Student Loan Repayment Pause Extended to August 31st

The student loan repayment pause has been extended again by the federal government. The current ruling remains in effect until August 31, 2022.

As pandemic relief payments are being phased out, the pause is meant to give borrowers time to continue to recover from the economic consequences of the pandemic, now in its third year.

A statement from the press office of President Biden said that the extension will provide time for borrowers to get a plan in place for resuming payments and reduce the risk of default or delinquency once the billing resumes.

Borrowers can look forward to resuming payment in “good standing” with any previous delinquencies eliminated. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is expanding to automatically credit those working in public service. Those who work in public service need to apply for loan forgiveness by October 31st of this year.

More information about the payment pause and supports for borrowers can be found at StudentAid.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Did Lucky Charms Make You Sick?

The food safety website iwaspoisoned.com started receiving reports from consumers that fell ill after eating Lucky Charms Cereal. Reports have been from multiple states, including Michigan and the Port Huron Area.

Consumers report gastrointestinal symptoms after eating the cereal including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting along with  lethargy, bloating, and gas. According to reports, both children and adults have been affected.

After over 2,400 reports of sickness that may be related to Lucky Charms, the FDA has initiated an investigation and is asking anyone who became sick after eating the cereal to keep the leftover product for testing.

Those who have been sick can report their experience at the iwaspoisoned.com website <HERE>.

Once symptoms and other details are reported, consumers will receive instructions on how to submit the product for testing.

When dealing with any type of food poisoning, those affected should rest their stomachs for the first few hours after the onset of symptoms, and then limit their diet to small amounts of clear liquids. Gradually increase liquids as tolerated, and, when ready, reintroduce food starting with a bland diet.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

Heading West on I-69? Expect Delays as $54.5 Million Road Rebuild Begins

Commuters and travelers driving on I-69 in Lapeer County will be encountering construction starting April 18th. A seven-mile stretch of the interstate will be getting rebuilt and the Five Lakes Rest Area will be completely replaced.

The project has a $54.5 million price tag and is part of the Rebuilding Michigan program. Michigan Department of Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said, “This investment will greatly improve an important east/west corridor supporting commuters and commercial traffic.”

According to MDOT, drivers should expect lane closures and traffic shifts over the next two years. The estimated end date is October of 2023.

The project will start with the rebuilding of westbound I-69. Traffic will be maintained on I-69 throughout the project. 

Several ramps will be closed during the first phase of construction, including southbound M-24 to eastbound I-69, westbound I-69 to M-24, westbound I-69 to Wilder Road, Wilder Road to westbound I-69, and Lake Pleasant Road to westbound I-69.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PHS, City Recreation Collaborate for Ks for Kids Fun Run June 9th

If you need a goal for getting into shape for summer, how about training for the Ks for Kids Fun Run? The annual race is in a new location with a new partnership. The Superhero theme race will be held on June 9.

The race is a fundraiser for the Port Huron Schools Endowment Fund and is being held with cooperation from the City of Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department. The race will honor local heroes and participants are invited to dress as their favorite superheroes.

The race will be held at 6:00 p.m. on June 9th, launching and ending at Pine Grove Park in downtown Port Huron. The route goes along the St. Clair River. Awards will be handed out to the top three running times in each age group. There is also a prize for the best costume.

Organizer Kim Dooley said, “The partnership with the Port Huron City Parks & Recreation Dept. gives us an opportunity to have a more centralized location in our district for the run. We hope it’s a big family event and a celebration of the beginning of summer.”

For more information about the race, please go to: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/PortHuron/KsForKidsFunRun

Construction Coming to M-24 in Lapeer

Starting Monday, April 18, 2022, drivers in Lapeer, Michigan should expect lane closures and traffic shifts as crews begin to rebuild the roadway on M-24.

This two-year project will start off with crews expected to rebuild westbound I-69 first. During this time, all traffic will be maintained on eastbound I-69. The following ramps will be closed during this phase of work:

  • Southbound M-24 to eastbound I-69,
  • Westbound I-69 to M-24,
  • Westbound I-69 to Wilder Road,
  • Wilder Road to westbound I-69, and
  • Lake Pleasant Road to westbound I-69.

Westbound traffic will be switched back to the westbound side of the freeway at the end of the construction season. In spring 2023, work will begin to rebuild eastbound I-69, with additional traffic restrictions in place.

Submitted by the State of Michigan

Drug Task Force Conducts Four Raids in Less Than 48 Hours

On April 6th and 7th, the St. Clair County Drug Task Force conducted four drug raids in the city of Port Huron. The raids resulted in several arrests and officers seized weapons, drug packaging materials, and multiple illegal drugs.

The first raid was around 11 AM on April 6th in the 1500 block of Lapeer Road. Officers executed a search warrant and arrested a 33 year old Port Huron man. He faces drug possession and distribution charges along with resisting arrest, maintaining a drug house, and being a habitual offender.

The second raid happened shortly after 8 PM in the 2000 block of Moak Street. A 36 year old Port Huron man was arrested in that raid and faces charges related to the possession of meth, cocaine, and a firearm, along with maintaining a drug house.

The raids on April 7th occurred in the early evening. One was at the 3100 block of Electric Avenue and involved the arrest of a 22 year old man and a 17 year old male, both from Port Huron. The second was in the 1700 block of 11th Street where two residents of Port Huron, a 45 year old woman and a 38 year old man were arrested.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand