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Local News

Detroit Auto Show Bringing New Family Friendly Attractions and Additions This Year

The North American International Auto Show located in Detroit, MI will be featuring a variety of new themed attractions to offer its guests. The auto show has been on hiatus since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but returns in 2022 with new design and layout for its visitors.

The event will feature attractions both indoors and outdoors. One new attraction is the Dinosaur and Off-Road Vehicle Encounter which will feature life-like recreations of some of your favorite prehistoric pals. There will be more than 80 life size dinos, from baby sized, to some that stand over 28 feet tall and 60 feet long! It will also include the iconic “Flintmobile” driven by cartoon character Fred Flintstone.

Another new attraction titled the “Air Mobility Experience” is being labeled as a ‘Show Above the Show.” It features futuristic technology implemented in new vehicles such as the electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, hoverboards, and jet suits.

Taking place in Huntington Place, with additional activities in Hart Plaza as well as other signature parks located in Detroit, the Auto Show will be open to the public Saturday, September 17th – 25th.

For tickets and more information visit online at naias.com

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

100+ Women Who Care

Register Now for 100+ Women Who Care

100+ Women Who Care is coming up Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at the St. Clair Inn ballroom. The event will gather women from around the area to help the Community Foundation of St. Clair County grant $10,000 to a local nonprofit.

Ladies who register for the event will get to choose from a list of area nonprofits when they secure their spot for a $100 donation. Three organizations will be chosen to pitch their nonprofit at the event, and attendees will get to vote on who they believe should receive the $10,000 grant. A $1,500 and $500 grant will also be handed out at the event.

Registration is required by Wednesday, August 31, 2022, and organizers are looking forward to a fun, interactive night of philanthropy.

Lindsey Adams-Fitchett, Chair of the Women’s Initiative Committee, said, “We are excited to see everyone face-to-face again, and we are really looking forward to highlighting the great work of a local nonprofit that is focused on single moms.”

Register online at: https://www.stclairfoundation.org/100-women-who-care-2022/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Going PRO Talent Fund Changes in Store for 2023

The Going PRO Talent Fund makes awards to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training funded by the Talent Fund must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. Training must lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and recognized by industry.

Some of these changes include:

·  Streamlined abbreviated applications

·  New/Current trainee funding is being raised from $1500 to $2000 per person

·  USDOL Registered Apprentice funding of $3500 1st year through completion

·  Bi-annual application and award cycles (late fall & early summer)

Going PRO Talent Fund information sessions are expected to be near the end of September but now is a good time to start thinking about your application.

For more information and to find applications visit the Michigan Works website at macomb-stclairworks.org.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

St. Clair County Animal Control Offering Lower Adoption Fees For Animals In Shelter

Do you have a fondness for dogs? Perhaps you’re more of a cat person? Well if you’re looking for a new family pet, the St. Clair County Animal Control is offering lowered adoption fees for a limited time. 

Due to an unprecedented number of intakes this August, many animal shelters are finding it more difficult to care for their animals as spaces are filling up quickly. To combat this issue, SCCAC is lowering adoption fees to $50 for dogs and $25 for cats and kittens. All animals are examined, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped by a veterinarian. 

The SCCAC will be having an emergency adoption event from 10 – 2 PM on Saturday, August 20, 2022.

“Your support and donations through this unimaginable demand on our small community shelter this summer has been truly lifesaving,” says Director Melissa Miller.

For more information, call (810) 984-3155.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Mainstreet Memories Donates $30,200 to Council on Aging Serving St. Clair County

Executive Director of Council on Aging Serving St. Clair County Scott Crawford expressed gratitude to members of the Mainstreet Memories Car Show committee on Tuesday night after being presented with a check for $30,200. The gift was contributed after another successful year for Mainstreet Memories, the group behind the biggest car show in Port Huron.

This year’s car show happened on July 30, 2022, and drew 866 vehicles to the grassy area near Vantage Point. One hundred years of car history were represented at the show from a 1922 Ford to a 2022 Corvette.

Ron Steward, President of Mainstreet Memories, said car enthusiasts showed up from Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and Canada along with 147 cities and communities in Michigan.

The event had 138 sponsors which helped them raise a total of $63,750. After settling their costs and setting aside funds for the 2023 car show, the group was excited to pass the rest to the Council on Aging.

The Council on Aging provides a variety of services for St. Clair County seniors including Meals on Wheels, transportation to doctor appointments and stores, chore services, and home repairs. They also run the Foster Grandparent program that places classroom aides in Head Start and other programs that work with at-risk children.

Scott Crawford said that although the agencies funding and millage support goes a long way to provide their services, donations like the one from Main Street Memories helps cover the gaps. It allows them to provide more meals to more seniors, fix and replace items at their downtown Port Huron Senior Center, and other unforeseen costs that arise.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Border Chambers of Commerce ask Government of Canada to “Scrap the App”

A coalition of Chambers of Commerce representing border communities across the country is calling on the Government of Canada to lift the remaining COVID-related border restrictions and to suspend use of the ArriveCAN app.

Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce CEO Carrie McEachran said, “The border measures are not only slowing down border crossings, but they’re also having a major deterrent effect on visitors from the USA.”

US visits through land ports are still down significantly across the country. Statistics Canada reports that border crossings from the United States in June 2022 were little more than half the number made in June 2019. Tourism spending in Canada is still more than a third below pre-pandemic levels. Wait times at land border crossings have lengthened by up to two hours since 2019 despite traffic being cut in half, and bridge authorities attribute this entirely to restrictions and the ArriveCAN app. The average processing time for arriving passengers at airports has increased by 400%.

Chambers of Commerce have repeatedly asked for the Government of Canada to provide supporting data indicating that ArriveCAN has a positive impact on public health. No data has yet been offered.

Reporting for WGRT – George James