George James

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

PHS Advocator, Innovator, and Educator of the Year Announced

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron Schools announced this year’s recipients of the Advocator, Innovator, and Educator of the Year Awards. The annual awards were delivered to the winners while they were working last week.

The Advocator of the Year is Laura Nesbitt, a counselor at Fort Gratiot Middle School. In the live video presentation, Superintendent Jamie Cain said that Nesbitt is “a shining light, doing everything that’s right” during these stressful times for students.

Innovator of the Year is Mark Repp, the District Technology Trainer and Technology Integration Specialist. Cain thanked Repp for making things easier for teachers this year.

Educator of the Year is Sarah Miller, an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher at the Early Childhood Center. Cain thanked Miller for going above and beyond for her students in this difficult year.

The winners were selected from over 200 nominations from the community from both this school year and last school year. Winners received prizes donated by DoubleTree by Hilton Port Huron and Fort Gratiot Meijer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Major Investment in Computer Science Education Statewide

AP Computer Science is a high school class that can open the door to a rewarding career. A pilot program is spending $15 million to make Advanced Placement Computer Science a real option for kids across the state. 

The collaboration between MiStem Network, Code.org, Grand Valley State University, and College Board is focusing on expanding access to the class for everyone. 

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II said, “We are thankful for Code.org for choosing Michigan as one of the first states in the nation to launch this expansive, inclusive computer science opportunity. We encourage educators and students to explore the rewarding opportunities this new AP Computer Science offering brings.”  

The program is reaching out specifically to underrepresented groups and trying to get those students to pursue careers in computer science or engineering. The grants will pay for offering the AP Computer Science classes at no cost to the district. 

Trevor Packer, head of the AP Program at the College Board said, “We applaud Michigan’s commitment to providing a more diverse set of students with computer science courses, which are fundamental for 21st century careers.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Nessel and Colleagues Say No to Instagram for Kids

A coalition of attorneys general, including Michigan’s, is reaching out to Facebook and is urging the company not to launch Instagram for Kids. Instagram is one of the company’s social media products.

In a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and others in the National Association of Attorneys General expressed concern based on Facebook’s track record with monitoring social media and the research that shows that social media is harmful to children’s physical, emotional, and mental health.

Nessel said, “With research rating Instagram as the worst social media platform for youth mental health, it’s hard to imagine that this launch is about anything other than expanding the already lucrative Instagram franchise. Introducing children to this social media environment poses serious threats to their security and wellbeing and I urge Facebook to reconsider its plans for this new platform.” 

The letter states that the risks to mental health far outweigh any benefits of an Instagram platform tailored to kids under the age of 13. Kids under 13 are prohibited from using Instagram, currently.

A link to the full letter:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/NAAG_Letter_to_Facebook_-_Final_724678_7.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

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