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Local News

Unemployment Insurance Agency Reform Bills Pass House, Head to Senate

Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency has been in turmoil since the economy was brought to a halt during the start of the pandemic. Lawmakers have brought forth a series of bills to reform the troubled agency.

State Representative Andrew Beeler, a Port Huron Republican, said, “A functional government should carry out its responsibilities in a thorough and timely manner. Those characteristics hardly describe our unemployment agency, which paid over $8 billion in fraud, approved benefits erroneously and slowed down many legitimate claims. The legislation passed by the House will repair the agency after disastrous delays, confusing communications and bungled benefits.”

The state House passed two legislative packages last week. The bills are now headed to the Senate.

The bills call for a clear, expedited timeline in which the UIA can review and decide on claims and more transparency. There would be a new unemployment insurance advocate.

The bills also ensure that nearly 700,000 unemployment recipients who received the money in error but applied honestly, would not have to return the money.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Hometown “Rising Star” Jazmyn Thomas Returns to Port Huron as New Administrator

The City of Port Huron has announced the appointment of Jazmyn Thomas as the new Community Development Program Administrator. Thomas will be in charge of community development strategies and the disbursements of federal Community Block Grant funding.

Thomas got started in her career working as an intern for the City of Port Huron in 2012. Thomas is a Michigan State University graduate with a degree in Social Relations and Policy. She graduated with honors with her master’s degree in Public Administration from Oakland University.

After building her career working as a Grant Management Specialist for Macomb County, Thomas is back with the City of Port Huron, where she serves on the Community Foundation’s Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Port Huron Police Department’s Community Resource Champions Committee, and the St. Clair County Diversity Initiative.

Port Huron City Manager James Freed called Ms. Thomas a “rising star in public policy” and said,  “No one understands the needs of our community better than someone who grew up in our neighborhoods. Ms. Thomas was raised here and that’s why we are excited she will help shape our city’s future.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Closings & Delays February 2-3, 2022

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

 

St. Clair County:

Algonac Community Schools – closed February 2

Blue Water Community Action (Offices & All HeadStart Programs) – closed February 2

Capac Community Schools – closed February 2

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High – closed February 2

Council on Aging – Services and centers (including meals and transportation) – closed February 2

East China School District – closed February 2

East Shore Leadership Academy – closed February 2 & 3

Landmark Academy – closed February 2 & 3

Marysville Public Schools – closed February 2 & 3

New Life Christian Academy – closed February 2

Port Huron City Offices – closed February 2

Port Huron Area School District – closed February 2

St. Clair County Community College (Main and Off-Campus Locations) – closed February 2

St. Clair County Community Mental Health will be closed on February 2, 2022.  All programs are closed. Employees do not need to report to work.

St. Clair County Government Offices – closed February 2

St. Mary / McCormick Catholic Academy – closed February 2

St. Clair TEC – closed February 2

St. Edwards on the Lake – closed February 2

Woodland Development Center – closed February 2

Yale Schools – closed February 2

*** NOTE: Port Huron Area School Administration Office will be OPEN Wednesday, February 2nd at 9 am

Sanilac County:

 

Brown City Schools – closed February 2

Croswell-Lexington Schools – closed February 2

Free Masks Available at Health Department and Libraries

Submitted by the St. Clair County Health Department

The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) in partnership with the St. Clair County Library System has free adult KN95 masks available for the public (while supplies last) at all St. Clair County Library branch locations and the St. Clair County Health Department, main office. Pick up times are during regular business hours. Limit three masks per person.

As COVID-19 continues on with the presence of the highly contagious Omicron variant, getting vaccinated and boosted, as well as wearing a well-fitting mask over your mouth and nose in indoor public settings or crowds is crucial to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Free KN95 masks have been made available throughout Michigan as part of the state’s Mask Up, Mask Right campaign. Find additional distribution sites at Michigan.gov/MaskUpMichigan or call (888) 535-6136.

Email COVID-19 questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org or call (810) 966-4163. For more COVID-19 information visit the health department website www.scchealth.co and social media @scchdmi.

Winter Storm Coming to Blue Water Area

A winter storm watch goes into effect Wednesday morning and is predicted to affect our area until Thursday evening. According to the National Weather Service, total snow accumulation could reach between 8 to 14 inches.

The winter storm is expected to cover most of the central United States, and it will bring a variety of wintery weather hazards such as snow, sleet, and freezing rain. The winter storm watch in our area affects the counties of Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Lenawee, and Monroe.

Temperatures will actually be warmer today through Thursday with a projected high of 39 degrees today and 34 degrees on Wednesday, before dropping back into the teens on Friday and reaching single digits in the evenings over the weekend.

Last year, winter storms in February resulted in more school and business closures than any other calendar month. For information on closings and delays, visit WGRT’s website and click on news <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Want a Fast Tax Refund? File Electronically

Tax season is here and this year is complicated. The Internal Revenue Service is begging taxpayers to file online and is asking that filers make sure to report the correct amounts for stimulus payments and advance Child Tax Credits.

Filing season began on January 24th and getting started early is a good idea. The IRS is bracing for a “challenging” season, according to IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. Rettig said, “Filing electronically with direct deposit and avoiding a paper tax return is more important than ever this year.”

For those who think they don’t have to file taxes this year, they might be wrong. A 2021 return is needed to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit or reconcile advance payments of the Child Tax Credit.

Michigan’s Department of Treasury is echoing the sentiments of the IRS: file electronically. State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said, “Filing electronically is the easiest and quickest way for Michigan taxpayers to get any refund due. This helps ensure tax returns are accurate and improves tax refund turnaround times.”

Taxes must be filed by April 18th.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland