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Local News

Vaccine Survey Scams Circulating

The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about a new email scam that could be coming to your text or email inbox: a fake vaccine survey.

The surveys look like they are sponsored by vaccine manufacturers such as Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna. They ask participants to take a limited-time survey about their vaccine experience and promise a reward in exchange.

When the consumer takes the survey, they are asked for credit card or banking information to cover the cost of shipping and handling for their reward. This is simply a way for scammers to receive your personal information and access your money.

For those who want to share their vaccine experience in a legitimate way, the V-Safe app is smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to inform the CDC of any side-effects experienced after the vaccine.

More information about the legitimate vaccine reporting tool is available at cdc.gov/vsafe

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

810 Phone Numbers Will Undergo Dialing Change

Port Huron, MI — There is plenty of time to get ready for a change affecting anyone with an 810, 616, 906, or 989 area code. Beginning on April 24th, callers are encouraged to start transitioning to 10-digit dialing instead of 7-digit dialing. In other words, dialing the area code along with the telephone number.

The change comes as a result of a new abbreviated dialing code for the suicide prevention hotline. The new code to reach the hotline will go into effect in July of 2022, and  the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants callers to be ready for the change well in advance.

The new code for the Suicide Prevention Hotline will be 988, which is currently being used as an area code in Michigan.

The Michigan Public Service Commission recognized that, “in order for 988 to dial directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, any area code that includes the 988 prefix must transition from 7-digit dialing (dialing without the area code) to 10-digit dialing (area code with the telephone number.”

Michigan residents calling numbers with an 810, 616, 906, or 989 area code can begin using 10-digit dialing at any time to get ahead of the change.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Landmark’s Wilton Selected as MAPSA Administrator of the Year Finalist

Kimball, MI — Landmark Academy in Kimball has something to celebrate. Landmark’s Superintendent Debby Wilton has been nominated as a finalist as the 2021 Michigan Charter School Administrator of the Year.

Wilton was a semi-finalist and one of only ten administrators chosen from among over 1500 charter school administrators across Michigan. According to MAPSA, the Michigan Association of Public School Academies, they received over 700 nominations from parents, teachers, school leaders, and students from urban, suburban, and rural areas statewide.

It was announced last week that Superintendent Wilton made it to the finalist round of just five administrators statewide.

Wilton has been Superintendent at Landmark since 2014. Landmark has around 800 students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Last year, Landmark Academy Teacher Bonnie Camm was a finalist for the 2020 MAPSA Teacher of the Year.

The winning MAPSA Administrator of the Year will be announced during Charter Schools Week on May 14th.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Don’t Get “Smished”

Phishing, brushing, now “smishing”. These are all different types of scams that try to get personal and financial information for identity theft or other fraudulent activity. “Smishing” refers to using text messages to commit fraud.

The latest scam involves text messaging and fake COVID-19 vaccine surveys. The texts ask people to complete limited-time surveys and then offers rewards. To get the rewards, shipping has to be paid with a credit card. For the people who fall for the scam, there is no reward and the scammers then have their credit card numbers.

Responding to a Federal Trade Commission report, Michigan’s Attorney General’s Office issued a consumer alert.

Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “Scammers are continuing to prey on our fears and concerns surrounding the ongoing pandemic. As a result, they are attempting to use the vaccine rollout to bamboozle people out of their personal information. Do not fall for these tactics.”

Smishing texts should be reported by texting 7726 for investigation. Unwanted messages can be filtered through wireless providers or with a call-blocking app.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Learn How to Protect Butterflies in Your Backyard

St. Clair County, MI — Friends of the St. Clair River (Friends) is hosting a virtual chat to help residents learn how to protect butterfly species in the Blue Water Area.

Friends has been monitoring butterfly species for the last five years, and more than 50 species have been identified. Although butterflies appear to be thriving in most areas of St. Clair County, they are sensitive to environmental changes and require specific plants and conditions to remain healthy.

Melissa Kivel, Restoration Coordinator for Friends of the St. Clair River, said, “We can easily picture a butterfly drinking nectar from a flower, but as caterpillars these creatures require specific plants for food.  Monarchs, for example, can only survive on Milkweed. We are helping people become aware of the butterflies in their area and more confident in creating a welcoming habitat in which they can lay eggs and propagate”

To participate in the free butterfly chat on April 13th from 10 – 11 AM, pre-register at www.scriver.org/events.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Adjusts to Change – Makes Plans for Future

Sarnia, Ontario — The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton recently held its 64th Annual General Meeting, providing the community with a recap of last year’s work and plans for the future.

Reflecting on the organization’s response to the pandemic, Al McChesney, outgoing Vice President, said, “It will come as no surprise when I say COVID-19 forced us to change how we tackle the challenges facing Lambton County’s most vulnerable. In total, over  $550,000, in addition to the $1,750,000 that was raised during the fall campaign, was  available to flow through United Way to agencies in need. More than 40% of those funding decisions were to Lambton County non-profits that were not previously funded by United Way of Sarnia-Lambton.”

McChesney just completed a ten-year term and had his last meeting with the organization along with several other exiting board members. The new board is moving forward with a refocused funding strategy concentrating on addressing the cycles of poverty, helping youth be successful in school and relationships, creating strong, inclusive communities, and supporting those with addiction and mental health challenges. They will also focus on helping senior citizens live independently.

The new board also approved funding requests for a snack program through River City Vineyard and a Handyman Program through Habitat for Humanity.

For more information on The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton, visit www.TheUnitedWay.on.ca

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand