Youth for Christ East Michigan Looking for Executive Director

Youth for Christ East Michigan is looking for a new Executive Director. Past Executive Director, Laurie Wilson, moved on to work with youth in the school district, and the Board of Directors is grateful for her years of service and the work she did to advance the mission of YFC in the area.

The East Michigan Chapter of Youth for Christ dates back to 1961, and the organization believes there is a strong foundation for the next Executive Director to grow the ministry and lead their outreach to youth in the area.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree, and experience in youth ministry is preferred. Applicants must also have spiritual and organizational leadership skills and good communication skills. As a leader in Youth for Christ, they must either be commissioned or licensed as a minister through the Youth for Christ process  and/or ordained by an outside body recognized by Youth for Christ/USA.

Youth for Christ East Michigan is actively engaged with 11-19-year-old’s in all of St. Clair County and a portion of Sanilac and Macomb counties. They reach out to youth through school-based programs and online groups, Facebook Live events, and See You at the Pole prayer events.

To learn more about this position, click <HERE>

$500 Scholarships Given at Blue Water College Access Network Webinars

The Blue Water College Access Network is offering a series of webinars for students interested in career and college planning. In-person meetings are on hold due to social distancing, but the webinars keep local high school students on track with their college planning process.

The next webinar pertains to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and it is scheduled for September 30 from 7-8 p.m. The FAFSA is a vital part of the financial aid process and students need to know how to fill it out correctly and on time so they can get the aid that they need for college.

The October 21st webinar is about Scholarships and Paying for College and the November 11th webinar is about Career Exploration. Industry experts will be sharing their expertise with students.

Students can register for the webinars at www.bwcan.org. Registration is open to all St. Clair County families and is free. At the end of each webinar, a $500 scholarship is awarded to a high school junior or senior participant.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Changes to Deer Testing Planned for 2020 Hunting Season

Michigan deer hunters will have a few changes to prepare for this year thanks to COVID-19. Staff and funding shortages, along with the decline in the number of hunters have forced the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to reduce the number of deer check stations.

Hunters will be required to “mask up” and follow social distancing guidelines at all check stations. At many stations, they will not be permitted to leave their vehicles.

Acting DNR Wildlife Division Chief Dan Kennedy said, “It is an unprecedented time in our state’s history, with serious challenges that affect everyone. We ask for your patience and grace as we adapt to meet these challenges. Michigan hunters have a long history of partnering with the DNR for the benefit and health of the state’s deer population.”

Despite these service reductions, the DNR still needs help tracking the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease and tuberculosis in the deer population. St. Clair County is not on the list for checking for either disease, but for hunters traveling to other parts of the state, they will want to check out the DNR’s 2020 Hunting Digest for full details. Visit michigan.gov.

 

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Expired Driver’s Licenses Must be Renewed by September 30th

Michiganders have less than a week to renew their expired driver’s licenses, state identification cards and vehicle registrations before they will be assessed late fees and risk a ticket from police. All such credentials with expirations after March 1 were extended by the state Legislature through Sept. 30, and  no additional extension is expected.

For driver’s licenses and IDs required to be renewed in person, such as those requiring a new photo, Secretary of State offices have been offering special appointments since Aug. 24, and they continue to be available through Sept. 30. Those that don’t require an in-person renewal must be renewed online or by mail.

The quickest way to renew vehicle registrations is at one of the more than 120 self-service stations located across the state. The average transaction time is two minutes, and customers walk away with their tabs in hand. Vehicle registrations also can be renewed online and by mail. Branch visits are not required for registration renewals no additional extension is expected.

If you need help navigating the online appointment system for the Secretary of State, learn more from a previous WGRT news story <HERE>

Spa 223 Closing While Spa Blu Makes Plans to Open

Port Huron, MI — The spa scene on Huron Avenue in Port Huron is changing. Spa 223 & Boutique, a downtown Port Huron fixture for eleven years and consistent donor to community causes, has announced that it will be closing at the end of September. The brand-new Spa Blu plans to be opening in mid-October.

Spa Blu will be located at 712 Huron Avenue, on the north end of downtown Port Huron. Owner Suzanne McKenzie, who worked at Spa 223, said that her new facility will have a lot of familiar faces for Spa 223 clients and will live up to the same “gold standard”, but will be a completely new spa under new ownership.

McKenzie said that her staff will offer massage, body treatments, manicures, and pedicures. They will eventually offer facials and waxing as well. She said their goal is to provide “an exceptional service in a relaxing atmosphere. When you walk out of Spa Blu, after a service, we want you to feel refreshed and pampered.”

The Blue Water theme will be obvious throughout the new spa, according to McKenzie, and she looks forward to greeting both old and new clients with her new twist on spa treatments.

Spa Blu is planned to open in mid-October.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Climate Change Addressed with MI Healthy Climate Plan

Could Michigan be carbon neutral by 2050? A plan has been introduced by Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office to create the MI Healthy Climate Plan with carbon neutrality in the next thirty years as the goal. 

In introducing the plan by way of Executive Order 2020-182 and Executive Directive 2020-10, Whitmer said, “The science is clear – climate change is directly impacting our public health, environment, our economy, and our families.” 

The plan does not specify the methods, but tasks the Office of Climate and Energy in the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to develop and implement the MI Healthy Climate Plan. The Governor’s goal is to have state government lead the effort with the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget regulating new state buildings and facilities in accordance with the Healthy Climate Plan.

The plan has been endorsed by leaders from Steelcase, Utility Workers Union of America, the Sierra Club, and the American Lung Association. Those interested in being appointed to the Council for Climate Solutions can go to www.michigan.gov/appoinments and fill out an application by November 1, 2020.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland