George James

“College Month” Reminds Students to Apply for 2021-22 Financial Aid

October is a busy month for designations and proclamations. Along with being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Farm to School Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Agritourism Month, and several others, October is also “College Month”.

The proclamation is meant to remind students to make the most of financial resources available to them to make attending college a reality. Throughout the month of October, Michigan colleges will waive the National Association for College Admission Counseling application fee for any student who has demonstrated financial need.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opened on October 1 for students looking at attending college for the 2021-22 school year. The sooner the application is filled out, the better the chances of getting aid. The Blue Water College Access Network is offering a free webinar called “Scholarships and Paying for College” on October 21st. Registration is online at sccresa.org.

Michigan’s 2021 fiscal year budget includes $30 million in funding for the Michigan Reconnect program, which provides a tuition-free pathway for adults looking to earn a postsecondary certificate or associate degree. The grants are administered by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Library Branches Open to Public after 7-Month Closure

After being closed to the public since March 16, the St. Clair County Library System is back open for in-branch service. 

The library had been offering services online as well as curbside service, but as of today patrons can enter the buildings. Curbside service will continue, by appointment. 

There are a few restrictions and changes that library users will need to keep in mind. Hours will be limited to Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

There will not be an opportunity to linger at the library. Much of the seating has been removed and visits are limited to 30 minutes. The number of patrons in the buildings will be limited and precautions like masks, social distancing, and the use of plexiglass shields are required. Gathering and meeting spaces are closed until further notice. 

Computers and WIFI are available, but only in 30-minute increments. The Local History and Special Collections will be available by appointment. At this time, book donations are not being accepted. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Karl the Barber Demands Charges Be Dropped

Remember Karl the Barber? He is the Owosso barber who stayed open during the COVID-19 shutdown and had criminal charges filed against him for violating executive orders that closed down hair salons.

The dust had no chance to settle on the Michigan Supreme Court ruling that struck down the validity of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s many Executive Orders when Karl Manke’s lawyer demanded that all charges be dropped against Mr. Manke.

In a press release, David A. Kallman, Manke’s lawyer, referenced several of his clients, saying, “All administrative actions and criminal charges predicated on the EOs pending against Mr. Manke must be dismissed. Our client Friske Orchards Farm Market is also requesting the immediate cessation of all threatened administrative actions by state agencies against their business. All of our clients who operate gyms and physical fitness centers, such as Crunch Fitness, are requesting that all actions against them be dismissed immediately.”

Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel has said she will not enforce the Executive Orders anymore, but the validity of pending charges levied before the Supreme Court ruling remains to be seen.

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

October is Agritourism Month

It is Agritourism Month in Michigan. Trips to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch add to the economy and have social and cultural benefits, but this year, protecting farmers and other visitors is a top priority.

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell addressed promoting agritourism in the midst of a pandemic, saying, “Agritourism opportunities are available in every county in our state. Our operators are implementing key safety measures to assure the well-being of their customers. We also need visitors to help the agriculture community by following on-farm safety protocols, wearing masks, social distancing whenever possible, washing their hands often, and staying home if they are not feeling well.” 

Agritourism includes farmers markets, on-farm markets, wineries, roadside produce stands, on-farm weddings and events, corn mazes and others. October is the peak time for agritourism as it is harvest time and the time when Michiganders traditionally visit local farms.

In the Blue Water Area, Simpson Family Farm, MacCallum’s Orchard, and CornFun Corn Maze Adventure & Pumpkin Patch are listed on the state’s michiganfarmfun.com website.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

It’s “Farm to School Month”

October is “Farm to School Month” in Michigan. Almost a million meals have been provided to state schoolchildren and families as part of the pandemic response, and effort has been made to use local food as much as possible.  

Farm to School Month is a national program that connects consumers with fresh food through the Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University, the Michigan Department of Education, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

In explaining the connection between the lunch line and the farm, MDARD Director Gary McDowell said, “Michigan’s local farmers, farm workers, and school nutrition professionals are key components of our state’s vibrant food system. The framework in place through Farm to School efforts have been crucial as farmers, school food service workers, and volunteers continue to serve as frontline heroes, expanding their efforts to provide food to our students and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Examples of local products used in school lunches include dairy, fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, meat, and beans. Efforts are also underway to improve nutrition education and increase the number of school gardens.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sarnia-Lambton United Way Hits Half-Million Mark in Yearly Campaign

Sarnia, ON — The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton County has reached the $500,000 mark in its efforts to reach its Needs Target.

The goal is $1.9 million, but the campaign hit a milestone on October 1. Campaign Chair Vicky Ducharme said, “Local businesses have been working on creative ideas to boost their own staff morale during this pandemic while raising funds for United Way of Sarnia-Lambton. We are booking virtual presentations to employee groups; we have had fun at the drive thru breakfasts and lunches.” 

Like everything else, the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton had to change course in the midst of the pandemic. The usual Day of Caring, Dinner and Auction, and Sarnia Sting game were cancelled. However, the challenges that the United Way addresses remain.

Ducharme said that issues including mental health, food insecurity, poverty, and isolation have not gone away. The organization raises funds for 36 local programs that help vulnerable youth, families, and seniors in the area.

More information can be found at theunitedway.on.ca.