Firefighters, Survivors Benefit from New Laws

Two bills have been signed into law to support First Responders and their children in Michigan.

House Bill 4172 was signed into law last week to allow for current and former firefighters to be covered for certain cancers under the First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund. This includes full-time, part-time, paid on-call, and volunteer firefighters.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “We owe our state’s firefighters endless thanks for their selfless acts of service.” 

Republican Jeff Yaroch of Richmond sponsored the bill. Yaroch said, “Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect us – that’s why it’s important we ensure they’re taken care of when their work leads to injury and illness.”

Yaroch said he appreciates the bipartisan support for taking care of firefighters.

House Bill 4247 was also signed into law to streamline the Survivor Tuition Grant tuition assistance programs for children of fallen officers. The law removes the need to prove financial need.

Sponsor Matt Koleszar, a Plymouth Democrat, said, “With this action, we’re honoring the memories of all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice by honoring their commitments to their families after they pass.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Find Winter Fun Around Michigan

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourages outdoor recreation in Michigan’s varied landscapes and seasons, and their website features many options for winter fun.

Along with featuring events at Michigan state recreation areas, the website also has tips and tricks for staying safe and keeping warm while outdoors in low temperatures.

The DNR is also collaborates with America’s State Parks to promote the First Day Hike, a national effort to kick off the new year with an outdoor hike at your local state park.

Participants in the First Day hike can log their miles and submit their stats on the website, and, last year, 85,000 people collectively hikes 176,366 miles on guided hikes across the country.

Several recreational activities most thought of in warmer months are also available during the winter. Seven Michigan state parks keep their disc golf courses open in the winter, and fat-tire biking enables mountain bikers to hit the trails even when they’re snow-covered. Thirteen Michigan state parks groom trails in the winter specifically for fat-tire bikers.

To learn more about winter fun in Michigan, visit the DNR’s website here: Michigan.gov/WinterFun

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Going PRO Talent Fund Awards Grants to Local Businesses

Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund has awarded grants to Michigan Businesses to support high-demand, high-skill employment. The fund has been credited with creating 145,000 jobs.

In St. Clair County, grants were awarded to several businesses and municipalities including Medilodges of Port Huron, St. Clair, and Yale; BioPro, Inc. and Dunn Paper of Port Huron; Magna Electrical Vehicle Structures of Marysville, and Selective Industries of Marine City. Ira Township, Marysville, and Avoca also received grants from the fund.

Stephanie Beckhorn, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Office of Employment and Training said, “With professional trades accounting for 530,000 jobs in Michigan through 2028, with approximately 47,000 openings expected annually, this fund plays a vital role in helping Michigan employers meet their talent needs by investing in their current and future workers.”

The program was launched in 2014. More than 5,000 Michigan entities have received funding, with over 1,000 getting funding this year.

To learn more about the Going PRO Talent Fund, visit Michigan.gov/TalentFund.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLaren Port Huron Nov Emp of Mo

McLaren Port Huron November Employee of the Month

Adrienne Bartee has been named the Employee of the Month for November. She has worked at McLaren Port Huron for seven years and is currently a registered nurse in the operating room.

Bartee was nominated by her coworkers because she is a true example of a caring, professional nurse. She treats each of her patients with kindness and compassion. She has a calm, caring demeanor and always displays the hospital values in her work. Bartee encourages and supports her team, always has a positive attitude and is pleasant and easy to work with.

This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.

Port Huron High School Students Make Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car

The future is now for students in the Principles of Engineering class at Port Huron High School. The students created a Hydrogen Fuel Cell car.

The high school students are part of the “Project Lead the Way” STEAM course, where they learned about energy sources and completed a project on energy application.

The result of the work was a vehicle that runs off of a hydrogen fuel cell. The students built the car, wired the circuit boards, and engaged the motor. They compared the hydrogen fuel-cell car to a car run off of AAA batteries.

As part of the learning process, students calculated the speed and power output of the hydrogen fuel cells.

Hydrogen-powered cars are in development by many automobile manufacturers. Hydrogen fuel is much more expensive than gasoline but is also much more efficient. Hydrogen-powered buses are in use in some parts of Europe.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Military Truckers to be Fast-Tracked to Michigan CDL

For those who drove a truck in the military, getting a civilian Commercial Driver’s License could become much easier. Bills to streamline the process of getting a CDL have made it through the Michigan House and Senate and await the governor’s signature to become law.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has endorsed the bills, saying, “Those who serve in our armed forces undergo extensive training to fulfill their duties, and often receive certifications specific to their services, including commercial driver’s licenses.”

Benson said she looks forward to implementing the necessary changes at the department “to ensure military veterans who have successfully earned the equivalent of a CDL do not have to repeat the process.”

According to the Senate analysis of the legislation, the change will cost the state nothing but will remove the driving test requirement for those who have the federal endorsements from their military service.

Disruptions to the supply chain have often been blamed on a shortage of truckers. Over-the-road trucking moves about 70% of the nation’s freight. The American Trucking Association has estimated that there is a shortage of 80,000 truckers nationwide.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland