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Local News

Michigan Veteran Homes Seek Volunteers For No Member Dies Alone Program

When they were called upon to defend our country, our veterans were there serving and protecting. When it comes time for the hero’s farewell, many of our vets spend their last days alone.

The Michigan Veterans Homes (MVH) is seeking volunteers to join the No Member Dies Alone (NMDA) program. This one-of-a-kind program allows volunteers to provide bedside comfort when friends and family are unable to be there for their loved ones. 

Volunteers will partake in acts of kindness such as having conversation, reading or playing music, or just holding the hand of one of our veterans so that they don’t have to transition alone.

MVH needs volunteers at their facilities located in Grand Rapids, Chesterfield Township, and Marquette. They will provide all necessary training such as bedside protocol, communication skills and self-care, as well as privacy regulations. 

For more information, visit: michigan.gov/nomemberdiesalone.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Detroit Pistons HBCU/NPHC Night Coming Soon

The Detroit Pistons will be gearing up to play the Phoenix Suns and the National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) is inviting you to join the Detroit Pistons HBCU/NPHC Night at Little Caesars Arena.

The NPHC is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American international Greek lettered fraternities. Their primary purpose and focus is camaraderie and academic excellence for its members and serving their respective communities through educational, economic, and cultural service activities.

On Saturday, February 4th, starting at 7 p.m., guests are welcome to hang out at Little Caesars Arena to watch the Detroit Pistons take on the Phoenix Suns for a night of fun for a good cause. The event is a fundraising opportunity for the Detroit, Pontiac, Grand Rapids, and Lansing NPHC organizations. 

Tickets are $45 dollars and include a long sleeve Pistons/Divine 9 shirt, post game celebration with the Pistons, and surprise guests. 

For tickets, visit: pistons.com/nphcnight.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Recall On Danielle International LLC Ready-To-Eat Sausage Products

We all hope and expect our food to be free of anything that would make us ill, but due to modern processing methods or just human error, things sometimes slip through the cracks. 

There has been a recent recall for ready-to-eat sausage products from Daniele International LLC. The company is responsible for foods under the names of many other brands including Boars Head, and Frederik’s.

Products are said to have been adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause listeriosis. Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, and diarrhea, as well as other symptoms. 

Products were shipped nationwide between December 23rd, and January 17th. Products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST.54” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

For a full list of products that may be contaminated, visit: fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Reporting For WGRT – Choze Powell

Extra Covid-19 Food Assistance Payments Ends After February

To address the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic back in 2020, many Michigan residents began receiving additional food assistance each month. Due to new federal legislation that will end after February.

Individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were receiving an extra food benefit of $95 or more per month, but due to the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which was signed on December 29th, those individuals will have to look for other means to offset the loss. 

Options that are suggested include local food banks, free and reduced-priced school lunches, the WIC program, and Double-Up Food Bucks. 

“Now that we know the additional benefits are going away, we want to make sure our clients are prepared for this change, as we realize inflation is affecting all of us,” says Chief Deputy Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lewis Roubal.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Lambton College Rated Third In Research College Rankings

If you live in the Sarnia-Lambton area of Canada, you live in the vicinity of the third best ranked research college in the country. 

Based upon rankings conducted by Research Infosource Inc., Lambton College was ranked third in its recently released Annual Top-50 Research Colleges. The rankings rely heavily on research income, amongst other indicators, says college officials. Total sponsored research income at Lambton totalled $14,210, up 13.4% than the prior year.

Lambton College has been on the top research colleges list for seven consecutive years. 

They are first in research partnerships with 287, first in terms of paid student researchers at 260, and first in Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada income with $10,606. 

School President, and CEO Rob Kardas says, “This ranking is once again representative of the outstanding impact research and innovation has on the success of our students and the growth and prosperity of our community.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

General Motors Gifts Northwood With $100K For Automotive Camp

General Motors, one of the Big Three in the automotive world, has awarded $100k to Northwood University to host an automotive camp for high school seniors. 

The Full Tank Automotive Camp will help students in various areas of the automotive industry such as, design, development, sales and marketing, manufacturing, problem-solving in a business setting, and learning how dealership profits center work. 

The camp will be held Sunday, June 11th to Friday, June 18th at Northwood University located in Midland. Northwood is nationally recognized in the automotive industry for its undergraduate automotive studies and its graduate-level automotive management programs. Students interested in an automotive career will definitely want to register. 

There are a limited number of scholarships available for those students who may need financial assistance. 

For more information, visit: Northwood.edu. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell