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Local News

Gov Gretchen Whitmer

Schools Can Resume In-Person Learning

Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan schools may resume in-person learning in phase 4 of the MI Safe Start plan, with strict safety measures in place. The governor also announced that on June 30th, she will release an executive order and a robust document called “Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap” that will provide details on what will be required and what will be recommended for schools.

The Return to School plan will align closely with the MI Safe Start Plan. The governor will consider the six phases of the MI Safe Start Plan and the Michigan Economic Recover Council’s 8 regions of the state to determine when, where, and how face-to-face instruction can resume.

Districts, students, staff, and families must be nimble and be prepared to move backwards if there is evidence of community spread of the virus.

The Roadmap will set the minimum health and safety requirements, although districts may choose to enact more aggressive measures in consultation with local public health officials. These minimum requirements will apply to all schools, including traditional public, charter, private, and parochial schools. 

 

Yard of the Year Contest Open for Nominations

Port Huron, MI — The City of Port Huron’s Beautification Commission is accepting nominations for its Yard of the Year contest. If you know of a yard around the city that stands out for its beautiful flowers and lovely landscaping, you’ll need to nominate them by the July 15th deadline.

Nomination forms are available on the city’s website and can be submitted to the Beautification Commission by mail or email.

Lucky winners will be notified at the end of July. Residential winners will be awarded the wooden yellow tulip for display in their yard, and business winners will we awarded a plaque. The City Council will recognize the winners at their regular meeting on August 10th.

Nomination forms are available at www.porthuron.org

Beautification Commission Email: beautifyph@porthuron.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Juneteenth Goes Virtual to Celebrate Liberation

Port Huron, MI — Kevin Watkins, President of the Port Huron Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P., understands that many people aren’t aware of the significance of June 19, 1865. He’d love to see this date, also called Juneteenth, transition from a little known day of recognition to an official national holiday.

Juneteenth commemorates the day that Union General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston Texas and read the federal order that proclaimed the freedom of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was formally issued on January 1, 1863, it took some time for its effects to ripple throughout the United States.

This Saturday, June 20th, the Port Huron Branch of the N.A.A.C.P. Youth Council will celebrate Juneteenth with a virtual conversation focused on “Rebuilding the Black Community” The event is open to the community and includes seminars and a Q&A session led by Lavaughn Price and Alphonso Amos of the PH N.A.A.C.P. Youth Council and other leaders from community groups, business, and government.

More information is available on the Port Huron N.A.A.C.P.’s Facebook page <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County Veterans Eligible for Emergency Money

St. Clair County, MI — Veterans in economic distress can get help from the St. Clair County Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department has secured funding for the County Veteran Service Fund Emergency Relief (CVSF-ER) program.

Veterans from all eras, wartime and peacetime, may be eligible for the funding for things like home and vehicle repairs, medical expenses, and other urgent needs. There is also a grocery voucher program through the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and Meijer, where food and personal care items can be purchased.

According to Outreach Coordinator, Nancy Deising, “Our peacetime-era veterans often struggle to find benefits they qualify for and the CVSF-ER program will be a huge help for many.” The grants will be given out on a first come, first serve basis.

Applications are available online at www.sccvet.us or by calling the Veterans Affairs Office at 810-989-6945. The deadline to apply is September 18, 2020.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

M-COLES Board Expands to Increase Diversity

The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (M-COLES) has expanded to include four more seats on its commission to increase diversity and community representation. The expansion is a reaction to citizen protests demanding police reform. Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “While there is more to do, this is a pivotal time.”

The added seats will be held by the Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and three members who must not have affiliation with a law enforcement agency. The Governor will appoint the members under the advice of the State Senate.

The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards is created by law to serve the people of the state of Michigan by ensuring public safety and supporting the criminal justice community.

Colonel Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police, said, “The insight of these new members will provide a necessary outside perspective, and also serve to add another layer of transparency and accountability to policing in Michigan.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Boy Scouts Reaching Out to Potential Survivors of Abuse

The  national organization of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for bankruptcy earlier this year to equitably compensate victims of past abuse. Now, they are launching a massive email and direct mail campaign to reach out to individuals and groups of Scouts, parents of Scouts, alumni, and volunteers who may have been abused in their organization.

Anyone who has been part of the BSA within the last eight years may receive a notice.

In a press release the BSA said, “Receiving a notice does not mean that you have a claim or that your child was harmed while in Scouting. The BSA is just being as thorough as possible.”

The notifications are part of the BSA’s effort to give all potential claimants the opportunity to file a claim against the organization by the November 16th deadline.

Information about filing a claim is available at BSArestructuring.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand