$3 Billion Surplus Prompts Tax Rebate, Rate-Lowering Plans

Lawmakers are debating ways to return tax dollars to Michigan taxpayers. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proposed a plan called MI Tax Rebate Right Now that would return $500 to working families. The state has a $3 billion surplus.

Speaking about her plan, Whitmer said, “Michiganders are counting on us to work together to provide real relief right now, so they can pay the bills and put food on the table. Let’s draw on the grit and determination our working families show every day and let’s get it done.” 

Republican lawmakers are proposing lowering the individual income tax rate from 4.25% to 4% and increasing the personal income tax exemption by $1,800, as well as making families eligible for a $500 non-refundable child tax credit.

State Representative Andrew Beeler, who backs the Republican plan, said, “Irresponsible spending by the federal government has caused runaway inflation, kneecapping families in Sanilac and St. Clair counties. It’s past time we demonstrate that money is better spent by those who earn it than by the government.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lake Huron Medical Center May 2022 Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its May 2022 Employee of the Month, Chris Schumacher. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Chris works as a Nursing Assistant in the LHMC Med/Surg and has been an employee at LHMC for 15 years. She was nominated by a peer who commented, “While on lunch break, Chris immediately responded to a patient and family member yelling out for help down the hall. She stayed with the patient and instructed the family member to get help around the corner. Together we were able to get the patient up safely. She was able to keep calm and calm the patient and family while the incision was being assessed and bandaged.”   

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Chris, as we celebrate their accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.  

Submitted by Lake Huron Medical Center

PH Victory Day Planned for August 12th; Sign Up By June 10th

Victory Day is a tradition in the Port Huron area, and this year’s event is already in the works. The annual football game that includes participants of all abilities is scheduled for August 12, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

Victory Day is described as an evening of education, inspiration, and fun. Children and young adults with special needs, aged six to 26 are invited to register by Friday, June 10th.

Victory Day will feature all the things that make a football game fun: marching band, cheerleaders, and jerseys. Participants will have a chance to run or catch a pass to score a touchdown with play-by-play announcing. Each child will get a medal after the event to remember the special day.

Sports teams, service groups, and staff from Port Huron High School will volunteer to make the day memorable for participants and families.

For more information about getting signed up for Victory Day, go to the PH Victory Day Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/phvictoryday

Reporting from WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Chuck Gaidica To Judge MI Favorite Snack Competition

The MI Favorite Snack Competition will feature legendary Detroit broadcaster Chuck Gaidica as the emcee and judge for the competition.

The contest will feature snack food creators from across Michigan. Port Huron’s All Star Services, a sponsor of the contest, will narrow down the entrants to a group of finalists. The finalists will present their snacks on September 17th in the hopes of being named “MI New Favorite Snack” and winning a cash prize.

Having Gaidica as the judge adds a new level of excitement. Blue Water Area Chamber CEO/President Thelma Castillo said, “Having someone of Chuck Gaidica’s stature involved in this event is really special. He is such a familiar and beloved person in our state. As a state wide competition, it was important to have a celebrity participating who truly represents Michiganders.”

Gaidica was the weatherman on Channel 4, WDIV, in Detroit for 27 years. He is considered “one of the most trusted figures in Michigan” after decades of issuing “cuddle alerts” and tornado warnings and keeping an eye on the sky.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Announcing Hockey History wsg. Mike “Doc” Emrick

 

The YMCA of the Blue Water Area is holding a fundraiser on September 15, 2022 to support their programs and services. The “Night of Champions” will have a hockey theme and United States Hockey Hall of Fame announcer Mike “Doc” Emrick” is the featured speaker.

Emrick began his 47-year career in broadcasting announcing for the International Hockey League’s Port Huron Flags in 1973. He has covered NHL, Olympic, and World Cup hockey, won multiple Emmy awards, and worked for CBS, NBC, ESPN, and many other major networks throughout his career.

Don Fletcher, YMCA Foundation Chairman for the Blue Water YMCA, said, “We are thrilled to have “Doc” as our special guest to describe his experiences as an award winning broadcaster, early days with the Port Huron Flags, Olympic hockey & water polo coverage, and how teamwork and commitment to a common goal help achieve greatness. In addition, this amazing gentlemen and his wife Joyce, quietly support animal causes in their community, including donating proceeds from Doc’s autobiography to “creatures of all kinds”. This type of social responsibility and dedication is a message that is true to the mission of the Y.”

Tickets for the YMCA of the Blue Water Area’s Night of Champions are $1,000 per table or $100 per person, and they can be purchased at the YMCA or from an event table captain. Call the YMCA for more information (810) 987-6400 ext. 132.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Whitmer Celebrates Preliminary Injunction of 1931 Abortion Law

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who has consistently aligned herself with the abortion industry giant, Planned Parenthood, which operates 19 Michigan health centers, and vowed to “fight like hell” to maintain unrestricted abortion access in Michigan, celebrated a victory this week, with a preliminary injunction against Michigan’s 1931 law that criminalizes abortion.

Whitmer said, “The opinion from the Michigan Court of Claims is clear and sends the message that Michigan’s 1931 law banning abortion, even in cases of rape or incest, should not go into effect even if Roe is overturned. It will help ensure that Michigan remains a place where women have freedom and control over their own bodies.”

Pro-abortion activists, industry lobbyists, and elected officials like Whitmer have been in panic mode since the leaked Supreme Court draft surfaced and have quickly initiated pre-emptive legal processes. 

While some look at the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned as an opportunity to start a new conversation about abortion at the state level, a press release issued by Whitmer referred to the issue as “beyond settled” and cited statistics saying that 65.7% of Michiganders are in favor of the repeal of the 1931 law. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClellan

Updated 5/23/2022 – An earlier version of this story referred to Planned Parenthood centers as “abortion clinics”. According to Planned Parenthood Michigan’s website, they “provide the abortion pill at all of our health centers in Michigan” and they “provide in-clinic abortion procedures at our Ann Arbor East, Flint, and Kalamazoo health centers.” The story was updated to refer to Planned Parenthood clinics as “health centers” to align with the term they use to describe themselves.