Marysville’s Jasen Hrisca Honored by Air Force

The Distinguished Flying Cross Medal is the United States Air Force’s highest honor for heroism in aerial flight, and a Marysville native just received the award.

Captain Jasen Hrisca received the award after his contribution to a flight that saved the lives of 88 American and Afghan service members. Hrisca and his crew from the 73rd Special Operations Squadron provided protective air cover which facilitated a safe evacuation for troops on the ground.

Hrisca said, “We were just doing our primary job. For gunship crews, this is keeping the ground force safe. The most rewarding part is knowing that we were able to get them all out alive. This isn’t always the case, and I’m thankful we were able to go to work and get them out.”

Captain Hrisca was honored in a letter from Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler who said, “While the meritorious achievement the Air Medal represents was a heroic and harrowing experience, I also want to commend you for what you have contributed through almost ten years of U.S. Air Force service. Through your role as an instructor, combat systems officer, navigator and AC-130J weapons and tactics officer, you undoubtedly save the lives of fellow fliers and protect us all.”

 

Donate Those Returnables Cluttering Up Your Garage

Life Skills Centers – Bright Futures is a community-based program for adults with disabilities, and they are happy to take those returnable cans and bottles off your hands.

The Bright Futures bottle drive one of the ongoing fundraisers that helps the program raise money for classes and outings for their clients and also for fun activities clients can do at the center located on 17th Street in Port Huron. They also sell handmade fire starters that start bonfires and fireplaces with ease.

Bottles and cans can be dropped off at their location at 716 17th Street in Port Huron between 8 AM – 4 PM, or they will gladly pick them up if you live within reasonable distance and make arrangements with their staff. You can also purchase fire starters at their location for $2.00 per bag.

Life Skills Centers – Bright Futures can be reached at 810-385-3710.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Golf Outing Raises $48,862 for Karmanos Cancer Institute

The Tee It Up To Beat Cancer fundraiser raised a record-high $48,862 for the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Port Huron Hospital.

The annual golf outing is in its 8th year, and has raised more than $220,000 since it’s inception, and those donations have supported cancer patients in the community by providing  state-of-the-art equipment, private bays for chemotherapy, and heated massage chairs at the hospital.

Dana Fabbri started the fundraiser in 2014, and proceeds originally went to the American Cancer Society. In 2016, she connected with the McLaren Port Huron Foundation and saw the positive impact she could have in her own community.

“It was really neat to realize that we could take the money and purchase something tangible that would help cancer patients in general, but really have an impact in our community,” she said. “It still gives me goosebumps to think about that moment when I realized that we didn’t have to just hope that the money would be used in the way we intended. We could give the money to someone and know that they’d use it for cancer patients’ needs.”

This year’s donation will help purchase an updated Vision RT computer and software for the hospital which will help improve treatment outcomes for patients undergoing radiation.

To learn more, visit

https://www.facebook.com/TeeItUpToBeatCancer

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Virtual Town Hall for GEN-Z on COVID Vaccines

The State of Michigan has been hosting a series of virtual town hall meetings to discuss COVID-19 vaccines, and the next one is focused on Gen-Z residents aged 20-29.

The town hall will live stream on Facebook at the Michigan Health and Human Services main page tonight, Tuesday, July 20th, at 5:30 PM.

Only 39.8% of Michigan residents aged 20-29 who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine have received at least one dose, and the rate for those aged 16 – 19 is at 40.3%.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is concerned that “as variants of the COVID-19 virus spread and hospitalizations continue in the unvaccinated population, it’s vitally important to help those who have yet to get vaccinated understand the importance of protecting themselves through vaccinating.”

The town hall will feature young adults and medical experts who will address the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in a Q & A format.

Learn more on MDHHS’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/michiganhhs/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

MiSTAIRS Program Increases Access to Apprenticeship Programs

Federal money continues to be poured into training Michigan’s labor force. The MiStairs, or Michigan Statewide Targeted Apprenticeship Inclusion and Readiness System, was funded with a $10 million grant.

The grant will support the registered apprenticeship program expansion efforts in the state with the ultimate goal of increasing employment opportunities.

Michigan is one of fifteen states to receive grants from the United States Department of Labor. The new MiSTAIRS program is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Michigan Works!, and other job training organizations.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the grants, saying, “As we put Michigan back to work, Registered Apprenticeship programs offer on-ramps to high-demand, high-skill careers, and in Michigan we have committed to expanding these educational opportunities to ensure more Michiganders can get good-paying jobs.”

Whitmer went on to say that the grants will help achieve the “60 by 30” goal to have 60% of Michigan’s adults with post-secondary education or skills training by 2030. The grants will help enroll over 1600 workers into apprenticeship programs.

More information about Michigan State Apprenticeship Expansion is available at Michigan.gov/Apprenticeship.  

Reporting for WGRT  – Jennie McClelland