St. Clair County

Diane Bedore Receives Award from Woman’s Life Insurance Society

St. Clair, Michigan resident, Diane Bedore, was recognized at Woman’s Life Insurance Society’s 2021 Individual Producer of the Year.

Bedore has won the award several years in a row due to her success as an Individual Producer, or sales person of Woman’s Life Insurance Society life insurance plans and annuities.

Woman’s Life Insurance Society was founded in Port Huron in 1892 by Bina M. West, a school teacher from Capac who wanted to help women achieve financial security for themselves and their families. Woman’s Life was one of the first organizations in the U.S. to offer life insurance to women.

After receiving the award, Bedore said, “When I began working for Woman’s Life, I believed strongly in Bina’s vision, and have promoted her beliefs throughout my career. I also believe in continued education in order to present current knowledge in an ever-changing environment. I am committed to providing Woman’s Life members the very best service – because our members deserve the very best.”

Woman’s Life National President Christopher J. Martin said, “I congratulate Diane Bedore on this well-deserved award. Throughout her long-term relationship with Woman’s Life, Diane has consistently achieved high production levels because she is committed to helping Woman’s Life members build and enjoy financial security.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

“Better Together” Kitten and Cat Adoption Special at SCC Animal Control

St. Clair County Animal Control is gearing up for kitten season, which lasts from April to August and the public can help with either giving kittens and grown cats a home or by supporting a virtual “Kitten Shower” to get the animals off to a good start.

Director Melissa Miller said that they are running a “Better Together” promotion where the first cat adoption costs $75 and adopting a second cat or kitten is only $25. Cats often do better with a buddy.

Miller said that she currently has a great assortment of adult cats aged two to ten that have been surrendered by owners going through life changes.

Animal Control is also having an online kitten shower where animal lovers can send the most needed items, like high-quality cat food, cat litter, and other items to Animal Control. Cash donations are also gladly accepted.

Miller also reminded that if you find a group of healthy kittens alone, don’t rush to “save” them. Their mom might be off hunting. Keep an eye on them for about twelve hours and if mom doesn’t come back, then take them to Animal Control.

Links to more information can be found at WGRT.com.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QZQWZH9RVKM2/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sccanimals

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Share Michigan’s Thumbcoast with Your Friends

If you have friends and family from outside the Blue Water Area, sharing the new Official Michigan Thumbcoast Visitors Guide may tempt them to spend some time visiting.

The new guide is available in hard copy at MDOT Welcome Centers, local hotels, and the Blue Water Convention Center now, and it’s also available in digital form <HERE>.

The full-color guide features stunning photography of beaches, trails, and many more amenities from the Clay/Algonac area all the way up to Port Austin. Custom QR codes in every section of the guide lead to digital maps which will take users on customized tours of the area.

The guide is divided into sections such as the various communities along the Thumbcoast, outdoor recreation opportunities, and Things to Do like freighter watching, entertainment and performing arts, and historical tours.

The guide was produced by The Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Thumbcoast’s marketing organization that is dedicated to promoting our region to tourists.

Learn more about the Blue Water CVB at bluewater.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

MI Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program Informational Meeting March 16th

The cost of childcare can be a deal-breaker for parents contemplating entering the workforce. That could change for workers in the Blue Water area thanks to the MI Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program. A state grant has provided $300,000 for St. Clair County’s Tri-Share Program.

The MI Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program shares the cost of childcare between the state, the employer, and the parent. Participating employers could see their employees’ childcare costs decreased by two-thirds, giving them more incentive to get back into the workforce and stay employed.

Business owners and Human Resources Professionals are asked to attend a short informational virtual meeting on Wednesday, March 16th to learn more about the innovative new program and how it can impact their business.

The meeting is hosted by the St. Clair County RESA and the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County. A link to sign up for the Zoom meeting can be found <HERE>. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLain Protests Russian Animal Research and COVID Vaccine Databases

Congresswoman Lisa McLain, who represents the 10th Congressional District, which includes the Blue Water Area, has taken action on two issues recently: animal research in Russia and the potential for a national database of federal employees who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 due to religious exemption.

Regarding animal research, McLain demanded that the National Institutes of Health end their funding of animal research at Russian state-run labs. There are currently four labs in Russia that receive some form of funding from the United States. The proposed act would prevent funding in several countries that are considered foreign adversaries.

McLain also cosponsored the Preventing Abusive Government Efforts (PAGE) Act which would “prohibit the federal government from compiling or maintaining a database of federal employees who received a religious exemption or accommodation for the COVID vaccine.”

McLain said, “The PAGE Act will not only prevent the government from tracking those who got a religious exemption, but it’ll also ensure any existing database is destroyed.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

It’s Reading Month!

For decades, March has been known as Reading Month, with schools and libraries offering incentives for kids to delve into books and develop a lifelong love of reading.

The need for emphasizing the joy of reading is greater than ever, with reading for fun declining in popularity for nine- and thirteen-year-olds, according to a Pew Research study. Less than half of the kids surveyed said they actually read for fun.

Michigan Teacher of the Year, Leah Porter, said, “Reading is a gift that opens the doors of possibility. It allows every single person the opportunity to grow, reflect, question, and empathize with situations that are both lived and unfamiliar.”

Young readers in St. Clair County are likely celebrating March is Reading Month at School, but they can also get involved and maybe even win some prizes at all branches of the St. Clair County Library System.

The Library is offering March is Reading Month Bingo, where kids get a Bingo sheet, fill in the challenges, and turn it in to get entered into a prize drawing. Go to stclairlibrary.org for more information.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland