Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in Michigan to draw attention to the widespread impact of sexual violence. Statistics indicate that in the U.S., 1 in 6 women and one 1 in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. Rape and other crimes of sexual violence have a devastating impact on the lives of victims and their communities. To create public awareness, Blue Water Safe Horizons is holding its’ 4th Annual Sexual Assault Awareness Walk. The walk will take place Saturday, April 27, beginning at a new location this year; the First Congregational Church of Port Huron. More than 100 people are expected to attend, raising awareness of sexual violence and supporting survivors  The walk is a family event.  Coffee and registration for the walk begins at 9:00 a.m. At 9:30 a.m., the nearly 2-mile walk will begin. The event is free of charge and will be hosted by Blue Water Safe Horizons staff and volunteers. A free breakfast at the church will follow the walk. Participants are encouraged to wear the color teal, which is the official color of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Official walk t-shirts may be purchased at Papaya Branch Boutique in downtown Port Huron. Donations also will be accepted at the walk.

The St. Clair Women’s League (SCWL), a community service group, is raising funds to benefit people and projects throughout the community.  The SCWL is once again offering scholarships to women in the greater St. Clair Community who are returning to college to further their education or to become retrained for a new career.  Organizers say there are two scholarships  available.  Upon review and selection of qualified applications, two women will be awarded $1250 each to pursue her educational goals.  They are looking for applicants at least 21 years of age and live within the boundaries of the East China School District.  Each applicant must also demonstrate financial need, local community involvement, good standing in the community, and must be working toward a defined career goal.  Carrie Cypert, PR person for the Women’s League, says to obtain an application or for further information, you may contact the Returning Women’s Scholarship Committee Chairperson, Pat O’Connor at 810-334-1265 or email pcoconnor1@gmail.com.  Completed applications must be received by the Scholarship Committee no later than  May 30th, 2019

Today is April 15, the day most Americans must file their federal tax returns for 2018. Note that we say “most Americans.” Taxpayers in two states have until April 17 to file their 2018 tax returns.  Residents in Maine and Massachusetts get two extra days to submit their 1040s to the IRS.  Patriots’ Day, is an official holiday in those two states, which commemorates Revolutionary War battles, and it so happens it falls on April 15 this year. Normally, residents of those two states would get an extra day to file taxes. However, April 16 is Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia. The holiday honors the end of slavery in Washington, D.C.   April 16 is a legal holiday in D.C., and the IRS can’t require that tax returns be filed on a legal holiday.  Here in Michigan, however, today is the day, however if  for some reason you can’t file your federal tax return on time, it’s easy to get an automatic six-month extension. But you have to act by April 15  and keep in mind,  that an extension to file doesn’t extend the time to pay your tax. If your tax is not paid by the original due date, you’ll owe interest on the unpaid tax. You could also be hit with additional penalties for filing and paying late.

The City of Port Huron will be conducting tornado siren testing on Monday, April 15th, 2019 at
approximately 1:00 p.m. Please be advised that periodic tornado siren activation and deactivation may occur during this time.

This month, St. Clair County Community College will hold a number of free information sessions on main campus for three of its health sciences programs.  According to Alex Bienkowski,  Director of Marketing and Communication, attending an info session is the first step for anyone interested in earning a health sciences degree from SC4.

Schedule:

Health Information Technology — Associate Degree Program

The health information technology program prepares students for a variety of careers in the health care field. Students learn the process of acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical information, which is vital to providing quality patient care, supporting medical education and research, and more. Graduates are eligible to take the nationally recognized Registered Health Information Technician Exam.

Noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 18 – at the Acheson Technology Center, Room 206 -Evening appointments are available by contacting Program Director Karen Wilson at klwilson@sc4.edu.

Radiologic Technology — Associate Degree Program

The radiologic technology program prepares students to become radiologic technologists by combining imaging technology with patient care skills to create quality radiography images. It has a five-year, 100 percent first-time passage rate on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Exam, a national registry exam that grants certification in radiologic technology.  – 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18  — 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 24 — All radiologic technology info sessions take place in the Welcome Center, Room 206.

Medical Assisting — Certificate Program

The medical assisting program is a 12-month certificate program that prepares students to perform various clinical and administrative duties in a variety of health care settings. Graduates gain the knowledge and skills necessary for further health sciences education and are eligible to take the national credentialing exam.  — Noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 18 in  the Acheson Technology Center, Room 119

Those interested in attending an info session can find detailed information about all of SC4’s health sciences programs at sc4.edu/health.