Bill Advocating for Veterans Passes U.S. House

Congresswoman Lisa McClain’s bill, H.R. 5754, the Patient Advocate Tracker Act, passed out of the U.S House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 17, 2022.

The bipartisan Patient Advocate Tracker Act, which McClain introduced in October, would create an online portal where veterans can track the status of formal complaints that they file through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Our veterans deserve the best care possible, and when they don’t receive an adequate level of care, there needs to be an easy way for them to file a complaint and track its progress through the VA,” said Rep. McClain. “Our veterans sacrificed so much to protect our nation, and I’m thrilled the House passed this commonsense legislation to ensure they are taken care of after returning home.”

H.R. 5754 now goes before the Senate, and if it passes there, it goes to the desk of President Biden.

To track the progress of this bill, visit Congress’s website <HERE>.

 

Click-It-Or-Ticket and Commercial Vehicle Checks Underway

Local law enforcement is increasing patrols for both seatbelt use and commercial vehicle enforcement. The Click-it-or-Ticket campaign is underway, as is the Commercial Vehicle Alliance International Roadcheck.

Click-it-or-Ticket is an enhanced effort to catch those who choose to drive without wearing a seatbelt. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office will have patrols dedicated to seatbelt enforcement from May 16th to June 5th.

Sheriff Mat King said, “We can’t overstate the importance of wearing your seatbelt. It’s the law, but more than that, it is the simplest thing you can do to help save yourself from injury or death in the event of a crash.”

The Michigan State Police have been utilizing weigh stations and rest areas to inspect commercial vehicles, focusing on finding defective equipment and checking driver hours of service. More than 65,000 drivers of big rigs and buses are expected to go through the checkpoints.

Commercial drivers should be prepared to show their operating credentials and hours of service. Officers will be looking for anyone operating under the influence of substances as well.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

I-94 From Detroit to Port Huron Slated as Alternative Fuel Corridor

Interstate 94 from Detroit to the Blue Water Bridge is one of the seven nominations for the new Alternative Fuel Corridors, or AFCs. The AFCs are routes that will eventually be part of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in a multi-state network, taking advantage of funds from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Michigan Department of Transportation will be in charge of implementing the AFCs, working with the Michigan Infrastructure Office. The goal is to use the funds on the routes that centered on the support of Electric Vehicle adoption and to relieve “range anxiety” for those who have invested in electric vehicles.

The I-94 corridor is on the list, along with I-275, I-696, and several northern Michigan corridors.

Chief Infrastructure Officer & Director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office, Zachary Kolodin, said, “This is an essential part of our future, and these nominations that have been submitted for the new AFCs are just another step we’re taking to make sure Michigan remains at the forefront of the mobility industry.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Grant Open for Port Huron Businesses Hiring New Employees

The St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance (EDA) has a grant opportunity available for businesses who need a boost to hire new employees. The Talent Attraction Grant can help eligible Port Huron businesses attract and retain employees.

The EDA has allocated $40,000 to the program, and funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis instead of being evaluated competitively. Businesses can request up to $2,000 total to allocate toward marketing their job openings, providing hiring bonuses or incentives to new employees, and providing incentives to current employees who refer a new hire.

Eligible businesses must have a physical location in the city of Port Huron, and the employees who benefit from the grant must also work in the city. Positions must be full time, at least 37.5 hours a week, and the program will focus on new hires who earn a low to moderate income. They also aim to support the hiring of those who are minorities, physically challenged, or financially disadvantaged.

The grant application is online, and the EDA will keep accepting applications until all funds are exhausted. Go to the grant application <HERE> for more information about eligibility and to apply.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

 

Spongy Moth Spraying Scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2022

St. Clair County is planning to spray insecticide treatments aimed at suppressing Spongy Moths starting tomorrow, Thursday, May 19, 2002 beginning early in the morning.

Weather conditions are predicted to be optimal for aerial spraying, and A1’s Aerial Spraying LLC will be releasing insecticide on 5,300 acres around St. Clair County. If the weather conditions change, spraying will be rescheduled.

A1’s Aerial Spraying plans to release Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki) via airplanes on the tree canopies in areas most inhabited by Spongy Moth caterpillars. The insecticide is water-based and approved for use in certified organic food production.

Maps of the areas being treated are available here:

Spongy Moth Spray Areas

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Last Weekend to See The Hiding Place at The Citadel Stage

This is your last weekend to catch Enter Stage Right’s production of The Hiding Place at The Citadel Stage. The show started on May 6th , and the production has its last run on Sunday, May 22nd at 3 PM.

The Hiding Place is based on the life of Corrie ten Boom whose family provided shelter and safety for Jews during WWII in the Netherlands. The family used their home and watch shop as a refuge until they were discovered by the Gestapo and forced into a work camp.

The ten Boom family sacrificed their own safety to live out their Christian values, and Corrie wrote her family’s story in her book, The Hiding Place, in 1971.

Tickets are available for the George Christison production of The Hiding Place at the Citadel Stage for showings Friday and Saturday at 7 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.

Learn more here:

“The Hiding Place” by George Christison

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand