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Local News

Help with Paying Energy Bills Available

Don’t wait for a shut off notice if you can’t pay your energy bill. That’s the message from the Michigan Public Service Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services.

There is help available, but residents need to seek it early. The first step is to contact your energy provider, like DTE, SEMCO, or a local propane supplier, to see what they can do to help with payment plans. There is also assistance available through the State Emergency Relief Program and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP).

Michigan Public Service Commission Chair, Dan Scripps, said, “There are still MEAP funds available to assist customers in need of energy assistance and self-sufficiency services. Also, the amount of funding available per person was increased from $2,000 to $3,000, but goes back down after Sept. 30, so it’s important that customers seek assistance right away if they have a past due account or are struggling to pay their energy bills.”

The fastest way to access the energy bill help is to go to Michigan.gov/mibridges or to dial 211 or go to mi211.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Citizen Mistakes Construction Worker for Suspicious Person at YMCA

Port Huron, MI — On Monday, August 31, 2020 at 7:59 a.m., a citizen observed a suspicious male dressed in tactical clothes with a mask on enter the west side entrance of the YMCA, 1525 3rd Street, Port Huron. About fifteen minutes later the citizen called Central Dispatch and advised what was observed. The citizen believed the suspicious male was armed and placed the call to 911 with good intent. 

Police responded inside the building. Employees and children participating in daycare were secured in a safe area. Port Huron Police Patrol, Criminal Investigative Division along with members of the Michigan State Police, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and Marysville Police created a perimeter outside the building. Officers checked the building while the construction crew was interviewed. 

Citizens picking up or dropping off their children were advised to wait until the building was secure. After the building was thoroughly searched, video footage revealed the suspicious person described was the construction worker who was unarmed when he entered the building 

The YMCA is back open for daycare. We would like to thank the YMCA for their cooperation and their safety procedures and protocols that they have in place. 

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

United Way Awards Funds for Legal Services

The United Way of St. Clair County (UWSCC) established their Emergency Services -COVID-19 Relief fund early in the pandemic. The fund helps organizations address the unique needs they are facing specific to COVID-19.

Their latest grant from the fund went to Lakeshore Legal Aid to provide subsidized legal services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Lakeshore Legal Aid has identified an increased need for their services from abuse survivors due to the pandemic, and the grant will allow them to lessen the survivors’ hardships by providing free services while they are recovering and getting back on their feet.

To learn more about the United Way of St. Clair County’s Emergency Services Fund – COVID-19 Relief or to apply for funding, visit their website <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Revised Order Clarifies Symptoms that Require Employees to Stay Home

An Executive Order outlining revised COVID-19 employee protections was signed late last week. The revision addresses concerns that were voiced by business owners as to the expanded definition of symptoms in the previous order.

Brian Calley, former Lieutenant Governor and President of the Small Business Association of Michigan, said, “As we had anticipated, the Governor has issued a new executive order to replace EO 2020-166, which we had concerns with.”

The new order clears up confusion over the need to stay home with symptoms from known medical conditions as required in the previous order. According to Executive Order 2020-172, the possible COVID symptoms include a fever, an uncontrolled cough, and shortness of breath; or at least two of the following not explained by a known medical or physical condition: loss of taste or smell, muscle aches (“myalgia”), sore throat, severe headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.  

Governor Whitmer said that the order was necessary as the $600 unemployment benefit was running out and workers may be inclined to go to work sick. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Softball Game Brings Police and Recovery Community Together

Port Huron, MI — Local non-profit Blue Water Recovery and Outreach and the Port Huron and St. Clair Police Departments will be gathering for a family-friendly charity softball game at Pine Grove Park in Port Huron on Sunday, September 13th at 1:00 p.m. 

Members of the recovery community and local law enforcement will be enjoying recreation while providing much-needed entertainment for spectators in the midst of continual event cancellations.

Describing the family event, Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Executive Director Patrick Patterson said, “We are honored and excited to be in a position to play the police as we share a common denominator in trying to make our community a better place.’”

The actual game is limited to hosting under 100 people. Spectators are asked to maintain social distancing. The game will be livestreamed on bwroc.org and the BWROC Facebook page.

Port Huron Police Chief Joe Platzer said, “We’re community partners and when the police can work together it’s a benefit to all involved.”

Proceeds from the game will go to both the Port Huron and St. Clair Police Departments and Blue Water Recovery and Outreach. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Some Michigan College Students Eligible for Food Benefits

Michigan students in college Career and Technical Education programs returning to classes this fall are now eligible to receive food assistance if they meet other eligibility requirements.

The Michigan departments of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are encouraging students to apply for food assistance benefits online at Michigan.gov/MIBridges.

Close to 16,000 low-income college students in Michigan who are enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are eligible to receive food assistance benefits through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“As Michigan CTE students are preparing for high-demand, critical job openings, they shouldn’t have to worry about how they’ll get their next meal,” said LEO Director Jeff Donofrio. “These SNAP benefits will help them focus on their educational needs and prepare for a successful future.”

Previously, college students enrolled in qualifying CTE programs who attended school at least half-time could not qualify for SNAP benefits, even if they met income eligibility requirements, unless they fell into certain categories such as working at least 20 hours per week, caring for a child, or being unable to work.

College students in Michigan are now eligible for SNAP if they meet income and other program requirements and are enrolled at least half-time in an occupational program that leads to employment under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the Twenty-First Century Act of 2018 known as Perkins V.