More Michiganders will soon be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) made several recent announcements further expanding eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations.
On March 8, the following groups became eligible:
– Adults 50 years of age and older with chronic health conditions like cancer, kidney disease, COPD, Down Syndrome, heart conditions, weakened immune system, obesity, sickle cell disease, smoking, and Type 2 diabetes.
– Caregiver family members and guardians 16 years of age and older who care for children with special health care needs (physical, developmental, mental, sensor, behavioral, cognitive, or emotional impairment or limiting condition that requires medical management).
On March 22 the following will become eligible:
– Everyone 50 years of age and older.
– Those 16 years of age and older with disabilities or medical conditions, like cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, Down Syndrome, heart conditions, weakened immune system, obesity, sickle cell disease, smoking, and Type 2 diabetes.
On April 5 the following will become eligible:
– All Michiganders age 16 years of age and older. It is important to note that those under 18 will need to get the Pfizer vaccine as it is the only one approved for that age group. Information on where those under 18 can get vaccinated will be added to our website at www.mmdhd.org/covid-vaccine-information/.
Demand for the vaccine continues to exceed supply, so even though you might now be eligible, keep in mind that it does not necessarily mean you’ll be able to get a vaccination appointment right away. The good news is that more and more vaccination locations are opening up in our area and we recommend people explore all of these options to increase their chances of obtaining an appointment. These locations can be found on our website: www.mmdhd.org/covid-vaccine-information/.
If you qualify and would like to be added to our waiting list, please visit our website at www.mmdhd.org/covid-vaccine-information/. When we have COVID-19 appointments available, we notify those on our waiting list via email, in the order in which they signed up.
We know that those without internet or our seniors might have an especially difficult time trying to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. We encourage these individuals to call 211 for assistance. Seniors over 60 who do not have internet or who struggle to use a computer may call their nearest office on aging. Clinton County seniors can call the Tri-County Office on Aging at 517-887-1440. Gratiot County seniors can call the Gratiot County Commission on Aging at 989-875-5246. Montcalm County seniors can call the Montcalm County Commission on Aging at 989-831-7476.
Since February 20 there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases reported in Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm counties. Many of these new cases are more contagious variants of the virus that are spreading rapidly.
Because of this, Mid-Michigan District Health Department is advising everyone to remain vigilant when it comes to COVID-19 safety. We all need to continue preventative measures such as wearing masks properly, social distancing, and hand washing to reduce the spread of COVID in our communities, even as the vaccine is being administered.
The increase in cases is due to a combination of relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions and public exhaustion from adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines. We know it has been a long year, and we know COVID fatigue has set in, but we’ve come too far to give up now.
Prosecutor Spagnuolo on March 12 DeWitt Twp incident
Throughout my career as a defense attorney, I had countless interactions on behalf of my clients with members of law enforcement across mid-Michigan. I always found them to be professional, dedicated, honest individuals. Last week I faced my first major test since being sworn in as Clinton County’s new prosecutor and witnessed first hand law enforcement in action.
I was called to the scene of the active shooter event in DeWitt Township early this past Friday morning. When I arrived to the mobile command center before 7 a.m., I was briefed by officers from a number of local jurisdictions that had already been onsite for hours about the events that had already occurred. An individual fired shots at a passing vehicle, a number of homes, and responding police officers before barricading himself inside his home.
I witnessed law enforcement officers maintain a secure perimeter, work to keep neighbors safe, communicate the situation clearly and exhaust every method possible to bring this standoff to a peaceful conclusion while operating with the utmost professionalism.
Unfortunately, the suspect ended his own life; but thankfully, no innocent civilians or police officers were physically harmed during this trying event.
After spending the day with these brave men and women that make up the ranks of our local law enforcement agencies, I cannot express enough my sincerest gratitude and respect for them. I know our communities are in good hands with these heroes protecting us all.
– Clinton County Prosecutor Tony Spagnuolo
US-127 North construction underway
The Michigan Department of Transportation is undertaking a US-127 safety improvements project in Clinton County which were slated to begin on Monday, March 15.
MDOT is investing about $2 million to perform these improvements on US-127 at the French Road, Mead Road, Marshal Road, Hyde Road and Maple Rapids Road intersections in Clinton County.
Improvements will consist of indirect left turns with loons (Michigan Lefts), extending concrete left-turn lanes to crossroads, and building concrete right-turn lanes.
This work will require single-lane and shoulder closures from French Road to Maple Road. Motorists should expect delays and are advised to seek alternate routes.
The work is expected to be completed by Mid-July, 2021.
American Legion fundraiser coming up March 27
A Swiss Steak Fundraiser Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at American Legion Post 153
110 E. Walker St.in t. Johns from 4:30 p.m. – 7:00.p.m. or until is gone.
The menu will include Swiss Steak, au gratin potatoes, vegetable, salad, roll and dessert. The beverage is not included. The price is $10.00 for dine in or take out.
The meal is open to the public; you do not need to be a Legion Family member to attend the dinner
A 50/50 raffle drawing will be held at 7:00 p.m.
All Proceeds from beverages benefit the Lounge. Proceeds from the meal benefit the
ALA 8th District Leadership Development Fund.
Masks are required for entry. Social distancing practices will be in place.
SafeCenter Virtual Fundraiser scheduled Thursday, April 22
SafeCenter Domestic and Sexual Violence Services of Clinton and Shiawassee Counties will be hosting their first ever virtual fundraising event on Thursday, April 22, 2021 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on their Facebook page facebook.com/thesafecenter.org.
The event is free of charge and takes the place of the usual annual in-person dinner event, due to continued restrictions with COVID-19. All are welcome to attend.
Those interested in attending can simply log into Facebook and watch live, interacting with organization personnel throughout the event’s duration. Donations will be accepted online via their website www.thesafecenter.org, in-person at the Owosso and St. Johns Office, and/or by mail: PO Box 277, Owosso, MI 48867 before, during, and after the event.
SafeCenter has been fully operational since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, providing a variety of services to adult and child survivors. Although the Emergency Shelter has only been able to operate at 50% capacity due to CDC guidelines, individuals in high danger have been moteled in a safe location off-site when the Shelter is full. All other available services have continued, either in-person following health and safety guidelines, or virtually since the onset of COVID. SafeCenter has been able to maintain employment, health and safety of all staff and residents throughout the pandemic.
Over the past year the need for SafeCenter services has only increased as many victims have been isolated and quarantined with their abusers. SafeCenter staff have been on the frontlines, offering 24-hour emotional support via the crisis hotline, providing emergency shelter to those actively fleeing dangerous situations, responding to the hospital for domestic and sexual violence emergencies, as well as providing ongoing advocacy and counseling sessions to adults and children.
By attending this event and giving to SafeCenter, you partner in the mission to Empower, Advocate, Educate, and Prevent and provide essential services to adults and children who are in dangerous and potentially lethal situations. Your contribution also provides SafeCenter with the ability to partner with other community organizations across the area and hold those who seek to do harm to others accountable for their actions. We can’t do this work alone. Take a stand against Domestic and Sexual Violence this April, support SafeCenter, and help make our community a safer place to live, work, and play for all.
Girl Scouts introduce new program
Girl Scouts of the USA is excited to announce the Becoming Me program, a special collaboration with Penguin Random House and Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama. The program follows the recent publication of Mrs. Obama’s book, Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers, and offers a unique opportunity for Girl Scouts to embark on their journeys to become their best selves. The program, which includes a virtual event with Mrs. Obama, will also walk girls through earning three badges at each Girl Scout level.
“Mrs. Obama is a cultural leader and a champion for girls and women,” said GSUSA Interim CEO Judith Batty. “Her journey described in Becoming closely aligns with our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character. It is a story of sharing joys and triumphs, as well as the bumps and bruises along the way. Our Becoming Me program will challenge participants to look inside themselves to define who they are and who they want to become, just as Mrs. Obama does in Becoming.”
“I am so pleased to be working with Girl Scouts of the USA on the Becoming Me program,” says Mrs. Obama. “It is a joy and privilege to support young girls along their journeys of becoming, working together to unlock the unique and profound power that lies within each of our own stories.”
Girl Scouts’ Becoming Me program will be available at no cost to any interested Girl Scout enrolled for the 2021–22 membership year. Drawing on Girl Scouts’ programming—which includes over 300 skill-building badges—we’re thrilled to release the curated Becoming Me program series, built on 18 badges that explore key themes in Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers.
The program includes:
– A six- to eight-week experience centered around core themes from Mrs. Obama’s Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers that align with the Girl Scout mission, such as knowing and telling your story, maintaining mental health and wellness, and supporting and nurturing girls on their own journeys.
– A journal activity through which participants reflect on their personal experiences as they answer the question “Who are you, and who do you want to become?”
– A facilitator guide to help volunteers steer Girl Scouts through their journeys, as well as free digital downloads, such as modified Becoming journal content and an excerpt from Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers.
– Admission to a virtual event featuring a conversation between Girl Scouts and Mrs. Obama during which she’ll explore the themes in Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers and how they relate to Girl Scouts’ and young people’s experiences today.
– An exclusive Becoming Me patch for optional purchase.
The Becoming Me program will launch in early May 2021. Learn more by visiting girlscouts.org/BecomingMe.