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Local News

Ft. Gratiot Gearing Up for Cruise Weekend

Fort Gratiot Township and the Fort Gratiot Business Association are getting ready for their biggest event of the year: Blue Water Cruise Weekend. The event is planned for June 24th- 27th.

The kick-off to the weekend is the carnival in the Birchwood Mall parking lot on Thursday, June 24th. The carnival will run on Thursday, June 24th through Saturday, June 26th from 12:00 PM until 11:00 PM. Sunday, June 27th the hours are 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Cruise night is on Friday the 25th, and cars will begin parading through town in the evening. WGRT will be switching its format to your favorite oldies and broadcasting a special program from 5 – 10 PM during the cruise.

The 14th Annual Keith Peterson Memorial Car Show will be in the Birchwood Mall north parking lot on Saturday, June 26th, with registration beginning at 8:30 AM, and Saturday evening the festivities will conclude with a fireworks display at dusk.

For more information, visit BlueWaterCruiseWeekend.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Michigan Economic Jumpstart Plan Launched

The Michigan Economic Jumpstart Plan was kicked off last week with the focus on re-engaging the workforce and investing in small businesses.

The Plan relies on incentives to boost wages to attract those who might not be currently working. Unemployment policies are tightening up with recipients needing to do weekly job searches. Making childcare more accessible is also part of the plan.

Michigan’s plan is funded by the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, with Michigan having about $2 billion left to spend. The massive influx of federal money has helped to move Michigan from a $3 billion deficit to a $3.5 billion surplus. The race is on to allocate the funds, which Governor Whitmer calls “once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunities”.

Part of the plan is to subsidize pay to bring it up to a minimum of $15 per hour for at least three months and to continue the Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect programs.

There is also $370 million allocated to expand access to no-cost or low-cost childcare for families that are currently not working due to lack of childcare.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lapeer Ave. Will Be Closed From 7th to 10th

Beginning Tuesday, June 8th, 2021, the City of Port Huron will be making improvements to  Lapeer Avenue from 7th Street to 10th Street. These improvements will include new asphalt pavement, concrete curb and gutter, sidewalks, and drive approaches.

Funding for this project came from the voter approved street millage and Water Street TIF district. 

During the construction, Lapeer Avenue will be closed to thru traffic, and the closure will last until the end of June. Detour signs will be posted directing traffic to 10th Street, Court Street, Union Street, and 7th Street. 

Please contact the Department of Public Works if you have any questions about this project. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The Tick App Helps Track Tick Populations

Tired of ticks? It’s a banner season for ticks in Michigan with their numbers rising. Staying aware of tick hot spots and taking measures to prevent ticks from getting comfortable on people or pets is easy with the launch of The Tick App.

The App was developed by Jean Chao, who researches ticks and tick-borne illnesses in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Michigan State University, along with scientists at the University of Wisconsin and Columbia University.

The Tick App is both educational for the user and useful for researchers who are tracking ticks. Tick discoveries can be reported through the app and fears about infection can be calmed or precautions can be taken.

Tsao reports in MSU Today that not all ticks carry Lyme disease or other pathogens and removing a tick before it’s been on people’s or pets’ bodies within 12 hours can reduce the likelihood of infection. Lyme Disease is a serious illness.

The best way to avoid ticks is to use an effective repellent and to stick to trails that are out of tick habitats. If you do come across a tick on your skin, save it and freeze it so it can be examined by a doctor to help with diagnosis and treatment.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan High-Speed Internet Office Created

After vetoing repeated attempts by the legislature to incentivize internet providers to reach underserved communities with high-speed internet, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an Executive Order to establish the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office.

The Office will be coordinating and advancing the state’s efforts to bring high-speed internet to every home and business that needs it. A $2.5 billion potential economic benefit is estimated to be lost each year due to the “digital divide”.

Whitmer said, “A fully connected Michigan is essential for our state to reach its economic potential in the 21st-century global economy.”  

The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office will be housed in the Department of Labor and Economic Development.  LEO Acting Director Susan Corbin said, “Expanding high-speed internet access and affordability will help ensure that Michigan remains a world leader in innovation. We need to make major investments to support digital inclusion and this office will be focused on leveraging every dollar available through the American Recovery Plan and other federal programs.”  

Efforts will be focused on bringing internet service to underserved communities throughout Michigan.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Accepting Funding Requests

Sarnia, Ontario — The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton is opening the funding process for the period April 1, 2022, to March 31,  2023. Due to COVID-19 and the rapidly changing needs in our community, we are allocating funds on a one year basis until further notice. Our current funding priorities are as follows:  

FROM POVERTY TO POSSIBILITY  

  • Housing Stability – housing programs, emergency shelters, affordable housing 
  • Food Security – access to enough nutritious, affordable, and appropriate food
  • Other Necessities of Life – access to clothing, Medical and Dental necessities 

HEALTHY PEOPLE, STRONG COMMUNITIES 

  • Healthy Seniors – seniors in poverty have access to nutritious affordable food, transportation, and  health supports 
  • Personal Wellbeing and Safety – supports for people dealing with addiction 
  • Inclusion – supports to reduce isolation and create positive mental health 

ALL THAT KIDS CAN BE 

  • Learning – helping kids with financial challenges succeed in school and develop key life skills • Quality of Life – supporting youth with disabilities and their families 
  • Connectedness – helping kids develop positive relationships with their peers and families The funding process and deadlines are as follows: 

June 30th – Letter of Intent due (see link below to access the form) Note that you need to fill out a Letter of  Intent for EACH program that you are requesting funds for. 

July 12th – Decisions will be made on which Letters of Intent will be invited to submit a Full Program  Application for funding and applicants will be notified. 

September 15th – Full Program Applications are due. 

October 12th to November 30th – Program reviews (these may be virtual) 

January or February 2022 – United Way Board of Directors make final decisions on funding for the period April  1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. 

Letter of Intent link: 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HXXK29X

Submitted by The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton