MDHHS Updates Quarantine Guidance

As the state enters a recovery phase of the pandemic, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated their guidance for quarantine and isolation due to declining cases of COVID-19. This guidance applies to the general public, not to congregate care settings like hospitals , nursing homes, and other health care settings or jails.

A person who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate at home for 5 days. Anyone who is exposed to COVID-19 by a a close contact or someone in their household should avoid unmasked activities and wear a mask around others for 10 days while they monitor for symptoms. Those exposed should also test for COVID-19 on day 3-7 or as soon as symptoms develop. These guidelines apply to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

If a person is exposed to COVID-19 at work or in a community setting, they should monitor for symptoms for 10 days, test if symptoms develop, and consider wearing a mask for at least 10 days after exposure, especially if they are around high-risk individuals.

MDHHS reminds the public that orders from local health departments, schools, event organizers, and individual businesses should continue to be followed along with these new guidelines.

Under this new guidance, schools no longer have to report confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases.

For more details visit: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Marysville High School Students Released Early Out of Abundance of Caution

Marysville High School parents received a letter from Superintendent Shawn Wightman today after students were released early due to a drawing of a gun on a bathroom wall. The drawing had “2:45” written above it, and it was found by students and immediately reported to building-level administration.

The school contacted law enforcement who arrived on the scene to investigate and decided to release students early out of an abundance of caution.

In the letter to parents, Wightman said, “As a community, keeping our children safe is something we must do together. Communication, education, and training are part of this process. Consequently, I encourage you to share your concerns and ideas with us so that we can continue to make certain that our schools are the safest place for our children.”

Wightman also said the “incident will be investigated further and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Yes, You CAN Recycle Your Boat’s Winter Shrink Wrap

It’s not quite boat season, but it is time to plan on what to do with that shrink-wrap from winterizing the boat. There’s a way to keep that plastic out of landfills, but it takes some planning.

There is a program being sponsored by several state agencies and charities where boat owners can recycle all that shrink-wrap. All they have to do is purchase a special bag and register for the program.

The bags cost $7 from the vendor, Dr. Shrink. The price includes collection, transportation, baling, and recycling the shrink-wrap material. The recycled shrink-wrap can be made into things like composite decking, instead of staying in a landfill for 450 years.

Once boat owners or marinas get the bags, they can remove the wrap and place it in the bags and deliver it to a registered drop-off location.

Purchase your recycling bag(s) for $7 at Dr. Shrink. This is a one-time fee that includes the cost to collect, transport, bale and recycle. 

Register for the program. The form for both individuals and businesses.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Kenockee Farms Looking Forward to Expanded 2022 CSA Season

Always wanted to own a farm? Well, now you can, sort of. Kenockee Farms offers Community Supported Agriculture Shares, or CSA shares, in their Kenockee Township organic farm.

Owner Ruth Field said that this is their third year of operating the CSA program. Shareowners buy the level of share that meets their family’s needs and in return, they get a weekly basket of food throughout the growing season.

Field said that her farm has expanded to offer fresh eggs, Amish-made birch and maple syrups, and is looking forward to extending the growing season with a possible hoop house on the farm.

Field said that they are also operating a farm stand on Lapeer Road, not far from Goodells park, and will be branching out with microgreens with possible sales to the restaurant industry.

Last year, there were 23 CSA shares, and there is room for more this year. Baskets include a wide variety of organic vegetables, with some of them being rare heirloom varieties, along with seasonal fruits and herbs.

More information can be found at kenockeefarms.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Rep. Beeler Supports Effort to Suspend Gas Tax

Submitted by Rep. Beeler’s Office:

As rising fuel prices continue to increase costs on Michigan families, state Rep. Andrew Beeler, who serves on the House Tax Policy Committee, and the Michigan House of Representatives today approved a plan to repeal the state gas tax for six months.

House Bill 5570 would suspend the state motor fuel tax beginning April 1. By pausing the tax of 27.2 cents per gallon, the plan is estimated to save Michigan drivers about $750 million over the six-month period.

“Inflation and federal restrictions on American oil are driving the price of gas to staggering heights,” said Beeler, R-Port Huron. “To help offset these price increases, our plan will give Michigan families a break from the state gas tax.”

House passage of the plan comes despite a recent statement by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who yesterday urged Congress to suspend the federal gas tax temporarily. The federal tax is only 18.4 cents per gallon, and the Legislature’s plan would enable greater savings on each gallon of gas.

“Gov. Whitmer is perhaps most famous for begging the Legislature to raise the Michigan gas tax by 45 cents a gallon,” Beeler said. “Lawmakers had the foresight to steer away from the wreck that would cause. I am hopeful that Gov. Whitmer will work with Republicans and Democrats here in Michigan to provide substantive relief for the citizens of our state paying high gas prices.”

Beeler and the House also approved House Resolution 250, calling for Gov. Whitmer and the federal government to support policies to enable energy independence in the United States. In addition to calling for more oil production in the United States, the measure also urges the governor and Attorney General Dana Nessel to end their partisan attempts to shut down Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline, which transports oil and natural gas through Canada, Michigan and Wisconsin.

The House approved HB 5570 with bipartisan support, and it now proceeds to the Senate, which is expected to approve the plan next week.

 

It’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and a Good Time to Help The Arc of St. Clair County

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The Arc of St. Clair County is making a difference for those living with developmental and intellectual differences one person at a time.

The Arc’s Executive Director, Valorie Hudgens, told us that recently the Arc staff worked with an individual who was experiencing homelessness. He was moving around the community from shelter to living on the streets. 

Hudgens said that the Arc staff, along with other community agencies, assisted him in obtaining secure housing, social security income, food assistance, and health care. The man said that he appreciated being treated like a human being again.

The Arc also advocates for families who are navigating the educational system with Individual Education Plans and behavior plans, as well as for people trying to gain independence through employment.

The non-profit is asking the community to help them to continue their work with this year’s silent auction. There are only a few more days to bid on the variety of interesting prizes.

https://zoomgive.com/2383/c/achieve