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Local News

S.O.N.S. Offers “Your Future Now” Career Program

S.O.N.S. Outreach is planning a “Your Future Now” Career exploration program to be held at Port Huron’s Harrison School. The program was created with input from students coordinated by Generation Z and the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation.

The program will expose students in grades 7-12 to career opportunities in the trades. Careers in HVAC, computer programing, welding, masonry, plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry will be featured, along with robotics. There are opportunities for paid internships.

The program will be held after school on Mondays through Thursdays from 2:45-6:00 p.m. with tutoring, meals, and occasional field trips. There will also be time for kids to just unwind with games and activities.

An Open House will be held on Thursday, October 7th from 4-6 p.m. at Harrison School located at 55 15th Street. The program begins on October 11th. 

To sign up or to get more information, parents can go to sonsoutreach.org or call S.O.N.S. at 810-334-6710.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Update Your iPhone ASAP

Phones get viruses, too. If you have an Apple iPhone, you will definitely want to install the latest update as soon as possible. Spyware called “Pegasus” has been discovered to be able to infect iPhones without even a click, leaving the user totally unaware and vulnerable to unwanted surveillance. iPads, Apple Watches, and Mac computers are also at risk.

Journalists have been targeted specifically, but anyone is vulnerable. The virus was first detected when a Saudi Arabian activist was hacked and investigators traced the Pegasus virus back to an Israeli firm. The spyware is called “zero-click” because of its ability to infect invisibly. It uses the iMessage app to get in and can access camera, microphone, and messages.

Apple has developed a patch to fix the problem. To safeguard your device from this hacking attack, plug it in, go to Settings, click “general”, then click “software update” and click “install now” to update to iOS 14.8.

If you’re concerned, you’re not alone. The vulnerability could have affected 1.65 billion Apple products.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Scarecrow Saturday to be Held at Fort Gratiot Pond

Break out the flannel shirts and pour a glass of cider; fall is officially here. To ring in the season, Fort Gratiot Township is hosting Scarecrow Saturday this weekend at the Fort Gratiot Pond off of Parker Road from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The annual event is being modified with social distancing and the removal of hands-on activities, but there will still be plenty to do to keep families entertained, and candy stops are still part of the fun.

Sharon Wilton, Fort Gratiot Township Community Development Director said, “Fort Gratiot Township has continued to provide this free event for a number of years and we enjoy seeing the smiles of the children!”

A firetruck and sheriff vehicle will be onsite for the kids to check out, and local firefighters and law enforcement officers will be there to talk to the children.

There will be an animal show in place of the traditional petting zoo, along with a magician scheduled to do two shows at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

The pond will be full of action as radio-controlled sailboats will be out on the water to entertain the crowds and food trucks will be onsite.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Motor Bella Camp Jeep 2021 - Jessie Wiegand

Motor Bella Public Show Starts Thursday

Pontiac, Michigan — Motor Bella, this year’s stand in for the North American International Auto Show, opens to the public on Thursday, September 23rd @ 9 AM. The show has all the usual sparkling new vehicle models on display along with ride-along experiences and performance track demonstrations.

Parking for the event is off-site at the Williams International Lot off Opdyke Road at 3938 Campus Drive. Parking is $20 per vehicle, and it’s recommended to pay for your parking pass online along with your tickets for admission. There are shuttles running from the Williams Lot to the show throughout the day. Overflow parking is also available in other locations as noted on Motor Bella’s website <HERE>.

The show is spread out over the M1 Concourse property which includes off road and performance tracks, private garages, vehicle displays, and vendor areas. Motor Bella promises to be the future of auto shows by combining vehicle viewing, education, and ride-along experiences.

Ride-alongs include an off-road trip through Camp Jeep, a RAM TRX trip that takes you flying over hills at over 100 MPH, and a Ford Bronco obstacle course among others.

Tickets to the public show are $15 for adults on Thursday and Friday, $20 on the weekend, and there are discounts for seniors, children, and passes for families.

Learn more at MotorBella.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Whitmer Announces Plans for Wireless Charging Roadway

Pontiac, MI — Governor Whitmer visited Motor Bella yesterday, and announced plans to develop a wireless dynamic charging roadway in Michigan.

In the opening ceremony of Motor Bella’s press and industry day, Whitmer said, “Michigan was home to the first mile of paved road, and now we’re paving the way for the roads of tomorrow with innovative infrastructure that will support the economy and the environment, helping us achieve our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.”

Whitmer also said that the project will accelerate the “deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure in Michigan and will create new opportunities for businesses and high-tech jobs amidst the transition to electric vehicles.”

The Michigan Department of Transportation will release a Request for Proposal next week to start the pilot program that will create a one-mile stretch of roadway in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb county that will wirelessly charge electric vehicles while they drive.

Michigan would be the first state in the nation to deploy this type of infrastructure.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Another Month of U.S.-Canada Border Closure Announced

The U.S.-Canada border remains closed to non-essential traffic for at least another month. That’s the same story that has been told since March 2020.

The restrictions have been extended due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of the Delta strain of the virus that has been stressing healthcare systems on both sides of the border. The latest extension goes until October 21st.

Canada has lifted restrictions on vaccinated Americans. They have been allowed to enter Canada since August 9th.

The Biden administration is under pressure from lawmakers to clarify the reason for the land travel restrictions. Canadians are allowed to travel by air into the United States, as are other international travelers if they can show proof of vaccination and a negative Covid test.

The Mexican border is also closed to non-essential travel for at least another month.

Non-essential travel is defined as travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature. Essential travel, that is permitted, includes work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services, and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland