Forgot to file State Taxes? There are Options

State taxes were due May 17th. If you forgot, you are not alone. The Michigan Department of Treasury did not forget, and they have some tips for filing a late return.

State Treasurer Rachel Eubanks said, “Taxpayers who missed last week’s individual income tax filing deadline have options. If you have an outstanding tax debt and cannot make full payment, we will work with you on payment options. Our goal is to help taxpayers limit interest charges and late payment penalties.”

The Treasury reminds taxpayers that they have four years to get a tax refund. After that, they forfeit the return. If money is owed, it’s better to file and pay as much as possible to limit interest charges and late payment penalties.

If taxpayers just don’t have the money to pay, they have some options. They can request a penalty waiver but must show reasonable cause such as serious illness, natural disaster, or criminal acts against the taxpayer. They can also make monthly payments through an installment agreement, which must be approved by the Treasury.

Finally, taxpayers can try to negotiate their tax bill through an offer in compromise. More information can be found on the Treasury eservices website.

To get started with Treasury eServices, go to www.michigan.gov/incometax and click on “eServices Individual Income Tax.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Is It Time to Book Your Next Trip?

Many people put off travel plans for the majority of 2020, and now they are feeling ready to plan their next adventure. According to a local travel agent, now is the time to plan cruises, trips to amusement parks, and tours overseas.

Rules, regulations, and restrictions vary by country, mode of travel, and destination, so working with a travel agent may be more valuable than ever. D’Ann Kolan from St. Clair Travel said keeping up with what’s happening where is her job.

Although nothing is set in stone, many travel destinations and cruise companies are requiring visitors be vaccinated and/or COVID tested, and currently, COVID testing is required for those re-entering the U.S. from outside the county. These extra steps are not deterring travelers, and many are comforted by the idea.

“Travelers are biting at the bit to travel.” said Kolan. She is actively scheduling trips to Disney World and Disney Land (which just opened up), Switzerland, and Mexico for this year. Disney currently requires both tickets and reservations to get into the parks  which makes things a little more complicated, and masks are required throughout the park, but Kolan says people are enjoying the lower capacity in the parks.

“Disney does things right. They have everything in place and they have the employees to keep it up. You do not need to be vaccinated to go [at this time],” she said.

Travel discounts vary by destination. Kolan says, “If you’re going to Vegas this summer, you’re probably going to get a good deal, but if you’re booking far out on a future holiday, it’s tough. That’s going to be more expensive.” The main issue is that with limited flights, air fare is more expensive. 

If you’ve never used a travel agent, Kolan, who has been in the business for 30 years,  says St. Clair Travel’s services apply to trips big and small. They regularly do air and hotel packages and air and car rentals.  She said, “We do travel to anywhere and all different types, and we don’t charge service fees.”

To learn more about St. Clair Travel, visit their website:

https://www.stclairtravel.net/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

TEC Students Win Awards at DAFT

St. Clair County, MI — Eleven Digital Media Technology seniors at St. Clair TEC won or shared 10 awards at the 2021 DAFT Student Film Festival. 

Lesley Murphy, the DMT instructor at TEC, said, “All of our DMT entries won an award, with two earning Best in Show, which is the highest honor.” 

The DAFT Student Film Festival provides a public venue for the work of students in grades K-12, as well as giving recognition and significant awards to young media artists. The film festival is presented through the nonprofit organization DAFT (Digital Arts, Film, and Television). 

The TEC winners are: 

Honor Award 

  • Kristian Duffy, Port Huron Northern High School The Spear, Narrative Film 
  • Gwen Golembiewski, Memphis High School The Book, Narrative Film 

Excellence Award 

  • Stephanie Briggs, St. Clair High School, and Elizabeth Kilyk, Port Huron Northern High School It’s Bathsheba, Narrative Film
  • Taylor Darhower, Port Huron Northern High School COVID Season, Documentary/Event
  • Kyle King, Port Huron Northern High School Death Valley, Narrative Film
  • Ethan Pechman, St. Clair High School Summer 2021, Music Video
  • Ethan Pechman, St. Clair High School The Hunt of Midwinter, Narrative Film
  • Renee Pokotello, St. Clair High School Art in Motion, Documentary/Event 

Best of Show 

  • Zach Floyd, Virtual Learning Academy VIRUS, Narrative Film 
  • Sam Tricomo, St. Clair High School I Love You, Narrative Film

The Best of Show winners will be streamed on www.daftonline.org as well as on Facebook and YouTube. 

  • – “VIRUS” by Zach Floyd 
  • “I Love You” by Sam Tricomo 

Submitted by St. Clair County TEC

Tickets on Sale for Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club

Detroit, MI — Three of the world’s 11 best golfers will be hitting the green at the Detroit Golf Club in July to compete in the Rocket Mortgage Classic, and spectator ticket for the event are now on sale.

The Rocket Mortgage Classic is the first PGA TOUR event to be held in the city of Detroit, and the event raised more than 1.2 million dollars for charity in 2019.

This year’s list of players at the July 1-4th event include PGA Championship winner and World Golf Hall of Famer, Phil Mickelson, along with Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson, Jason Day, and defending champion and Rocket Mortgage ambassador, Bryson DeChambeau.

Currently, DeChambeau ranks No. 4 in the Official World Gold Ranking, Reed ranks No. 8, and Simpson ranks No. 11.

The event sold out in 2019, so tickets are expected to go fast for this event. Tickets are available at RocketMortgageClassic.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Lake Huron Medical Center May Employees of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its May 2021 Employee of the Month, Barbara Ski. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Barbara works as a Certified Nursing Assistant on the Med/Surg Unit and been an employee at LHMC since October 2011. She was nominated by a patient who stated, “It was such a blessing to have Barbara care for me. She helped me to and from the washroom, in and out of bed using proper body mechanics and so much more. She always made sure I was washed, and my teeth were brushed! Barbara was my hero during my stay – awesome job! Thank you!”

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 Barbara, as we celebrate their accomplishments.

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