Bridge Cards to Get Permanent Increase to Pay for Healthy Food

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced that those who receive food benefits will get a permanent increase in the monthly payment. The increase is a jump of about 6.8%. The increase is meant to make a healthy diet more affordable for beneficiaries.

A larger than normal benefit increase from federal funding saw some food benefits go up 15% over the past year, but those temporary benefits will expire this month. The permanent increase will start with the October loading of Bridge cards. The maximum benefit for a family of four will go from $782 to $835.

The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, is administered by MDHHS. Michigan recipients use Bridge cards to spend their benefits. This year, the program was increased greater than the cost-of-living rate because the benefits were not keeping up with the increases in the cost of a healthy diet.

No action is needed to be taken by recipients to get the increased amount. More than 1.25 million Michiganders get their nutrition at least in part from SNAP.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Taxes due October 15th for Those With Extensions

Those who filed for extensions on their federal income tax returns have until October 15, 2021 to get their taxes in. The Internal Revenue Service will penalize anyone who files after that date.

IRS spokesperson, Luis D. Garcia said, “October 15 is the deadline for just about everyone. Only certain members of the military and taxpayers who already had valid extensions and live in areas affected by this summer’s severe storms and flooding have more time.”

Taxpayers in Macomb County who were affected by the storms, flooding, and tornadoes who had valid extensions to file their 2020 returns, now have until November 1st to file.

The IRS encourages everyone to take advantage of Free File if they earned $72,000 or less in 2020. There are also Free File fillable forms for those who earned more and are comfortable preparing their own taxes.

To learn more visit  https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Celebrate Military Members at Inaugural Gala

An inaugural Military & Veterans Gala will be held at Selfridge Air National Guard Base on November 6th to celebrate Michigan’s National Guard members, our state’s veterans, and advocates who support both groups.

The event is adults only and open to the public. It includes an awards ceremony, heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, music and dancing. All tickets must be purchased by October 15th to accommodate the clearance process which includes a background check to enter Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said, “We are excited to be hosting this inaugural event which is a recognition of the significant contribution the Michigan National Guard and our state’s veterans have had in our efforts to defend the homeland and support so many aspects of our daily lives here in Michigan.”

Awards will be presented at the event including Veteran-Friendly Volunteer of the Year, Educational Veteran Advocate of the Year, and Warrior Citizen of the Year, which honors a National Guard member.

For more information, visit the event website here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/michigan-military-veterans-gala-tickets-167634524375

 

 

Deer with EHD Found in Wales Township

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking for help from the public in finding deer that could be affected by Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, or EHD. After a deer that had died from the disease was found in Wales Township in St. Clair County, the DNR is on alert for EHD. Over 14,000 deer were taken out by the disease in 2012.

EHD is circulating in the area, with cases found in St. Clair, Oakland, Macomb, and Shiawassee counties. Reports have been coming in of 150 likely cases, while six have been confirmed so far.

Biting flies are the culprit for transmitting EHD. The DNR says that there is no evidence that humans can contract the disease.

Deer with a severe infection of EHD lose their fear of humans, lose their appetite, and may seek bodies of water to try to lower their body temperatures.

Tom Cooley, DNR wildlife pathologist said, “We are asking for hunters to look around as they hit the field this fall to let us know if they find dead deer, especially any near water.”

Anyone who discovers dead deer should report it through the DNR’s Eyes in the Field reporting form or call the closest DNR Customer Service Center.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Flu Shots Now Available

Flu season begins late fall in our area, and the St. Clair County Health Department is recommending the flu vaccine for all eligible individuals.

Flu vaccines can be given in various forms to people 6 months of age and older.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer of the St. Clair County Health Department wants people to know that Flu vaccines help your body use its own immune system to fight the virus. “Flu vaccines stimulate your body’s own natural immune system to develop antibodies. These antibodies provide protection against infection by circulating influenza viruses that can start any time after October,” she said.

Dr. Mercatante also said, “It takes your body at least 2 weeks to create these protective antibodies after a vaccine, so consider getting vaccinated sooner than later.”

Flu cases were down last year because COVID mitigation strategies such as physical distancing and masking reduced transmission. This year, people are behaving much differently, and cases will likely increase.

The flu vaccine is available from your primary care physician, many pharmacies, and all St. Clair County Health Department and Teen Health locations.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Community Baby Shower Goes Virtual Starting October 11th

This year’s Community Baby Shower is adapting for the times. The event will be held online, using the Facebook Group platform. The Community Baby Shower is for St. Clair County’s expectant families and new parents with babies under three months old.

The Community Baby Shower is sponsored by St. Clair County RESA’s Early Childhood Department. The event starts on October 11th. Participants will earn chances for prizes with each presentation that they attend. The topics include growth and development, nutrition, preterm labor, safety, and the importance of play.

Participants will have until October 14th to watch the presentations and will be eligible for door prizes with each presentation.

The Community Baby Shower is an annual tradition in St. Clair County, where local businesses and agencies partner to shower families with the things they need to get their new babies off to a great start.

Interested families will need to fill out a registration form online. After registering, expectant and new parents will get an email link to the Community Baby Shower.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsHfpNg-TC2xmYQmF3tYAENhiV2FW-0cjZYnjBsX7Vb4OWQA/viewform?fbclid=IwAR3VACyD9KRytPXKICSBV5q_uf0p9dte5YH1194yIpVDgAwwsKci2okok4Y

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland