Can’t Afford Heat? Call 211 to Get Help

Cold weather is here to stay for many months and home heating is a necessity. There is help available for people having trouble paying their home heating bills.

The Michigan Energy Assistance Grant helps families in need. A call to 211 or visiting mi211.org can connect those in need to resources.

Dan Scripps, Chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission said, “No Michiganders should go without heat this year, and we urge anyone having trouble paying their home heating bills not to wait and to reach out for help now.”

Nine agencies were granted a total of $54.5 million to help keep the heat on, with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of the Archdiocese of Detroit receiving $4.663 million and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan receiving $6.4 million.

Those receiving assistance can get full or partial bill payment for electric, natural gas, propane, and other fuels. Many utility companies offer flexible payment plans. Consumers are asked to reach out for help as soon as possible and not to wait for a shut off notice or for fuel tanks to be empty to take action.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Education Trust Reduces Rates to Help Families Save for College

The Michigan Education Trust is lowering rates on its college savings plan. The Trust has a record surplus that will be used to reduce pricing.

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks, who also serves on the MET Board of Directors said, “We are constantly striving to deliver to parents, grandparents and others a safe, secure and flexible way to make sure their loved ones meet their higher education goals. While the new price structure will make it easier for those with young children to save, MET will continue to provide families with older children advantages as they work and plan to help them pursue their dreams.” 

The Michigan Education Trust lets families pay today’s prices for future tuition costs. MET funds can be used at universities, colleges and technical schools. The money can also be transferred to private universities and is refundable if the child does not end up attending college.

Anyone can contribute to a MET plan for a beneficiary. Contributions are tax-deductible on Michigan tax returns and are tax-exempt if used for college or other post-secondary education.

MET will offer a $150 match on the first 200 contracts purchased for new beneficiaries in December. Eligibility and rules are posted at SETwithMET.com along with pricing details. Families who make a MET purchase by December 31 will qualify for a deduction on their 2021 Michigan tax returns.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDOT Reminds to Keep Snow Out of Roads When Clearing Driveways

Winter weather is here and with it comes a few reminders from the Michigan Department of Transportation. Snow that is cleared from driveways can not obstruct the vision of drivers. It also should not be pushed into the road.

The Michigan Vehicle Code prohibits “the obstruction of safety vision by removal or deposit of snow, ice, or slush.” MDOT says that this includes the end of driveways where drivers could have a hard time seeing past the mountains of snow.

State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said, “Piling snow at the end of a driveway may be convenient, but makes it difficult for drivers to make sure it’s safe to pull out onto the highway, and tough for drivers to see other vehicles waiting to pull out.”

Ajegba said, “Our crews work to keep the shoulders clear and knock down snowbanks at intersections for motorist safety, and residents and business owners need to do the same at their driveways.”

Pushing snow across a roadway also causes problems as it leaves a trail that can end up being slippery for drivers.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PH Country Style Market - Photo by Jessie Wiegand

PH Country Style Market Planning for January Opening

Port Huron, MI — Michele Jones and Steve Fernandez have been working on PH Country Style Market as a labor of love. The downtown Port Huron grocery store project has faced several setbacks, but they are hopeful that the doors will be open by the end of January 2022.

The biggest recent issue has been installation of the market’s elevator which is currently still crated and sitting in pieces in the main area of the store. They have been waiting on the elevator permit from the State of Michigan, and they just received notice on December 9th that the permit has been issued.

The building at 310 Huron Avenue was originally a Woolworth’s store, one of the first discount stores in the United States, and the last business to occupy it was Emory’s Furniture.

From windows to doorknobs, Jones and Fernandez have discovered many historical features and items during renovation of the building, and they have worked hard to preserve or repurpose them.

Jones removed years of paint from the original doorknobs to create sign-hangers for the upstairs offices, preserving the ornate details from the past.

After sharing the process, Jones said with a smile, “My Martha Stuart gene kicked in.”

When the building is complete, it will feature a main floor grocery area including a full-service deli and meat counter, a basement wine & beer cellar and an area for household & personal items, and a second-story office complex that includes Jones & Fernandez’s personal loft.

To watch a video showcasing the progress on PH Country Style Market, visit WGRT’s Facebook page <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

 

 

Gov Gretchen Whitmer

New Tax Break for Disabled Veterans

Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bill 25 this week which will help disabled veterans who are still paying on their student loans.

The bill will amend the income tax code to allow disabled veterans to deduct taxable income attributed to cancellation or forgiveness of a student loan. It will apply retroactively to the 2016 through 2019 tax years, and it will apply to future tax years beginning in 2025.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, and Whitmer said, “Our nation’s disabled veterans have served our country with honor and dignity, and this bill helps alleviate some of their financial burdens. I am proud to sign Senate Bill 25 to recognize the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families and help make their lives easier.”

VFW Michigan State Commander Kevin Conklin said, “The VFW Department of Michigan applauds Governor Whitmer and Senator Tom Barrett’s efforts to make Michigan the best state in the Nation for veterans and their families, and we look forward to future legislation that helps us accomplish this goal together.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Health Department Needs Help with Monoclonal Antibody Clinic

The St. Clair County Health Department is putting out a call for volunteers to staff its Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Center.

Medical staff that are trained and experienced with intravenous infusion are needed as well as medical support staff. The support staff will assist with patient monitoring and vitals.

The dramatic uptick in Covid Cases in the area has caused the treatment center to be activated in the county. Volunteer medical staff are needed on Tuesdays and Fridays in December from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The monoclonal antibody infusion therapy is considered to be highly effective as it reduces viral loads and can consequently lessen symptom severity. The lessened symptoms can prevent hospitalizations by 70%, according to a memo published by the health department.

Patients are referred to the clinic by their health care provider and are generally considered to be at high risk of requiring hospitalization if symptoms progress.

Volunteers need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and will be provided with personal protection equipment and on-site training.

Visit mivolunteerregistry.org or email: dlois@stclaircounty.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland