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Local News

Whitmer Asks for Help in Strengthening Food Supply Chain, Food Benefits

In a letter, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has asked for help from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in dealing with disruptions to the food supply chain.

Whitmer said, “As we combat COVID-19 and continue to jumpstart our economy, it is important that we examine and eliminate vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic up and down the food supply chain.”

Whitmer wants Michigan’s struggling dairy farmers to get paid faster in the wake of serious supply chain disruptions and volatile milk prices. 

Whitmer also asked for investment in vertical farming from the $4 billion in the American Rescue plan allocated for food supply chain initiatives. She promoted the advantages of vertical farming, including higher productivity, shorter growing time, less water use, and better control over foodborne illness. Whitmer also highlighted the benefit of having food grown closer to where it is eaten. 

Whitmer is requesting an update to the Thrifty Food Plan, which determines the cost of a standard healthy diet. Nearly 1.3 million Michigan residents receive federally directed food benefits, which Whitmer considers insufficient to maintain a healthy diet.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

West Nile Virus Detected in Michigan

The first cases of West Nile Virus have been detected in a horse, birds, and mosquitos in Michigan. The mosquito-borne illness is serious, but it can be prevented with precautions.

West Nile is transmitted between birds and mosquitos, but mosquitos can spread it to humans and animals. A 28-year-old quarter horse in Midland had to be euthanized in mid-June after getting infected and suffering neurological symptoms.

State Veterinarian Nora Wineland, DVM, said, “With the discovery of WNV in a Michigan horse, this signals that the virus is circulating again in the state. Its presence underscores the need to take all the necessary steps to protect animals from this disease.”

There are highly effective vaccines for horses that prevent West Nile. Animals should be kept in barns under fans during peak mosquito activity time: dusk to dawn. Limiting standing water and using animal-approved repellants is also helpful. Symptoms of West Nile include fever, lack of appetite, weakness, stumbling, tremors, and droopy lip or head tilt. Suspected cases of West Nile should be reported to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Search for Macroinvertebrates at the River Walk Park

On Wednesday, August 18th from 6 – 7 PM, families can experience the final Wetland Wanderings program organized by Friends of the St. Clair River. The free outdoor exploration program will be at the Blue Water River Walk County Park  at 2200 Military Street in Port Huron.

This educational program will focus on macroinvertebrates, small aquatic insects that can be found in the mud of wetland areas. Macroinvertebrates are important to the ecosystem in wetlands, and they improve the quality of the water.

Melissa Kivel, Restoration Coordinator, will help participants search for the insects, sort them, and identify them. This activity will help assign a water quality score to the area and determine the health of the park.

Registration is required for this free event at www.scriver.org, and free parking is available at the Seaway Terminal lot located near the wetland area of the park.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Bottom Line for Marihauna Businesses in Port Huron

After the passing of Proposal One in last week’s election, the City of Port Huron has filed a complaint and motion for a temporary restraining order against the businesses that currently hold provisional licenses to operate marijuana facilities in the city.

The City claims the passing of Proposal One conflicts with decisions set in motion by passing of the original Proposal One in November 2020, and they are concerned they will face further lawsuits from marihuana businesses if the court doesn’t intervene now.

Judge Cynthia Lane is tasked with sorting out the legal ramifications of both proposals, and the bottom line for residents in the City of Port Huron: there will be no marihuana businesses in the city until this matter is settled in court.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Safe Digging Day Reminds to Call 811 Before Starting Projects

It’s August 11th, or “8-1-1”. The date serves as Safe Digging Day, a handy reminder of the Miss Dig 811 number that Michigan residents should always call before digging in the ground. Hitting a gas line while planting a tree could really ruin a seemingly simple home improvement project.

Bruce Campbell, CEO of MISS DIG 811, said, “Not only is contacting MISS DIG 811 free and easy, it’s also a legal requirement for anyone performing excavation work. Whether it’s a large professional excavation site, or a simple backyard project, calling 811 or utilizing missdig811.org will allow the utility providers in the area the opportunity to come out and mark the location of their underground lines”.

Miss Dig recommends that calls be made at least three days before digging will occur. It is totally free and a simple call alerts local utilities to mark the ground where utility lines are buried. 

Calling 811 can prevent unintentional hitting of gas, power, or water lines that can cause serious problems. Projects as small as putting in a new mailbox or as big as digging a foundation all require calling 811.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Student Loan Repayments Deferred Until January

Federal student loan repayments have been paused since President Biden took office in January, and they were supposed to be reinstated in September. President Biden announced last week that repayments would be deferred one last time until January 21, 2022.

Biden says the decision will positively affect the 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 3 young people who have federal student loans therefore reducing the negative financial impact of the pandemic on their personal finances.

The pause in repayments only applies to federal student loans owned by the Department of Education, not those owned by banks or other commercial lenders or Federal Perkins Loans that are owned by colleges.

As part of the deferral, loans are also exempt from accruing interest until the COVID emergency relief period ends.

Loan forgiveness is not part of this plan, and student loan holders should be aware of scams related to this deferral. Any correspondence received by borrowers that asks for money to sign up for repayment deferral is a scam.

Information about student loans can be found at Studentaid.gov

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand