Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit in Port Huron on Memorial Day

The Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is coming to Port Huron on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30th. The exhibit is sponsored by Pollock-Randall Funeral Homes and will be located at their Elk Street location.

The exhibit will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The quick walk-through exhibit is family-friendly and free to experience. The first 200 guests will get a special treat from Jimmy’s Frozen Custard.

The Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit brings local communities and the military community together with their educational stories and interactive connections.

According to the Wreaths Across America organization, “The purpose of the Mobile Education Exhibit is to not only teach the next generation about service and sacrifice, but to share stories of patriotism and love of country to communities around the United States.”

Wreaths Across America puts wreaths on the gravesites of fallen soldiers at Arlington National cemetery and 2500 other cemeteries every December.

A link to more information can be found below.

https://learn.wreathsacrossamerica.org/mobile-education-exhibit

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

EGLE Awards Clean Water Grants to Port Huron, Capac, and 13 Other Municipalities

Port Huron is one of fifteen communities awarded a MI Clean Water Grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Port Huron’s award is $330,649 to be used for water system enhancement through Distribution System Materials Inventory development and Asset Management Plan updates.

Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp said, “We are extremely grateful for this partnership with EGLE to be a recipient of a Drinking Water Asset Grant. With this grant, we will be able to inventory 375 water services, helping us to continue offering safe, clean drinking water to our residents.” 

The Village of Capac received a $503,536 award for water system enhancement.

EGLE reports that the grants are part of a program developed under the Clean Water Plan. The goal is to help drinking water suppliers develop and update asset management plans and develop an inventory system to identify materials such as lead service lines.

A statewide effort continues to replace lead service lines and identify and remove contaminants that threaten the safety of the drinking water supply.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Individualized Tutoring Proposed to Get Kids Back on Track in School; Help Needed

The MI Kids Back on Track plan has been introduced by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to expand tutoring and learning supports statewide. Whitmer is proposing tapping into the state’s $3 billion surplus to invest $280 million in trying to make up for the educational losses that occurred during the COVID shutdowns.

The plan would pay for personalized instruction focused on each child’s specific learning challenges. Who will do the tutoring amidst an educator shortage? It could be you.

Whitmer said, “If we get this done, we can offer every student in Michigan—all 1.4 million of them—extra help with a qualified tutor. But tutoring programs only work if we have tutors. I am calling on my fellow Michiganders who want to see our kids succeed to join the effort to get our kids back on track.” 

There is a website where interested potential tutors can sign up to get connected to tutoring needs that match their interests. The website states that there are both possible future volunteer positions and jobs. A link can be found below.

https://www.volunteermichigan.org/need/detail/?need_id=694901

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLaren Plans Cancer Survivors Drive-Thru and Ladies Night Out

McLaren Port Huron is planning two events for the community: the Cancer Survivors Drive-Thru Event and the Ladies Night Out.

Local cancer survivors are invited to participate in a celebration called “Hope Grows Here”, sponsored by McLaren Port Huron and the Karmanos Cancer Institute. The garden-themed event will take place on Monday, June 6th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Port Huron near the Rourke Entrance.

Cancer survivors will receive a special gift and will need to register for the event.

Ladies Night Out, sponsored by the McLaren Foundation, will be held at the Marysville Community Center, at 867 E. Huron Boulevard in Marysville, on Tuesday, June 14th, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Health information specifically for women will be provided, along with activities and a delicious, healthy snack. Those ladies who attend are asked to wear their walking shoes.

The free programs just require registration.

Registration information for both the Cancer Survivors Drive-thru and the Ladies Night Out can be found below.

To register or for more information, call HealthAccess at 1-800-228-1484. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lynnea McFadden Takes Director Job at Friends of the St. Clair River

The Friends of the St. Clair River organization has added a Director of Programs and Services to their roster, with the hiring of Lynnea McFadden.

McFadden has a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Lake Superior State University and a Master of Science degree in Conservation Biology from Central Michigan University.

McFadden told us that she is very excited to join Friends of the St. Clair River, saying, “I join Friends of the St. Clair River combining my backgrounds in Conservation Biology and education.  Much of my past experience lies in private landowner conservation efforts across the state as well as teaching environmental science at Saint Clair County Community College.”

McFadden said she is excited for the opportunity to further enhance local natural resources and work with partners and community members to boost conservation efforts within the Blue Water area to maintain safe and healthy drinking water, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities.

Visit scriver.org to get involved with Friends of the St. Clair River.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

$3 Billion Surplus Prompts Tax Rebate, Rate-Lowering Plans

Lawmakers are debating ways to return tax dollars to Michigan taxpayers. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proposed a plan called MI Tax Rebate Right Now that would return $500 to working families. The state has a $3 billion surplus.

Speaking about her plan, Whitmer said, “Michiganders are counting on us to work together to provide real relief right now, so they can pay the bills and put food on the table. Let’s draw on the grit and determination our working families show every day and let’s get it done.” 

Republican lawmakers are proposing lowering the individual income tax rate from 4.25% to 4% and increasing the personal income tax exemption by $1,800, as well as making families eligible for a $500 non-refundable child tax credit.

State Representative Andrew Beeler, who backs the Republican plan, said, “Irresponsible spending by the federal government has caused runaway inflation, kneecapping families in Sanilac and St. Clair counties. It’s past time we demonstrate that money is better spent by those who earn it than by the government.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland