George James

Virtual “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” This Weekend

This year’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” is going on as planned this Saturday, September 19, but with a socially distant twist. Participants are asked to walk in their own neighborhoods or favorite park and take a picture of themselves while walking.

MaryBeth Fleury, President of the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee, said that walkers can post their walk pictures on the Committee’s Facebook page and share who they are walking for or why they are walking.

Fleury said that the committee is not seeking donations from the walk this year due to the community’s financial strain under COVID-19 restrictions, but general donations are always accepted. The annual goal of raising awareness of Alzheimer’s continues this year even without the large fundraising gathering. 

The Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee was organized in 2014 by a local caregiver and advocate, Marcia Haynes, who realized that St. Clair County had some wonderful dementia care resources, but that collaboration was needed to get them together in one place to better serve the dementia caregiver.

 More information about the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee can be found at www.darcscc.org. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“A Beautiful Me” Turns to Pen and Paper to Reach Out to Local Youth

A Beautiful Me has launched a new Pen Pal Program to reach out to local girls who may be feeling isolated and alone in the era of social distancing.

When everything seems to be online and virtual, A Beautiful Me, a local non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of girls in the community, has turned to old-fashioned snail mail. Twenty-five volunteers have written letters, filled envelopes, and provided an opportunity to keep the “Pen Pal” relationship going.  

Jenna Hayre, a young adult volunteer and alumna of the program, said, “I wish I could see the expression on the faces of the girls who receive these cards — as they open up the envelopes and are spontaneously encouraged.”

The volunteers are background checked and the messages in the letters adhere to the driving philosophy of A Beautiful Me, to develop confidence and empowerment for girls in grades 3-12.

The recipients of the letters are the 375 girls who participated in the “be-YOU-tiful” workshop series from 2018-2020 in Macomb, St. Clair, Oakland, Genesee, Livingston, Wayne, and Lapeer counties.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Aerial Mosquito Spraying Planned as Eastern Equine Encephalitis Risk Grows

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have enacted an emergency rule that allows for application of pesticide without notification and will start aerial pesticide treatment for mosquitos, starting the night of September 16. The spraying will take place in high risk areas of Michigan.

The spraying will not take place in St. Clair County at this point. It is planned for Barry, Clare, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo and Oakland counties. Those counties are being targeted because Eastern Equine Encephalitis has been found in 22 horses in the areas.

The disease is easily transmitted to humans from infected mosquitos and is twice as prevalent in horses this year compared to last year. Eastern Equine Encephalitis has a 33% mortality rate in humans and is particularly serious for children and older adults.

Planes will be dropping an “ultra-low volume” pesticide, Merus 3.0, a 5% pyrethrin that is botanically extracted, that kills mosquitoes on contact. It will be sprayed from dusk to dawn.

More information can be found at michigan.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Museums Fall Schedule Announced

Port Huron, MI — A fall line-up has been announced by Port Huron Museums. The fall schedule has several new events for the community, keeping social distancing in mind.

While the Huron Lightship is currently closed for repairs, the Thomas Edison Depot, Carnegie Center, and Fort Gratiot Light Station are open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m.

The Museum is offering guided trolley tours with a variety of topics. Private tours can be arranged with history experts Dave Dazer or Andrew Kercher to get an inside look at Port Huron’s rich history while enjoying a ride in the trolley.

Pioneer Day is not cancelled this year, but will be held in keeping with social distancing mandates. The ticketed event will feature candle making and a lesson in the history of the 1850s era Kammer log cabin. The family friendly event runs from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on September 26th on the grounds of the Museum in Downtown Port Huron.

Information and reservations for events can be found at phmuseum.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

State Sells Bonds to “Fix the Darn Roads”

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced closing on the sale of an $800 million bond issue. The sale is the first step toward a road rebuilding project throughout the state.

The bonds are expected to cover the cost of the repair of the freeways with the highest use, starting with a $60 million I-496 rebuild.

The total $3.5 billion bond sale is planned to finance 122 major highway projects, including the rebuilding of I-69 in St. Clair County, which is already in progress.

The bond sale was endorsed by Moody’s Investor Services, even in the midst of a pandemic. A statement from Moody’s said, “Michigan’s state trunkline bonds are not susceptible to immediate material credit risks related to coronavirus because of strong coverage of debt service and limits on additional leverage. The longer-term impact will depend on both the severity and duration of the crisis.”  

The state’s all-in true interest costs are 2.727%. The $800 million sale is expected to generate $1.017 billion in proceeds.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Nomination Period Open to Recognize Outstanding School Support Staff

If you know of a school support staff member who has gone above and beyond in their job, you have a chance to nominate that person for the Michigan Education Support Staff Professional of the Year Award and the national Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award

The Award is intended for school support staff who work as paraprofessionals, in clerical services, transportation services, food and nutrition services, technical services, and in the skilled trades.

State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice said, “School support staff greatly contribute to the success of our students and schools – ensuring students arrive at school safely; that they are fed; that their schools are clean; and that they have assistance in classrooms. It is important to recognize our education support staff professionals and value their contributions to student success.”  

Parents and students as well as public and private entities can nominate support staff from now until September 25, 2020. Nomination forms can be found at Michigan.gov.

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland