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.”

Katheryn Baker
Katheryn Baker

 

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!”

Cathy Mills
Cathy Mills

 

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.”

Jennie Posey
Jennie Posey

 

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

Foster Families Play Vital Role for Children in Care

May has been proclaimed Foster Care Month in the state of Michigan, and Governor Whitmer wants to increase awareness about the importance of foster families who care for children in state custody.

“Every child deserves to have an adult in their life who is their champion and a home where they feel safe and secure,” Gov. Whitmer said. “Parenting isn’t easy, and sometimes families need extra support. Foster parenting is one of the most selfless things you can do, and I am so grateful for the Michiganders who have stepped up to provide loving homes for children who need them.”

There are about 11,500 children in Michigan’s foster care system, and the state’s goals include providing a safe, stable environment for children in their own communities. They also aim to keep sibling groups together.

In order to achieve those goals, there needs to be an adequate number of foster homes available.

Those interested in exploring foster parenting can visit the state’s website at www.michigan.gov/hopeforahome

or attend a free ice cream social at Lakeport Wesleyan Church on June 10th from 6:30 – 8:00 PM sponsored by MDHHS and ENNIS Center for Children, Inc.

There is also a virtual event monthly called Foster Care Myth Busting available through the ENNIS Center on Zoom here:

https://fb.me/e/2lShDAyL9

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery Lays Out Plan to Get students Caught Up

The Michigan Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery has been released by the Student Recovery Advisory Council which was formed in response to the challenges students have faced during the pandemic.

The plan focuses on wellness, academics, school culture and climate, family and community engagement, and postsecondary education. According to Kevin Polston, Chair of the Recovery Advisory Council, “The Blueprint lays out a clear multi-year plan for the holistic, whole child recovery for Michigan’s students. Every recommendation is supported by leading research and designed to support Michigan students by those that know them best, leaders in education, health care, and child services from right here in Michigan.”  

The plan suggests things like employing school nurses, catching kids up on wellness visits and vaccinations, increasing physical activity, and ensuring recess is available during the school day. The plan also addresses teacher and staff burnout and overwork.

Some students have been fully disengaged from school while some have fallen behind or have not been given access to full instruction. The plan addresses how to reach out to those students as well as work on equity and inclusion for all students.

A link to the full plan can be found at:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dtmb/MI_Blueprint_for_Comprehensive_Student_Recovery_725617_7.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland