Sen. Dan Lauwers on Tuesday supported legislation to give more flexibility to many schools that were forced to cancel several school days this winter due to unusually harsh weather.  “It was important that we passed this bill this week so we could notify school districts and they could plan their calendars accordingly,” said Lauwers, R-Brockway Township. “It was past time to stop discussing the issue and act.”  Lauwers said that House Bill 4206 is a one-time forgiveness solution that only applies to the current 2018-19 school year due to the especially extreme weather Michigan faced this winter.  Senate Democrats voted in favor of the bill, but they did not support giving it immediate effect, which means the plan will not be in place for this school year. “It is a shame that this bill will not be able to help with school scheduling,” Lauwers said. “As a result of Democrats withholding immediate effect, schools will not be able to adjust the school calendar and parents remain uncertain as to when their kids will end their school year.”  Michigan requires schools to provide a minimum of 180 days and 1,098 hours of instruction per year. Schools are currently forgiven up to six “snow days” when school is canceled due to dangerous weather, and schools can get a waiver from the state superintendent for three additional forgiven snow days.  If HB 4026 had been given immediate effect, it would have effectively forgiven schools up to four additional snow days this year for any days schools canceled during the governor’s declared state of emergency (Jan. 29 through Feb. 1).

Buying a mattress just got easier at Kimball Appliance with the launch of the company’s all-new Sleep Studio.  According to Nick Bondarek of Kimball’s, shoppers will have a chance to experience top brands like Tempur-Pedic and Sealy in a comfortable, no-pressure environment. He says Kimball’s is the first store in Michigan to launch under this program.  “For over 90 years, Kimball’s has offered our customers the best in sales and service. We’re so excited to continue with this tradition by offering Tempur-Pedic and Sealy mattresses through a
new and innovative shopping experience,” said Nick Bondarek, of Kimball Appliance. “I want to
personally invite anyone in the area who needs a better night’s sleep to come in today.”
Kimball Appliance’s Sleep Studio offers shoppers an opportunity to identify and try mattresses
that fit their individual sleep preferences and budget. The Sleep Studio allows shoppers to try a
variety of mattresses in a semi-private space and provides a more relaxing, personal in-store
experience.  Kimball Appliance is a family-owned store offering appliances, electronics, furniture, and mattresses. It was founded in 1927 and is located at a 945 Lapeer Avenue in Port Huron. Store hours are Monday – Thursday from 9a-5:30p, Friday from 9a – 7p, Saturday from 9a-5p, and is closed Sunday. For more information, call 810-984-1575 or email
kimballsbrandsource@comcast.net

This week is National Infant Immunization Week.  This annual observance highlights the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrates the achievements of immunizations.  St. Clair County Health Department joins communities around the nation in celebration of the critical role vaccinations play in protecting the health of our children, families, and communities.  When fully immunized, infants in the United States are protected against 14 preventable diseases. Vaccines are especially important for infants. Some of the diseases immunizations protect against can be dangerous for children under the age of two. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among children born during 1994–2018, vaccination will prevent an estimated 419 million illnesses, and 936,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes. Diseases such as mumps, whooping cough and measles may seem like diseases of the past; however, counties in southeast Michigan have seen a spike in measles and mumps cases over the last few weeks. Both of these illnesses are highly contagious. Following your baby’s vaccination schedule and making sure they are up-to-date is the best way to protect them  Parents/caregivers not certain of their children’s immunization status can contact the Health Department or their health care provider. For more information call (810) 987-5300. Follow us on social media @scchdmi. Additional information can be found at Vaccinateme.info  or ivaccinate.org.

Moderate to heavy rainfall will impact areas north of I-69 continuing today with the chance for thunderstorms to develop across the Detroit metro region this afternoon. Any thunderstorms that develop will have a potential to produce heavy rainfall, which would exacerbate any areas with current flooding concerns if impacted. More rainfall expected through Friday morning. Rainfall totals producing an additional 1 to 1.50 inches with locally higher amounts are possible today through Friday morning.   There is a Marginal Risk for severe weather across the Detroit metro region.  Any thunderstorms will have potential to produce wind gusts greater than 60 mph, locally heavy rainfall, and lightning.   Persistent east winds of 20-30 mph with high lake levels will continue lakeshore flood concerns across the Thumb region and Monroe/Wayne County.   Gusty southwest winds may continue with potential for 30 to 40 mph gusts.

We all recognize the blue sedan with the bubble gum machine on the roof as the traditional
Michigan State Police patrol car. But do you know the history behind this very recognizable
automobile and its very humble beginnings. And did you know that the first State Police Post
in the Blue Water Area had five different sites during its 74 year history?  Join St. Clair Historian Bob Freehan and Michigan State Police troopers as they look at the history of the “moveable” St. Clair State Police Post and the unique history of the Michigan State Police cars. The troopers will bring a current patrol car and a “historic” Mustang patrol car for everyone to view after the presentations.   The presentation will be Monday evening, May 20th, 2019 at 7:00 PM
at the Wills Auto Museum located at 2408 Wills Street (Marysville Industrial Park South) in Marysville. $8.00 admission charge covers the presentation and admission to the Museum.
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Please contact Terry Ernest: 810‐987‐2854