Scammers Target Those with Past-due Taxes

The Michigan Department of Treasury is warning against falling for a scam that targets those with past-due taxes. Letters are showing up in mailboxes with a toll-free number provided to resolve the debt. The letters contain threats to seize property such as bank accounts, wages, business assets, cars, and others if the debt is not settled.

The scammers are doing their homework by accessing specific personal facts that are publicly available, giving credibility to their aggressive scam. The sinister plan is that scared taxpayers will call the number and make a payment to the thieves.

Deputy State Treasurer Glenn White, who oversees Treasury’s Revenue Services program said, “We have received reports that taxpayers are receiving these letters. Taxpayers have rights. If you have questions about an outstanding state tax debt, please contact us through a verified number so we can talk about options.”

Legitimate letters are printed on State of Michigan letterhead with the names of the governor and state treasurer, and provide several options for resolving tax debts. Those who receive fraudulent letters should contact the Treasury Department.

Treasury’s Collections Service Center at 517-636-5265.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Be On the Lookout for Ticks

Ticks can really ruin a summer. The pesky little insects can carry Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, which are serious ailments. Being aware of tick risk and taking steps to avoid tick bites are the best ways to avoid an unpleasant encounter with a tick.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said, “Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. If you find a tick attached to your body, promptly remove it. Monitor your health and if you experience fever, rash, muscle or joint aches or other symptoms, consult with your medical provider.”

Grassy, wooded areas are tick hotspots. MDHHS recommends avoiding tick-infested areas. If in the woods, walk in the center of trails and protect pets. Use insect repellant with DEET or picaridin on exposed skin. Clothes can be treated with an insecticide that kills ticks.

A link to more information can be found below.

https://www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/home/lyme-disease?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Dangerous Infant Sleep Items Now Off the Market

No more crib bumper pads or inclined sleepers will be available to purchase due to the Safe Sleep for Babies Act. The items have been blamed for infant deaths and are no longer allowed to be on the market.

Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Administration said, “The Safe Sleep for Babies Act will save the lives of Michigan babies. Parents see these items in stores and may think they are safe for their baby when they are not.”

Travis said, “These products have been involved in hundreds of infant deaths and we are grateful they will no longer be sold. Educating parents and other caregivers about the importance of infant safe sleep remains a top priority for MDHHS.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep on their backs in a crib, bassinet, or pack-n-play, by themselves, using a firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet. The days of pillows, blankets, toys, and bumper pads in cribs are gone. Babies should be clothed in a sleep sack or wearable blanket to stay warm.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Jessie Wiegand Leaving WGRT for The Onion

WGRT radio sent its star reporter, Jessie Wiegand, to PodFest Expo in Orlando over the weekend and experienced an unexpected result. After hitting it off with The Onion’s founder, Scott Dikkers, Wiegand accepted a position as lead reporter for the satirical news company.

Dikkers spoke at PodFest and met Wiegand after his talk when she cut in line to meet him and interrupted the person in front of her. After observing her spunk and disregard for common human decency, Dikkers asked about her career.

Wiegand described her role as a dearly loved local celebrity in her hometown of Port Huron, Michigan, and Dikkers was amazed at her poise and self confidence.

“This is the kind of person we’re always looking for at The Onion,” he said. “We need people who are willing to push to the front of the line and position themselves as authority figures. I was also mesmerized by Wiegand’s midwestern accent that has just a touch of Canadian twang. She’ll be a perfect fit in our newsroom.”

WGRT station owner and president Marty Doorn said Wiegand will be missed at the radio station. “Jessie will be hard to replace. There aren’t many people who are equipped to cover the complex and deeply nuanced news stories we have in the Blue Water Area.”

Wiegand is best known for her riveting Facebook coverage of the grand opening of a downtown grocery store and her ability to correctly pronounce the name of St. Clair County health department official, Dr. Annette Mercatante.

When asked why she decided to take the leap and work with The Onion, Wiegand said, “I’ll miss my fans and the opportunities I’ve had to grow as a journalist at WGRT. Marty has given me so much freedom to explore my talent as a reporter, and it’s time for me to take those skills to the next level of professional news writing.”

Fans of Wiegand’s work at WGRT can rest assured that they won’t have to wonder who will fill her shoes for long. Most of this story has been made up or exaggerated, and Wiegand will be back to work on Tuesday after she fulfills her lifelong dream of visiting Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando.

For more information about Scott Dikkers and The Onion, Visit Scott’s website here:

https://scottdikkers.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Marcus Middleton Allan Piper Port Huron Memorial Day Parade

Commemorating our Fallen Heroes wsg. Marcus Middleton & Allan Piper

Marcus Middleton & Allan Piper join us to talk about Port Huron’s Memorial Day Parade and why it’s important for a community to gather on this holiday. What does it mean for our veterans and active military when we remember their fallen comrades? Listen and discover how taking a few hours out of your Memorial Day makes a difference. 

Learn more about the Memorial Day Parade in Port Huron here:

Port Huron Memorial Day Parade

Cedar Point Goes Cashless

Hitting up the ATM before taking a road trip to Cedar Point? Don’t bother. The Sandusky, Ohio amusement park has gone cashless.

There are endless ways to spend money at the park, a popular getaway for Blue Water area thrill seekers, but there are just a few ways to complete transactions: swiping or tapping a credit card or debit card or using a smart device with Apple Pay or Google Pay.

There are Cash-to-Card kiosks on site where you can convert cash into a prepaid debit card. You won’t get the unspent cash back in the form of cash, but the card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted if there’s a remaining balance.

Why go cashless? Cedar Point says, “By going cashless, we are able to conduct contact-less transactions, and it’s faster, safer and always secure.”

Cedar Point will be increasing the price of their summer passes starting May 31st. Meanwhile, the Frontier Festival is going on now at the park as part of a partnership with Prayers From Maria, an organization whose mission is to raise awareness and money to fund research to end childhood cancer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland