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Local News

Ferrellgas Enters Settlement with Michigan AG

Lansing, MI — The Michigan Department of Attorney General entered into a settlement agreement with Ferrellgas, LP after an informal investigation into the company’s business practices.

Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office and the Better Business Bureau received numerous complaints about the company from customers in Michigan who use them as a supplier of propane gas.

According to a press release from the Attorney General’s office, customers cited difficulty contacting Ferrellgas representatives by phone, protracted delivery periods following the placement of orders, and inability to secure expedited fills to resolve situations where homes were without heat in January and February.

“Being without heat for even a day during a Michigan winter is emotionally devastating and can be dangerous,” Nessel said. “Ferrellgas and other propane providers are now on notice that this office will not tolerate any company that breaks its commitments to consumers and leaves them sitting in the cold.”

Ferrellgas entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance and Discontinuance agreement with the Attorney General’s Office which requires the company to implement a number of reforms, payments, and refunds to the AG’s office and its customers.

Customers can file a complaint against Ferrellgas with the Attorney General’s Office Here:

https://secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/consumer.aspx

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Drive-In service for the National Day of Prayer

Port Huron, MI — Operation Transformation celebrates the National Day of Prayer each year with a community prayer service. This year’s service, like last year’s, will be held in the North McMorran Parking lot on Bard Street in Port Huron.

On May 6th from 12:00 – 12:30 PM, the community is invited to join in a safe, drive-in style, prayer service with the theme, Lord Pour out Your Love, Life, and Liberty.”

The prayer service will be led by various local pastors and participants can listen on 90.7 HOPE FM.

The National Day of Prayer was established in 1952, and it is founded on the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

For more information , call Operation Transformation at 810-966-8660.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

State School Board Makes Attendance Exceptions for Standardized Tests

With more plot twists than a daytime soap opera, the question of whether state testing in public schools will take place has finally been settled. Kind of.

Schools still have to offer the tests, which usually take place around this time of the year, but, according to a statement adopted by the Michigan State Board of Education, parents can choose to have their kids sit this year out if they would just be coming to the school for the test.

The statement says that the Board supports the right of parents and guardians to make decisions about the education of their children. The statement notes that the testing waiver was not granted by the United States Department of Education, but there is no penalty if not everyone takes the test.

The statement ends with, “Given that coronavirus infection rates are increasing in Michigan, and many students are still attending school remotely, the State Board of Education supports the guidance to parents and legal guardians that these students need not be brought into school solely for the purpose of state assessment, and will not be required to come into school for the sole purpose of taking the assessments.”

How individual school districts decide to administer the tests and how they will use the data is being worked out, but for now, the pressure is off individual students to be physically present for the testing.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

DB Delivery Solutions Wins Small Business Award

St. Clair County, MI — DB Delivery Solutions, an East China small business, has been presented an award by the Michigan Economic Corporation as one of the 2021 SmartZone Best Small Businesses.

As part of the Underground’s Incubator Program, DB Delivery Solutions has been supported and counseled by local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and representatives from the St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance (EDA).

DB Delivery Solutions created a secure way for homeowners and businesses to receive packages with their Receptor. The Receptor can be installed in the exterior wall of a garage, home, or business, and includes a weatherproof and secure place for delivery companies to place packages.

Mike Jans, President of DB Delivery Solutions said in a press release, “We don’t just get mail anymore, and our product, the Receptor, is the answer to everyone’s concerns about how to safely and securely get all of their deliveries, which includes packages, groceries, and prepared food. We can install the Receptor in any existing home or business, and we can install the Receptor in any new construction project.”

To learn more visit www.dbdeliverysolutions.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Upper Deck Ultimate MVP

Are You the Red Wings’ Biggest Fan?

Do you think you’re the NHL’s most passionate and dedicated fan? Upper Deck wants to know as they begin their search for this year’s Ultimate MVP or Most Valuable Person.

From April 16th – 26th nominations are open at www.upperdeck.com/mymvp/, and it’s okay to nominate yourself! Entrants must be 18 or older and willing to share their passion for one of 8 participating NHL teams, including the Detroit Red Wings.

When filling out the nomination form online, entrants will have to explain why they are an exemplary fan and how they believe they stand out from the crowd.

Up to five nominees will be chosen on April 30th to represent each participating NHL team, and the public will vote on Twitter for the best team MVP and the best ultimate MVP.

Winners will also be announced on Twitter, and they will receive a variety of prizes ranging in value from $100 – $3,000.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Photo: Upper Deck

Highway Trash Cleanup Starts Saturday

Good news! Highway litter is about to get cleaned up. If it seems like there is more litter along the highways, there’s a reason. Not all of the pickups were able to be completed last year and the trash piled up in some areas.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is starting “Adopt-a-Highway” pickup on April 17th for the southern half of the lower peninsula. The pickup goes until April 25th.

Volunteers work with an organization that adopts a stretch of road to clean up. MDOT then picks up the bags of trash and takes them to the dump.

Motorists are asked to stay on the lookout for the volunteers who should be wearing high-visibility safety vests, provided by MDOT. Use caution when driving near the volunteers.

Typically, 2,900 groups volunteer to clean up 6,000 miles of highway in Michigan, filling up nearly 70,000 bags. Last year, only 20,000 bags were filled. There are pickups in July and late September also.

MDOT has been organizing the “Adopt-a-Highway” Program since 1990, with an estimated cost savings of $5 million annually by using volunteer labor. There are still stretches of road that need adoption. Groups are asked to commit to their zone for two years. 

For more information on Adopting a Highway:

www.Michigan.gov/AdoptAHighway

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland