Grants Available for Childcare Providers

There is a shortage of childcare options for working parents statewide. The Child Care Stabilization Grant was launched this week to help keep childcare providers open and able to take care of children while their parents are earning income.

The program will distribute $350 million in grants that equate to $1000 or $500 bonuses for childcare professionals as well as provide funding for improvements to programs and signing bonuses for new workers. The plan could also expand low-cost child care programs.

The grants are available to licensed childcare providers only. The money will be disbursed directly from the employers to their employees.

The plan gets its funding from federal resources. It is expected to support over 8,000 childcare businesses throughout Michigan. According to the plan outline, every eligible provider who applies will receive a grant.

The average cost for childcare is over $9,000 per year for full-time care for one child in Michigan, according to move.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Town Hall Spencer Stone

Spencer Stone Speaks at Port Huron Town Hall

In 2015, Spencer Stone was traveling to Paris by train to spend some time with his friends. That trip would change all of their lives dramatically.

Stone and his friends, Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler, ended up saving hundreds of people during that train ride when they thwarted a terrorist attack.

The three men were instrumental in disarming and subduing the terrorist, and Spencer Stone was able to deliver life-saving medical care to an injured passenger even after sustaining multiple injuries himself. They have all been recognized as heroes multiple times by U.S. and French authorities.

Stone spoke to an audience at McMorran Auditorium on Monday as part of the Port Huron Town Hall speaker series.  His message encouraged the audience to help others whenever they are given the chance.

When talking about how the event changed his life, Stone said, “I get called a hero, but I don’t feel like a hero. I was just doing what I had to do for me and my friends’ survival, and it just ended up translating into me saving every body else on the train.”

In an interview with WGRT, Stone said, “You will not regret helping someone in need. I know, if you put yourself on the train in my shoes, I had the option to run away and get out and just avoid being hurt whatsoever; but I know that if I would’ve done that, I would’ve lived with that regret for the rest of my life, and it probably would’ve killed me.”

At the end of his message to the Town Hall audience, Stone encouraged people to engage in what’s going on around them and not be a bystander. “Would you rather have a long life or a life well-lived?” asked Stone.

To hear an interview with Spencer Stone on WGRT’s LIMElight with Jessie, click <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Attempted Sexual Assault at Sanborn Park

On Monday, November 8th, Port Huron Police responded to a report of an attempted sexual  assault. Officers discovered that the assault occurred at 5:30 p.m. in the wooded area of  Sanborn Park. 

A 25 year old female Port Huron resident had been jogging around/in the park when she was  attacked by an unknown male. There was a struggle and the male fled before completing the  sexual assault. The suspect is described as a white male in his 30’s with a medium build.  

Port Huron Police officers, K-9 unit, detectives, and the Major Crimes Unit responded to the  scene and the investigation is ongoing.  

If you observed a suspicious white male following a white female wearing a bright yellow  jacket in the area of Sanborn and Appomattox around 5:30 pm yesterday, have a Ring  Camera in the area that may help, or have any information about this assault contact the Port  Huron Police Department (810) 984-8415 or CAPTURE at (810) 987-6688.  

Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and the message/tip  to 847411 or by downloading the Port Huron PD app on an apple or android device. Tips can  also be emailed by clicking on the CAPTURE link at www.porthuronpolice.org. 

Submitted by Port Huron Police Department

Sarnia Revises COVID Guidance to Follow County, Province

The Province of Ontario is lifting capacity limits and physical distancing requirements in those places where proof of vaccination is required. Sarnia is following suit with lifting restrictions in the city arenas.

Mask wearing is still mandatory. Proof of vaccination for anyone over the age of 12 is required for all sports and recreational facilities in Lambton County, by November 30th.

The borders are now open for non-essential travel between Canada and the United States, but there are requirements to follow. Non-essential travelers must be vaccinated with few exceptions.

For Canadians heading back into Canada, even after a brief trip, and anyone else crossing the border, a negative coronavirus molecular test, taken within the last 72 hours is required. A rapid test is not acceptable.

Ontario is planning to lift remaining public health and workplace safety measures by March 2022.

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/provinces#entering

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

United Way Campaign Needs Your Help

The United Way of St. Clair County depends on connecting with donors in their workplaces, and they receive the bulk of their support from campaigns run in local businesses.

They are facing several setbacks this year, including the closure of a local manufacturing plant that generated many contributions, and the 2021 Campaign could use support from the community.

Executive Director Brett Gillette said, “United Way of St. Clair County depends on connecting with individuals through presentations and answering questions when going into our local plants and businesses. Talking with employees is what we do best. Unfortunately, we haven’t had the opportunity as often as we would like. Our community has stepped up in many ways to help us with the shortfall and we are thankful, however we still have a long way to go to meet our goal”.

All money contributed to United Way of St. Clair County goes back into the community, funding many of the area’s nonprofit organizations and focusing on those that meet the needs such as teaching life skills to youth, constructing ramps for those who are handicapped, and providing 211 service to St. Clair County.

To get involved in United Way of St. Clair County as a volunteer or donor, call 810-985-8169 or visit their website <HERE>.

Here are some opportunities to help now:

 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Read for Life Needs Tutoring Volunteers

Students have had a rough two years and many young learners are in need of some additional help. The Read for Life program is looking for volunteers to help with their tutoring program at the Literacy Academy at Cleveland Elementary.

The program needs help with tutoring first and second graders on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15 in the afternoon.

Organizer Mary Depner said that volunteers “work with students starting with where their reading ability is and try to catch them up to grade level so they become successful in school and will graduate.  We hope they will continue their education or a training program so they will break the cycle of poverty in their lives.”

Depner said there is a big celebration when the student can say, “I can read”. It often makes behavior problems go away and the students then become leaders.

Depner shared that illiteracy is closely tied to future incarceration, juvenile delinquency, and poverty. Read for Life has been reaching out to increase literacy and break the cycle of poverty since 2010.

For more information, please call or text Mary Depner at 810-334-4567 or email marydepner@yahoo.com. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland