City rescinds Purchase Agreement for Congregational Church
At their August 9, 2021 meeting the St. Johns City Commission voted unanimously to rescind the Purchase Agreement for the St. Johns Congregational Church. They agreed that they found that it was not financially feasible for the City to remodel the historical Church for City Administrative Offices. Thus the City of St. Johns Offices will remain part of Clinton County Courthouse.
There were several concerns with Congregational Church being remodeled including the high cost of remodel at $250 per square foot for an estimated minimum price tag of $2.4 Million. The building also had no fire suppression and no sprinklers which seemed risky. A State requirement called for installing a new passenger elevator to reach three levels of church, and a new HVAC system would need to be installed throughout the building since there is no air conditioning in the Church. Security requirements and several other reasons led the Commission to decide not to purchase the building and redevelop it.
Over the past months city staff members have been working with Mr. Ken Jones, AIA, from Studio Intrigue to assess the City’s current office space. Among the other options being considered are construction of a new City Hall on a new site, new construction on the Police Department Site and renovation of existing city offices.
MMDHD recommends masking in high-risk counties
Cases of COVID-19, including the Delta variant, continue to increase in Michigan, and in the Mid Michigan District. Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm counties are all now classified as high-risk transmission areas.
The CDC continues to ask everyone in high-risk transmission areas to wear a face mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes those who are fully vaccinated. To see the risk levels for our District and the entire State, visit the MI Safe Start website.
Wearing a face mask is especially important when attending indoor public gatherings and where social distancing isn’t possible. Mid-Michigan District Health Department understands that everyone is tired of wearing masks, but doing so not only helps protect yourself, but those around you. Wearing masks in public indoor places protects not only yourself, but the community as a whole and may help keep kids in school.
The CDC recommends fully vaccinated people in areas of substantial or high transmission:
– Should wear a mask in public indoor settings.
– May choose to mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated. People who are at increased risk for severe disease include older adults and those who have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, overweight or obesity, and heart conditions.
– Should get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea).
– Should get tested 3-5 days after a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until a negative test result.
– Should isolate if they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
– Should continue to wear a mask where required by laws, rules, regulations, or local guidance.
Those who are not fully vaccinated should also continue wearing a mask until they are fully vaccinated. MMDHD continues to encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so.
If you are 18 years of age or older, you can call them to schedule an appointment to receive the J&J or Moderna vaccine. The Clinton County branch office is located at 1307 E. Townsend Road in St. Johns. Call 989-224-2195, option 5.
Elvis returns for the year’s final concert on September 1
Concert in the Park audiences who’ve loved Matt King’s Elvis Presley Tribute Show for the past 12 seasons are waiting for the Hound Dog to return again. The wait is almost over as King is Elvis in the September 1 show at the William E. Tennant Performance Shell located in the St. Johns City Park. The show begins at 7 p.m.
“We’re pleased to have Matt King back again as Elvis,” says Performance Shell Committee Chairperson Bill Tennant. “Our audiences love him! His appearance is one of the most popular of the season each year – a show that everyone thoroughly enjoys.”
A Michigan resident, King has traveled all over the United States and Europe entertaining audiences with his unique ability to bring to the King to life via his moves, mannerisms, looks and costuming – and, of course, that distinctive voice. He took first place at the 2014 Windsor King Festival, and also captured first in the 2014 Midwest Elvis Competition. Those honors are in addition to numerous similar top-place finishes at Elvis events around the United States.
The concert is sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St. Johns. It is open to the public free of charge and donations are gratefully accepted.
All concerts are presented rain or shine. The Lion’s Club food trailer will be available this year. Social distancing and safety precautions are strongly encouraged.
The CCAC receives funding from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Briggs used book sales are returning in September
Because of the state of the Briggs District Library’s warehouse, used book sales will be held on the main floor of the library. There will be a more limited selection of materials, but sales will take place each Saturday the library is open beginning in September. The library will be open from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The library will also start accepting book donations in September. Because of the limited space, they are asking patrons to follow these new guidelines when choosing materials to donate to the library:
– Donations will only be accepted on Saturdays during the book sale
– Donations should be clean (no dirt, no mold, no torn covers/pages, etc.)
– Donations should be published within the last 10 years (again, limited space, please be selective when deciding what to donate)
– All donations should fit in one paper grocery bag (no space, no space, no space — but come back the next Saturday with another bag of books to donate.)
State secures $13 Million Grant for Rural Hospitals in Michigan
Sparrow Clinton Hospital is one of the 51 small, rural hospitals in Michigan to receive support for COVID-19 testing and mitigation under a $13 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
“Our top priority is supporting the brave professionals on the frontlines of our health care industry in every corner of our state to ensure that they have what they need to protect themselves, their family, and their neighbors,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “This funding will help rural hospitals continue serving their communities by expanding their COVID-19 testing capacity and mitigation efforts. I want to thank the nurses, doctors, and all medical professionals who continue to go above and beyond to keep people safe each and every day.”
“The state’s rural hospitals have saved countless lives throughout the pandemic,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We are pleased they will be able to use this funding to further help in the fight against COVID-19 as we all work together to end the pandemic.”
Rural hospitals with fewer than 50 staff will be able to use the funds for testing equipment, personnel, temporary structures or education. Mitigation strategies must be part of the CDC community mitigation framework, including education, contact tracing, communication and outreach. Each hospital will receive about $257,000, which must be used within 18 months of receipt.
The Michigan Center for Rural Health, which serves as the Michigan State Office of Rural Health, will distribute the funding to the hospitals.
“As the State Office of Rural Health, MCRH is dedicated to improving the health of rural Michigan residents and we are pleased to be able to distribute this funding to Michigan’s rural hospitals,” said John Barnas, MCRH executive director. “Rural hospitals have long been the cornerstone of rural communities and have been vital and steadfast in their response to COVID-19. This funding will benefit the communities greatly, allowing the hospitals to continue their diligent work in the battle against COVID-19 by increasing testing capacity and implementing mitigation strategies to reduce the effects of COVID-19.”
Free For Fall Collection registration begins September 1
The Clinton County Free for Fall Collection event is being offered as a service to residents of Clinton County to assist in the safe disposal of household hazardous waste and to encourage the proper recycling of electronics. Minimal fees apply. The service is open to Clinton County residents only. This is subject to change or cancellation due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The event will be held on October 16in DeWitt Township from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00.p.m.
Materials accepted include:
– Hazardous Waste – including unwanted medications
– Farm and Landscaping Chemicals
– Motor Oil and Anti-freeze
– Electronic Waste
To participate please contact the Department of Waste Management to make an appointment no later than one week before the event. Registration will begin on Wednesday, September 1. Residents must schedule an appointment to participate. Participants must remain in their vehicles at all times.
Clinton County residents can register online at www.clinton-county.org. Search for the Department of Waste Management’s Current Events webpage, or call 989-224-5186. Feel free to send questions through email to recycle@clinton-county.org.
Fee Schedule
Electronics: $10.00 per Television and Computer Monitor; cash or check only accepted on the day of the event.
All Other Items FREE of Charge:
– Most Computer Equipment
– CD players, VCRs, Telephones,
– Cell phones, Other Household Electronics
– Household Hazardous Wastes
– Pesticides, Herbicides
– Cleaners, Adhesives, Oil Based Paint
– Unwanted and Expired Medications
– Motor oil and Antifreeze