Veterans Can Learn to Paint Like Bob Ross

St. Clair County Veterans have an opportunity to paint like Bob Ross. The St. Clair County Department of Veterans Affairs and St. Clair County Community Mental Health have teamed up to bring Ted Simpson from Nature’s Brush Studio to the CMH Auditorium for an engaging art class.

The class is open to 20 St. Clair County Veterans, and it takes place on April 17th from 11 AM until 2 PM. Interested vets need to register now by calling (810) 966-3755 or emailing Wendy Martindale at St. Clair County CMH (wmartindale@scccmh.org) to secure their spot.

Organizers encourage participants to arrive 10 minutes early for the class, and they will provide a light snack during the event. COVID-19 safety practices will be in place, and masks are required during the class.

Ted Simpson, owner of Nature’s Brush Studio, is a Certified Bob Ross Instructor. He believes everyone can paint like Bob Ross, even if they’ve never picked up a brush. Simpson teaches group and private lessons both in his home studio in Farmington Hills, Michigan and for various groups and organizations at their locations.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County Animal Control Looking for Donations to Help with Rescued Animals

The St. Clair County Animal Control needs help from the public as they deal with an influx of recovered animals from two suspected animal hoarding cases in the past two weeks.

Concerned residents are asked to donate Clorox bleach, Dawn dish soap, cat litter, and towels.  They can be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Animal Control office at 3378 Griswold Road.

The most recent case involved suspected cat hoarding at a home in Burtchville Township. Sixteen cats were taken from a residence by animal control after thirty-one cats had already been removed by private citizens. A recent seizure in Port Huron rescued nineteen cats and three dogs.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America describes animal hoarding as “the compulsive need to collect and own animals for the sake of caring for them that results in accidental or unintentional neglect or abuse”.

In both cases, the animals were discovered after citizen complaints that resulted in search warrants being issued. Upon searching the properties, officers found unsafe conditions for the animals and seized them for rehabilitation. The animals will need a few weeks to get healthy and will then be ready for rehoming.

Animal Control is also asking for financial donations to offset medical costs for the animals.

Financial donations can be made at paypal.me/sccanimals.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Nessel Declines Nursing Home Investigation; Blames Politics

Nursing home patients and staff have borne a heavy burden during the pandemic with one-third of COVID deaths in Michigan occurring in nursing home patients. Despite pleas from lawmakers to look into nursing home deaths in Michigan and what could have prevented them, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel passed on the request for a formal inquiry, alluding to the request being politically motivated.

Nessel explained her decision saying, “Though I will not hesitate to act when justified, I also will not abuse the investigatory powers of this Department to launch a political attack on any state official, regardless of party or beliefs.”

The transfer of recovering COVID patients to nursing homes while emergency recovery facilities remained empty has been a mystery, according to Republicans in the legislature, and they want an explanation. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has said that proper protocol was followed and maintains that any scrutiny is politically motivated.

In a letter to Nessel, lawmakers asked about Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s processes and policies for nursing homes, the accuracy of reporting data, compliance with CDC guidelines, and compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. Nessel said none warranted an investigation.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Federal Tax Due Date Extended – State & Local Remain the Same

The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced this week that the due date for filing and paying 2020 federal income taxes has been extended. The new due date is May 17, 2021.

Even though the deadline has been extended, the IRS is still encouraging people to file their taxes as soon as possible.

IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said, “Even with the new deadline, we urge taxpayers to consider filing as soon as possible, especially those who are owed refunds. Filing electronically with direct deposit is the quickest way to get refunds, and it can help some taxpayers more quickly receive any remaining stimulus payments they may be entitled to.”

This extension only applies to federal taxes. State of Michigan income taxes are still subject to the April 15th deadline, and City of Port Huron Income taxes are due on April 30, 2021.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Port Huron Schools Ask Parents to Remain Vigilant as COVID Cases Rise

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron Schools marked the one-year anniversary of learning in the midst of COVID with a letter to families and the community.

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Jamie Cain thanked families for their flexibility and understanding and said that all district staff who chose to get the COVID-19 vaccine have now received their second dose of the shot, making them fully vaccinated.

While there is hope for better days ahead, Cain cautioned that with rising case numbers in the county, parents, students, staff, and the community can not let their guard down.

In the letter, Cain said, “I want our community to know the factors that we are evaluating to make decisions for each building.” Cain said the factors are student and staff attendance, the actual transmission of COVID-19 during the school day, and the ability to safely staff buildings.

Cain asked for continued vigilance from families including keeping kids home when sick, following face mask and handwashing protocols, following quarantine mandates, and also keeping up on schoolwork even when quarantined. He also encouraged families to take time to listen to how kids are feeling about the situation.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Officer Huisman Achieves Status as National SRO Practitioner

Port Huron, MI–School Resource Officer Dennis Huisman was recently recognized by the National Association of School Resource Officers as a National SRO Practitioner. To achieve that status, Huisman had to meet certain qualifications that included training, a commitment to school-based policing, and leadership in the school-based field of law enforcement.

School resource officers are not security guards, but rather sworn law enforcement officers that are placed in schools to ensure the safety of students and staff and to foster positive relationships with youth. Having school resource officers in place has been proven to minimize property damage in schools, prevent student injuries, reduce the need for schools to call 911, and increase the feeling of safety among students and staff.

Officer Huismen has been a school resource officer since March of 2018 when the program began as a partnership between the Port Huron Police Department and the Port Huron Schools. His recognition as a National SRO Practitioner identifies him as one of the elite School Resource Officers in the nation, and it signifies a high commitment to the youth in our community.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand