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Local News

Empowering Young Artists: Mentorship Program Offers A Path To Success

New Century Art Gallery is pleased to announce its 2023/24 Young Artist Mentorship Program, aimed at nurturing the talents of 8th to 12th grade students passionate about the world of art. The program offers a unique opportunity for budding artists to gain valuable insights and skills over an 8-month period.

Selected students will meet monthly to develop their own art exhibitions while delving into the intricacies of the art business. The program covers various aspects of the art world, including exhibition planning, pricing artwork, approaching galleries, self-promotion, and more.

The mentorship program not only equips young artists with essential skills but also provides each participant with a $100 stipend to support their art supplies. Interested students have until November 1st, to submit their applications.

If interested, email Jeanne Burris Johnson at: jeanne@newcenturyartgallery.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Rite Aid Files For Bankruptcy, Set To Close Hundreds Of Stores Amid Industry Challenges

In a significant development in the retail pharmacy sector, Rite Aid, the third-largest standalone pharmacy chain, filed for bankruptcy on Sunday, signaling the closure of approximately 400 to 500 of its 2,200 stores.

The $3.3 billion debt load and costly legal battles related to the opioid crisis further increased the company’s financial woes.

The pharmacy landscape is facing a broader crisis, with Walgreens pharmacists and technicians staging walkouts across the country, and CVS stores in Kansas City experiencing similar unrest due to low pay and understaffed stores.

Declining profits from prescription drug sales, driven by lower reimbursement rates, and pressure on front-end sales due to competition from Amazon, Walmart, and Dollar General, have made the industry a challenging space for established players like CVS, Walgreens, and now, Rite Aid.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Thumb Food Policy Council Welcomes Heather Bearden And Dena Ellis As New Board Members

The Thumb Food Policy Council has expanded its leadership team with the addition of two new members, Heather Bearden and Dena Ellis.

Heather Bearden, who currently serves as the Regional Outreach Manager at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, brings a wealth of experience in food security and outreach. Her expertise will be invaluable in the council’s mission to address food insecurity in Thumb counties.

Dena Ellis, a Purchasing Representative at SEMCO Energy, joins the council with a strong background in procurement, contributing her skills to ensure the efficient distribution of resources to those in need.

The Thumb Food Policy Council, a collaborative effort encompassing Tuscola and Huron counties, is actively working to engage more voices from Thumb counties to combat food insecurity. The council’s efforts extend to residents of Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac, St. Clair, and Lapeer counties.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

The Salvation Army Opens 2023 Christmas Assistance Registration For Local Families

The Salvation Army is extending a helping hand to local families in need this holiday season with the commencement of their 2023 Christmas Assistance Registration. 

From October 16th to November 3rd, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., at 2000 Court St, Port Huron, individuals and families can register to receive Christmas assistance.

During the registration process, applicants are required to provide vital information, including their name, address, phone number, birthdate, and the last four digits of their social security number. 

Additionally, email addresses should be shared, along with the names, and number of children in the household. Details about children in the household, including sizes and gift interests, are also necessary. Lastly, applicants must disclose their household’s income.

The Salvation Army’s Christmas Assistance Program aims to spread the joy of the holiday season by providing support to those facing financial challenges.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Dean Transportation Promotes School Bus Safety During National School Bus Safety Week

Dean Transportation, a company with over five decades of experience in transporting students across Michigan, is actively advocating for the importance of school bus safety during National School Bus Safety Week, running from Oct. 16th to Oct. 20th.

This year’s National School Bus Safety Week features a student poster contest, with the selected poster, “Safely Rolling to my Destination,” created by Avrie Siedschlag from Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The poster provides essential safety tips for students boarding, riding, or disembarking from school buses.

Michigan’s Operation Safe Stop program will run in conjunction with National School Bus Safety Week, aiming to educate drivers on sharing the road with buses to enhance student safety during loading and unloading at bus stops. Dean Transportation also plans to show appreciation for school bus professionals through various promotional materials and social media posts.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Michigan Department Of Education Invites Applications For 10 Cents-A-Meal Program to Boost Nutrition For Kids And Local Farms

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has officially launched the application process for the highly anticipated “10 Cents A Meal for Michigan’s Kids & Farms Program.” This initiative, now in its second year, aims to bolster the nutritional quality of children’s meals while supporting the local agriculture and food business economy.

The state-funded program provides grants of up to 10 cents per meal to schools, early care and education settings, and non-school sponsors for their purchases of Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and dry beans. 

MDE Farm to Program Consultant, Cheyenne Liberti, emphasized the potential impact of the program this year, with expanded participation and enhanced communication between grantees and food vendors. The program strives to facilitate the sourcing of local produce from Michigan farms, benefiting both students’ nutrition and local agriculture.

For more information, visit: tencentsmichigan.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell