Clinton Transit simplifies fare structure
It has been 18 months since Clinton Transit passengers have needed to pay to ride the Blue Bus; but when fares resumed on September 1, riders appreciated a simpler structure.
“We want to keep people at the heart of all we do,” says MaLissa Schutt, Executive Director of Clinton Transit. “Our new fare structure focuses on simplicity and consistency, which should make it easier for passengers to plan.”
The new fare structure is as follows:
– City Fare for DeWitt and St. Johns: $2.00 one-way, for pick-up or drop-off within the same City zone
– Discounted City Fare: $1.00 one-way
– Non-City Fare for Clinton County: $3.00 one-way, for pick-up or drop-off outside or between City zones
– Discounted Non-City Fare: $1.50 one-way
– Out-of-County Fare for Ingham and Eaton Counties: $4 one-way, for pick-up or drop-off outside Clinton County
– Discounted Out-of-County Fare: $2.00 one-way
Discounted fares are for persons with disabilities, veterans, seniors (age 60+) and youth (under 18). Eligible aides to passengers with disabilities ride free, as do children under age four when accompanied by an adult. Full details, including information about specific City zones, are available at mybluebus.com.
Clinton Transit remained fully operational and fare-free throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Blue Bus also added delivery services that supplied residents with essential items like medication and groceries, and was a regional leader in the “Ride to Your Dose of Hope” initiative, which provided free transportation to COVID-19 vaccination appointments throughout Clinton, Ingham and Eaton counties.
“Our mission is to keep people connected,” says Schutt. “Everything we do, from the recent addition of Saturday service hours to the simplified fare structure, is to maximize opportunities for our riders to stay connected to the important people and places in their lives.”
Clinton Transit is a public transit system that keeps people connected throughout Clinton County. Fondly known as the Blue Bus, Clinton Transit’s demand response system responds to ride requests and provides safe, reliable transportation for all county residents. Learn more at mybluebus.com.
CCAC’s popular Chalk It Up Event to be held September 11
The Clinton County Arts Council is taking art out of the gallery and onto the pavement. Over the course of two days, several artists will hit the pavement and transform Downtown St. Johns into a colorful concrete masterpiece using one of the most exciting and underrated mediums: sidewalk chalk.
CCAC’s popular Chalk It Up event is back and will take place in downtown St Johns on Saturday, September 11 from 2:00 – 5:00 in the afternoon.
When coming down to view the art, people are asked to start their art experience by visiting the Art and Soul Gallery at 215 N. Clinton Ave, picking up a ballot. Everyone will then have the opportunity to vote for their favorite piece of street art with prizes being awarded to the first, second and third place winners. Judges will also select a work that they feel should be recognized.
For additional information, please call Ruthie at the Gallery at 989-224-2429 from 10:00 – 5:00 weekdays or visit the CCAC website at: www.clintoncountyarts.org. Pictures from last year’s Chalk It Up event are available for viewing on the website.
The CCAC receives funding from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
SJPD has eyes on the tunnel
The St. Johns Police Department reports that multiple cameras have been installed along the FMCIS Rail Trail thanks to the generosity of New Look Computer & Data and Smith Lawnscapes, LLC
Clinton County Historical Society to present The ABCs of DNA & Genealogy
On Thursday, October 7 the Clinton County Historical Society will present The ABCs of DNA & Genealogy with Jessica Trotter at 7 p.m. at AgroLiquid, 3055 M-21 in St. Johns. No pre-registration is required.
What can DNA testing tell you? What tests should I take? What does it all mean? DNA testing can be a powerful tool to wield in your genealogy toolkit. This session offers a beginner’s overview on tests, testing companies, and how you can use your results.
Jessica Trotter will be our featured speaker. A genealogist, researcher, and librarian, she is a dynamic presenter who has been a featured speaker at genealogy meetings and seminars throughout the Midwest.
Trotter, a librarian from Lansing who holds a master of science in information, archives and records from the University of Michigan, has researched her family’s African-American roots for more than 20 years. She encouraged genealogists to continue doing research and DNA testing even when it gets confusing or frustrating.
“I am not a scientist; I’m a genealogist,” the 42-year-old Trotter says. “DNA testing can be a powerful tool to wield in your genealogy toolkit. It’s an interesting tool, but you still need to be doing your paper research.”
A DNA kit from Ancestry will be given as a door prize at the end of the meeting to the person whose name is drawn. Refreshments will be provided.
Children’s author Janet Kloeckner Halfmann has three new books
Janet Kloeckner Halfmann, formerly of the St. Johns/Fowler area, is excited to announce three new picture books.
The first “Who Is Singing?” recently was released from Pen It! Publications and celebrates birds and their songs.
The second “Yay for Big Brothers!” comes out September 10 from Arbordale Publishing and celebrates big brothers.
The third “Caterpillar’s Surprise” releases December 2 from Black Rose Writing and is about the friendship of a caterpillar and tadpole, big changes and growing up.
Janet was inspired to write “Who Is Singing?” by listening to the “wheet, wheet, wheet, birdie, birdie, birdie” song of cardinals singing in the trees around her house. Since cardinals sometimes sing duets, Janet confesses she can be found trying to whistle along with then as she works in her garden.
The inspiration for “Yay for Big Brothers!” came when Janet’s toddler grandson became a big brother. Janet could tell that being a big brother wasn’t always easy, so she figured he and all future big brothers needed a book celebrating big brothers. In Janet’s celebration, big brother animals—dolphins, wolves, meerkats, and more—are in the spotlight.
“Caterpillar’s Surprise” was inspired by the butterflies flitting around Janet’s gardens. As Janet researched what plants they and their baby caterpillars liked best, she found their lives more and more amazing.
Janet is the award-winning author of more than forty books for children. She grew up on a farm in the St. Johns/Fowler area and now lives in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Janet’s books are available in bookstores and online. Locally, signed copies of her books are available at Becker Furniture on Main Street in Fowler and the Clinton County Arts Council Art & Soul Gallery in downtown St. Johns. She hopes to have her new books in those places soon.
You can find out more about Janet and her books at janethalfmannauthor.com.
MMDHD phone survey is not a scam
If you receive a call from someone “on behalf of your local health department,” asking you to take a survey, don’t worry. It is not a scam.
Randomly selected residents in Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm counties will be asked to participate in a phone survey from Public Sector Consultants, on behalf of the Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD). The calls are currently being made and will end on December 30, 2021.
The purpose of this short, 15-minute Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFS) is to gather information on human behavior and lifestyle patterns, such as access to healthcare and health insurance, smoking, and exercise. Completing the survey will give MMDHD valuable information on the health and well-being of our residents, help determine strategies to improve health, and assist in securing funding to implement programs.
The calls will be made from Advantage Research Services, a Grand Rapids based call center. The calls will be placed to landlines and cell phones on weekdays and weekends, no later than 9:00 p.m.
The surveyor will not ask the person their name, social security number, address, employment information, or financial information. They may ask what type of insurance the person has but will not ask for specifics, like account numbers.
The BRFS was established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a way to collect important health-related information. For many states and communities, the BRFS is the only available source of timely, accurate data.
Residents with questions regarding the phone survey may contact MMDHD at 989-831-3627.