Send new stories and press releases to JP at news@wgrt.com.

Local News

Rotary Raises Awareness of Global Polio Threat

The Fort Gratiot Rotary Club is raising awareness of the fight against polio.

October 24th is World Polio Day. Those involved with the Rotary, an international service organization, have been working to eradicate polio for over 35 years. The efforts have helped to reduce polio rates by 99.9%. Vaccinating children in the Philippines was one of their first projects in the mission to eradicate polio.

Most people think polio has been eradicated, but there are actually cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The rise of the Taliban has caused serious concern over the future of Rotary’s efforts in the region.

Rotarian Jessica S. Simon said, “Local Rotarians have supported this effort through personal monetary donations and fundraising efforts that included a spaghetti dinner. For over a decade, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been giving $2 for every $1 raised by Rotarians, helping our dollars to go further. While we don’t see Polio as a threat locally, it is not impossible for an outbreak in another part of the world to have an impact on us.”

https://polioeradication.org/who-we-are/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Heading to College? It’s FAFSA Time

It seems simple: You have to apply for financial aid to get financial aid. Yet, money stays on the table every year because students don’t apply for it or they don’t provide complete information.

To try to get college students and their families the maximum benefit, the Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding families to start thinking about filling out the FAFSA. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The application period opened on October 1st and goes until March 1st for State Priority Consideration. It can still be completed after March 1st, but the money might be gone.

Robin Lott, executive director of Treasury’s Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning, said, “Completing the FAFSA should be on top of everyone’s list when applying for college financial aid.”

Lott said, “I strongly encourage students and parents not to wait to complete this free application. Missing the March 1, 2022, deadline could result in missing out on critical dollars that could help pay for college. Please do not delay and submit your application sooner rather than later.”

At least one parent or guardian needs to obtain a Federal Student Aid ID to complete the FAFSA.

To get started with the FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.gov. To learn more about State of Michigan scholarships and grant programs, visit the MI Student Aid website at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid.

Administered by Treasury, MI Student Aid is Michigan’s go-to resource for finding the financial resources needed to pay for college. For more information, contact MI Student Aid at mistudentaid@michigan.gov 1-888-447-2687 or @mistudentaid on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bridge Card System Down This Weekend

Michiganders who use Bridge Cards to buy food or use cash assistance benefits will be unable to do so late Saturday and early Sunday while a system upgrade is implemented that will provide easier access to benefits.

The Bridge Card system will be down from approximately 11 PM on Saturday, October 16th to 11 AM on Sunday, October 17, 2021.

Residents who receive food assistance, cash assistance and Women, Infant and Children (WIC) benefits loaded on the Electronic Benefit Transfer cards will not be able to redeem them during those hours. They can use the same cards beginning again at 11 a.m., Sunday without any effect on their benefits. Benefit balance information for all programs will be available at 11 a.m. and the transactional history will be available by 3 p.m.

“These system changes will improve access to food and cash assistance because clients now will be able to use a mobile app that was not previously available,” said Lew Roubal, MDHHS senior deputy director for opportunity. “We apologize for any inconvenience and chose a timeframe with low Bridge Card activity to make this transition.”

Submitted by MDHHS

Weatherization Program Helps Reduce Energy Costs

Help is available for low-income Michigan residents who need help winterizing their homes. It might still feel like summer, but winter is on its way, and along with it, high heating costs. Winterization can help reduce household energy costs.

Blue Water Community Action is the provider of the winterization service in St. Clair County. Those who sign up for the program will have trained energy auditors use energy audit software and advanced diagnostic equipment to create a comprehensive energy analysis of their homes.

After analysis, the most cost-effective ways to reduce heating costs are then determined and trained contractors install the energy-efficient health and safety improvements. Examples of improvements are insulation, air sealing, lighting upgrades, and water-saving measures. Safety issues like CO2 exposure, ventilation problems, and system efficiency are also addressed. Improved health outcomes like reduced asthma triggers have been attained with the program.

There are income eligibility requirements and homes must be in adequate condition to handle the upgrades.

Anyone interested in applying for the Weatherization Assistance Program can contact their local provider. 

More information about home energy savings can be found by visiting the websites below that cover:

Air Sealing your home. 

Energy Efficiency Tips from Consumers Energy. 

The Energy Saver Guide from Energy.gov. 

Twenty-five Quick and Easy Energy Saving Tips from Direct Energy. 

Energy Efficiency Tips for Renters and Homeowners from Energy.gov.

Training for those working in the Weatherization Assistance Program is provided by the Michigan Training and Education Center. For more information about the training, visit www.MichiganTEC.org. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Friends of the St. Clair River to Present Improvements in Drinking Water Source

The community is invited to a presentation by the Friends of the St. Clair River on the health of the water used for the area’s drinking water supply.

Chemical spills in the 1980s sparked a “Drinking Water Impairment for the St. Clair River Area of Concern”. There are misconceptions about what that designation means and the presentation is a chance to clear things up. It will be held on Tuesday, October 19th, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom. It is free to attend.

A survey was done by the Friends of the St. Clair River this spring to gather residents’ perceptions of the quality of their drinking water and to gauge the understanding of where municipal water comes from and the safety of that supply.

Results of the survey will be shared at the presentation. Water professionals will share information about the treatment process and industry partners on both the U.S. and Canadian sides of the St. Clair River will be on hand to share the progress made over the last three decades.

Sheri Faust of the Friends of the St. Clair River said, “Protecting drinking water is a complex responsibility, and in the case of the St. Clair River, it’s an international responsibility.”

Registration is required at www.scriver.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Border Reopening in November

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued  a statement on the Michigan-Canada border reopening for vaccinated travelers beginning next month.

Whitmer said, “The relationship between Michigan and Canada is one built on trade, travel, and friendship. I am grateful to the government of Canada and our federal partners for coming together to reopen the Michigan-Canada border. I look forward to welcoming our neighbors as they cross the Ambassador Bridge or Detroit-Windsor Tunnel into Detroit, the Blue Water Bridge into Port Huron, or the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge into Sault Ste. Marie.”

She went on to say, “By reopening the border, we can build on Michigan’s economic momentum. We had the third-highest GDP growth in the second quarter of 2021 and have a $3.5 billion surplus to invest in our families, communities, and small businesses. I look forward to collaborating with our Canadian friends to emerge from the pandemic and usher in a new era of economic prosperity.”

Submitted by Governor Whitmer’s Office