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Local News

Rural Education Day Coming to Goodell’s County Park

The St. Clair County Farm Bureau represents 3,871 member families in St. Clair County. Members are preparing to host their Rural Education Day at Goodells County Park on Wednesday September 22.

Project RED (Rural Education Day) connects 4th grade students from schools across the county with the farmers that raise livestock and cultivate the crops produced in our area.

Students will learn about the dairy industry along with bees, pigs, rabbits, and beef cattle. They will also learn about sugar beets, wheat, corn, and soybeans.

Local farmers will be set up in stations throughout the fairgrounds to share their knowledge with students.

2021 Project RED Day is part of St. Clair County Farm Bureau’s mission to educate youth in the community about how agriculture enriches their lives.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Master Impersonators Coming to McMorran

An evening with the Edwards Twins promises to amaze spectators with hilariously accurate impressions of their favorite celebrities, and the show is coming to McMorran Place for one-night only on Saturday, October 2nd at 7 PM.

Anthony and Eddie Edwards are identical twins who are master impersonators of over 100 celebrities. They performed at a Mid-City Nutrition fundraiser in 2019, and Beth Belanger, Mid-City Nutrition Treasurer, wanted to bring them back to Port Huron.

“I first saw them in West Palm Beach Florida years ago and thought they would be fabulous in Port Huron,” said Belanger. “No one will be disappointed with the entertaining show.”

The Edwards Twins will present “An Evening With the Stars” featuring impersonations of Sonny & Cher, Billy Joel, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga and more.

Get your tickets at Mcmorran.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Ford Creating Jobs to Ramp Up Electric F-150 Production

Electric trucks are on their way to a driveway near you.

Michigan is about to be at the forefront of electric vehicle production with the Ford Motor Company rolling out the all-electric F-150 Lightning in the spring of 2022 and expanding the job market in the region.

Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford Motor Company, said, “We knew the F-150 Lightning was special, but the interest from the public has surpassed our highest expectations and changed the conversation around electric vehicles. So we are doubling down, adding jobs and investment to increase production. This truck and the Ford-UAW workers who are assembling it in Michigan have a chance to make history and lead the electric vehicle movement in America.” 

Jobs are opening up throughout southeast Michigan production facilities to increase capacity to 80,000 F-150s per year.

If electric trucks seem impractical, skepticism could be quelled with the stats of a 300-mile driving range on a single charge and a $40,000 base price, according to Ford. Over 150,000 have already been ordered.  Ford says the battery system yields “zero tailpipe emissions” and can generate power for homes and businesses if needed.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

State Reports Declining Unemployment Rate

The Help Wanted signs at many businesses, along with the resurgence of job fairs and signing bonuses are signs that unemployment numbers are getting pretty low. Unemployment has been declining for eight months and was recorded at 4.7% in August, the last statistical month.

Michigan is faring well as it emerges from the days of Covid shutdowns and unemployment checks padded with federal funds. The economy grew 7.6% in the first quarter of this year and turned a projected $3 billion deficit into a $3.5 billion surplus, according to the Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Whitmer is quick to credit her spending plans for the low unemployment numbers but also credits the “massive influx of federal funds” in bolstering the economy. Personal income was up 19.1% in 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020.

Even with unemployment so low, Whitmer is trying to create new jobs, saying, “We have more to do to ensure every family, community, and small business can thrive as we usher in a new era of prosperity for our state.”

A link to the full report can be found below.

August 2021 Unemployment Report.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLaren Port Huron August Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Erin Emerick has been named the Employee of the Month for August. Emerick has worked at McLaren Port Huron for 13 years and is currently a sonographer in the Ultrasound department.

Emerick was nominated by her coworkers because she lives the hospital values. Her commitment to her department and coworkers shows through her positive attitude, pride in her job and being a diligent team player. Emerick is dependable, has a strong work ethic and is respected by her peers for her clinical expertise. She always puts patients first. She is kind, has a great sense of humor and always helps when needed. Her coworkers say they are lucky to work with Emerick.

This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.

Mental Health Care Access Could Expand with MI Healthy Communities Proposal

The MI Healthy Communities Plan has been proposed to expand investment in public health. The $1.4 billion expansion would be funded by federal relief dollars allocated in the American Rescue Plan.

The pandemic revealed areas for improvement in the health infrastructure in Michigan, particularly in mental health care, access to behavioral care and telemedicine, nursing homes, and local public health departments.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said that the plan “makes long-overdue investments to put Michigan families first”.

Mental health care investment is a major part of the plan with $335 million allocated to community-based behavioral healthcare. Antu Segal, President of the Michigan Psychological Association said, “Access to quality mental health care is a major issue in Michigan. The Governor’s plan would address this problem in a big way.”

Construction of a $325 million updated psychiatric hospital in Southeast Michigan and an increased number of providers are part of the MI Healthy Communities Plan.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland