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Local News

Chili and Coats Event Nov. 20 at Woodrow Wilson: Donations Welcome

Chili and coats. Both are ways to keep warm and both will be given away on November 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Woodrow Wilson Steam Academy Gymnasium on Chestnut Street in Port Huron.  

The outreach program is part of a collaboration of ministry, business partners, and the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, who are all working to connect with families in need in the mid-town Port Huron area.

Pastor Kim Brown of Zion Cathedral of Praise International Ministries said that this is the 8th year of the event and that up to 300 coats are given away each year. New and gently used coats are still needed, along with winter wear like boots, hats, and gloves. They can be brought to the school between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. on the day of the giveaway.

There will also be a food truck on site. Chili is being prepared by Blue Water Christian Church, and there are raffle baskets and prize drawings throughout the day.

The event is first-come, first-serve for receiving the coats. Volunteers are still needed and can show up at the event to get assigned a job.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Blue Water Conservation District Awarded MDARD Funding

The Blue Water Conservation District was a big winner in the $9.7 million allocation of grants for soil, water, and wildlife protection. The Blue Water Conservation District serves St. Clair, Sanilac, and Macomb counties.

Gary McDowell, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said, “This funding will help support and elevate our conversation district partners. These funds will allow districts to identify and prioritize the most pressing needs in their communities and ensure landowners have access to technical assistance for their farms.”

The Blue Water Conservation District received a $40,000 grant for basic operations, two $73,500 grants as part of the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program, and $77,000 from the Conservation Technical Assistance Initiative. They also received $78,500 from the Produce Safety Program.

The Blue Water Conservation District has the goal to “Assist the people of the Blue Water area in the wise use and management of their natural resources for a healthy environment and sustained economic growth.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Foundations House Provides Housing for Homeless Senior Citizens

The Foundations House in Port Huron provides housing for seniors in the community who may otherwise be experiencing homelessness or who may be on the brink. The low inventory of available housing makes it difficult for seniors, and anyone else, to find an affordable rental right now.

Erin Goodman, the Elderly/Disabled Service Coordinator with the Port Huron Housing Commission said the Foundations House “provides seniors in our community who are experiencing homelessness a place to call home, while they find a permanent housing solution. These seniors will be matched with resources in the community to ensure their success in finding permanent housing.”

The fully furnished two-bedroom home currently has a partial vacancy. Referrals are made through the Blue Water Community Action Agency.

The St. Clair County Commission on Aging is funding the Foundations house with revenue from the senior millage fund. The idea came about through Housing Matters, Inc, a non-profit that explores housing needs in the community. The Foundations House is for seniors age 60 and older.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Whitmer Repeals 6% Sales Tax on Menstrual Products

Yesterday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed HB 5267, half of a bipartisan package to repeal the tax on essential menstrual products, including tampons, driving down costs and saving families from paying taxes on up to $4,800 of spending over the course of a lifetime. The governor will sign the second bill in the package today.

“After years of trying to repeal this tax, I am proud that we are bringing people together to put Michiganders first and drive down costs on these essential products,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Everyone should be able to take care of their most basic healthcare needs without an unnecessary added financial burden.”

Over the course of a lifetime, the average menstruating Michigander has 456 periods, totaling 6.25 years, and uses 17,000 tampons or pads. Despite the necessity, expense, and frequency of need, Michiganders pay a 6% tax when they purchase tampons, pads, or other menstrual products.

The typical cost for these products is $7 to $10 per month, which adds up to between $3,360 and $4,800 over the course of a lifetime. Repealing the tax will drive down costs for millions of Michiganders.

Submitted by Governor Whitmer’s Office

Yale Passes Bond to Remodel Schools

Voters in the Yale Public Schools district approved a ballot proposal that allows the district to spend $15.8 million to remodel the existing buildings.

The bond measure passed with 788 yes votes to 614 no votes. The impact on taxes will not take place for a year. After that, those who pay property taxes in the Yale school district can expect the tax rate to be around 3.12 mills. The bond will be paid back in 12 years.

The district plans to replace all unit ventilators in their five buildings: the high school, junior high school, and the elementary schools located in Yale, Avoca, and Emmett.  The current HVAC system has lasted beyond its useful life and it’s time for modernization, according to the Bond Proposal webpage.

Efficiency, maintenance costs, and reliability are issues with the current mechanical systems in the district. Electrical systems will also get brought up to date throughout the district, with the public announcement, clock, and fire alarm systems getting addressed.

The Yale Junior High will get a lot of work, with a new roof, lighting, and classroom modernization.

Work is expected to begin next summer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

House Approves Beeler’s Plan to Prevent Stereotyping in Curriculum

The Michigan House of Representatives today approved state Rep. Andrew Beeler’s plan to prevent race and gender stereotyping in Michigan curriculum — a move that would prevent the spreading of harmful principles contained in critical race theory in K-12 schools.

“From emancipation to women’s suffrage to the civil rights movement, events throughout American history exemplify the ideas that all men are created equal; that content of character — not skin color — defines a person; and that racism and sexism in any form have no place in our society,” said Beeler, of Port Huron. “My plan will ensure we are training our children to embrace the ideas that have carried our country away from racial and gender-based stereotypes, and toward a more unified and better future.”

Beeler’s House Bill 5097 would prohibit the State Board of Education or a local school board from including any form of explicit or implicit race or gender stereotyping in core academic curriculum. The plan lists several statements that characterize the beliefs and ideas of race or gender stereotyping. The list includes claims that make assumptions about individuals’ beliefs, actions or attitudes based on race or gender.

HB 5097 now advances to the Senate for consideration.

Submitted by Rep. Beeler’s Office