occupied by the St. Clair Power Plant, which is owned and operated by DTE Energy. This area currently lacks economic diversity, recreational opportunity, and river access. The Township, in collaboration with DTE, is undertaking the study to reactivate the riverfront for public and private use, improve environmental sustainability, and to bring vitality to the natural and built environments.”

According to Paparelli, this grant and the eventual development of the redevelopment plan allows stakeholders to look at the long-range vision for the property on the St. Clair River.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Westbound I-94 Off Ramp and Range Road Intersection Construction Begins

More road construction in the area of Range Road and I-94 is expected to start Monday. The project will be modernizing the traffic signal at the intersection of the westbound I-94 off ramp.

The traffic light will be upgraded to an “Intelligent Transportation System”. The system uses information and communication technology to improve safety, and efficiency and reduce traffic congestion.

The intersection will also now have a box span signal. The box span signal design is a new method for positioning traffic signals in an intersection. Instead of stop lights on a cable in the middle of the intersection, the new ones are placed near each corner of the intersection.

The project is expected to be complete by December 19th at a cost of $170,635. Nearly $1.2 million has been spent this year on the construction of a roundabout for the Range Road, Eastbound I-94 and Dove Road intersection.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland