George James

IKEA Returns the Favor with Donation to Michigan’s Response and Recovery Initiative

The furniture and housewares destination store, IKEA, has donated $1.2 million to Michigan’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiative. The donation comes after IKEA received support in the form of unemployment benefits for their employees during the store’s shutdown.

After months of cashing checks from the federal government, the state welcomed the largest private donation to date. The money is intended to support relief efforts and critical services.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “Michigan families, frontline workers, and small businesses have done their part to slow the spread of the virus, but the fight is not over yet. I am grateful that IKEA has stepped up during this difficult time to ensure we have the funding we need to provide critical services to Michiganders impacted by COVID-19.” 

Considering it a “pay it forward” donation, Javier Quiñones, IKEA Retail U.S. president spoke of the donation, saying, “We are appreciative of the ongoing support from the state of Michigan, including the unemployment funds paid to our co-workers who were furloughed in the early weeks of the pandemic.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Under Scrutiny by States

Attorneys General nationwide, including Michigan’s, are urging Congress to make changes to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). The Act provides critical financial support to violent crimes victims and their families. 

The effort hopes to redirect fines and fees from corporate deferred and non-prosecution agreements to the fund as well as increase the rate of federal reimbursement to states for victim compensation programs. It also hopes to extend the amount of time VOCA funds can be spent.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “In some instances, crime victims were subjected to a traumatic experience and must recover emotionally or physically, both of which can require treatment from health care professionals and the medical bills that go with it.” 

Michigan has a revamped Crime Victims’ Rights website and uses federal Victims of Crime Act funds to have several victim advocates on staff to support victims through legal proceedings. 

Funding comes from criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, penalties, and special assessments collected by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, federal courts and the Federal Bureau of Prisons 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan’s Economy Not as Bad as Predicted, Thanks to Federal Money

The Michigan State Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference had a bit of good news on Monday when they reported a less disastrous economic situation than had been predicted in May.

The State Treasurer, State Budget Director, and both Senate and House Fiscal Agency Directors reached consensus on revised economic and revenue figures for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2020 and for the upcoming 2021 and 2022 fiscal years, according to a press release from the Michigan Department of Treasury.

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said, “The good news is that the decline in revenues have not been as severe as we forecasted in May in the early days of the pandemic; however, we are still down nearly $1 billion overall from January’s forecast.” She went on to say that federal aid helped the state.

State Representative Shane Hernandez also credited federal aid with the rosier outlook, but not as a permanent solution. Hernandez said, “Two things must happen right now: The economy must be safely and fully reopened, and we must make wise, conservative budget decisions to avoid bigger problems in the near future.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Opioid and Other Drugs” Virtual Series Kicks off September 1

The St. Clair County Community Mental Health Authority in collaboration with Community Services Coordinating Body’s Executive Opioid Oversight Task Force is hosting the “Opioid and Other Drugs Virtual Series”.

The series starts on September 1st with Keynote Speaker, Dr. Frank McGeorge, the medical correspondent for WDIV Channel 4 News. McGeorge will be talking about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on those struggling with addictions. The loss of supports has had an impact.

Other speakers include Captain Mat King of the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, Social Worker Thomas Moore, Judge Linda Davis, and Phil Pavona, Vice President and founder of the Okemos/Ingham Families Against Narcotics. There are several other speakers including local health care providers and those involved in the daily struggle with addiction.

The series ends with a State of the County Panel on September 30. Sessions are available for continuing education credits. All presentations are one hour long and available for free. Registration is at scccmh.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Big Tree Hunt Underway

The 15th Biennial Michigan Big Tree Hunt Contest has been announced by ReLeaf Michigan. The contest is for Michigan residents of all ages and is open until August of 2021.

Winners will go on to the State Champion Tree List and could be entered into the official National Register of Big Trees. The state list includes eight trees in St. Clair County, including a copper beech on Seventh Street in Port Huron. The only Michigan tree that is on the national list right now is a White Willow in Lansing.

Last year’s contest had over 700 submissions. Size is determined by circumference of the trunk. Prizes are awarded for the largest tree found. There is also a contest for the largest White Pine, which is Michigan’s State Tree.

There is recognition for each county’s largest tree and largest of each species. Currently there are no registered state champions for striped maple, mountain maple, choke cherry, and white/paper birch.

More information can be found at releafmichigan.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Firefighters Assisting with California Wildfires

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is on its way to California to help fight the massive wildfires with off-road fire engines.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “The California wildfires have devastated thousands of families, and Michigan is ready to help in any way we can. The highly trained firefighters from the Michigan DNR regularly assist other parts of the country that are in need. Just like when California sent us ventilators in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re prepared to help our friends on the West Coast protect families, businesses, and wildlife from these fires.”

There is a nationwide cooperative system where DNR firefighters may be assigned to any state in need. The DNR assures that there are plenty of firefighters still in Michigan should their skills be needed.

Multiple blazes are being fought in 15 states right now. Thousands have had to evacuate in California, and over a million acres of land have been burned. The fires are minimally contained with threat of more fires on the horizon.

Michigan is reimbursed for the services and the DNR describes the travel as “valuable to firefighters who want to increase their experience and learn skills they can use to fight fires at home.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland