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Local News

Michigan Firefighters Assisting with California Wildfires

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is on its way to California to help fight the massive wildfires with off-road fire engines.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “The California wildfires have devastated thousands of families, and Michigan is ready to help in any way we can. The highly trained firefighters from the Michigan DNR regularly assist other parts of the country that are in need. Just like when California sent us ventilators in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re prepared to help our friends on the West Coast protect families, businesses, and wildlife from these fires.”

There is a nationwide cooperative system where DNR firefighters may be assigned to any state in need. The DNR assures that there are plenty of firefighters still in Michigan should their skills be needed.

Multiple blazes are being fought in 15 states right now. Thousands have had to evacuate in California, and over a million acres of land have been burned. The fires are minimally contained with threat of more fires on the horizon.

Michigan is reimbursed for the services and the DNR describes the travel as “valuable to firefighters who want to increase their experience and learn skills they can use to fight fires at home.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lake Huron Medical Center August Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its August 2020
Employee of the Month, Stephanie Sider. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and
volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Stephanie is a Respiratory Therapist and has been with LHMC since December 2018. She was
nominated by a peer who commented, “Stephanie did a remarkable job with a Priority 1 transport out of our ER. She assisted the medic with the vent set up and operation. She went above and beyond to calm the medic down so that together they could provide the best possible quality of care to the patient.”

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a
special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Stephanie, as we
celebrate her accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit
www.mylakehuron.com.

“Return to Learn” Law Gives Schools Guidelines for 20-21 Schoolyear

With just a week or two before school starts, the “Return to Learn” bill has been signed into law. The law addresses the challenges facing districts in the 20-21 school year and was drafted in the Michigan House of Representatives in a bipartisan effort.

Last year’s pupil count will now determine the funding levels for this year. With uncertainty as to what days kids will be in school and differences between districts, this takes away the stress of “count days” that are tied to funding.

$65 million in federal funding is being allocated to increase internet connectivity, promote student mental health, address learning loss, and other supports.

The bill also gives flexibility to schools as to instructional days and hours, and asks districts to develop their own plans to meet the needs of students while adapting to COVID-19 mitigation protocols. The law mandates reporting on how districts will instruct in core subject areas and how they will address accommodations for students with disabilities. The law requires two-way communication and grading for all types of education, whether in-person or remote. School should look quite a bit different than it did last spring with the passage of the bills.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Series Offered by MSU Extension

For those struggling to care for a loved one, a six-week Powerful Tools for Caregivers program will be offered to help caregivers navigate the difficult task.

The program is offered by the Michigan State University Cooperative Extension on the Zoom platform. It runs every Wednesday from September 16 to October 21 from 3:00-4:30 p.m.  

The program is designed for people who are helping a parent, spouse, friend or someone who lives at home, in a nursing home, or across the country.

Topics covered include stress reduction and effective communication. There will also be suggestions on how caregivers can take care of themselves, relax, and reduce guilt anger and depression while making tough decisions, setting goals, and problem-solving.

There will be time during the program to discuss hiring in-home help, understanding depression, helping memory-impaired elders, making decisions about driving, and making legal and financial decisions.

The six-week program is completely free. Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an organization that provides resources to caregivers nationwide. The link to registration is here.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Absent Voter Ballot Application Period Open

The application period to request an absent voter ballot for the November 3rd general election is open. Voters can now sign up to vote absentee and return their ballots as soon as they are ready.

Record-breaking numbers of absentee ballots were submitted in the August primary election, and the numbers are expected to be just as high or higher in November.

All registered voters can apply for an absent voter ballot by filling out an online form at Michigan.gov/vote. They will need to provide their driver’s license or state ID number along with the last four digits of their Social Security Number.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson just  announced that Michigan Secretary of State branch offices will be offering special appointments and extended hours for residents who need to renew their driver’s license or state ID cards that expire between January 1st and September 30th of 2020.

These special appointments will be specifically for IDs that expire between those dates and require in-person renewal, and it should help people get their IDs renewed in preparation for the November election.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

United Way Kicks Off Campaign With Drive-Through Breakfast

September marks the start of the United Way of St. Clair County’s yearly campaign to raise money for the community. They are focusing on raising enough funds through this year’s campaign to help 15,000 St. Clair County residents.

Their 2020 Campaign Kick-off will take place Thursday, September 10th with a drive-through breakfast at their Carriage House on Military Street in Port Huron. The event features a carry out hot breakfast from Chef Shell’s along with an uplifting cruise route where supporters can see the premiere of their 2020 campaign video and enjoy some entertainment.

Everyone is welcome to attend the event, and registration is available online by visiting their website <HERE> before the September 1st deadline.

The United Way of St. Clair County invests their resources into local programs that address the greatest needs our community faces. Their goal is to empower individuals and families through education, health, and financial stability to create an enjoyable quality of life for all.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand