local news

Beeler Wants Answers from Governor

LANSING – State Representative Andrew Beeler (R-Port Huron) today voiced his frustration with the lack of specifics given by Governor Whitmer’s administration regarding how the decision to close schools and athletics were made in the past – and how those decisions will be made going forward – in the face of mounting data which suggests the dangers to school-aged children are significantly lower than originally feared.

“The governor has repeated over and over that her administration is making decisions based on science,” Beeler said, “Michigan citizens deserve to know what criteria she is using to determine when these seemingly never-ending shutdowns are going to end.”

The Michigan House and Senate today held a joint meeting of their respective committees on Education where Beeler appeared annoyed by the lack of concrete metrics the administration would use to justify future shutdowns.

“Based on today’s hearing, I am convinced that the governor’s unilateral actions are based on criteria beyond merely ‘science and data’,” Beeler said.

According to the governor’s own statistics, less than two dozen people aged 24 and younger have died from COVID-19 or other causes related to COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.  Meanwhile, many mental health experts have warned the negative long-term effects associated with the governor’s shutdowns will be felt for many years to come.

Official statistics can be found here: Covid-19 By Age at Death (state.mi.us).

Submitted by the office of Rep. Andrew Beeler

Vaccine Pre-Registration System FAQs

According to a statement from Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer for the St. Clair County Health Department, almost 10,000 people have signed up on the county’s new vaccine pre-registration system. The Health Department wants the community to know that it is working on some technical issues, and they have already had their first vaccine clinic under the new system.

Here are the FAQs for the Vaccine Pre-registration System:

  1. What is the phone number, text code or email address that will accompany the notification? St. Clair County Vaccine Distribution. The caller ID may identify as a Massachusetts phone number. Looking into updating with a local number
    Phone: (781) 373-9800; Text ID: 88911; Email from: St. Clair County Vaccine Distribution. The caller ID may identify as a Massachusetts phone number. Looking into updating with a local number.
  1. How do I know I signed up properly in the system? You will not receive a message stating you are pre-registered. Create a user name and password to sign up. Complete the fields, save all pages and hit finalize at the end. Working on updating this.
  1. Can I go back in and edit my account information? It appears the system tracks the date of your last entry and may move you from your original placement if you make changes. Be as accurate as possible when signing up. Working on updating this.
  1. What if I registered multiple people using the same contact information (phone number, email)? Each person registered should receive a separate confirmation. The appointment confirmation will list first name, last name, appointment date/time and clinic location. It will arrive via the method(s) you selected to receive notifications. Whatever method you confirm first on accepts the invitation. Option 1= yes to confirm; Option 2 = Not available at this time; Option 3 = No longer need my appointment.
  1. What if I missed my window to confirm my appointment? Each person has one hour to respond. If you missed your window, you will be contacted as soon as the next appointment becomes available. You do not lose your placement and will be notified again. Please do not show up at a clinic if you did not receive a confirmation.
  1. When will you send out notifications? Notifications should typically occur during regular business hours.
  1. Who can sign up/pre-register? All individuals living or working in St. Clair County can pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine on the health department’s website www.scchealth.co click on the “Pre-Registration for COVID-19 Vaccine” link. Again, this is a pre-registration system only, or a placeholder.

Only individuals in the current priority groups will receive a notification when an appointment become available. This is all dependent on vaccine supply, which currently remains limited. Therefore, it will take time to move through the list. Thank you for your patience.

For seniors 65 and older needing assistance with the online pre-registration process options include:

  • Asking a family member, friend or neighbor for help
  • Council on Aging/Call 1-800-297-0099 or your local senior center
  • Dial 211 for assistance
  • Please DO NOT contact COA or 211 for technical assistance or for updates.

 

Port Huron Schools Switching to Full-Time In-Person Instruction March 1st

Port Huron, MI — Students in the Port Huron school district will be going back to class full time starting March 1st after having a mix of all-virtual and hybrid learning since last March.

In a message to parents in his weekly newsletter, Superintendent Jamie Cain said that the change in plans is due to a vote by the Port Huron Schools Board of Education last Friday. The February hybrid schedule remains in effect with the full time, five-days-per-week schedule beginning March 1st.

Students whose parents elected the full-time all-virtual learning model will stay enrolled in that program for the rest of the school year. Students whose parents had elected the hybrid model will be going back to school full time. Questions are directed to building principals.

The hybrid plan was implemented to reduce numbers of students in classrooms. In the message, Superintendent Cain stressed the continuation of mask-wearing, social distancing, frequent hand-washing, and facility sanitizing.

School districts have been urged by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to find ways to get back to in-person learning by March 1st. Transmission of COVID-19 at school has not been as big of a concern as was previously thought it could be.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Blue Water Area Transit Get Grant for Wheelchair Securement System

Port Huron, MI — The Blue Water Area Transportation Commission is one of the recipients of a Michigan Department of Transportation Grant to install innovations to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The grant will pay to install an automated wheelchair securement system.

The grant is part of the Federal Transit Administration Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program. The state received $600,000 which is being shared among six public transit agencies. The other winners were in Saginaw, Jackson, Marquette, Western Washtenaw, and Charlevoix County.

Jean Ruestman, MDOT Office of Passenger Transportation administrator, said, “Public transit remains a vital service for many citizens getting to work, school, shopping, or doctor’s appointments. We continue to work with our partner transit agencies to look for grants for innovative solutions to protect passengers and transit workers from the virus.”

The Blue Water Area Transit will get a system developed by Q’straint which allows passengers to self-secure their wheelchairs and eliminate close contact with the bus driver.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

EDA Provides COVID-19 Resources for Businesses

As state regulations concerning COVID-19 continue to change, area businesses may be overwhelmed with where to find helpful information for keeping their employees safe, applying for grant funds, or helping their employees get vaccinated. The St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance (EDA) provides a COVID-19 Resource page on their website with relevant information for businesses of all sizes.

Business owners can also access articles on topics like Human Resources and find quick links to current Executive Orders and CDC Guidance for Workplaces. There is information on  financial relief such as grant opportunities and educational programs including the recently announced Michigan Reconnect Program that will provide tuition free community college and certificate programs to equip Michigan’s adult workforce.

The St. Clair County EDA’s staff is also working with a team of community stakeholders to identify COVID-19 vaccine related issues that will affect businesses and the county’s workforce.

EDA staff is available to discuss any COVID-19 related business issues St. Clair County businesses are facing. Businesses can stay up-to-date with the EDA by connecting with them on the web at https://edascc.com/covid19 or by phone at (810) 982-9511.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Tax Season May Reveal Identity Theft

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency are letting individuals know of important tax documents for people who may be victims of identity theft as a result of widespread fraudulent unemployment claims in 2020.

With tax season underway, the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has begun issuing 1099-G tax forms to all claimants who received unemployment benefits. If someone receives a UIA 1099 form but did not receive unemployment benefits, that person is likely a victim of identity theft and should report it immediately. The envelope containing the 1099 form from the UIA will include instructions on what should be done by victims of identity theft. Please follow those instructions closely.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the employment status of many Michiganders and allowed scammers to find new ways to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals,” Nessel said. “I urge anyone who may be a victim of identity theft to take action and report it immediately. This is also a good time to remind everyone to be cautious about sharing your personal and financial information with others.”

“We’ll continue to work to root out the imposter fraud that is impacting so many Michiganders,” said UIA Acting Director Liza Estlund Olson. “We urge everyone to follow the guidance on our website and from the Attorney General and IRS on protecting yourself and reporting identity theft.”

The law requires that the UIA issue a 1099 form to every claimant who received unemployment benefits, even those who reported identity theft. Once the UIA has fully investigated the identity theft claims, it will issue an amended 1099 form to those determined to be victims of identity theft.

Visit the UIA’s website for questions about reporting a fraudulent claim or filing your 2020 taxes.

To report fraud or file a general consumer complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team. Filing a complaint online is the best way to make Your Connection to Consumer Protection and provide a comprehensive report to the Attorney General’s office to ensure investigators have the information they need. If a consumer is unable to fill out an online complaint, they can call the toll-free Consumer Protection hotline at 877-765-8388 and staff will provide a hard copy form to fill out and return.

Forms may be returned via fax (517-241-3771) or via U.S. mail, by sending to:

Consumer Protection
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909

Submitted by Attorney General Nessel’s Office