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Local News

RESA Provides Free WiFi for Students

St. Clair County RESA is providing free, 24-hour, high-speed Wi-Fi access across the county to local students, faculty, and staff who may not have high-speed internet connectivity at home. 

RESA’s IT Department has set up the hotspots in school parking lots across the county so users can maintain social distancing while accessing the internet from their cars. The project was made possible by a Michigan MiConnect grant. 

“This technology will help support our students, staff, and families who live in areas of our county that don’t have high-speed internet service,” said St. Clair County RESA Superintendent Dr. Kevin Miller. “This is exactly what we are trying to accomplish in conjunction with our Community Educational Network, formed a few years ago to use our RESA fiber network to reach homes without reliable, secure, and high-speed internet, which is critical during times of remote learning.” 

The Wi-Fi hotspots allow students without internet access and those with unstable or slow home service to drive to locations across the county to get free and fast connections. The service provides a full range of internet usage from an individual’s personal device, such as viewing websites, downloading materials, and logging in to instructional programs. At all of the hotspots, students and staff will be able to connect to the network using their school credentials. 

RESA is working with local communities to expand the number of these “drive-in” internet locations. 

Parking lot WiFi locations and directions on how to connect to the network are available on the RESA website at www.sccresa.org.

Submitted by St. Clair County RESA

Become an Angel for People Seeking Recovery

Families Against Narcotics (FAN) created the Hope Not Handcuffs program to offer another avenue to recovery for those struggling with substance abuse. The program trains law enforcement to connect those who want help with a program volunteer,  or Angel, to help them find a treatment option.

Because of the Hope Not Handcuffs program, anyone struggling with a substance use disorder can go to a participating police agency and ask for help. They will receive support, compassion, and respect as they are guided through the intake process.

Becoming an Angel on the Hope Not Handcuffs team requires an online application process and virtual training program. Angels help participating organizations with intake paperwork and support clients until a treatment option is found. They are required to volunteer to be on call 8 hours a month.

For more information on Angel training and to register for upcoming trainings in January and February, visit familiesagainstnarcotics.org/hopenothandcuffs-angel.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Small Business Survival Grant Program Open Now

Michigan’s small businesses impacted by the recent COVID-19 emergency “gatherings and face mask orders” can begin applying for $55 million in Michigan Small Business Survival grants through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to businesses that are fully closed, with grants of up to $15,000 awarded to businesses that have been partially closed, or otherwise are open and can demonstrate an impact.

The statewide application went live on Tuesday, January 19th at  www.michiganbusiness.org/survival. Applications will be accepted through 12:00 p.m. (noon)on Friday, January 22, 2021.

The Michigan Small Business Survival Grants will be administered and reviewed by the local Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) based on eligibility requirements and local priorities and objectives. Grants will not be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Businesses must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

  • Had 1 to 100 employees (including full-time, part-time and owner/employees) on a world-wide basis on November 17, 2020.
  • Is in an industry that demonstrates it is affected by the “gatherings and face mask orders.”
  • Needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses.
  • Can demonstrate an income loss as a result of the orders as determined by the EDO in which an eligible business is located.
  • Is not a live music and entertainment venue that is eligible for the Michigan Stage Survival grant program.

Submitted by Governor Whitmer’s Office

“Anthony’s Autism Awareness” Provides Sensory Boxes to Emergency Vehicles

Emergency vehicles throughout the county are now equipped with sensory boxes for use in assisting in contacts with people on the autism spectrum. The sensory boxes are being assembled and donated by Anthony’s Autism Awareness, a local non-profit.

The Marysville Police/Fire/EMS department, Port Huron City Police, Port Huron Fire Department, Fort Gratiot Fire Department, and St. Clair County Sheriff are the latest recipients of the boxes and the hope is to get more sensory boxes in the hands of more departments. Sensory boxes contain items like fidget spinners and small toys that might help those on the spectrum with relaxation during a stressful situation.

Anthony’s Autism Awareness is accepting donations to help buy the items. The boxes cost about $7 each with the goal being to have them in every police car or emergency responder vehicle in St. Clair County.

The mission of the non-profit is to “encourage awareness, acceptance and understanding in the community and offer support and resources to people with autism, and their families”.

More information is on the Anthony’s Autism Awareness Facebook page.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Cautious Optimism With State Budget Projections

Consensus has been reached in Michigan’s budget projection for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021 and upcoming 2022 and 2023 fiscal years by the State Treasurer, State Budget Director, Senate Fiscal Agency, and House Fiscal Agency. The change from January to August for 2021 is a reduction of $2.47 billion. The change from January to August 2022 is a reduction of $1.72 billion.

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said, “While the pandemic has had a dramatic impact on our economy, the state of Michigan has outperformed national averages in a number of areas. While still down more than $1 billion compared to before the pandemic, today the state’s revenues were raised upwards primarily due to direct and indirect impacts from the federal stimulus.”

Eubanks went on to caution that the recovery depends on “the course of the pandemic and the additional economic relief coming from Washington D.C. There is cautious hope and optimism as we move forward as vaccines are administered, and we begin to put the pandemic behind us.”

Revenue estimates are based on the most recent economic projections and forecasting models. A link to the full report:

Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (mi.gov)

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sheriff’s Office Phone Number Being Used in Scam

St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King is advising residents to be extra vigilant in watching for the latest scam to hit the area.  The latest involves a suspect calling the victim saying he must buy Green Dot or other types of cards or they will be arrested.  One person was told he had missed jury duty and had to buy a $400 Green Dot card and give the caller the confirmation number.  The suspect had somehow rigged the call so that the Sheriff’s Office main number showed on the victim’s caller ID.

“I want everyone to know that the Sheriff’s Office does not make calls to collect money,” said Sheriff King.  “If anyone receives that type of call, immediately hang up.  Do not give out any personal information and do not purchase any type of financial transaction device.  Then call our office to make a report.”

Sheriff King went on to say there are numerous types of scams that are occurring and likely will continue in the future.

To avoid being a victim of email or phone scams, Sheriff King has the following tips:

  • Do not answer calls from unknown phone numbers. If you must pick up, refuse to engage with telemarketers over the phone. While some seem friendly, they may attempt to sell products or services you do not want or need. Or, they may attempt to gain access to your money. Do not worry about offending anyone. Firmly say, “Remove us from your calling list.” You needn’t provide an explanation. Then, hang up.
  • Do not open emails you do not recognize. Avoid clicking on links that may bring you to fake websites that often look real. If you receive an email with spelling errors, it could be a red flag.
  • If a company or individual tells you to make payments in the form of gift-cards, or tells you to keep their call a secret, it’s a scam.
  • Register your phone number on the national do not call list, utilize caller ID to avoid answering unwanted calls from solicitors, or block numbers if receiving repeated calls.
  • Anyone who contacts you to demand money, and threatens or harasses you for payments, should be reported to your local police. If you receive an unwanted call after your number was on the National Do Not Call Registry for 30 days, report it to the FTC.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office