business news

St. Clair County RESA’s Next STEP Transition Program Empowers Young Adults With Disabilities

The Next STEP Transition Program by St. Clair County RESA offers vital support for young adults aged 18 to 26 with documented disabilities. 

In the classroom, students learn essential “soft” skills that are fundamental to both personal and professional success. These skills include basic living abilities such as cooking, budgeting, and managing finances. Additionally, students are taught employability skills, such as operating a cash register, making change, and adhering to a structured schedule. 

Students gain practical work experience through placements at real-world job sites, learning customer service, stocking, or assembly tasks. To join, candidates must be eligible for special education services, have attended high school for at least four years, and demonstrate potential for independence. 

For more information, contact Next STEP Coordinator Scott Ceglarek, at (810) 989-5719.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Family Fun Day And WWII Pullman Troop Kitchen Car Grand Opening At Sanilac County Museum

The Sanilac County Museum, located at 228 S. Ridge St (M25) in Port Sanilac, announces two days of free fun for the public. 

Friday, July 5th, will be Family Fun Day, a fun-filled event where you can enjoy free activities and games including petting zoos from Timber Creek Farm and Thumb Balls Ball Pythons. 

Enjoy Summer Story Time where you can check out free books and crafts. Support Farmers Market vendors from 1 – 5 p.m., enjoy delicious treats from Hot Dog Hut, and Extreme Freeze food trucks, and also $5 pony rides.

On Saturday, July 6th, join the grand opening of the WWII Pullman Troop Kitchen Car at Sanilac County Museum. The event starts at 4pm with acknowledgements and a flag-raising ceremony, followed by a patriotic concert by the Deckerville Area Community Choir at 5 p.m.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Algonac Lions Club Hosts 86th Annual Pickerel Tournament Festival

The Algonac Lions Club is excited to host its 86th Annual Pickerel Tournament Festival from Wednesday, July 3rd to Sunday, July 7th in Downtown Algonac. 

The festival kicks off with the fishing tournament registration at 8 a.m. on July 3rd, alongside the Midway opening from 5 to 11 p.m. The event will feature a variety of attractions including a beer tent, parade, hotdog and doughnut eating contests, celebrity dunk tank, family fun day with free pizza and clowns, car show, and much more! Also, be sure to catch the amazing fireworks display on Friday, July 5th. Join the community for a fun-filled 4th of July celebration! 

For more details, visit algonaclionsclub.org or follow the Algonac Lions Club on Facebook.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Fort Gratiot Cancels 2024 Carnival And Fireworks Due To Venue Issues

Fort Gratiot announced the cancellation of the 2024 carnival and fireworks show, much to the community’s disappointment. Since 2018, the event has been held in the Birchwood Mall parking lot, sponsored by donors and managed by T.J. Schmidt & Company. Proceeds from ticket sales funded the carnival and fireworks display.

However, due to new contracts between the mall’s new property owner and another carnival provider, Fort Gratiot can no longer use the Birchwood Mall property. Although other local businesses offered to host, none met the required criteria.

Deputy Treasurer and Event Coordinator Lisa Skotcher expressed regret over the cancellation but encouraged participation in Bluewater Cruise Night on June 28 and the Keith Peterson Memorial Car Show on June 29. 

The community’s support remains invaluable in continuing Fort Gratiot’s tradition of summer celebrations.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Free Summer Meals For Kids: Food Bank Of Eastern Michigan Partners With Local Church

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, in partnership with Meet Up and Eat Up and Full Gospel Church of God, invites community children to enjoy free meals all summer. 

From Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., children under 18 can receive lunch and a snack at Full Gospel Church of God, located at 1340 Division St., Port Huron.

Known as the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Meet Up and Eat Up provides nutritious meals to children in low-income areas, preventing summer hunger for over 500,000 Michigan children. This initiative also helps reduce summer learning loss, ensuring children return to school ready to succeed. The program is crucial for maintaining children’s health and academic progress during the summer break.

To find more food resources in your area, visit: fbem.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Totally Cool, Inc. Recalls Ice Cream Products Due To Listeria Contamination

Totally Cool, Inc. of Owings Mills, Maryland, is recalling multiple brands of ice cream due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. While healthy individuals may experience only short-term symptoms, Listeria can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

The products were distributed nationwide through retail locations and direct delivery. No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall follows FDA sampling that discovered Listeria. Production and distribution of the affected products have ceased, and an investigation is underway.

Consumers should return recalled products to the place of purchase for a full refund. For questions or concerns, contact Totally Cool, Inc. at (410) 363-7801.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell