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Local News

PHASD Auctioning Off Items from Lakeport Elementary

If you were one of the elementary students who attended Lakeport Elementary, the school’s closing likely caused some emotion. Memories of Principal Brian Winters, climbing the rope in gym class, and passing notes to your friends may have come to mind in an instant.

The school was closed after the 2012-13 school year because of declining enrollment in the district. The property was listed for sale in 2018, and the sale of the building is currently pending.

As the district prepares to vacate the school for its new owners, they opened an auction to sell the surplus items that are stored there. The auction includes electronics, furniture, HVAC materials, and storage items, and is open until January 21st at 1 PM.

Visit the auction site <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Blue Water Hospice Home Patients Getting New Rooms

The VNA & Blue Water Hospice is set to begin a Room Renovation Project at the Blue Water Hospice Home. Work begins this week on the project and it is expected to take 1-2 months to complete.

The project includes new flooring, paint, beds, tvs, restrooms, and electrical in each patient room. Work will be done on one to two rooms at a time so the Hospice Home can remain open during renovations. Staff will keep patients in rooms as far away as possible from the rooms being renovated.

Many local partners helped fund and contribute to the renovation including the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, and the VNA and Blue water Hospice plans to use local resources such as RESA and Watson Brothers among others to complete the work.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Michigan Department of Education Trying Drum Up Interest in Teaching

The Michigan Department of Education is offering grants as a part of their effort to head off a statewide teacher shortage and diversify the educator workforce. The program is called the “Future Michigan Proud Educator Initiative”.

The program offers a competitive grant for school districts to assist them in developing opportunities for students interested in becoming teachers. Currently, the “Proud Educator” program recognizes and honors current Michigan teachers. The new effort is aimed at planting the seeds of interest in career teaching through targeted curriculum.

The grant program is aimed at students in all grades, but has expanded opportunities for middle school and high school students. The Michigan Department of Education will offer flexible models for implementation, content standards and curriculum, and professional development for winning districts.

State Superintendent Michael Rice said, “We need to encourage our young people to consider developing and using their talents as proud Michigan educators.”

The salary range for a public-school teacher in Michigan is around $30,000 – $67,000 depending on degree earned, district, and seniority.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

United Way of St. Clair County Accepting Grant Requests

The federal government just released $95,359.00 of grant money for St. Clair County emergency food and shelter programs, and the United Way of St. Clair County is accepting grant requests from eligible organizations.

The funding is allocated annually by congress through a provision in the federal budget that targets the needs of families impacted by unemployment and emergency medical events. This year’s amount designated to St. Clair County was influenced by the unemployment rate in the county.

All organizations that provide emergency food and shelter services can apply for the grant online at uwstclair.org/EFSP. Applications must be submitted by 4:30 PM on January 25, 2021.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Public Meeting for Upcoming M-29 Construction Planned

The Michigan Department of Transportation is inviting the public to attend a virtual public meeting to discuss proposed improvements to M-29 in St. Clair County. The meeting is planned for January 21st at 5:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams.

MDOT is in the design phase of reworking M-29 from Church Road to Palms Road, with resurfacing to improve the pavement condition, roadway drainage improvements, widening to accommodate a center left-turn lane through the project limits, and maintenance to the Swan Creek bridge.

MDOT is also proposing a “road diet” for a four mile stretch of the road that runs through the community of Fair Haven. The “road diet” would convert around 1500 feet of a four-lane section to one lane in each direction with a dedicated center turn lane. MDOT says that the proposition offers better safety by calming traffic.

The work is expected to be completed in 2025 and also includes safety improvements with signal upgrades, sidewalk ramp improvements compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and continuous sidewalks through Fairhaven.

Click here to join the Microsoft Teams virtual public meeting

          How to attend a live event in Microsoft Teams

To join by phone without using Internet, call 248-509-0316.

Conference ID: 623 646 983#

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

State Rep. Andrew Beeler Starts Term

State Representative Andrew Beeler was sworn into the Michigan House on Wednesday to represent the 83rd District. Although national politics has focused largely on activity at the Capitol over the last week, Beeler says his main focus is on his district and the people he represents.

After the swearing in ceremony, the 101st Michigan Legislature had its first session, and House Speaker Jason Wentworth spoke and set the tone for future sessions. According to Beeler, Wentworth encouraged the Legislature to help improve the transparency and accountability of government, and inspired the group to shore up the people’s faith in [government] institutions.

When asked what it was like to be in his first session representing the 83rd District, Beeler said, “It was a really humbling moment. What really hit home for me was that I am here on behalf of my community.”

Beeler went on to say, “I think that after all the campaigning and all the door knocking and going through the issues back and forth, in that moment there was a calm. [There was] humility understanding what an honor it is not only to be in that chamber but also to represent the 90,ooo people who live in the 83rd District, my home and my neighbors.”

Beeler is still working out the details on how his constituents can best communicate with him. For now, he will keep people informed through his social media and through local news sources, and he is available by email at andrewbeeler@house.mi.gov and by phone at 517-373-0835.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand