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Local News

Secretary of State Will be Open Late on Wednesdays

Starting November 3, 2021, Michigan Secretary of State offices will be open late on Wednesdays. Every Wednesday, offices will be open from 11 AM until 7 PM.

Thousands of appointments are released online twice per day, so getting an appointment at a Secretary of State branch is not challenging like it was during the pandemic. It simply involves checking the website at 8 AM or noon to see available appointments for the following day or further into the future.

Those without internet access can also call or walk in to receive an appointment. The number to book by telephone is 888-SOS-MICH or 888-767-6424. Those who visit a branch office will be served immediately if there is availability, or a Secretary of State agent will schedule a convenient appointment for them to return.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said, “We continue to offer numerous convenient options for Michiganders to conduct their business with us, including expanded online transactions, self-service stations at grocery stores, and now evening office hours. We are heeding the call for evening hours from community organizations and leaders and adding another way we’re making government work for the people.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Luxiny Bath, Body & Skincare Store Opening in Birchwood Mall

Luxiny, a Kimball bath, body, and skincare company, is opening its Birchwood Mall store on Wednesday. The company has been successfully selling its products online, and they are excited to have a storefront to better serve their customers.

The new Luxiny store is located inside Birchwood Mall on the west side of the main corridor, just around the corner from the movie theater. It is filled with Luxiny’s signature products: all natural, cruelty-free, and vegan skin care, soaps, and lotions.

Owner Kelly Zinzo said it all started after she created her own skincare line. She researched ways to create a product that she loved, and it expanded from there.

When asked why she wanted to open a store in Birchwood Mall, Zinzo said, “I always loved the mall, and I hated to hear that it had lost a lot of businesses. When I heard there were new owners and there were some new businesses in here…I thought, this is a great time to get in and be a part helping bring the mall back to life.”

All of Luxiny’s products are made by hand in their Kimball warehouse, and the company prides itself on being cruelty-free which means their products are not tested on animals and they will support local animal rescues as part of their Corporate Responsibility Pledge.

Luxiny’s signature skin care line includes a Glycolic Acid cleanser and toner along with a Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Vitamin C Cream. The skincare line was what drew Rachel Farquar, Luxiny’s Social Media Marketing Coordinator, to the company. 

After using the products, she couldn’t believe how good her skin felt and how affordable the products were. “We keep our price point low to provide a luxury skincare product that is affordable for everyone because everyone deserves the luxury of beautiful skin,” said Farquhar.

Luxiny is currently hiring Assistant Managers and Sales Associates. Interested candidates should check out their job posting on Indeed <HERE> or email their resume to support@luxiny.com.

To see photos from inside the new Luxiny store, visit our Instagram page:

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

EGLE Wants You to Compost that Jack-o-Lantern

Halloween has come and gone, the good candy has been pilfered from the treat bags, and the pumpkins might be headed for the trash can. Not so fast, says the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

What to do with those slowly rotting jack-o-lanterns is a perennial question around this time of year. EGLE encourages people to compost pumpkins to reduce the amount of waste in landfills and to help nourish the soil.

EGLE recommends starting your own compost heap if possible and using it year-round to recycle food and garden scraps into rich soil. If that’s not possible, they recommend seeking out community composting options.

Aaron Hiday, statewide composting coordinator at EGLE, is encouraging composting for both individual households and communities.

Compost bins can be purchased at home improvement stores or can be constructed with things like old pallets and scrap wood.

Donating pumpkins to a farm with livestock could be an option as well, as most local livestock, like cows, sheep, horses, and chickens love pumpkins.

Visit the links below to learn about composting facilities in St. Clair County and state-wide.

https://recyclesearch.com/profile/michigan-directory/places?q=food+scraps

https://www.stclaircounty.org/offices/landfill/recycle_cmpstdrop.aspx

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Summer Storm Cleanup Efforts Ongoing with FEMA, State Help

The Village of Armada and Armada Township were both hit hard by storms in July, including a tornado touchdown, and will now get money from the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund.

The Village of Armada will receive $41,468 and Armada Township will get $92,456. White Lake, Southfield, Farmington, and Farmington Hills will also receive shares of the $1.2 million assistance.

Food benefits are also available for those who may have lost food in the storm or lost income. In-person interviews will be held with MDHHS to approve eligibility for assistance.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration will have their Hazard Mitigation Team at the Menards store on Van Dyke Avenue in Warren from now until November 9th on Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Team will be sharing strategies on cleaning up after flooding or other disasters and giving free information for both general contractors and do-it-yourselfers. 

For more information about Michigan’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4607

For food assistance: applications will be accepted:

  • Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Thursday Nov. 4, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov. 5, from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 6, from 8 a.m.-noon
  • Monday, Nov. 8, from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 9, from 8 a.m.-noon.

Residents can apply at three Kensington Church locations:

  • Macomb County.
  • Kensington Church, 25000 Hall Road, Clinton Township.
  • Oakland County
  • Kensington Church, 4640 S. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion.
  • Kensington Church, 1825 E. Square Lake Road, Troy.

 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bipartisan Legislation Could Improve Healthcare for Veterans

One thing legislators on both sides of the aisle can usually agree on is that our veterans deserve good healthcare. A bipartisan effort from four Michigan legislators has been introduced with the goal of improving the lives of veterans.

Michigan members of the United States House of Representatives, Republicans Lisa McLain and John Moolenaar and Democrats Elissa Slotkin and Debbie Dingell, worked together on the bills.

The Patient Advocate Tracker Act would create an online portal where veterans can check the status of formal complaints filed through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Patient Advocacy Act would require the VA to effectively staff its patient advocacy programs.

Both Slotkin and McLain said that the Tracker Act would increase transparency and work toward giving vets the best healthcare possible while streamlining the process. Moolenaar and Dingell said the Advocacy Act would increase the number of patient advocates available to veterans.

The idea for the legislation came from Cameron Zbikowski, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Student Veterans of America.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Old Newsboys Raising Funds to Keep Kids Warm

No one likes cold feet in the winter. Thanks to the Port Huron Old Newsboys, St. Clair County kids should be able to have toasty warm feet all winter long.

The local charitable organization has been providing access to warm socks, underwear, and boots to kids in need for over nine decades. Families who sign up for help from the Old Newsboys get a voucher to Meijer where they can purchase brand new socks, underwear, and boots of their liking to get them through the cold winter and beyond.

To pay for these necessities for around 1000 children, the Old Newsboys are trying to raise $70,000. Almost all of the money raised goes to the children. The organization is run by volunteers and there is no paid staff.

The Old Newsboys organization partners with MDHHS to verify eligibility for families that request assistance. Michelle Brown, a volunteer, said that the application period is closed because the target goal of 1000 children has been met. If donations pick up, they will be able to help more children.

To donate to the Old Newsboys, look for donation canisters in local restaurants, donate online, or mail a check.

https://www.facebook.com/PortHuronOldNewsboys/

Old Newsboys

PO Box 100

Marysville, MI 48040

Old Newsboys Fund at Community Foundation of St. Clair County

https://www.stclairfoundation.org/fund/old-newsboys-association-of-port-huron-fund/ 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland