Bus Drivers Desperately Needed in Most Districts

There is a desperate need for school bus drivers. Local districts are having to cut routes and kids are the ones who get left out in the cold when buses have to be late. It is a huge disruption to instruction as well when schools are waiting on late buses and kids are absent with no ride to school.

First Student, which operates buses for the Port Huron Area School District, is advertising a $2000 sign-on bonus and other perks like a Child Ride-Along Program, paid training, and flexible hours.

Bus Driver working hours are definitely unique, with an early start to the day and a long break mid-day, but school holidays and summer vacations are also part of the schedule.

First Student takes applications from those who are over 21, have a driver’s license, and have a good driving record.

Yale Public Schools is actively looking for bus drivers as well and has had to cut some routes to accommodate staffing shortages. St. Edward on the Lake, Landmark Academy, Dean Transportation, and others are also looking for bus drivers.

Advertised pay for various districts is between $16 and $20 per hour with varied signing bonuses. Substitute drivers are also needed.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Tires and Treads Community Project to Host Old Fashioned Country Christmas

When your heart is in the right place, good things tend to lead to more good things. That couldn’t be truer for the Tires and Treads Community Project. Volunteers are hosting an Old Fashioned Country Christmas on November 28th at 6:00 p.m. at the Ruby Community Church on Abbotsford Road.

The Old Fashioned Country Christmas gives guests an opportunity to create Christmas tree ornaments to remember loved ones who have passed on. The practice has become a tradition, with people traveling long distances to memorialize their loved ones, according to Tires and Treads founder, Fran Morris.

Donations at the Old Fashioned Country Christmas will be accepted to help Tires and Treads with their ambitious projects, like stocking complete closets of new clothing, winter wear, and classroom supplies at Port Huron elementary schools. They are working with their 7th elementary school, Michigamme, this year. They also provide emergency “outfitting” for kids who need new clothes and shoes on a moment’s notice.

Along with the school project, Tires and Treads is making wishes come true for local kids who are in cancer treatment. The project gets its funding from a multitude of fun events. A link to their Facebook page, which has much more information can be found below.

https://www.facebook.com/TiresandTreadsCommunityProject/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lambton Public Health Mandates Proof of Vaccination for 12 Year Olds

Sarnia, Ontario — Lambton Public Health issued updated mandates for proving vaccination status, and starting November 30, 2021, all individuals ages 12 and older must show identification and proof of full vaccination to enter sports and recreational facilities.

Sports organizations in Lambton County should be aware of expanded vaccine eligibility for youth who are turning 12 in the first 6 months of 2022. Youth in that age group will be able to get the vaccine before they turn 12, which would allow them to continue playing sports uninterrupted.

Third doses of the vaccine are now available for individuals 70 and older, health care workers, members of the Indigenous community and their household members 18 years and older, and anyone who received two doses of AtraZeneca or one dose of the Janssen vaccine.

The Province of Ontario has shifted to a Plan to Safely Reopen and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term (available HERE).  The plan includes lifting all public health restrictions by March 2022, including the provincial requirement for proof of vaccination and the mask mandate.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

State’s Childcare Subsidy Expanded

Low-income families could be getting free or low-cost childcare with the expansion of the state’s Child Development and Care Program. The race is on to remove childcare barriers and get people back into the workforce.

Brian Calley, President of the Small Business Association of Michigan said, “Workforce shortages have become the top concern among most small business owners. Providing support to Michigan families for quality childcare will make it possible for more parents to reenter and stay in the workforce. This bipartisan initiative to remove barriers to employment will be a game changer for many Michigan families.”   

Family contributions toward childcare are waived until September 30th, 2022 for eligible families, which generally means those that earn up to $49,000. Nearly 40,000 Michigan families receive the childcare assistance right now.

Muna Jondy, Chair of the Michigan Women’s Commission said, “Increasing access to state childcare support helps women continue their economic recovery and strengthens Michigan families.”

Visit NewMiBridges.Michigan.gov to apply today.  

Need help finding childcare? Visit GreatStarttoQuality.org to find care that meets your needs.   

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michelle Sheffer Massage 325

Massage 325 Offers a Relaxing Touch

Port Huron, MI — Michelle Sheffer has been caring for people with her massage therapy skills for years. Her business, Massage 325, has been steadily growing which enabled her to move into her own space on Huron Avenue, and she’s anticipating another move in the near future.

Sheffer started doing massage therapy as a side job while caring for patients as a visiting nurse. She worked out of Lakeview Chiropractic until she was able to rent her current location at 325 Huron Avenue.

While she loves her current space, she is looking forward to a move to a street-level building just a block away when she transitions to the space currently occupied by MI Gardener. MI Gardener will be moving their Port Huron store to a larger building in St. Clair in the next year.

Sheffer specializes in upper body work in the neck and shoulder area, and she is gifted in helping her clients relax and using just the right amount of pressure without pain. “I get in there are take care of what needs to be taken care of, but I don’t like you to hurt when you leave,” said Sheffer.

While Massage 325 is her primary business, Michelle Sheffer also owns and operates Be Joyful Goods, a soap and body care line that she handcrafts in honor of her mother, Joy.

Be Joyful Goods are inspired by Sheffer’s mom. “When I craft each one of my products, I do it with feelings of happiness which is also how I feel when I reflect on the fond memories together with my mom. Although she was taken suddenly and unexpectedly, her JOY lives on,” said Sheffer.

Be Joyful Goods includes sugar scrubs, handmade soaps, lip balms, pure essential oils, and neck wraps & eye pillows.

Massage 325 offers appointments for deep tissue, Swedish, and therapeutic massages in 30 – 90 minute blocks. They are open Monday – Friday from 10 AM – 5 PM.

From now until December 20, 2021, you can receive $10 off services when you bring a toy or non-perishable food item to your appointment. Items will be donated to families in need.

Learn more at https://www.massage325.com/

Waiting room at Massage 325

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

COVID Surges in St. Clair County as Flu Season Approaches

In an update to local media, Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer of the St. Clair County Health Department, expressed concern over the current number of COVID-19 cases in the county and the inevitable consequences for the community.

After seeing a plateau of cases during the summer months, Dr. Mercatante said it is now clear that the plateau is over, and we are experiencing another surge. As of November 17th, there were 2, 805 active cases of COVID-19 in St. Clair County.

The case surge is especially concerning with Thanksgiving approaching and the start of flu season in Southeast Michigan. Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services alerted the public to an outbreak of influenza (H3N2) at University of Michigan where 525 cases among students is being investigated.

MDHHS is urging Michiganders to get their flu vaccine to reduce the possibility that our communities will face a surge of both flu and COVID-19 at the same time.

Dr. Mercatante encourages people to consider extra safety measures for holiday gatherings. If people decide to gather, they should make sure guests are vaccinated, and consider having visitors do a rapid COVID-19 test 48 – 72 hours before the event if anyone in the family is at high-risk for serious disease or complications.

“This is another holiday where we should be very careful, and hopefully next year we won’t have to be,” said Dr. Mercatante.

COVID-19 booster shots are available for a variety of people based on health status, age, or working environments. Find out if you are eligible <HERE>:

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand