Bill to Fund School Safety Grants Signed into Law

House Bill 6012, sponsored by State Representative Pamela Hornberger, a Chesterfield Republican, was signed into law last week. The bill funds risk assessment and critical incident mapping in schools to create safety plans. It also funds mental health and security resources for Oxford Community Schools in the wake of the tragic violence that took place in November of 2021.

Hornberger said the bill will help Oxford with many expenses related to the tragedy. The bipartisan bill also helps schools with making buildings safer by determining where further investments are needed.

The bill allocates $14 million for public schools, intermediate school districts, and private schools in the form of $2,000 grants to complete a comprehensive safety and security assessment.

State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice endorsed the bill but said it’s just a start. Rice called on the legislature to support the governor’s budget request of a $361 million increase in children’s mental health spending and $51 million for school safety grants, along with passing gun safety laws.

Click to access 2022-HNB-6012.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Works to be an “Age-Friendly State”

Michigan is considered a great place for older adults according to a 2019 designation from the American Association of Retired Persons. The AARP recognition as an Age-Friendly State was followed by the development of the Age-Friendly Action plan, which was just approved by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

The plan is a comprehensive strategy to help Michigan senior citizens live well and safely in their communities. Research shows that most Michigan seniors want to age in place, in their own homes.

Roughly one-quarter of the state’s population is over the age of 60, with the population of those over age 65 exceeding the number of residents under age 18 in just six years.

Farah Hanley, MDHHS chief deputy director for health said, “One of MDHHS’s priorities is to ensure that Michiganders can age in their homes and communities for as long as possible while continuing to contribute to the economy and live healthy lives. The Age-Friendly Plan will help us accomplish this important goal.”

https://livablemap.aarp.org/member/state-michigan-mi?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Disaster Declaration Requested for Gaylord Tornado Damage

The destruction from last month’s tornado that ripped through Gaylord has prompted a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration. The declaration would open up resources to get more help for those whose homes and businesses have been destroyed or damaged by the EF-3 tornado.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “We are doing everything in our power to secure all available assistance for the people of Gaylord as quickly as possible.”

The aid requested is individual assistance for eligible residents. The aid can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other recovery programs.

Several state and federal agencies have reviewed the damage from the tornado and have determined that is it sufficient for eligibility for federal disaster aid. The decision is up to President Biden.

State Representative Ken Borton of Gaylord said, “As the tornado broke down buildings in Otsego County, it uprooted families from their homes, disrupted livelihoods of workers at damaged businesses, and, saddest of all, took two lives.

Borton said, “A major disaster declaration from the federal government will help us rebuild Gaylord.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Oceans of Possibilities” Await St. Clair County Library Summer Reading Program Participants

The St. Clair County Library System is gearing up for a summer of reading with their “Oceans of Possibilities” Summer Reading Program.

The program is for kids of all ages and is a fun way to keep kids reading throughout the summer and avoid a “summer slide” where reading skills might decline.

The reading program gets started on June 17th at all of the library branches throughout the county. With the program, kids and adults can read what they want, when they want, and earn chances to win prizes.

While each branch is kicking off the program in its own way, the Main Branch in Port Huron is hosting the Masterpiece Circus. The hour-long event will be held on June 23rd from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. and feature an incredible show of entertaining acts. If the weather prevents it from being outside, the circus show will be held in the Don Dodge Auditorium.

Check the stclaircountylibrary.org website for the details on the Summer Reading Program and each branch’s variety of summer activities.

https://stclaircountylibrary.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Parks Passport Program Challenges Families to Play at Seven City Parks

Two years after city parks were closed to the public out of concern for Covid-19 transmission, parks are not only open for free play, but they are part of a fun new promotion sponsored by the Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department.

The Port Huron Parks Passport Program is for kids ages three to twelve. Kids can pick up a passport at Palmer Park Recreation Center. Once they are registered, they can enjoy exploring seven city parks. Parents or siblings will need to take a picture of the kids at the park and show it to the Recreation Department Staff to get their passport marked.

Once all seven parks have been visited and the photographic evidence has been verified, kids get a free t-shirt.

The parks are Sanborn Park Bike Trail, Mansfield Park, Lighthouse Park, 11th and Division Park, Optimist Park, Lincoln Park, and Palmer Park. Each park is different, with some having just had major renovations with state-of-the-art play equipment. There’s a whole lot of fun to be had at city parks this summer.

https://www.porthuronrec.com/active-opportunities/PH-Parks-Passport?fbclid=IwAR0TML8-5lpKDlotSmBjriPTzM9AHYfcSmHAlWBY2ElKKfT1Nbw_QfcFlMk

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland