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Additional Food Assistance Extended

Approximately 350,000 Michigan families will continue to have access to additional food assistance benefits during the month of November as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance for March through June – and now that is being extended for the month of November with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.

Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card by Nov. 30, with payments beginning for some households on Nov. 21. Additional benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month.

Households eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in November to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. This change only applies to customers not currently receiving the maximum benefit amount. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent more than 50 percent of the more than 682,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in September.

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.

Move Over For Emergency Vehicles

This week is National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week. The observation is meant to bring attention to the hazards faced by those working unplanned incidents, like traffic accidents, on Michigan roads.

Emergency Responders are still being struck and killed at alarming rates, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. This year’s theme for the yearly observance is “Slow Down. Move Over. Be Safe.” Those actions can save lives.

MDOT encourages motorists to make sure their vehicle is in good working condition, and pack a roadside emergency kit for their vehicles. Kits should include batteries, a flashlight, a phone charger, water and non-perishable food, blankets, a first aid kit, and jumper cables.

The Move Over Law requires drivers to slow down at least 10 miles per hour under the speed limit for any kind of stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights, including roadside tow trucks and courtesy vehicles operated by MDOT, garbage trucks, and road maintenance and utility service vehicles with amber lights.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Op Ed – COVID-19 Cases Increasing but Schools Remain Open

There is no question that the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is increasing. The more people who get infected the greater the risk is for personal, societal, and economic impacts. This is not the time to debate the reality of the data, nor the profound impact it could have on our community. What is open to debate is how we should respond. One of the most common questions we hear is “why are the schools still open when our case rates are so high?”

First, nationwide and even international studies strongly suggest that school transmission can be kept at a minimum with proper mitigation strategies like screening, physical distancing and masking.  Despite most schools returning to in-person learning in September there was no immediate surge in cases as a result. Although we expect cases to show up in a school, widespread transmission within a school is not a given. In fact this is exactly what we are seeing throughout Michigan. Despite widespread community spread, our students are not “super spreaders” while in school.  This is because while in school physical distancing and masking is enforced and controlled, which is not always the case once they go home. In fact, school could very likely be the safest place some kids go during the course of a day.

Second, the overall benefit of in-person learning greatly outweighs the risk of them going to school (see above). Not just academic learning, but emotional and social development are essential to our health, especially when you comprehend that COVID-19 is not going away any time soon. In the meantime, our kids have to grow and flourish or we will have hell to pay when this pandemic is over.  It is incumbent on us to weigh risk vs benefit for keeping our kids in school.  As long as the risk of transmitting the virus is lower in schools than it is in the general community, the effort should be to maintain in-person learning.

Finally, NOTHING about this pandemic is static.  As we continue to collect data, communicate with the schools and the public, and evaluate the circumstances in each school, we will constantly be re-evaluating how to proceed.  It is possible, and even likely that “pauses” will occur with in-person learning. It is possible that school districts will alter their policies for both virtual and in-person learning.  It is possible that staffing for schools will be a bigger issue than the risk to students.  Return to Learn legislation passed in August provides schools with the flexibility they need to shift how they do things.  It also requires them to consult with their local health department “to develop guidelines on appropriate methods for delivering pupil instruction for the 2020-2021 school year that are based on local data however, a determination concerning the method for delivering pupil instruction remains with the district.”  St. Clair County schools have been working hard to find the balance between harm reduction and schooling with the student’s best interest at heart.  We are confident that moving through this next challenge of high COVID-19 transmission, decisions will be made based on the strongest data available, integrity and the desire to provide our children the best education possible.

 

Yours in Health,

Annette Mercatante, MD, MPH

Medical Health Officer

St. Clair County Health Department

 

Submitted by the St. Clair County Health Department

Suspect Arraigned for Explosives Violation at McLaren Port Huron

On Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at approximately 3:45 p.m. three incendiary devices went off inside trash cans within McLaren Port Huron Hospital. Port Huron Police were called to the scene and confirmed there were no injuries and no damage. However, the explosions made a loud sound that frightened and terrorized staff inside the hospital. 

Officers, Detectives, and members of the Major Crimes Unit collected evidence and will be sending samples to the Michigan State Police Crime Lab to identify the substance used to cause the small explosions. 

Detectives and the Major Crimes Unit worked cooperatively with McLaren Port Huron and identified a suspect. The suspect was a contracted employee at the hospital. After an interview was conducted on Thursday, November 5th, the suspect was placed under arrest, and transported to the St. Clair County Intervention Center on a variety of Explosive Charges. 

On Sunday, November 8, 2020 the suspect, Michael Patrick Barna, a 59 year old male Clyde Township resident, was arraigned on two charges: Explosives Violation – Vulnerable Target (health facility), a 20 year felony Explosive & Sending with intent to fright, a 5 year felony.

Michael Barna’s bond was set at $30,000 or 10%. He has a probable cause conference scheduled on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 9 a.m. 

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

McLaren Festival of Trees to Raise Funds for Lung Cancer Treatment Equipment

Port Huron, MI — McLaren Port Huron Foundation is planning to purchase an endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy (EBUS) machine with the proceeds from this year’s Festival of Trees. The medical equipment will allow for early detection and treatment of lung cancer. The new technology gives hope to those afflicted with the disease, as it can improve survival rates.

For thirty-one years, the Festival of Trees has traditionally been a highly social event, but this year’s version will employ creative measures that respect social distancing guidelines. Trees will still be decorated and the magic of the holiday season will still be present.

This year, McLaren Port Huron Hospital’s South Tower Lobby will be transformed into a winter wonderland with decorated window displays. The community can drive by or walk around outside to enjoy the display.

General donations, as well as sponsorships, are being asked for to fund the purchase of the new lung cancer treatment equipment. The holiday display will be up from Thanksgiving to the New Year. Donation information: www.mclaren.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Andrew Beeler Selected for Majority Deputy Caucus Chair

Andrew Beeler secured the seat for Michigan State Representative of the 83rd District in Tuesday’s election, and he has been selected by Republican legislators to serve as the House Republican caucus deputy chair for the 2021-22 legislative term.

The deputy caucus chair helps develop the majority caucus agenda, presides over meetings with the full Republican membership, and assists with developing policies.

“It’s an honor to not only step in and serve as your state representative, but also to be selected as the caucus deputy chair,” Beeler said. “I’m looking forward to working with the caucus to accomplish great things for our families throughout Michigan. While the Republican caucus has come a long way since the 2018-20 term, there’s always room for improvement, new ideas, and reforms. I’m very glad to be here and to know I get to be part of this process.”

Beeler will take office in January, taking over for the current State Representative, Shane Hernandez, who has served the 83rd District for the past 4 years.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand