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Local News

Bill Passed to Rename St. Clair Post Office after Corporal Jeffery Robert Standfest

The St. Clair Post Office could have a new name soon. The United States House of Representatives has passed a bill to rename the St. Clair Post Office in memory of Marine Corporal Jeffery Robert Standfest.

Standfest was a 2005 St. Clair High School graduate. He died on June 16th, 2010 in Helmland Province, Afghanistan while serving his country as a Marine during Operation Enduring Freedom.  Standfest was a K-9 handler with the Marines. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Standfest was described in his 2010 obituary as “the kind of person who could win others over easily. If Jeffrey had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. “

The legislation to rename the St. Clair Post Office was introduced by a bipartisan coalition of several Michigan legislators including Congresswoman Lisa McLain of the 10th District. McLain thanked those who voted for the bill and called Standfest an “American hero”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

St. Clair Wins MI Clean Water Grant

The City of St. Clair has received a MI Clean Water Grant. It is one of eleven cities, villages, and townships that split the $5 million total award. St. Clair will receive $210,142 from the Drinking Water Asset Management Grant.  

Liesl Clark, director of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, said, “Michigan continues to be committed to helping communities address longstanding water infrastructure deficits. With more federal support on the way for work like removing lead service lines and other pressing needs, we’re pleased to complement those efforts with these innovative grant programs that have been assisting local water systems.” 

The MI Clean Water Plan is investing $500 million into the state’s water infrastructure. The grants are aimed at reducing the risks associated with lead in the drinking water and making improvements to ensure safer tap water.

The MI Clean Water Plan funds improvements to lead lines, toxic contamination, constrained local budgets, unaffordable water rates, and other needs of municipalities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Karmanos Center Gets Money to Assist with Lodging for Cancer Patients

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute has been awarded a lodging grant by the American Cancer Society. The $50,000 grant is to help those who may face financial barriers to getting cancer treatment.

The Karmanos Cancer Institute has 15 locations, including one at McLaren Port Huron Hospital. The main campus is in Detroit.

Dr. Kathleen Goss, Vice President of Cancer Control for the American Cancer Society said, “Disparities predominantly arise from inequities in work, wealth, income, education, housing and overall standard of living, as well as social barriers to high-quality cancer prevention, early detection and treatment services.”

Over 60,000 Michigan residents learn they have cancer each year. Finding lodging near cancer centers is often a roadblock to getting care, according to the American Cancer Society. 

In Port Huron, free lodging is available at the Hunter Hospitality Houses.

To learn more about supportive services at Karmanos, call 1-800-KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266) or visit www.karmanos.org.

https://www.hunterhospitalityhouse.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MSU College of Human Medicine in Flint Expanding

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in Flint is expanding thanks to a $25 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The grant will fund an increased number of public health faculty, academic research, and community health collaborations.

Flint is at the epicenter of public health policy development in the region after the 2015 discovery of elevated lead levels in children.

Aron Sousa, M.D., interim dean of the MSU College of Human Medicine said, “Our researchers have worked side-by-side with the Flint community to improve lives locally and in communities across the country.”

Sousa said, “Our work in Flint across the city’s water crisis, COVID-19, nutrition and mental health has become a national model.”

Yvonne Lewis, founder and CEO of the National Center for African American Health Consciousness said, “This partnership between the community, Michigan State University, and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation gives real credibility and credence to the work, leading to strengthened public health efforts in Flint.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Reimbursement Part of Proposal to Address Teacher Shortages

The Michigan legislature has been asked to address the teacher shortages in public school districts. State Superintendent of Public instruction, Dr. Michael Rice, sent a letter to the legislature with some suggestions as to how to address the teacher vacancies in many struggling school districts.

The letter asks for at least $300 million to be spent over the next five years to address the crisis. That money is intended to be used to reimburse tuition and other expenses for current college students, including district support staff who make a commitment to pursue teaching.

Rice suggests loan forgiveness for recent college grads and current teachers who are paying on loans. He also pointed out a weakness in regional teacher preparation in the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula which rely on a single program to produce a substantial number of teacher candidates.

Rice said, “If we expect a major commitment from a wave of young people as our next generation of educators in our great state, the least we can do is make sure that they don’t go into debt to perform this all-important public service.” 

The Michigan Department of Education has several other initiatives in place as well to attract and maintain educators in the state.

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Closings for Thursday, February 3, 2022

We have received the following notices of closings and delays in our listening area:

 

St. Clair County:

Algonac Community Schools

Blue Water Choices

Blue Water Community Action (Offices and Head Start Programs)

Capac Community Schools

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High

Council on Aging – Services and centers (including meals and transportation)

East China School District

East Shore Leadership Academy 

Landmark Academy 

Marysville Public Schools 

New Life Christian Academy

Port Huron Schools

St. Clair County Community College – main campus and off-campus locations

St. Mary / McCormick Catholic Academy 

St. Clair TEC 

St. Edwards on the Lake 

Woodland Development Center

Yale Schools

*** NOTE: Port Huron Area School Administration Office will be OPEN

Sanilac County:

Brown City Schools 

Croswell-Lexington Schools