Federal Highway Administration Awards $50 Million Grant for Mid-Michigan Road and Bridge Repairs Following Flooding and Dam Failure 

On August 31st, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has awarded $50 million to reimburse Michigan for emergency road and bridge repairs made in 2020 after dam failures and flooding in mid-Michigan.

Following extensive flood damage caused by dam breaches in May 2020, nearly 30 roads and bridges across the region were closed and suffered damage. In Midland and Gladwin counties, three bridges within a 2-mile distance were closed to traffic after being washed away. US-10 at Sanford Lake was also closed to traffic due to extreme scour of bridge piers and the bridge approaches being washed away.

The FHWA will send $50 million in emergency relief funds to Michigan to reimburse the state for repairs it made to roadways and bridges following the severe flooding in mid-Michigan in 2020. The flooding prompted the governor to declare a state of emergency, order the evacuation of more than 10,000 residents, and contributed to the failure of the Edenville and Sanford dams.

  

The reimbursement is part of aid the FHWA is distributing to states and territories for repairs to roads and bridges damaged by storms, floods, wildfires and other recent severe weather events. Michigan received a larger reimbursement than most other states with the exceptions of California and Puerto Rico, who faced historic wildfires and hurricanes, respectively.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Read for Life Looking for Volunteers

 

Read for Life focuses on encouraging young readers at Cleveland Elementary school, and they are in desperate need of tutors for the 2022-23 school year.

The program requires a 1-hour commitment two days each week throughout the school year, and volunteers are paired with an eager 1st or 2nd grader who needs extra help practicing literacy skills like sight-word reading. No teaching experience is required, and volunteers will attend an orientation before the program starts in October.

Christine D’Luge has a background working as a lawyer, and she loves the time she has spent working with kids in the Read for Life program. As the co-director of the program, she wants to encourage people who may have been taking a break from volunteering to consider this opportunity to re-connect.

Those interested in learning more can contact the St. Martin’s Lutheran Church Port Huron’s church office or email Christine at roadlawyer@comcast.net.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Port Huron Prowlers Acquire New Additions To The Team

Port Huron hockey fans can look forward to new faces on their team’s roster this fall, as the Port Huron Prowlers have added three new players to bolster the team.

The acquisition consists of two positions at forward with Jonathan Giancotti and Nick Coleman, as well as defenseman/forward Christian Marion. 

Giancotti played last season in Sweden’s 3rd division Varberg HK. Coleman spent last season in Poland’s second division playing for Opole HK, and Marion last played in the 2020-21 season with Marysville University in the ACHA Division II.

Prowlers general manager and head coach Matt Graham is excited to have these new players on the roster and is looking forward to this year’s season. The Prowlers home opener will be on October 14th, where they will be facing off against the Motor City Rockers.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Lake Huron - Photo by Choze Powell

Labor Day Is Approaching Practice Safe Boating

Summer is drawing to a close, the Labor Day holiday is approaching, and authorities are expecting boaters to be out in full force well into the fall season. 

According to a survey by the Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS), 65% of boaters are planning on taking to the waters this Labor Day weekend. Nearly 80% are planning to extend their boating into the fall season due to lower gas prices.

If you or someone you know are planning on boating this weekend be sure to have a safety checklist before going out on the water. Be sure to include items such as U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets for all passengers, flares, fire extinguishers, and also don’t forget to perform regular maintenance and safety checks. 

The Black River Canal was dredged last weekend, so boaters should be able to travel out to Lake Huron with no issues. 

Black River Canal - Photo by Choze Powell
Black River Canal – Photo by Choze Powell

If you become stranded while out on the water you can call to find more info about towing services at 800-888-4869.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Lt. Governor Gilchrist Highlights $55 Million Expansion of Michigan Reconnect Program

On August 31st, during an event at Mott Community College, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist touted the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2023 budget’s inclusion of $55 million to fully fund the Michigan Reconnect program. He also encouraged working-age Michiganders to join the more than 100,000 people who have taken the first step towards earning a college degree or skills certificate through the Michigan Reconnect program in the last 18 months.

The Michigan Reconnect program, which provides free or reduced community college tuition for students 25 and older who have not yet earned a degree, was launched in February 2021.

 

The event’s aim was to highlight how programs such as Michigan Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners are creating a rewarding path to in-demand careers for Michiganders and to encourage more participation in the Michigan Reconnect program.

  

Lt. Governor Gilchrist also highlighted $6 million in grant funding now available to help cover other costs that often keep adult learners from returning to college or enrolling for the first time.

  

The new grants, which will be distributed by the state’s community and tribal colleges, can be used for books, childcare, internet access and transportation to help students pursue associate degrees or skills certificates.

To be eligible for the grants, students must: 

  • Be Michigan Reconnect or Futures for Frontliners scholarship participants
  • Have completed at least one semester within the respective scholarship program they are participating in 
  • Be enrolled already, or be in the process of enrolling, for a qualifying semester 

More information is available at Michigan.gov/Reconnect.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Free Vision and Hearing Screenings For Children Available

Some of our children have already begun the school year, while others will be starting sometime after Labor Day. The St. Clair County Health Department is offering children entering preschool or kindergarten free vision and hearing screenings this fall. 

The screenings began August 29th and will continue until September 2nd. The benefits of having your child screened can prevent future learning issues, as well as catching any other issues related to vision and hearing before they become bigger problems later in life.

Beginning in October, appointments can be made for the first Monday and fourth Wednesday of each month. 

For more information or to schedule an appointment for your child call (810) 987-5300

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell