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Local News

U of M Flint Awarded Grant for College of Innovation and Technology

The U.S. Secretary of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration is awarding a $3.8 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grant to U of M Flint. The money is intended to be used to construct the university’s new College of Innovation and Technology.

University of Michigan-Flint Chancellor Deba Dutta said, ““Thank you to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for their support for a new College of Innovation and Technology building at UM-Flint.“

Dutta went on to say, “This catalytic investment in support of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology development will serve as the entryway for industry and community partners to advance economic growth in the region. 

Dutta said the University is grateful to the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and other UM-Flint partners “for their generous financial support of this transformational project.”

The investment is expected to create 126 jobs, retain 175 jobs, and generate $10.4 million in private investment. Readying the region for Industry 4.0, the next level of technology in modern industry is behind the investment.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids Raises Over $100,000

Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan held a virtual gala in September to raise money for their programs. The organization raised over $100,000 to provide wigs and support services for kids with hair loss.

The virtual gala enabled Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids to keep their children and supporters safe from a large gathering that could put them at risk of contracting COVID-19. Children being treated for cancer and other health conditions are particularly vulnerable to the virus due to weakened immune systems.

Maggie Varney, Wigs 4 Kids Founder and CEO said, “This was our most successful year yet raising funds at our virtual gala. Thank you to all of the people who opened their hearts and wallets to continue to support our program.”

One of the newest additions to the services at Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids is a raised therapy garden where kids can learn about herb and vegetable gardening and take part in healthy meal planning and cooking classes.

To learn more, visit www.wigs4kids.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

$70 Billion State Budget Signed

Michigan’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget has been signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The fiscal year starts on October 1st.

The budget has a $70 billion bottom line with major expenditures going into childcare affordability initiatives, workforce training, affordable healthcare, environment, and infrastructure.

State Senator Dan Lauwers, a Brockway Township Republican, said that the budget plan deposits $500 million in the state’s rainy-day fund and $150 million in the unemployment trust fund to increase its solvency due to fraudulent benefit payments. He said he was pleased with the budget as presented to the Governor because it was balanced “with minimal federal funding”.

 The budget has some line items for St. Clair and Sanilac counties. State Representative Andrew Beeler, a Port Huron Republican, said that the new budget provides funding for Mid-City Nutrition Soup Kitchen, Sanilac County Parks, and a Fort Gratiot campground.

 Whitmer, a Democrat, signed the budget but vetoed several provisions that she deemed unconstitutional and seven items that she saw as a threat to abortion rights.

 Links to the Senate and House budget bills:  SB 82 and HB 4400

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sanilac County Granted $200,000 to Help Children in Need 

Sanilac County at-risk children are the big winners with the announcement of a $200,000 grant from the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund. The money has been awarded to the Sanilac Intermediate School District’s Parents As Teachers Home Visiting Program. 

The grant will be spread out over four years and will be used to enhance and grow the program. According to the Sanilac ISD, the program utilizes the Strengthening Families Framework to empower families with parenting and developmental knowledge, social connections, resilience tools, and concrete support in times of need. 

The Michigan’s Home Visiting Initiative’s 2020 Home Visiting Needs Assessment reported, “Home visiting could positively impact many outcomes of certain areas of Sanilac County. Home visiting and other parenting education supports are limited but needed considering parenting risk factors in the county such as lower levels of education and use of substances. Additionally, 40% of children have experienced two or more Adverse Child Experiences, and the rate of child maltreatment is higher in Sanilac than the state average.”

There are currently 21 children enrolled in the program.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Theresa Winters Faraway Places Travel Travel with Kids

Local Travel Agent Theresa Winters Offers Tips for Single Parents Traveling with Kids

Local travel agent Theresa Winters was recently featured in The Compass Magazine where she shared some valuable tips for single parents who are traveling with children.

With a lot of pent-up demand for travel after a year and a half of closures and restrictions, vacationing and exploring new places are on a lot of families’ to-do lists.

In the interview, Winters, owner of Port Huron’s Faraway Places Travel, said that every trip is a learning experience when adjusting to traveling solo with kids.

Winters said, “We, as single parents, need an additional sense of ease. Most times, we’re outnumbered by children, which can easily make us feel stressed and overwhelmed. A travel advisor should focus on the ages of the children so their particular needs are met.”

As both a travel advisor and a single parent herself, Winters suggests letting kids help plan trips so they have a bit of a say in the activities. She also suggests road trips instead of flying as ways for single parents to save money.

Winters says all-inclusive resorts are a great option for single parents traveling with children as they have amenities onsite.

https://viewer.joomag.com/compass-summer-2021-master/0846492001627334402/p74?short&fbclid=IwAR0lsrGpzO5qisbm5u9CecM1FcA51ryFJ8gE1Jdqr1tSbQ7cMbWDhfSvDxA

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Time to Empty the Shelters

The BISSELL Pet Foundation is hosting a national Empty the Shelters event to help pets find their forever homes. This year’s national adoption event is October 4 – 9th.

The Blue Water Humane Society will participate in the national event from October 5 – 9th. Adopting a pet from the Blue Water Humane Society during Empty the Shelters enables new pet parents to adopt for a reduced fee.

The regular price to adopt a cat is $100 and $150 for a dog. During Empty the Shelters, the cost is reduced to $25 for dogs, and cats and rabbits are free.

Interested new pet parents can view available pets at the Blue Water Humane Society by checking out their profile on Pet Finder.com <HERE>, and then call the shelter to get pre-approved by filling out an application. You must be pre-approved to adopt a pet through this program by October 5th.

Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation, said, “Shelters are in dire need of support in the wake of natural disasters and overcrowding due to obstacles such as increased length of stay and slowed adoptions for mid-to-large sized dogs. Our fall ‘Empty the Shelters’ will support the adoption of thousands of pets across the country, helping shelters in this time of crisis. Opening your home to a shelter pet will save a life and create space to give another pet a chance.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand