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Local News

Legislation Removes Barrier for Military Members and Families

Many military members who hold state licenses for their jobs face complications when they move or are stationed in a new state. Licenses are state specific, so they need to be applied for in the state the holder resides in, and many come with associated fees and testing.

Governor Whitmer announced bipartisan legislation that supports military personnel, veterans, and their families by reducing barriers to professional licensure. The legislation allows for license reciprocity in Michigan, meaning that if certain criteria established by LARA is satisfied, the licensing process will be streamlined and fees could be waived.

“This program will remove significant barriers of employment and economic hurdles for our military members and their families and is an added benefit to serving in Michigan. As the state continues to invest in programs like this, we collectively show that Michigan as a great place for military and veterans to live, work, raise a family and retire,” said adjutant general and director of Michigan’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Major General Paul Rogers.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Veterans Supported with State Programs

As Veteran’s Day was celebrated this week, the Michigan Legislature and several state agencies rolled out new efforts to support veterans. Bi-partisan legislation was introduced that reduces barriers to professional licensure to military personnel, veterans, and their families.

Major General Paul Rogers, the adjutant general and director of Michigan’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said, “This program will remove significant barriers of employment and economic hurdles for our military members and their families and is an added benefit to serving in Michigan. As the state continues to invest in programs like this, we collectively show that Michigan is a great place for military and veterans to live, work, raise a family and retire.”

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency has certified ten state agencies as being “Veteran-Friendly Employers”. The Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan State Police have reached Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly Employer Status.

Additionally, the State Treasury reminds veterans that they are eligible for tax exemptions, tax deferments, and tuition grants. 

MichiganVeterans.com. 

To learn more about tax relief and other benefits for current and past military members, go to www.michigan.gov/taxes. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Black Friday Sale to Benefit Riley Gleason Memorial Scholarship

The Riley Gleason Memorial Scholarship will be getting a boost in funds from Kimball Appliance’s Black Friday Sale. Kimball Appliance in Port Huron is teaming up with Woman’s Life Chapter 814 of St. Clair to honor the memory of Riley Gleason, who passed away in a tragic boating accident in 2019.

Nick Bondarek, of Kimball Appliance, said that they support a charity every year and chose to support Riley’s Scholarship this year because of their strong ties to the St. Clair community, which was devastated by the tragedy.

Bondarek said that Woman’s Life Chapter 814 is planning to match up to $500 in contributions from the sale, but he expects to far exceed that amount. A portion of every sale on Friday, November 27th between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 28th, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. will go toward the scholarship fund. Donations are also accepted.

The scholarship was started earlier this year by Woman’s Life Chapter 814 and awards the scholarships to graduates of St. Clair High School, from which Riley graduated and made an impact. More information about the event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/693809127928271

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

 

SC4 Offers Futures for Frontliners Presentation

Port Huron, MI — Frontline workers who are interested in taking advantage of the Futures for Frontliners state scholarship program can get started by signing up for a Zoom presentation offered by St. Clair County Community College.

The Zoom presentation is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18th. The deadline for signup is November 17th. Attendees will hear from SC4 admissions and financial aid staff, and will get an overview of the application qualifications and process. Certificate and degree programs are available.
The scholarship program is intended for frontline workers who were employed in essential industries at least part-time for eleven of the thirteen weeks between April 1st and June 30th 2020.

Eligible students are those who currently do not have a degree. Essential workers are defined as those who worked in a job outside of the home that required putting themselves at risk of exposure to Covid-19, in sectors such as critical manufacturing, food service, health care, and others.

To reserve your spot and receive Zoom login information, email recruitment@sc4.edu by Tuesday, Nov. 17.
For eligibility information, go to https://www.michigan.gov/frontliners/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

 

 

Port Huron City Council Will Decide Who Takes 4th Seat

At a Port Huron City Council meeting Monday night, the council swore in its new and returning members. Three council seats were filled by Council Members Sherry Archibald, Teri Lamb, and Robert Mozurak with Archibald named Mayor Pro-Tem. Pauline Repp was sworn in as well to continue serving as the City of Port Huron’s mayor for another two years.

Since Lisa Beedon won a seat on the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners and will take that position in January, she will vacate her seat on the Council.  None of the other candidates running for Port Huron City Council received 25% of the vote; therefore, the City Council will be accepting Letters of Interest from the community when Beedon resigns.

According to its Charter, the Port Huron City Council must consist of the mayor and six Council Members. If a vacancy occurs, and no candidate from the preceding election received at least 25% of the total ballots cast in that election, the City Council “shall solicit and consider letters of interest from qualified and registered City electors who are qualified to fill the vacancy.”

After the letters have been received, the Council has 45 days to vote on a new member, and the candidate must receive at least 4 votes to win the seat.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Police Looking for Two More suspects in Armed Robbery

On November 5, 2020 at approximately 1 p.m., a 17 year old male Port Huron resident was on 14th Street & Bancroft Street awaiting a ride from an acquaintance. The victim entered a vehicle occupied by four individuals. The victim was then assaulted and robbed of cash on his person. One of the suspects did have a handgun. 

Later that day, a 17 year old male Port Huron resident who was a suspect in this armed robbery turned himself in at the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office. The Major Crimes Unit interviewed him and he was lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention Center. The Major Crimes Unit arrested a 21 year old female Port Huron resident who was also involved. She was also lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention Center. 

On Sunday, November 8, 2020 an arraignment was held for Vohnda Love Edwards, a 21 year old female Port Huron resident, on the charge of Aiding and Abetting – Robbery Armed. Her bond was set at $20,000 cash/surety. On Monday, November 9, 2020 an arraignment was held for Damarion Lucious Taylor, a 17 year old male Port Huron resident, on the charge of Robbery Armed. His bond was set at $100,000 cash/surety. 

They both have a probable cause conference scheduled for November 17, 2020 at 9 a.m. 

The Port Huron Police Department are still looking for two other Port Huron residents, a 17 year male and an 18 year old male, who were involved in this incident. If you have any information on this armed robbery call CAPTURE at (810) 987-6688 or the Major Crimes Unit at (810) 984-5383. 

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department