Michiganders Urged to Complete Census as it Becomes Latest Political Pawn

The national census is underway as it has been every decade since 1790. The Census Bureau has shortened the collection period by one month and a coalition of states are pushing back, asking for the October 31st deadline to be restored.

Michigan and seven other states have sent a letter to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Commerce expressing their displeasure with the moved-up date to end the data collection period.

In a press release, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “It is more important than ever that we be able to reach and account for every Michigander to ensure we receive funding for essential programs to help Michiganders recover from the COVID-19 crisis and be successful over the next decade – services like child care, education, foster care, and special education.” She went on to urge residents to complete the census immediately.  

The deadline was actually extended by Congress in April as the COVID-19 crisis was just getting started. The fear is that populations that are harder to count will be passed over and the funding that is tied to population counts will not be available to states. It is estimated that Michigan has 3.3 million residents who are considered “hard to count”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Crime Victims Get Improved Service from VINE

The Michigan Division of Victim Services with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has launched an enhanced version of Michigan Victim Information and Notification Everyday (MI-VINE) that expands access to critical services for crime victims in Michigan.

MI-VINE is a free, confidential, 24-hour service that provides timely access to offender data for crime victims, their families, and the general public. VINE allows crime victims to receive notice of the custody status of an offender and provides access to reliable information about criminal cases.

Users can register to be notified of changes in the offender’s status, such as release, transfer, or escape.

MI-VINE has been serving victims since 1999 and has continued to evolve through advancements in technology. The enhanced MI-VINE service offers users innovative functionality, an improved user experience and expanded access to victim services. A key feature is the MI-VINE Service Provider Directory, which allows users to seek assistance and connect directly with both local and national victim service providers.

VINE is the nation’s leading victim notification network and provides crime victims and concerned citizens access to timely and reliable offender custody information through a toll-free telephone number, website or mobile application. Users may also register to receive automated notifications relating to changes in custody status via telephone, email or text message.

To learn more about the enhanced MI-VINE service, visit Michigan.gov/MIVINE.

 

McLaren Port Huron Thanks Community for Generosity

Port Huron, MI — McLaren Port Huron’s Foundation continued to work through the closures and restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital has recently issued a “thank you” to the entire community for supporting them through the crisis.

Some of the hospital’s own employees have benefitted from the COVID-19 Relief Fund, which helps employees who are struggling. The fund has raised over $50,000 so far. The hospital has also continued awarding scholarships to those who are pursuing careers in the medical field and those who are already in the field and are continuing their education. Scholarships were awarded to 21 individuals totaling $28,000.

While indoor events have had to be cancelled, outdoor events continued. Levi’s Link Virtual 5K raised over $38,000 to support the program for patients with special needs. The Tee It Up to Beat Cancer golf outing raised over $35,000 for cancer services and equipment at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Port Huron. Another outdoor event was the annual golf outing which raised $46,000 to purchase new bassinets for the Miriam F. Acheson Family Birth Place.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Empty Bowls Benefit Transforms to Drive Up Event

Port Huron, MI — In a difficult season for fundraising, Mid City Nutrition has turned their annual Empty Bowls Benefit into a drive up event. This year’s event will take place at St. Clair County Community Mental Health’s main location on Electric Avenue in Port Huron on Friday, September 18th from 4-7 PM.

Benefit attendees can still look forward to receiving a unique handmade pottery bowl, but this year it will be a surprise. Ticket holders will drive into the event and receive a pottery bowl along with their soup and dinner rolls to go.

Dinner for One is $25 and includes one bowl of soup, a dinner roll, and a pottery bowl, and a Family Pack costs $50 for two quarts of soup, eight dinner rolls, and one pottery bowl.

The silent auction for the event will be held online <HERE> , and auction items can be viewed and bid on starting at 10 AM on Friday, September 4th. The auction closes on Thursday, September 17th at 3 PM, and winners will be notified via email. Winners can pick up and pay for their items at the event on the 18th.

For more information, contact Mid City Nutrition at 810-982-9261.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Class of 2021 Continues Personalized Parking Space Tradition

Port Huron, MI — The high school class of 2021 is gearing up for a Senior Year with a lot of question marks. But one thing that has become a tradition, personalized senior parking spaces, continues.

Seniors at both Port Huron high schools will be painting their parking spaces this weekend, as part of a fairly recent tradition that has been catching on at high schools throughout the region. Port Huron Northern High School Counselor, Julie Barlass, said that this is the fourth year of allowing students to “own” their parking spaces for the school year.

Barlass said, “This gives the seniors an opportunity to express themselves in creative ways and feel valued as the graduating class.” Students pay a nominal fee for the “ownership” and proceeds go toward the Senior Prom.

In light of the cancellations and postponements that have become expected during the pandemic, the keeping of a tradition is a bright spot for the class of 2021. Barlass said, “So much has changed over the past 6 months, and any tiny bit of routine, normalcy, or tradition helps all of us, students included, to feel more comfortable and at ease.  We are very eager to have our students back on campus in a safe manner.  Hopefully painting parking spaces will bring some joy to our seniors who will, undoubtedly, face many changes this year.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Last Chance to Shop. Dine. & Win!

St. Clair County, MI — The St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance is leading a Business Recovery Committee to help address the changing needs of St. Clair County businesses during the season of COVID-19. The Committee is made of up leaders working across the county to support, encourage, and promote the business community.

As a result of generous funding received from the DTE Foundation and the AT&T Foundation, the Committee has been sponsoring a campaign to encourage safe & healthy patronage of local businesses. The Shop. Dine. Win. promotion enables shoppers and diners to share a selfie of their visit to a local business for a chance to win $1,000 of prizes each week.

The campaign wraps up on Friday, August 21st, and the Committee decided to double this week’s cash prize giveaway. On Friday, the committee will award two $500 cash prizes and five $100 gift card packages.

Community members who want their chance to win can simply visit a St. Clair County business, snap a selfie, and share their photo on Facebook with the #supportstclaircounty or visit the website at supportstclaircounty.com for more information.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand