Fallen Heroes Remembered with Memorial Day Observances
Pandemic or not, fallen heroes will not be forgotten during this year’s Memorial Day holiday. While parades have largely been canceled, a few observances still remain.
Port Huron’s Pine Grove Park will be the location of the annual Memorial Day Program to be held on May 31st at noon. Fallen heroes will be recognized for their service in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. Thirty-five names will be added to the monument in Pine Grove Park to recognize those service members who have been identified by the St. Clair County Allied Veteran Council and Memorial Tablet Committee.
Daniel J. Crocker, retired State Director of Veterans Services, Department of Michigan of Veterans of Foreign Wars, said, “This is another historical moment for our community. The bottom line is 35-former servicemen with ties to St. Clair County who paid the supreme sacrifice on the altar of freedom will finally and forever be memorialized on the sacred tablets located in Pine Grove Park. “
Crocker said this is the largest number that has been added since the Vietnam War, and more could be added in the future.
Community groups are also placing flags on veterans’ graves on Friday, in preparation for the holiday weekend.
There will also be a Memorial Day parade in downtown Lexington, MI on Monday, May 31st at 11 AM. The parade will end with a ceremony.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
United Way Recognizes Local Leaders
The United Way of St. Clair County held their annual meeting on May 19th, and they recognized several local people with awards.
Katheryn Baker was presented with the Thomas D. Melms Award for the way she advocates for the United Way in the community and supports fundraising efforts, programs, and services.
Brent Gillette, United Way Executive Director, said, “She looks beyond herself and her organization to assure all United Way Affiliated Organizations are receiving the necessary support.”
Cathy Mills was recognized as 2021 Volunteer of the Year for her ongoing commitment to the local community and her willingness to lend a helping hand.
Michelle Shepley, TCF’s Port Huron Community President and Regional Sales Manager, said, “Cathy is dedicated to the improvement of our Community and is very passionate about the organizations she is involved with; this is evident whenever you see her volunteering for an event. I am proud to have Cathy as a colleague and friend; her caring spirit is contagious!”
Jennifer Posey was recognized as the 2020 Campaign Champion for her involvement in the annual United Way campaign.
Marc Simone, United Way Campaign Chairperson, said, “Jennie’s passion is an outstanding representation of our vision of a Community Campaign, because she’s always willing to help others when she can. She is outgoing and has a contagious personality.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
Unemployment Rules Starting to Tighten Up
Michigan’s unemployment rate is down to 4.9% according to the U.S. Department of Labor and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget. Help wanted signs are everywhere and over 6,000 jobs were added in April, according to the Governor’s office.
Those who have been relying on unemployment benefits will see some changes to the program. According to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, it’s time to start looking for work if one wants to continue receiving unemployment checks. The requirement to look for work at least weekly was waived in March 2020 when many businesses shut down. It will soon be required. Benefits will not be paid until work search activities have been reported.
At this time, the extra $300 in federal benefits remains, but Governor Whitmer is under pressure from the legislature to end it.
The national unemployment rate sits at about 6.1%. Addressing the state’s unemployment rate, Governor Gretchen Whitmer gave much of the credit to the American Rescue plan, which has pumped billions into the economy, and to the residents of the state who followed protocol during the pandemic. Whitmer said, “It’s clear that these actions have enabled us to grow our economy and get back to normal quicker than many other states.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Whitmer Agrees to Withdraw MIOSHA’s Proposed Permanent Rules
Governor Whitmer announced that she has agreed to withdraw the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (MIOSHA) proposed permanent COVID-19 rules, and work with Republican lawmakers on the state budget and further epidemic orders.
The announcement comes after many business organization leaders expressed concern over contradictions among COVID-19 rules coming from MDHHS, MIOSHA, LARA, and federal organizations like the CDC and OSHA.
Republicans have agreed to fully negotiate the state budget and federal funding from the CARES Act and the American Rescue Act with the State Budget Director which is a step toward bipartisan allocation of more than $2 billion in remaining CARES act funding and almost $20 billion from the American Rescue Plan.
MIOSHA is currently updating aspects of its emergency rules to align with the guidance from the CDC and MDHHS including removing the requirement that employers create policies prohibiting in-person work for those who can reasonably work from home. The updated rules are expected to go into effect on Monday, May 24, 2021.
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
New Food Truck Brings Indian Cuisine to Port Huron
Port Huron, MI — The food scene in Port Huron continues to evolve with the latest addition of Aatma Indian Cuisine. The food truck brings the first taste of Indian food to the area. While there are plenty of Indian restaurants across the border in Sarnia and a few sprinkled throughout metro Detroit, Indian cuisine has been hard to come by, until now.
Owner Bretton Jones is no stranger to the food truck business, also owning and operating El Hombre Grande, which serves Mexican food. Bretton said that the community has responded to the new cuisine by helping him sell out of food for two weeks in a row.
Aatma offers regular items such as tandoori chicken and butter chicken, as well as specials. Saag, a popular Indian side dish of spinach simmered in a vegetable sauce is a permanent fixture on the menu, as well as vegetable korma and naan bread. Jones also caters to popular diets by offering cauliflower rice as a substitute for rice to make the meal keto-friendly.
Aatma Cuisine is open on Wednesdays only from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.. The truck is located in the parking lot of Ryan’s Liquor store at the intersection of Pine Grove and 10th Avenue on Port Huron’s north end. More information can be found on Aatma’s Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/AatmaIndianCuisine
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland