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Local News

$3.6 Million in Grants to Help Fight Invasive Species

The Michigan Invasive Species Program is investing heavily in finding and removing the threats that could disrupt the diverse and fragile ecosystem on which so many depend for commerce and recreation in the state. Invasive species include things like gypsy moths and Asian carp.

Cooperation between several state agencies is resulting in the awarding of $3.6 million for invasive species projects. The Lake St. Clair Cooperative Invasive Species Management project will get $100,000 to go toward education and outreach, early detection and response, and organizational structure. The grant was submitted by the Six Rivers Land Conservancy and benefits St. Clair and Macomb counties.

The grants will help local agencies work on preventing the introduction of new invasive species, strengthening the statewide early detection and response network, limiting the spread of recently confirmed invasive species, and managing and controlling widespread, established invasive species.

Thirty-one projects are receiving funding through the grants.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Still Dealing with Unemployment Claims from the Pandemic? New Law Might Help

With a new Michigan law, certain unemployed workers who were only available for part-time work are now eligible for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or PUA. The benefits were previously only available to full-time workers.

The law affects claims filed after March 1, 2020. The program ended in September of 2021. The law is expected to help those who are still dealing with paperwork regarding claims from the past two years.

Julia Dale, Director of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency said, “This is an important change for part-time workers under PUA. The federal program allowed for certain workers to qualify for benefits that helped them stay caught up with their bills.” 

Upon signing the bill into law, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “The changes in this legislation will streamline our unemployment system and provide relief to Michiganders who needed these federal benefits to pay their bills, keep food on the table, and continue supporting small businesses.”

The bipartisan legislation is part of ongoing reforms to Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

TEC Students Receive Awards at State-wide Competition

Students enrolled in health care programs at St. Clair TEC recently competed in a state-wide competition in Traverse City. The Michigan HOSA State Leadership Conference took place on February 24-25, 2022, and two St. Clair County students received awards for their work.

Megan Liniarski, a senior at Marysville High School, earned a silver medal for her student-produced healthcare newsletter in the HOSA Happening competition.

Emma Lewandowski, an 11th grader at Port Huron Northern High School, earned 4th place overall in the Health Care Photography competition.

Congratulations to both of these students and their instructors, Melissa Holstine and Kami Peters who accompanied them to the competition.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

empowHER Conference Coming to Port Huron in April

When Demiree Fultz went looking for a group of women to inspire her, she connected with ladies in the Detroit area who had high energy events focused on empowering women. The experience was so powerful she’s decided to create similar experiences for women in her hometown.

In the summer of 2021, Demiree joined forces with friends Ashlind May and Cecelia Shuler to form the group UNLABEL’d, a social club for women looking for connection and positive vibes. The group has quickly grown to 35 – 45 women at each gathering.

The latest experience Demiree is working on is a conference for women coming to CityFlats Ballroom in Port Huron on April 10, 2022. The empowHER conference will focus on empowering women with a variety of speakers, a pop-up shop of women owned businesses, DJ entertainment, and appetizers.

“The empowHER conference is just gonna be a big party ultimately of women coming together and celebrating each other. We have six different speakers, some are from Port Huron, some are from Detroit, we have someone flying in from L.A. which we’re really excited about.”

“I wanted this big event for all these women to come together and just have a big room of girls that are rooting for each other, not any kind of competition,” said Demiree. “I’m hoping it sparks light into their souls to get things going for them.”

Those interested in sponsoring the event can contact Demiree through the @empowHER._ Instagram page <HERE>.

More information and tickets are available on EventBrite <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

Big Reds Believe Charity Basketball Game March 11th

Port Huron High School will be hosting their annual Big Reds Believe basketball game on March 11th at 6:00 p.m. in the Port Huron High School Gym. The game pits senior basketball players against staff to raise money for charity. This year’s game will raise money for one of their own: 11th grader, Andrew Kolinski.

Sydney Grewe, a teacher and Student Council advisor, said, “After taking a break due to COVID we are back and are supporting junior Andrew Kolinski. Andrew was diagnosed with cancer over the summer and underwent surgery to remove the cancer, and at the moment he is cancer-free! All of the funds raised will be donated to Andrew’s family to help with his medical expenses.”

The money is raised with donations at the entrance to the event, t-shirt sales, a 50/50 raffle, a bake sale, a concession stand, and a silent auction.

Can’t make it to the game? Order a t-shirt today to support this community effort. T-shirts cost $20 and need to be ordered by March 3rd.

https://phhswebelieve.itemorder.com/shop/sale/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Road Construction to Begin with “Bridge Bundling” Pilot Program

Once the potholes are filled in, the orange barrels will start rolling out for this year’s road construction season. The Michigan Department of Transportation is starting a pilot program to streamline and bundle bridge projects with hopes of making them more cost-effective.

The bridge-bundling pilot program is getting started with nineteen bridge projects, including the Palms Road project in St. Clair County. Macomb County will see bridge construction on 33 Mile Road, 31 Mile Road, and 26 Mile Road.

 MDOT Chief Bridge Engineer Matt Chynoweth said, ”The pilot includes 19 local agency-owned bridges around the state with major bridge elements in serious or critical condition. The scope of work for these bridges is superstructure replacement, which includes full removal and replacement of the bridge deck and supporting beams.”

The construction is planned to begin in March and be completed in 60 to 90 days. The project was bid at $24.3 million.

The public can track the bridgework with an online dashboard.

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4c3beb0ed01042a8b6df3623b987eae9

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland