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Local News

McCain Calls for Improvements for Deployed MI National Guard

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) joined a bipartisan letter calling for the National Guard to void the contract that has led to members of the Michigan National Guard receiving unacceptable and inadequate quality of food while deployed to the U.S. Capitol. Constituents serving and currently deployed to Washington D.C. have reported receiving significantly undercooked food and even meals containing metal shavings. The Representatives call for a new food vendor or for a per diem to be provided.

“I am horrified our guardsmen and women, who are protecting our Capitol, are being fed inedible food,” said Rep. McClain. “This problem needs to be addressed now, before anyone else gets sick.”

In the letter, the Michigan Delegation states:

“We understand that the decision was made to provide contracted meals to support the entire federal response stationed at the Capitol. However, it is clear that these contracted meals are poorly prepared, oftentimes inedible, and highly inadequate to support our soldiers. It is completely unacceptable that our men and women serving in Washington D.C. are being hospitalized due to the food they are being provided. As Representatives of these service members, we request that either the current contract be voided and a new food provider be brought in or that the service members be provided with a per diem throughout their remaining time in Washington, D.C.”

Joining Rep. McClain on the letter are U.S. Representatives: Bill Huizenga, Debbie Dingell, Tim Walberg, Brenda Lawrence, Jack Bergman, Haley Stevens, Fred Upton, Elissa Slotkin, John Moolenaar, Dan Kildee, Peter Meijer, Andy Levin and Rashida Tlaib. This is the entire Michigan Delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives

Read the letter <HERE>

Submitted by the office of Congresswoman McClain

St. Clair Women’s League Holding Spring Flower Sale

St. Clair, MI — Spring is in the air, and the St. Clair Women’s League is kicking it off with their annual Spring Flower Sale. The sale features hanging baskets, porch pots, and flats of assorted flowers.

All orders have to be submitted by April 3rd, and customers can choose a pickup date of May 15th or May 22nd. Flowers will be available for pickup on those dates at the St. Clair Middle School on Yankee Road in St. Clair.

Download the order form <HERE> and orders can be mailed to the St. Clair Women’s League at P.O. Box 243, St. Clair, MI 48079

The St. Clair Women’s League has been serving the community for over 40 years, and 100% of the profits from the flower sales with go to local causes and charities.

Visit the St. Clair Women’s League Facebook page <HERE> to learn more.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Limits on Gatherings Loosened Up Starting Friday

Starting Friday, restaurants can increase their capacity from 25% to 50% with safety protocols still in place. Indoor residential gatherings with up to 15 people from three households are allowed, and indoor entertainment facilities can operate at 50% capacity to have up to 300 people if following safety protocols.

The ruling also allows for small groups such as city councils and boards to meet in person with a 25-person limit. Governor Gretchen Whitmer had been petitioned by a coalition of State Senators last week asking for “common sense” guidelines that would permit business to be done in municipalities.

 The updated orders from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are based on three metrics: hospital capacity, overall case rates, and COVID-19 test positivity rates.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health was cautiously optimistic, even as more contagious virus variants on the rise. She said, “I am glad we continue to make progress, but that progress is fragile.” She urged continued vigilance and encouraged Michiganders to get the vaccine.

The vaccine rollout process is picking up, with the White House saying there will be vaccines for every American who wants it by the end of May.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SC4  Scholarship Deadline March 14th; Virtual Open House March 15th

Port Huron, MI — St. Clair County Community College is hosting a Virtual Open House to get future students acclimated to all that the college has to offer. The online event will be held on Monday, March 15th from 7-8 p.m.

The Virtual Open House will be featuring information about available programs, transfer programs and will walk students through the enrollment process at SC4.

SC4 participates in the “Michigan Transfer Agreement” making it easy for many students to transfer to a university to get a Bachelor Degree. There are also options for one-year certificates and two-year Associate degrees.

Besides the Virtual Open House, there is a link on the SC4 website with a virtual tour of the campus. The seven-minute video highlights the academic, athletic, and student support services that the college offers, along with information about housing, cultural events, and more.

It is also time for prospective students to get their scholarship applications turned in. The deadline is Sunday, March 14th. The application is online with many available options.

Email recruitment@sc4.edu to RSVP and receive a Zoom link to the virtual open house.

https://sc4.edu/admissions/virtual-tour-of-sc4s-campus/

Explore available scholarship opportunities and apply today at https://sc4.academicworks.com/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Grants Available for Ontario Small Businesses

Sarnia, Ontario — Applications for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant are being accepted until March 31st, and more than $1 billion has been provided to businesses in Ontario so far.

Recipients of the grant receive between $10,000 – $20,000 to use however they would like to offset losses caused by COVID restrictions and decline in business.

Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade said, “Our government is providing small businesses with the flexible financial support they need to address their needs and manage through this pandemic. The Ontario Small Business Support Grant and other supports are helping thousands of small businesses get through these trying times, to make sure that they are still around to contribute to our strong economic recovery.”

Main Street businesses with 2 – 19 employees can also apply for the Main Street Relief Grant which provides up to $1,000 towards the purchase of Personal protective equipment. The government of Ontario is also providing tax rebates to help with property tax and energy costs.

Visit ontario.ca/smallbusiness to learn more.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

OT Operation Transformation

Operation Transformation Gears Up for Continued Outreach with March 18th Open House

Port Huron, MI — Operation Transformation has worked hard during the pandemic to continue its support of local community outreach endeavors. They are planning a one-day fundraising Open House on March 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at their headquarters at 1904 Poplar Street in Port Huron, to give OT a needed boost in donations.

Brenda Seppo, Executive Assistant at OT said, “Finances are always lower in winter and with lack of in-person opportunities for people to give, we are hoping to catch up on the budget needs.”

The non-profit has a huge list of projects that they worked on in 2020 from jail outreach to collecting over 900 cell phones to buy prepaid phone cards for military personnel. Traditions like the Community Good Friday Service and Family Night during Boat Week are the work of OT.

Seppo said that OT has relied heavily on online meetings and community services to maintain their outreach, and has actually been able to reach more people than pre-Covid. They have focused on encouragement and hope to help people navigate the changes due to the pandemic.

New projects for 2021 include a Mentoring Program for those released from prison and jail and a new initiative to recruit more foster care parents and respite workers.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland