George James

Discounts on Internet Bill and Devices Available

Some people are eligible for a discount on internet service through the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program sponsored by the Federal Communications Commission.

The FCC is allocating $3.2 billion to give $50 per month credits to eligible households. There is also a provision for a $100 discount on a laptop or desktop computer or tablet. Eligibility includes family income at 135% or less of the federal poverty level for family size, being a recipient of free or reduced lunch, being a Pell Grant recipient, or having experienced a substantial income loss due to the pandemic.

Even with legislation in the works to get fast internet to every corner of the state, not everyone can afford it.   Eric Frederick, Executive Director of Connected Nation Michigan said, “Michigan’s broadband issues go beyond a lack of infrastructure access. Even when high-speed internet service is available, many families cannot afford the monthly cost of service to get connected.”

 There are three ways to apply for the benefit:  

  1.       Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process. 
  2.       Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and find participating providers near you. 
  3.       Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application and return it along with proof of eligibility to:  

Emergency Broadband Support Center 

P.O. Box 7081  

London, KY 40742  

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Catching a Tagged Trout or Salmon Could Lead to $100 Reward

Spring fishing trips could net more than just memories this year. Catching a fish marked by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and turning it in, could end with a $100 payout.

Anglers are asked to look for marked fish and turn them in. Trout or salmon could have a clip on the adipose fin. They may also have a coded-wire tag in their snout, which is very small. The Fish and Wildlife Service only wants the head, so they can remove the clip and use it to gather data.

Jay Wesley, Lake Michigan Basin coordinator for the DNR said, “We are particularly interested in confirming the wild contribution of Chinook salmon to the fishery, movement and wild contribution of steelhead in lakes and rivers, and survival and movement of Atlantic salmon. This reward program will help incentivize anglers to become community scientists and help us collect valuable data.”

To be in the running for the $100 reward, the fish heads must be dropped off at a local drop-off station in Michigan. Locally, they can be found at Anderson’s Pro Bait in Port Huron, Blue Water Bait in Fair Haven, the Port Sanilac Boat Launch, and Lexington Harbor.

The prizes will be announced in February of 2022. A link to full details:

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79146_82441_82708-180624–,00.html?utm_campaign=marked%20tagged%20fish%20reward&utm_medium=pr&utm_source=govdelivery

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Class of 2021 Car Parade Planned for May 22nd

Port Huron, MI — A car parade is being planned for Saturday, May 22nd at 3:00 p.m. to celebrate the high school graduating classes from both Port Huron High and Port Huron Northern High Schools.

The parade is a grassroots effort as most school-sanctioned events have been cancelled. No prom; no all-night party; even commencement ceremonies are divided into half the class going at one time and half the class at another.

The parade is intended to bring all seniors together in a socially distanced way. A similar event was held last year in the midst of all the Class of 2020 cancellations.

Organizer Alexandria Guenther, a senior at Port Huron Northern said, “The parade is going to be something that we will remember for the rest of our lives.” Guenther said she is excited for the parade, saying it will make the seniors feel special, having the whole community and parents lining the streets of downtown for the seniors.

The parade will start behind the YMCA and will end at Pine Grove Park. Seniors are asked to arrive at 2:45 to get lined up. All streets remain open and all traffic rules must be followed as the usual street traffic is not being diverted. Participation is voluntary and not sanctioned by any public entity.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

COVID-19 Vaccination Privacy Act Discussed in House Committee

House Bill 4667, the COVID-19 Vaccination Privacy Act, has been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives to stem any future requirements of needing to prove vaccination to a state or government entity. Fines for violation are part of the bill.

Speaking to the House Oversight Committee, Lori Roman, President of the American Constitutional Rights Union Action Fund spoke against any so-called “vaccine passport” and quoted Benjamin Franklin, saying, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” 

China, Japan, and the European Union all have some level of vaccine passport in the works, and Canada’s Health Minister has endorsed the idea. Some American colleges and universities are already requiring proof of Covid vaccination for on-campus students and children have been required to show proof of several routine vaccinations for enrollment in public schools for decades.

State Representative Andrew Beeler, a Port Huron Republican, strongly opposes vaccine passports and is a co-sponsor of the bill.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to be Installed Locally, Statewide

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is granting over $1.8 million to install more charging stations for electric vehicles. The Blue Water Area is on track to have eight of those stations.

Sunrise Stores LLC received the largest disbursement of “Charge Up” grant money- $200,000- to install eight charging stations at their Fort Gratiot, Smiths Creek, Capac, and Kimball locations. Speedy Q Market in Port Huron received a $50,000 grant for two outlets. TNT Equipment in Sandusky received a grant for $70,000 to install four outlets.

The “Charge Up” grants are being awarded to install fast-charging stations that will add 88 outlets along key travel routes statewide. The new outlets are part of a plan to make it possible to travel in electric vehicles with no worries about finding a charging station across Michigan and with connection to high-traveled Midwest and Canadian Routes. The stations are for both private and commercial electric vehicles. 

The new fast-charging electric vehicle charging outlets are expected to be up and running by the end of the year. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Senate Tries Again with Broadband Internet Tax Incentive Bill

In a reaction to Governor Gretchen Whitmer rejecting a similar House Bill, the Michigan State Senate has approved legislation to expand broadband access to underserved areas of the state.

Whitmer vetoed the House Bill claiming it did not provide enough coverage at high enough speeds. The Senate bill meets the speed requirements demanded by the governor in her veto explanation. The speed required is a minimum download speed of 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of at least 3.0 megabits per second.

The legislation is actually a tax bill that provides tax exemptions for entities that invest in broadband equipment to increase availability and speeds. The tax incentives are hoped to bring internet to the rural and urban areas that are lacking reliable service.

According to non-partisan state bill analysis, 94.5% of Michigan households already have the desired connectivity. Still, the need for reliable and fast internet service has affected 100% of the state as both work and school have been forced to go online for at least some of the time during the pandemic.

The bill has been presented to the Governor for approval.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland