marysville

St. Clair County Health Department Highlights New WIC Guidelines For 2024, Urges Families To Reapply

The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) is reminding residents about updated guidelines for the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program, which took effect on Jun. 1, 2024. 

Under the new federal rules, families can earn slightly more and still qualify for assistance through this vital nutrition program. WIC, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides benefits via the Michigan WIC EBT card, enabling participants to purchase essential foods like milk, eggs, fresh produce, and infant formula.

Public Health Nursing Supervisor Becki Hartman encourages those who were previously ineligible to reapply, as they may now qualify under the revised criteria. In addition to food assistance, the SCCHD’s WIC program offers nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthcare referrals, and immunizations. 

For more information, residents can call: (810) 987-8222.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Marysville Hot Wheels Weekend To Ignite Car Enthusiasts With Classic Cars, Live Music, And Celebrity Entertainment

The 2024 Marysville Hot Wheels Weekend is gearing up to be a must-attend event for car enthusiasts on August, 23-24 at Marysville Park, located at 801 Huron Ave. 

Presented by the Marysville Business Council, this year’s show will celebrate American car culture with a stellar lineup of activities, including live music, special entertainers, and the eagerly anticipated Miss Marysville Hot Wheels Pin Up Contest that will be offering cash prizes for the top three winners.

Musical guests like George Bedard and the Kingpins, and The Delta Bombers will keep the energy high. Special entertainment features appearances by Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox from the iconic 1980s T.V. show “Chips,” attendees can also enjoy a variety of food vendors, and a classic Drive-In movie experience.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Southside Music Festival Offers Free Family Fun With Top Jazz Artists

The NAACP Port Huron Branch invites you to the Field Day & Southside Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Lincoln Park, located at 2720 South Blvd, Port Huron. This free event promises a full day of entertainment and activities for the whole family.

Highlighting the festival are live performances by multiple Billboard hit-charting saxophonist Tom Braxton, Amazon.com’s #1 smooth jazz artist, and acclaimed guitarist Tony Jefferson. Also performing are the Gopherbroke Blues Band and The Shade Band, ensuring a vibrant musical experience.

The festival also offers plenty of activities for kids, including a free hot dog meal for the first 50 children, bike raffles, book giveaways, a bounce house, and a mobile video game station. Attendees can also explore various food and resource vendors throughout the day.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Operation Safe Neighborhoods Seizes 675 Illegal Guns In Michigan Crackdown

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II announced that 675 illegal guns have been removed from Michigan streets as part of Operation Safe Neighborhoods, a statewide initiative aimed at reducing gun violence. Since the operation’s launch, law enforcement officials have conducted 6,424 check-ins with felony offenders, leading to the seizure of illegal firearms, drugs, and ammunition.

Lt. Governor Gilchrist emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Operation Safe Neighborhoods is keeping Michiganders safe by getting 675 illegal firearms out of the hands of criminals before they can hurt or kill anyone.” The program targets high-risk individuals with prior weapons-related offenses, reinforcing Governor Whitmer’s broader efforts to enhance public safety across the state. 

Since taking office, Whitmer has invested over $1.5 billion in public safety, including significant funding for law enforcement and violence prevention initiatives.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Ferndale’s Live Crispy Won Last Year’s MI Snack Competition, Now Eyeing Bigger Markets

Ferndale-based entrepreneur Dave Shammas, owner of Live Crispy, won the grand prize at the second annual MI Snack Competition in Port Huron, taking home $30,000. Despite not placing in the previous year, Shammas’ all-natural dehydrated fruit snack won both the Mindful Munchies category and the overall competition, earning him $15,000 for each win.

The 2023 MI Snack Competition attracted over 50 snack makers statewide, with more than $50,000 in prizes awarded. In addition to the cash prize, Shammas secured a distribution deal with All Star Services, a break room services company.

Shammas, who launched Live Crispy in 2020, has since expanded his product’s reach, including a listing on Amazon. As he gears up for larger markets like Target, he’s also being courted by the TV show Shark Tank. The 2024 competition is set for Sept. 14, with entries due by August 12.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Food Service Industry Saying Goodbye To Tipping System

In response to a Michigan Supreme Court ruling that raises the minimum wage and phases out the tip credit for service workers, state Rep. Greg Alexander is calling on the Legislature to act quickly to mitigate potential economic fallout. 

The court’s decision, which will take effect on February 21st, 2025, could lead to widespread layoffs, reduced hours, and higher prices, particularly in the restaurant industry.

Alexander highlighted the urgency of finding a balanced solution that protects both workers and small businesses. He pointed to a recent survey showing that 82% of Michigan restaurant servers prefer to keep the tipping system, and 79% fear losing their jobs if the tip credit is eliminated. Additionally, two-thirds of restaurant operators indicated they might lay off employees, and nearly all would raise prices, with some facing the possibility of closing their doors permanently.

Reporting For WGRT – Choze Powell