George James

Got the Vaccine? Still Need to “Mask Up”

Despite vaccination for COVID-19 starting to pick up, mask-wearing is not going away any time soon. In fact, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is ramping up its efforts to make sure people not only continue wearing masks but wear them correctly.

For those who thought they could ditch the mask once they got the vaccine, they will need to think again. Those who receive the vaccine are asked to continue to wear their masks to prevent spreading the virus.

According to Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for MDHHS, “We are making great progress towards our goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders as quickly as possible, but it is important people remain vigilant in preventing spread of COVID-19 even after receiving a vaccine.”

Michiganders are asked to make sure their mask fits properly to keep their own respiratory droplets in and others out. More layers mean more protection. According to MDHHS, one mask blocks 40% of particles; a cloth mask worn over a medical mask blocks 85% of particles and two medical masks or a medical mask properly fitted can block 95% of particles.

Reporting for WGRT –  Jennie McClelland

No Penalty or Interest for Failure to Make Tax Payments on Unemployment Checks

There is good news for those who collected unemployment benefits in 2020: no penalty or interest related to underpaid estimated tax payments will be levied, effective immediately. 

Taxpayers, even if unemployed, are required to make quarterly estimated tax payments if they expect to owe more than $500 in state taxes. Penalties for failure to do so are waived for 2020 unemployment benefits only.

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said, “This is the right thing to do. COVID has disrupted our lives in numerous ways – and many Michiganders are depending on unemployment benefits to get them by during this extraordinary time. Having to pay penalties and interest on unemployment benefits is the last thing individuals should be worried about when they go to pay their taxes.”

No action is needed to get the waiver. It is automatically granted to unemployment beneficiaries. Unemployment money is taxable income and will need to be claimed on 2020 tax filings. Unemployment recipients should have received a 1099-G. Taxes are now being processed at both the federal and state levels.

More information about tax filing can be found at www.michigan.gov/incometax.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Career and Technical Education Month Highlights Skilled Trades

February is Career and Technical Education Month. There are over half a million job openings projected to be available annually for the next seven years. Students are encouraged to explore career pathways that can lead to these high-demand jobs during Career and Technical Education Month.

Career and Technical Education, or CTE programs, are offered in regional “tech centers”, community colleges, and some universities. High demand fields include information technology, health care, hospitality, and manufacturing.

State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice, said, “Expanding CTE programs in Michigan schools helps to ensure students have the real-world, hands-on experience they need to explore rewarding career opportunities. CTE helps meet one of Michigan’s strategic education plan’s goals to expand secondary learning opportunities for all students – helping to inspire and encourage every student to explore all options along their educational journey.” 

There are over 3600 CTE programs in Michigan, with over 97,000 students currently involved. Interested students can explore professional trades careers by visiting Going-PRO.com/CTE. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Innovative New Playgrounds Coming to Lighthouse and Palmer Parks

Port Huron, MI — Being a kid in Port Huron is about to be even more fun. Both Lighthouse Park and Palmer Park are getting new playground equipment. Renderings of the proposed playgrounds show equipment that children may have only dreamed could be in their neighborhood parks.

The equipment shown for Palmer Park is large enough to accommodate up to 120 children. Palmer Park is the home of a popular summer childcare program and a hub for activity with sports courts, Sprout City, which is a child-size simulated city, and a large hillside slide. The new play structure will resemble a figure eight and be handicap accessible. There is only one other structure like it in the nation.

With the Port Huron Recreation Department seeking to make each park a separate destination and make recreation accessible to everyone, the outdated playground equipment at Lighthouse Park is also being replaced and will resemble a light house. New bathrooms are also under construction at Lighthouse Park.

The new equipment is being funded with a combination of grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, private donors, and city funds.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Local Contractors Rehabilitate Lincoln Street Home Slated for Demolition

 

Port Huron, MI — A Port Huron house that was slated for a date with a bulldozer due to years of neglect and serious code violations has been rehabbed and turned into a beautiful home waiting for a family to move in. Thanks to the hard work and vision of local residents and business partners, Scott Fleet and Steve Ainsworth, 1214 Lincoln Avenue has been transformed.

The house, not far from St. Clair County Community College, McLaren Hospital, and Downtown Port Huron, had potential that perhaps only Fleet and Ainsworth could see. Even the neighbors wanted it gone. Mr. Fleet and Mr. Ainsworth said they knew it would be expensive, but they had the construction resources to make it happen.

Scott Fleet said, “As we look back on this project we joke with each other that we might have gotten a little carried away, but this house had so much character to offer that we just couldn’t help ourselves.”

Fleet said his vision for the house “is to have the right family that can appreciate the architecture and beauty of this home. We would like to see this renovation help carry the positive momentum through this fantastic city.”

Port Huron City Manager James Freed referred to the renovation as “an absolutely breathtaking rehabilitation of the home”.

Scott Fleet and Steve Ainsworth wish to thank:

Scott’s Dad, their patient wives, Ainsworth Construction, TMA Electric, Spray Foam International, Northeast Plumbing, Ainsworth Door Company, Gates Roofing, Bob Anderson Painting, Luis Rivera Carpentry

 

BEFORE – Lincoln St. Rehab

 

AFTER – Lincoln St. Rehab

 

AFTER – Lincoln St. Rehab

 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland