Having emergency items in your vehicle and being able to help yourself lessens the strain on first responders during weather events. The Port Huron Police Department recently published an infographic that lists the essentials for an Emergency Supply Kit.

Make sure to have a cell phone charger, a first aid kit, and jumper cables all the time. Emergency water and snacks are also good in case you are stuck in your car for an extended period of time, as are flashlights and blankets.

Never go out in the snow and cold without warm gear like hats, gloves, and boots, and don’t forget that Michigan essential, an ice-scraper. It’s good to have a full tank of gas when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Drivers with snow tires or tire chains will fare better in treacherous conditions.

Cat litter? Yes. Having a bag of cat litter or sand in your car provides you with something to pour around a spinning tire to gain traction on snow or ice. If that doesn’t work, having a tow rope will come in handy if you need a little more help to get out of a slippery spot.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

It’s a dirty trick and it’s on the rise. It’s the theft of catalytic converters, which are essential vehicle parts that help to reduce polluting emissions. Thieves sell the stolen parts to scrap metal dealers. The parts from newer hybrid cars contain precious metals and get a higher price at the scrap yard.

Anita Fox, Director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, said that most drivers don’t have coverage for catalytic converter theft on their auto insurance policies. Comprehensive coverage is not mandatory in Michigan.

Fox warned, “Thieves can easily remove these expensive parts from cars and then sell them to recyclers for hundreds of dollars depending on the car’s make and model. In addition to replacing the expensive converter itself, the damage caused by these thefts can be extensive and may cost as much as $3,000, or more, to repair.”

Fox said that an optional comprehensive auto insurance policy can cover the damage.

There are anti-theft devices that can deter theft. Motion detecting lights and other strategies are also recommended to deter catalytic convertor thieves.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Did you change addresses in 2021? If so, be sure to get your address changed with employers and financial institutions.

The Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding taxpayers to take care of address updates in advance of the 2022 income tax filing season to prevent delays in filing returns.

Deputy State Treasurer Glenn White said, “Please take a few moments out of your busy holiday schedule to make sure your address is updated with employers and financial institutions. When the individual income tax processing season opens at the beginning of next year, we will be ready to process your return.”

The Treasury encourages electronic filing over paper returns. Direct debit is available again for this tax filing season.

For those who had their identity compromised, it can be reported to the Treasury so that criminals do not attempt to steal tax refunds.

Michigan taxpayers get an average return of $634. Out of 5 million filers, 3.4 million get money back from the state.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland