MSP Promote “Safer Internet Day”

Today is Safer Internet Day. The Michigan State Police remind families to be extra vigilant as kids are spending more time online for school and recreation. The benefits of the internet are “amazing”, according to the State Police, but there are risks associated with being online and using social media.

The State Police advise parents to talk with their children about online risks so they know how to identify suspicious behavior. They also recommend that parents stay involved in the digital worlds of their children, from schoolwork to Minecraft to Snapchat, and always know with whom their children are connecting online.

Information about privacy and security settings can be found at the State Police’s Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force website. There is specific information about Chromebooks, which nearly every student has for both in-class and virtual learning.

The website also has a link to information about the many apps available to and targeted at children. There are many that have disappearing messages or have ways to conceal messages from parents.

If children are contacted with inappropriate messages, a cyber tip can be submitted to the Michigan State Police at michiganicac.com or 1-877-MI-CYBER.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Blue Water Area Transit Get Grant for Wheelchair Securement System

Port Huron, MI — The Blue Water Area Transportation Commission is one of the recipients of a Michigan Department of Transportation Grant to install innovations to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The grant will pay to install an automated wheelchair securement system.

The grant is part of the Federal Transit Administration Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program. The state received $600,000 which is being shared among six public transit agencies. The other winners were in Saginaw, Jackson, Marquette, Western Washtenaw, and Charlevoix County.

Jean Ruestman, MDOT Office of Passenger Transportation administrator, said, “Public transit remains a vital service for many citizens getting to work, school, shopping, or doctor’s appointments. We continue to work with our partner transit agencies to look for grants for innovative solutions to protect passengers and transit workers from the virus.”

The Blue Water Area Transit will get a system developed by Q’straint which allows passengers to self-secure their wheelchairs and eliminate close contact with the bus driver.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Adult Learners Gain Opportunities to Increase Wages

Adults in Michigan can improve their employability status and increase their wages by receiving industry certifications or completing their associate degree. For those 25 and older who want a tuition-free way to achieve that, The Michigan Reconnect program launched by the state last week offers a tuition-free pathway to an associate degree or skills certificate.

Tamara Kenny, Chief Academic Officer of Occupational Studies & Health Sciences at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) , said SC4 is a great place for adult learners to begin growing their resume to excel at their current job or to begin or finish the credentials for a new one.

Kenny said, “Students that receive industry certifications are so much more employable, employers are scooping them up right away. Not only can you achieve your associate degree, which increases your earning potential, but you can receive industry certifications too [in many SC4 programs].”

SC4 offers a broad range of Career and Technical Education programs including Health Sciences, Computer Information Systems, Engineering, and Criminal Justice. They work with organizations like the St. Clair County EDA to assist employers with advancing the skill level of the county’s workforce and helping new employers in the area recruit SC4 graduates.

The college is also helping adult learners take advantage of programs like Futures for Frontliners, which helped frontline workers in 2020 go back to school, and the new Michigan Reconnect program which require participants to seek a degree or certificate from their in-district community college.

More information about Michigan Reconnect and other programs for helping adults with tuition-free options for higher education can be found on the State of Michigan’s, Sixty-by-30 website <HERE> 

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

EDA Provides COVID-19 Resources for Businesses

As state regulations concerning COVID-19 continue to change, area businesses may be overwhelmed with where to find helpful information for keeping their employees safe, applying for grant funds, or helping their employees get vaccinated. The St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance (EDA) provides a COVID-19 Resource page on their website with relevant information for businesses of all sizes.

Business owners can also access articles on topics like Human Resources and find quick links to current Executive Orders and CDC Guidance for Workplaces. There is information on  financial relief such as grant opportunities and educational programs including the recently announced Michigan Reconnect Program that will provide tuition free community college and certificate programs to equip Michigan’s adult workforce.

The St. Clair County EDA’s staff is also working with a team of community stakeholders to identify COVID-19 vaccine related issues that will affect businesses and the county’s workforce.

EDA staff is available to discuss any COVID-19 related business issues St. Clair County businesses are facing. Businesses can stay up-to-date with the EDA by connecting with them on the web at https://edascc.com/covid19 or by phone at (810) 982-9511.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Border Keep Games Coming to Downtown Port Huron

Greg Campbell and Derek Helsom have taken their love of gaming and transformed the former Port City Communications building into a gamer’s haven. Border Keep Games is getting some final touches to prepare for a grand opening at the end of February or beginning of March.

The assortment of products ranges from unique children’s games to family games to elaborate hobby game creation. Favorites like Pandemic, Settlers of Catan, and Dominion which are great for game nights can be found alongside a plethora of unfinished miniatures ready for paint and landscapes for role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons.

The back rooms of the store will be decorated in a castle theme to reflect the store’s name and include a private game room for small private parties, a group gaming and lounge area, and a painting studio for creating miniatures and dioramas.

You can learn more about Border Keep Games by following them on Facebook <HERE>.

You can also find a photo gallery on Instagram <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Tax Season May Reveal Identity Theft

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency are letting individuals know of important tax documents for people who may be victims of identity theft as a result of widespread fraudulent unemployment claims in 2020.

With tax season underway, the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has begun issuing 1099-G tax forms to all claimants who received unemployment benefits. If someone receives a UIA 1099 form but did not receive unemployment benefits, that person is likely a victim of identity theft and should report it immediately. The envelope containing the 1099 form from the UIA will include instructions on what should be done by victims of identity theft. Please follow those instructions closely.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the employment status of many Michiganders and allowed scammers to find new ways to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals,” Nessel said. “I urge anyone who may be a victim of identity theft to take action and report it immediately. This is also a good time to remind everyone to be cautious about sharing your personal and financial information with others.”

“We’ll continue to work to root out the imposter fraud that is impacting so many Michiganders,” said UIA Acting Director Liza Estlund Olson. “We urge everyone to follow the guidance on our website and from the Attorney General and IRS on protecting yourself and reporting identity theft.”

The law requires that the UIA issue a 1099 form to every claimant who received unemployment benefits, even those who reported identity theft. Once the UIA has fully investigated the identity theft claims, it will issue an amended 1099 form to those determined to be victims of identity theft.

Visit the UIA’s website for questions about reporting a fraudulent claim or filing your 2020 taxes.

To report fraud or file a general consumer complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team. Filing a complaint online is the best way to make Your Connection to Consumer Protection and provide a comprehensive report to the Attorney General’s office to ensure investigators have the information they need. If a consumer is unable to fill out an online complaint, they can call the toll-free Consumer Protection hotline at 877-765-8388 and staff will provide a hard copy form to fill out and return.

Forms may be returned via fax (517-241-3771) or via U.S. mail, by sending to:

Consumer Protection
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909

Submitted by Attorney General Nessel’s Office