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Local News

Lapeer Woman Loses $17,000 in Scam

Lapeer, MI — A 60-year-old Lapeer woman received phone calls and texts that convinced her to provide $17,000 in gift card codes to a scammer. The calls came from three different phone numbers with the area codes 810, 202, and 210.

When the woman answered the calls, she was addressed by an unidentified male individual who claimed to be with the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations) and threatened to have her arrested if she did not provide him with $17,000 in gift card codes.  The caller claimed that he had already arrested her ex-husband and ex-uncle.

The victim also received a text message from the 210 area code phone number with a picture of an FBI identification card and badge.  She was convinced to purchase gift cards from various stores in multiple different towns, photograph the codes, and send them to the caller.

Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputies are actively investigating this case, and want to remind the public that law enforcement will never contact individuals demanding money or payment in the form of gift cards.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

HUD Awards Housing Commission Funds to Help Low-Income Families

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development just announced $472 million dollars of funding will be distributed nationally to help low-income families during the coronavirus pandemic.

Michigan public housing authorities will receive $8.1 million to help families assisted by Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and Mainstream Vouchers, two tenant-based voucher programs that serve low-income residents. Housing Choice Vouchers are commonly referred to as Section 8 vouchers and the program helps very low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities afford rental housing in the private market.

This new funding will pay for eligible coronavirus related activities such as procuring cleaning supplies and maintaining sanitation in housing units, relocating families to health units if they become sick, and paying for the cost of childcare for Public Housing Authority staff who have incurred extra expenses due to COVID-19.

As part of this initiative, the Port Huron Housing Commission is expected to receive $85,849 of funding.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Register Now for Virtual LIVESTRONG at the YMCA

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a research-based physical activity and well-being initiative that helps people affected by cancer reach their holistic health goals. The program is going virtual this fall, and those interested in participating can set up an intake interview with YMCA staff to register for the session.

The program will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 12:30 PM using Zoom, and the fall session runs from September 15th – December 3rd. Despite going virtual, the format will be as close to normal as possible and include assessments, goal-setting, and follow-up.

LIVESTRONG engages cancer survivors and helps them build muscle mass and strength, increase flexibility and endurance, and improve functional ability. It also focuses on emotional well-being and provides a supportive community.

Past participant, Ardie Hayes, said LIVESTRONG is the “Perfect program to restore strength, develop new bonds and maintain hope for those experiencing the challenges of cancer. The coaches gave us a welcoming and caring environment and tailored the program for our needs.”

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is part of a multi-year collaboration between the YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the the Y, and the LIVESTRONG Foundation, the organization created to serve people living with cancer and empower communities to take action.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Face Shields Donated to Port Huron Schools

Port Huron, MI — Back to school fashion will be very different this year with face masks, and now face shields, becoming part of daily school wear. Port Huron Schools has received a donation of 5,040 plastic face shields.

For those attending in-person classes this year, face masks are required while the state is in Phase Four. The masks protect other people from the wearer’s coughs and sneezes. Face shields are not required to wear, but they are allowed for both staff and students as a layer of protection to keep COVID-19 viruses away from the wearer’s eyes, nose, and mouth.

The donation was made possible by PTI Engineered Plastics in Macomb, Michigan, through a connection with Port Huron Schools staff member, Erika Senecal, Director of Choirs at Port Huron Northern.

A press release from Port Huron Schools said, “This donation is truly valued as we work diligently to have our students and staff return to schools as safely as possible.” Back to school plans are still in development for Port Huron Schools, and the specifics of the distribution of the new face shields have not been released.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Warning to Float Down Participants: Stay Out of Canada

The  Royal Canadian Mounted Police have a serious warning for those who plan to participate in the unsanctioned Float Down this Sunday: stay out of Canada.

A warning from the Mounties said, “U.S. citizens that land in Canada unintentionally will be arrested pursuant to IRPA Section 55(2) and transported back to the United States.”

U.S. citizens that land in Canada are subject to immigration laws as well as restrictions regarding controlled substances and alcohol. They will also be subject to COVID-19 screening. Wayward floaters will likely lose their coolers, flotation devices, and other property.

Fines of up to $750,000 and six months of jail time are mentioned in the warning. The border is currently closed to non-essential travel, and that includes any type of recreational boating and floating.

Over 1500 floaters landed in Canada in 2016 and were transported across the bridge back to Port Huron. The winds can be unpredictable and difficult to manage in a floating raft or inflatable. Without a paddle, floaters are at the mercy of the winds. The Ontario Royal Mounted Police have made it clear that they will be less accommodating this year than they were in 2016.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

The Secret to Getting a Secretary of State Appointment

Navigating the Michigan Secretary of State online appointment system has been frustrating for many people since the offices closed for walk-ins. Although it is possible to book an advance appointment for Secretary of State services on the State’s website, the earliest dates that are currently available are in the middle of November.

However, waiting three months to register a new vehicle may not be acceptable to your car insurance company, so here is a little trick for securing a “Same-Day” appointment on the Secretary of State’s website:

Same-Day appointments become available 24 hours in advance. They are also scheduled on the hour and in 10 minute increments throughout the hour. For example, if you log on to the Secretary of State’s website on a Monday at 10:00 AM, you will be able to make an appointment for the next day, Tuesday, at 10:00 AM.

The trick is, if there are no appointments available, keep refreshing the page every 10 minutes, or at the top of every hour, until you secure one. You can also book an appointment and repeat the process throughout the day to get a later time slot–just cancel the earlier appointment once you book a new one.

Although this system may be time-consuming for a user who needs a specific appointment time, it is the only way to prevent the consequences of driving without a license plate or getting a new driver their first license.

There are many transactions that don’t require going to a branch office, so check the Secretary of State’s website <HERE> to see if you can complete your transactions online, via mail, or at a self-service station.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand