Michigan Working with National Park Service to Pilot Accessibility Innovations

The State of Michigan and the National Park Service are working together to increase the accessibility of electric vehicles in Michigan’s five national parks as well as find innovative ways to make parks available to everyone, from families with babies to elderly visitors. Michigan will pilot emerging mobility technology as well as innovative accessibility measures.

The collaboration includes a commitment to research and implement environmental sustainability and visitor access projects, identify potential electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects, advance innovative mobility and electrification initiatives, engage the community in pilot projects, and share knowledge leading toward the Lake Michigan Circuit to enable electric vehicle tourism at state and national parks around the Great Lakes.

Michigan’s five National Parks are Rocks National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historical Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and River Raisin National Battlefield Park.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Aven Campau photos taken by Jennifer Knightstep, Jen Knightstep Photography

Aven Campau, Port Huron Northern Student, Nominated for Detroit Filmmaker Award

The 2nd Annual Detroit Filmmaker Awards Ceremony will take place at the Charles H. Wright Museum on May 22, 2022, and Aven Campau, a Port Huron Northern sophomore, has been nominated for best actor in a short film.

Aven played the role of the son in the short film, Mr. Seek, which was filmed in Detroit and released in late 2019. The film shares the story of a son who cares for his father during his frequent mental health episodes. Mr Seek was selected for awards at the New York Lift-Off Film Festival in 2020, the WILDsound Feedback Film Festival in 2021, and the Dark Story Film Festival also in 2021.

Mr Seek was also nominated for Best Editing, Matt Holloway;  Best Cinematography, Brandon Roberts; and Best Director, Brianna Celestina.

When asked how he felt about the nomination, Campau said, ‘“I thought it was really cool! Brianna and the entire crew were amazing and I’m so happy to see them all get nominations too.”

Campau’s mother, Missy Campau, said, “I was completely caught off guard by this nomination. He works very hard and I’m incredibly proud of him. This industry  is as difficult as it is rewarding so recognition goes a long way.”

Aven Campau started acting in 2017 and has participated in over 30 projects since then in Detroit, Chicago, Connecticut, and New York. He’s also a visual artist with work available for sale on Etsy at his shop, Art by Aven.

 

 

To learn more about Aven Campau and his career, visit: https://avencampau.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Convention of States Holding Town Hall in May

A group of citizens are holding a Town Hall meeting in May to provide information about calling a Convention of States. Their purpose is to debunk myths and answer questions about self governance, the role of state and local government, and the solutions they believe a Convention of States can offer.

The Town Hall event is May 10, 2022 from 7 – 8:30 PM at the St. Clair Lions Club in East China.

A Convention of States provides an alternative to amending the Constitution through proposals by Congress. It can be initiated by two-thirds of the legislatures of several states who would pass a resolution calling for all 50 states to hold a Convention of States. At the Convention of States, the Constitution could be amended by selected delegates.

According to a press release from the Michigan Convention of States Action team, Michigan House of Representatives candidate, Jay DeBoyer, current St. Clair County Clerk, will participate in the town hall. DeBoyer is running for State Representative of the 63rd District which covers Clay, China, Cottrellville, East China, Ira, and part of Casco Townships, as well as the cities of Algonac, Marine City, and St. Clair.

In a list of frequently asked questions provided by the Convention of States Action Project, the reason for calling a Convention of States is because “[t]he federal government is spending this county to the ground, seizing power from the states, and taking liberty from the people.”

More information is available by visiting

https://conventionofstates.com/michigan-home

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Special Open Enrollment Period In Effect for Health Insurance Marketplace

Michigan residents can enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace during a Special Enrollment Period. The enrollment period is in effect from now until November 30th with coverage starting on the first day of the month after enrollment.

Department of Insurance and Financial Director Anita Fox explained, “Many Michiganders now have free or low-cost health insurance thanks to increased enrollment opportunities and the American Rescue Plan, but many thousands more remain uninsured despite being eligible for significant out of pocket savings.” 

The Special Enrollment Period is for those who have a household income that falls below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. The level is around $19,000 for an individual and $40,000 for a family of four. Those who qualify will also be eligible for an Advance Premium Tax Credit that could make the Marketplace plan available at no cost. 

Free local enrollment help is available to help you take advantage of this new opportunity at LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov. You can also contact DIFS, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 877-999-6442 for information about getting started. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Adopt-A-Highway Trash Pickup Scheduled for this Weekend

All that trash along the sides of Michigan’s highways is about to get cleaned up thanks to the Michigan Department of Transportation Adopt-A-Highway program. The first pickups of the year are scheduled for this weekend through May 1st in the Lower Peninsula. The Upper Peninsula has not quite reached spring-like weather and the first pickup in the U.P. is scheduled for early to mid-May.

State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said, “We want to acknowledge the valuable service these thousands of Adopt-A-Highway volunteers provide each year keeping our roadsides clean.”

Ajegba said, “Their commitment to their communities makes a huge difference across Michigan. We also remind motorists to keep an eye out for the volunteers and drive cautiously during the pickup periods.”

Motorists should be aware of the volunteers who will be out keeping the highways and the environment clean. They will be wearing high-visibility vests and working in groups of three.

There are still sections of highways that are available for groups or businesses to adopt. There are three trash pickups throughout the year: this weekend’s pickup, a July pickup, and a September pickup.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

TEC Students win 18 Medals at SkillsUSA

St. Clair TEC students brought home an impressive 18 medals at the state SkillsUSA Leadership Conference held April 8-10 in Grand Rapids. Forty-one TEC students from eight programs competed at the state-level competition. The seven gold medal winners — Jacob McEachin, Emma O’Connell (Model: Skylar Soulliere), Sierra Kelly (Model: Hannah Gombos), William Wideman, and Curtis Dresser — will be advancing to the National SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 20–24. 

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving more than 310,000 high school and college students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. The SkillsUSA competition is an annual event designed to gauge students’ mastery of various career-oriented skills and showcase the nation’s best career and technical education students. 

Congratulations to our SkillsUSA participants for their hard work during after-school practice sessions with dedicated TEC instructors and paraprofessionals.

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY 

Instructors: Jason Belfinger and Brian Hunter 

Paraprofessionals: Alex Super and Wayne McClelland 

Automotive Service Technology Overall 

  • Gold: Jacob McEachin, Port Huron Northern High School, Senior 

CONSTRUCTION TRADES 

Instructor: Ken Sygit 

Paraprofessional: Caleb Howell 

Electrical Construction Wiring 

  • Silver: CJ Miller, Virtual Learning Academy, Junior 

COSMETOLOGY 

Instructors: Alecia Klein, Beth Koski, and Sue Colman 

Paraprofessionals: Kara Randall and Tina Ponessa 

Cosmetology Overall 

  • Silver: Courtney Barber, Marysville High School, Senior 
  • Bronze: Brianna Snyder, Port Huron Northern High School, Senior 

Cosmetology Mannequin 

  • Gold: Maggie Tanton, Blue Water Middle College, Junior 
  • Bronze: Rebekah Schmaltz, Marysville High School, Junior 

Esthetics 

  • Gold: Emma O’Connell, Yale High School, Senior (Model: Skylar Soulliere, Port Huron Northern, Senior) 
  • Silver: Sienna Guerrero-Brown, East China Virtual, Senior (Model: Lily Ingles, Marysville, High School, Senior) 

Nail Care 

  • Gold: Sierra Kelly, Marysville High School, Senior (Model: Hannah Gombos, Memphis High School, Senior) 
  • Bronze: Taylor Colston, Port Huron High School, Senior (Model: Peyton Rowley, Capac High School, Senior) 

DIGITAL MEDIA TECHNOLOGY 

Instructor: Chad Kubik 

Paraprofessional: Ann Frederick 

Pin Design 

  • Silver: Danielle Liebetreu, St. Clair High School, Senior

METAL MACHINING TECHNOLOGY 

Instructor: Duane Emig 

Paraprofessional: Marv Koob 

CNC Technician 

  • Gold: William Wideman, Memphis High School, Senior 

CNC Turning 

  • Gold: Curtis Dresser, Port Huron Northern High School, Senior 

WELDING 

Instructor: Becca Robertson 

Paraprofessional: James Lay 

Welding Overall 

  • Bronze: Jason Sanday, Yale High School, Senior 

View photographs from the competitions on TEC’s Facebook page at: 

https://www.facebook.com/StClairTEC 

The St. Clair County Technical Education Center (TEC) is operated by the St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency. TEC provides career-oriented programs to high school juniors and seniors. TEC offers programs on- and off-site. Programs provide students the opportunity to earn high school elective and academic credit, college credit, and state certification. 

More information is available on the TEC website at www.sctec.org. 

Submitted by St. Clair TEC