U.S. – Canada Border Closed Until October 21st

The Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to non-essential travel for another 30 days until October 21st. With the restrictions in place, all travel related to tourism, recreation, and entertainments is prohibited by land, water, air, and rail. This includes opening or checking on a cottage or seasonal home.

The restriction on discretionary travel was put in place on March 21st in an effort to mitigate COVID-19 transmission. According to the Canada Border Services Agency, during the week of August 31st to September 6, 2020, travel volumes were down 85% for those crossing via land, and 91% at airports compared to the same time a year ago. There are no restrictions on commercial traffic, but it was around 18% lower.

An online survey of 1,000 Canadians done by Research Co. found that 90% agreed with the closure, though the tourism industry has been negatively affected in both countries.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

New Grant Program for Small Businesses in Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — Small businesses are still being affected by the COVID-19 shutdowns and changes in consumer spending habits. A new grant program for small businesses in the City of Port Huron will provide short-term working capital to fifteen eligible businesses with the hope of improving the business’s viability and retaining jobs.

The City of Port Huron Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program will help for-profit businesses with a $5,000 grant. The goal of the program, funded by Community Development Block Grant funds the City received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is to retain jobs for low to moderate income people and stabilize local businesses.

The City of Port Huron designated $75,000 of its $462,000 in CDBG funding to the St. Clair County EDA for Small Business Assistance in April. The EDA is accepting applications from eligible businesses located inside the boundaries of the City of Port Huron from now until Friday, October 2, 2020.

For eligibility information, visit the online application <HERE> .

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

“A Beautiful Me” Turns to Pen and Paper to Reach Out to Local Youth

A Beautiful Me has launched a new Pen Pal Program to reach out to local girls who may be feeling isolated and alone in the era of social distancing.

When everything seems to be online and virtual, A Beautiful Me, a local non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of girls in the community, has turned to old-fashioned snail mail. Twenty-five volunteers have written letters, filled envelopes, and provided an opportunity to keep the “Pen Pal” relationship going.  

Jenna Hayre, a young adult volunteer and alumna of the program, said, “I wish I could see the expression on the faces of the girls who receive these cards — as they open up the envelopes and are spontaneously encouraged.”

The volunteers are background checked and the messages in the letters adhere to the driving philosophy of A Beautiful Me, to develop confidence and empowerment for girls in grades 3-12.

The recipients of the letters are the 375 girls who participated in the “be-YOU-tiful” workshop series from 2018-2020 in Macomb, St. Clair, Oakland, Genesee, Livingston, Wayne, and Lapeer counties.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Parents Concerned About Youth Vaping Can Learn More at Summit

Parents and caregivers who are concerned about vaping can learn more at the Virtual Vaping Summit on September 23rd from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM. The St. Clair County Substance Prevention through Early Action and Knowledge (SPEAK) Coalition is hosting the event through live stream on their Facebook page.

A survey completed by the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) in 2017-18 reported that 10% of St. Clair County 7th graders used vaping products, and 38% of 11th graders acknowledged regular use.

The SPEAK Coalition focuses on many areas of substance abuse and addiction, and addressing the youth vaping crisis is one of their primary goals.

Vaping is unhealthy for kids, teens, and young adults because it contains high amounts of addictive nicotine and many other harmful substances. Use can adversely affect brain development and contribute to future cigarette use.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Social Justice Educator Presenting Virtually Through SC4

St. Clair County Community College’s office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is holding a presentation on social justice on October 9th. Social justice educator Jen Fry will speak to the community via a virtual presentation on Zoom.

Fry is a native of Arizona, Division II athlete, and a veteran volleyball coach with over 15 years of experience coaching at the collegiate level. She began teaching on the topic of social justice to student-athletes and educational professionals, and was a presenter at TEDxDuke in 2019.

Social justice education includes becoming culturally competent,  self-reflecting on one’s position, power and privilege, and creating an inclusive culture.

SC4 students and community members can reserve their spot for the presentation by emailing SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at dei@sc4.edu by Thursday, October 8th.

 

Aerial Mosquito Spraying Planned as Eastern Equine Encephalitis Risk Grows

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have enacted an emergency rule that allows for application of pesticide without notification and will start aerial pesticide treatment for mosquitos, starting the night of September 16. The spraying will take place in high risk areas of Michigan.

The spraying will not take place in St. Clair County at this point. It is planned for Barry, Clare, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo and Oakland counties. Those counties are being targeted because Eastern Equine Encephalitis has been found in 22 horses in the areas.

The disease is easily transmitted to humans from infected mosquitos and is twice as prevalent in horses this year compared to last year. Eastern Equine Encephalitis has a 33% mortality rate in humans and is particularly serious for children and older adults.

Planes will be dropping an “ultra-low volume” pesticide, Merus 3.0, a 5% pyrethrin that is botanically extracted, that kills mosquitoes on contact. It will be sprayed from dusk to dawn.

More information can be found at michigan.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland