Wyatt Walker Friendship Fund Helps Enrich the Lives of Local Youth

The Wyatt Walker Friendship Fund is enriching the lives of young people throughout the area. Recent donations to both Port Huron Northern High School and Discovery City at Port Huron Museums’ Carnegie Center are continuing the legacy of the late Wyatt Walker.

Gayle Walker said that she and her husband, Mark, truly believe that programs involving young people are the best investment of their time and money. The Wyatt Walker Friendship Fund was started in 1999 to honor the memory of the Walkers’ son, Wyatt. Walker said that the projects they fund are things that Wyatt would have loved.

Through the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, the Fund awarded grants to enrichment programs at Port Huron Northern High School this year. There was money left over and they decided to gift it to the Museums to help pay for Wednesday Mornings with Miss Michelle at Discovery City.

Mrs. Walker said that the fund looks for things that “build kindness, doing for others, and reaching out and helping”. 

https://www.phmuseum.org/discovery-city-childrens-exhibit/

https://www.stclairfoundation.org/wyatt-walker-friendship-fund-grants/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Repp Warns Against “One Size Fits All” Short-Term Rental Bill 

State legislation has been written that would provide for the regulation of short-term rental properties at a statewide level, stripping zoning power from municipalities. Short-term rentals are made when homeowners rent out their homes with services like Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, and others. 

 House Bill 4722 is sponsored by several lawmakers including State Representative Andrew Beeler of Port Huron. The bill has passed the House. A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate. 

There is fear that this could dramatically transform both neighborhoods and housing markets for both buyers and long-term renters. The Michigan Association of Townships says the bill would take zoning authority away from local governments.

Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp is not a fan of the legislation, saying, “Anyone should be able to rent their home from time-to-time. That’s not what this bill is about. This bill opens up family homes in our community to be commercialized at a rate we never would allow locally. We need to determine for ourselves what’s best for our neighborhoods.”

A link to both bills can be found below. 

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(j3uxlwy530utr15knchy4lvk))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=2021-SB-0446

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(ywbjpifzsfuumq35250aqulv))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectname=2021-HB-4722

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Court Dates, New Legislation: Latest Chapters in Line 5 Drama

The fight over Enbridge’s Line 5 fuel supply pipeline is heating up on several fronts. After legal maneuvering by the Whitmer administration, who wants to shut down Line 5, legislation has now been introduced on the federal level to prevent any potential future shutdown.

Congresswoman Lisa McLain of the 10th District, co-sponsored legislation that would prevent President Biden from shutting down pipelines without Congressional approval.

The Biden administration reported in November that shutting down Line 5 is not in their plans, as it is part of an international discussion with Canada, which recently invoked a 1977 Treaty to begin bilateral negotiations regarding the pipeline.

In her December 8th press release, McLain referenced homes going without heat and airports running out of jet fuel during the holidays if Line 5 is shut down immediately.

In actuality, there will not be a court ruling on Line 5 for some time. Whitmer’s lawsuit to enforce an immediate shutdown of Line 5, which Enbridge ignored, is scheduled for preliminary hearings in January.

The pipeline sends over half a million barrels of oil products to Sarnia, Ontario every day. A rupture of the line is feared to potentially cause catastrophic damage to the Great Lakes. Enbridge maintains that the line is safe. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Young Entrepreneurs Featured at Pop-Up Shop

The Closet, a downtown Port Huron dress shop, is hosting a Pop-Up Shop this weekend featuring four young female entrepreneurs.

The Pop-Up Shop is an opportunity for these young ladies to share their products with a bigger audience, and develop their business skills.

The young entrepreneurs will be setting up shop at The Closet at 235 Huron Avenue from 10 AM until 3 PM.

Participating young entrepreneurs are Marisa Nahas, creator of Two Peace jewelry; Ruby Walker, the baker behind Boo Bakes With Love; Ashlyn Smith, owner of Joyful Designs; and Abby Mitchell, of Made by May Bird. The girls will be selling a variety of jewelry, baked goods & hot cocoa bombs, home decor, and crocheted gifts.

Customers who visit the store will receive free popcorn to enjoy while they shop, and they can also learn more about A Beautiful Me, the nonprofit organization that manages The Closet.

The Closet is home to A Beautiful Me’s emerge360 program that is designed to train teen girls in business and retail skills through mentorship and hands-on experience.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

States Ask Feds for Help to Keep Asian Carp Out of Great Lakes

Keeping invasive Asian Carp fish out of the Great Lakes is a critical and difficult task. A coalition of governors has asked the federal government to fund the effort in the 2022 Water Resources Reform and Development Act.

Asian carp can wreak havoc on the ecosystem of the Great Lakes. The Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Joliet, Illinois is considered the most critical “pinch point” where the invasive species can be stopped from entering Lake Michigan.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “The Great Lakes are the beating heart of Michigan’s economy, and we are taking action to put Michigan first and protect the Great Lakes.”

Dan Eichinger of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said, “Guarding the Great Lakes against the ravages of invasive carp is one of the most urgent tasks for those charged with protecting and managing Michigan’s natural resources.”

Eichinger explained, “The Brandon Road Lock and Dam marks a key pinch point for keeping these harmful species out of the lakes. This proposed funding will help secure a better future for the Great Lakes and for all those who cherish and depend upon them.”  

The Brandon Road project has a $29 million price tag and will take several years to complete.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Deadline for HealthCare.gov Insurance Signup is December 15th

Need health insurance? Time is running out to purchase coverage from the health insurance marketplace. The deadline for signing up for a plan is December 15th to have coverage lined up for January 1st of 2022. Waiting until after the deadline will push coverage to starting February 1st.

Anita Fox, Director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, said, ”We know that comprehensive health insurance leads to better health outcomes for individuals and families, so it is important to take advantage of this opportunity to get low- or no-cost coverage.”

There are 174 approved health plans from ten insurers on the Health Insurance Marketplace, healthcare.gov. Off-market plans are also available, bringing it up to 256 possibilities for coverage.

If cost is a concern, there are a number of subsidies from the American Rescue Plan. Customers had their premiums reduced by about 45% in 2021. According to the state insurance office, 80% of customers pay less than $10 a month.

Free local enrollment help is available by visiting LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov or by calling 800-318-2596.

Michiganders can visit HealthCare.gov/Lower-Costs to estimate whether they may qualify for subsidies and other savings. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland