Simply Silverware Gives Adults with Special Needs Purpose and Paycheck

After a whole season of canceled parties and postponed weddings, Simply Silverware in St. Clair is back to work and looking forward to a bright future.

Owner Jennifer Gildenpfennig has owned and operated the business for four years, employing adults with special needs who wrap plastic silverware with napkins for customers who are hosting graduation parties, weddings, baby showers, and other events.

Gildenpfennig, who has worked as a teacher with the Macomb ISD, said that wrapping silverware started as a classroom project and then grew into an actual business. Her employees are adults with Down Syndrome, Autism, or other special needs who have aged out of other programs. Simply Silverware allows them to get a paycheck, get out of the house for a while, and have a purpose while making money.

Shae Sheppard, one of the employees, said that she likes to work. Her co-worker, Jeff Anger, expressed pride in “making piles of silverware”.

Right now, business is picking up and Gildenpfennig has dreams of opening another location elsewhere in St. Clair County and turning Simply Silverware into her full-time business. Her employees also provide gift wrapping in the holiday season and assemble party favors and wedding decorations.

You can learn more at their website, https://simplysilverware.square.site.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bridge Cards to Get Loaded with Additional Money in June

Michigan residents who rely on a Bridge Card to pay for food will be getting more money added to their card balance in June. This is the second extra payment this year and is part of the federally funded Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Nearly 700,000 households of the 1.2 million that receive the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits, in Michigan will get the addition of at least $95. This additional payment goes beyond the maximum threshold that was established in April 2020. The maximum benefit for a single person is $234, with a family of eight eligible for up to $1408 per month.

The additional payments will be added by June 22nd, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS Director, said, “As we continue to return to normal, it’s important to note that there are still many people who are struggling due to the global pandemic. MDHHS believes it is critically important to help people feed their families.”

Recipients do not need to reapply to get the benefit. It will be automatically added.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Army National Guard

Whitmer Proposes Upgrades to National Guard Facilities

Governor Whitmer proposed a $105.8 million investment in Michigan’s Army National Guard (MIARNG) facilities to make them more female-friendly. The building upgrades will reflect the changing face of the MIARNG which has nearly 1,500 women serving in its ranks.

There are 37 MIARNG facilities that will be improved under the proposed investment, and many of them were constructed in a time when the force was primarily male.

“It is a matter of fairness and equity that the state should embark on a mission to update these facilities to ensure parity with the facilities provided to male soldiers,” said Whitmer. “Women are a growing segment of the population stepping up to serve our state and nation and the facilities available to them should match this commitment.”

The Michigan Army National Guard’s local facility is the Port Huron Armory on Dove Street. The Port Huron Armory could receive a $3M in upgrades to its facilities.

The investment is contingent on the Legislature including it in the budget bills that are in the process of being developed and negotiated with the Governor.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Two Port Huron Men Arraigned Following Drug Raid

Port Huron, MI – Two Port Huron men have been arraigned following a drug raid in the city of Port Huron June 9th.

According to Sheriff Mat King, the St. Clair County Drug Task Force conducted an investigation into the sales of narcotics in the Port Huron area.  The investigation ended with a search warrant being served at a residence in the 900 block of St. Clair Street last Wednesday at about 8:00 p.m.  Once inside the home, members of the DTF located and seized a dealer’s quantity of heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The two men arrested, 31 year old Chad Hamilton and 26 year old Jesse Sawdon, were arraigned Sunday in 72nd District Court in Port Huron.  Hamilton is charged with delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine, delivery/manufacture of heroin/fentanyl less than 50 grams, maintaining a drug house, resisting/obstructing a police officer and being a habitual 4th offender.  His bond was set at $75,000 cash/surety.  Sawdon is charged with possession of methamphetamine less than 25 grams and being a habitual 4th offender.  His bond was set at $25,000 cash/surety.

Both men will face a probable cause hearing on June 22nd at 9:00 a.m. in Port Huron’s 72nd District Court.

The Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team and K-9 Unit and the U.S. Border Patrol K-9 Unit also assisted at the scene of the investigation.

Submitted by the St. Clair County’s Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force

New Laws Make it Easier for Military Families to Live and Work in Michigan

Michigan is actively recruiting military veterans to live and work in the state by removing licensing and certification barriers that had previously deterred veterans from transitioning to civilian employment.

Several bills were signed into law that waive licensure application fees and expedite the processing of professional licensing applications. The bills include family members of veterans who are transitioning to Michigan.

Senator John Bizon, a Battle Creek Republican, commented on the bi-partisan bill package saying, “With these bills, we are helping our veteran and military families by removing the government red tape preventing them from continuing their careers here in Michigan. Military spouses in professions that require licensure can be left jobless with a sudden move to a new state.”

U.S. Army Major General Paul Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veteran Affairs further commended the recognition of the sacrifices made by military families, saying, “These new laws will eliminate a significant burden often faced by our military families.” 

The new laws can be found at the following links: 

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billenrolled/Senate/pdf/2021-SNB-0157.pdf 

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billenrolled/Senate/pdf/2021-SNB-0312.pdf 

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billenrolled/House/pdf/2021-HNB-4376.pdf 

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billenrolled/House/pdf/2021-HNB-4377.pdf 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland