{"id":1259,"date":"2015-12-31T20:59:59","date_gmt":"2016-01-01T01:59:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/miserybay.usanethosting.com\/indylite\/?p=1259"},"modified":"2015-12-31T20:59:59","modified_gmt":"2016-01-01T01:59:59","slug":"latest-news-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/2015\/12\/31\/latest-news-8\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Christmas Tree Disposal<\/strong><\/p>\n

Christmas trees are not picked up by Granger, they are picked up by the City of St. Johns Public Works Department. The trees will be picked up on either Monday or Tuesday, the same schedule as the brown bag pick-up, beginning January 4th. <\/p>\n

Please have your Christmas tree free of ornaments\/tinsel and placed out by the curb. Do not<\/em><\/strong> have your tree wrapped in a plastic bag.<\/p>\n

You also can take your tree to the Public Works Department, 1000 N. US-127 BR compost area with 24\/7 access. Please use the Kuntz Drive entrance. <\/p>\n

If you have any questions, please contact City Offices at 989-224-8944.<\/p>\n

\n

Mint City Singers invite new voices<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you like to sing? The Mint City Singers extend a warm welcome to join them. <\/p>\n

No auditions, just come to the First United Methodist Church in St. Johns on Mondays beginning January 11th at 7:00 pm. The church is located just east of the courthouse in downtown St. Johns. <\/p>\n

They are a branch of the Clinton Co. Arts Council which receives financial operating support from the MI Council of the Arts & Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment of the Arts. <\/p>\n

New season, new music, join us! <\/p>\n

Questions? Call Carol at 989-834-2281 or Ellen at 989-233-5775. Email: cdmalewska@yahoo.com<\/a> or ellen.hoard@rpccpas.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

New Couch to 5K Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 14th Winter Warm Up (WWU) kicks off on Jan. 16th! To stay healthy and active this winter, the WWU is featuring a FREE Blue Cross Community Couch to 5K in 8 communities! If you, your family and friends have thought about doing a 5K but didn’t know where to start, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Playmakers Fitness Foundation have teamed up to bring you an exciting 8 week program! The program is modeled after Playmakers successful Couch to 5K Training Program. <\/p>\n

The program:
\n\u00b7 includes 2 weekly 1 hour sessions (Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00-7:00 p.m.) led by certified Good Form Running and Walking coaches.
\n\u00b7 welcomes all ages and abilities (a parent or their designee must accompany children).
\n\u00b7 sends weekly e-newsletters with training and nutritional information.
\n\u00b7 has 15 instructional sessions that lead to a goal event and celebration – a free 5K Walk\/Run at Hawk Island Park on Saturday, March 12th.
\n\u00b7 is held indoors and outside on walkways, layer clothing for warmth.
\nIf you can’t train with this program but still want to participate in the 5K Walk\/Run – you can! The 5K is free and you are welcome to join Team St. Johns or\/ the WWU team. Please join us on Jan. 16 at 9:00 am for exciting WWU Kick Off festivities at the Lansing Mall.<\/p>\n

To register or for more information go to www.winterwarm-up.org<\/a>. Call the City of St. Johns Recreation Department at 224-8944 ext. 228 or email rfaivor@ci.saint-johns.mi.us<\/a> for additional information. Like us on Facebook.<\/p>\n

\n

Avoiding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome<\/strong><\/p>\n

Parents make hundreds of decisions that affect the health and well-being of their infants. But perhaps the most important decision of all is where and how their baby is placed to sleep. <\/p>\n

Growing evidence points to the fact that unsafe sleep practice is a leading risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and accidental infant deaths- something that can be avoided. <\/p>\n

While babies do need adult supervised “tummy time,” during waking hours, putting your baby to sleep on his or her back is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS. Contrary to what some may think, back sleeping is not only comfortable for babies, but much safer than tummy sleeping as well. Babies can be taught to sleep on their backs at a very early age and will get used to the sleeping position. One of the most common reasons parents give for not putting their babies to sleep on their backs is the fear that the baby will choke if he or she spits up, but parents should be reassured in knowing that babies have mechanisms that keep them from choking when on their back.<\/p>\n

It is also recommended that the safest place for a baby to sleep, for at least the first six months, is near the parent’s bed, in his or her own sleep space. This also makes breastfeeding easier. <\/p>\n

To reduce the risk of SIDS, make sure all those who care for your baby follow these guidelines:<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Make sure babies sleep by themselves in a crib, portable crib or bassinet. Bed sharing is not recommended because it can lead to suffocation.
\n\u00b7 Always place babies on their backs to sleep. Research shows that back-sleeping is the safest sleep position for babies.
\n\u00b7 Babies should sleep on a firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet. Never place your baby to sleep on pillows, quilts, couches, bean bags or other soft surfaces.
\n\u00b7 Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib. Keep pillows, quilts, blankets, comforters, wedges, bumper pads, and stuffed toys out of your baby’s sleep area.
\n\u00b7 Use a wearable blanket or other type of sleeper, instead of blankets, to keep your baby warm.
\n\u00b7 Make sure the baby’s head and face are uncovered. Blankets and other items should not be placed over the baby’s face while they are in a crib, cradle, bassinet, car seat, stroller or infant carrier.
\n\u00b7 Don’t dress the baby too warmly. Dress your baby in as much or as little clothing as you are wearing.
\n\u00b7 Don’t allow smoking around your baby. Exposure to secondhand smoke significantly increases an infant’s risk for SIDS and other health issues such as asthma, lower respiratory tract infections and middle-ear infections.<\/p>\n

\n

Upcoming Adult Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n

New adult photography class on Thursdays, February 11, 18, and 25, 2016 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Optional outdoor shoot on Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of photography, camera settings and how they work, image cropping and design, the rule of thirds, and other design concepts. Classes will take place at the St. Johns Railroad Depot (across from the library), which is a great setting to take photos downtown. Participants are encouraged to bring any type of digital camera, to get hands on experience. Cost is $25.00 for City of St Johns Residents and $30.00 for Non-City of St Johns Residents. The deadline to register is February 9, 2016. The class will be taught by Sharon Potter and Paula Villanueva.<\/p>\n

Open gym for adults 18 and older, is being held at the St. Johns Middle School Gymnasiums starting January 4 through March 31, 2016. There will be no open gym on January 18, February 15 and 21, and March 10, 14 and 24, 2016. Mondays will be open volleyball and basketball from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Thursdays will be Drop-in Soccer from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The cost is $4.00 per person per night. Open Gym cards can be purchased at the City Offices or during Open Gym times for $20 and are good for 6 visits.<\/p>\n

Swimming Activities take place at the St. Johns High School Pool. Please enter the building using the Activities Entrance. All activities are cancelled if St. Johns Public Schools are closed due to weather, the high school is closed for any reason, or if a school related function is scheduled. <\/p>\n

Morning lap swim is held Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 5:00 – 6:00 a.m. Cost is $5.00 per visit or you can purchase a 12 visit punch card for $50.00. This program runs year round.<\/p>\n

Aqua Therapy\/Lap Swim is held Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Cost is $5.00 per visit or you can purchase a 12 visit punch card for $50.00. This program runs year round.<\/p>\n

Evening lap swim is held on Monday and Wednesday nights from 8:15- 9:15 p.m. and will begin on January 4, 2016. Cost is $5.00 per visit or you can purchase a 12 visit punch card for $50.00. This program runs through April 28, 2016.<\/p>\n

Open Swim is held on Monday nights beginning on January 5, 2015 at the High School Pool. Cost is $4.00 Adult $3.00 Children or $10.00 Family (Parents and Children Only). This program runs through April 28, 2016.<\/p>\n

Registrations for all adult activities are available at the City Offices and website at http:\/\/cityofstjohnsmi.com\/Departments\/ParksandRecreation\/AdultPrograms.aspx<\/a>. Call the City of St. Johns Recreation Department at 224-8944 ext. 228 or email rfaivor@ci.saint-johns.mi.us<\/a> for additional information.<\/p>\n

\n

MMDHD calendar<\/strong><\/p>\n

January 2016<\/p>\n

The Mid-Michigan District Health Department’s Family Planning Clinics provide confidential care to men and women in need of contraception and reproductive health services. Charges for services and supplies are based on income. The Family Planning Clinics are scheduled as follows:<\/p>\n

Mid-Michigan District Health Department
\n1307 E. Townsend Road
\nSt. Johns, MI 48879<\/p>\n

January 5: 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
\nJanuary 12: 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
\nJanuary 19: 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m
\nJanuary 26: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m<\/p>\n

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (989) 224-2195, Option 5, Monday through Friday. <\/p>\n

Hearing & Vision Screening Clinic<\/p>\n

Vision screening is required for all children entering kindergarten. The Mid-Michigan District Health Department offers free vision testing, as well as hearing screening tests for all children ages 3 to 21. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (989) 227-3125, Monday through Friday.<\/p>\n

WIC Benefit Pick-Up Schedule<\/p>\n

Pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to 5 years old may be eligible for free food through the WIC (Women, Infants & Children) program. The Mid-Michigan District Health Department WIC Benefit Pick-up Clinics are scheduled as follows:<\/p>\n

January 6
\nJanuary 11: at Mid-Michigan District Health Department, 1307 E. Townsend Road in St. Johns, from 9 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (989) 224-2195, Option 5, Monday through Friday. <\/p>\n

“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”<\/p>\n

Immunization Clinics<\/p>\n

The Mid-Michigan District Health Department Immunization Clinics are to be held as follows:<\/p>\n

Mid-Michigan District Health Department
\n1307 E. Townsend Road
\nSt. Johns, MI 48879 <\/p>\n

January 4: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

January 11: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m<\/p>\n

January 13: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

January 21: 8 a.m to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

January 25: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

Immunizations will be available for adults and children eight weeks of age through adulthood, appointments are preferred. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (989) 224-2195, Option 5, Monday through Friday.<\/p>\n

\n

Winter Kids Activities<\/strong><\/p>\n

The City of St. Johns Recreation Department is offering another session of Kids Power Karate. The six week class is designed for boys and girls, ages 5-12 years old who want to learn discipline, self-defense, and have fun. Classes will be held at Gateway North Elementary on Mondays beginning January 25 and ending February 29, 2016 from 6:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The cost is $40.00 for St. Johns City Residents and $45 for non- City Residents. The deadline for registration is January 21, 2016. <\/p>\n

The City of St. Johns Recreation Department is accepting registrations for the 2016 K-2nd Biddy Basketball Program. The deadline to register is January 15, 2016. The registration fee for the program is $31.00 for St. Johns School district residents and $36.00 for non-school district residents. After the January 15th deadline there is a ten-dollar late fee. Registrations received after the deadline are not guaranteed to be placed on a team. This six-week program, for children in kindergarten thru 2nd grade, will teach children the game of basketball. The program is meant to be a positive introduction to the game of basketball for first year players and a skill sharpening opportunity for returning players. All participants can expect to learn, from parents and volunteers, the basics of basketball in a non-competitive and safe atmosphere. An emphasis will be placed on all players playing the same amount, good sportsmanship, fundamentals and having fun. <\/p>\n

The season runs on Saturdays from February 13th thru March 19th. Kindergarten and 1st graders will spend the first two-weeks learning the basics of basketball. The next four-weeks the beginning of each session will be used as an instructional period where the coach will spend time teaching the fundamentals of passing, dribbling and shooting. The second part of the session will be used to scrimmage against another team, where the players will be able to showcase what they have learned and work as part of a team. 2nd graders will spend the entire six-weeks practicing and scrimmaging. Each participant that pre-registers will receive a t-shirt, certificate, individual award and a “Big Boy MVP Award” from Big Boy Restaurant of St. Johns.<\/p>\n

The Recreation Department needs volunteer parents\/coaches for K-2nd grade levels. No experience needed, we provide a coaches manual to help you out. There is also a Coaches Clinic on Saturday, February 6th, 2016 led by Basketball University Sports and Events LLC. You must enjoy working with children and want to make a difference in the lives of our young people. <\/p>\n

Returning again this year will be the Basketball Skills Camp for grades 3rd – 6th. The camp runs on Saturdays from February 13th thru March 19th. Basketball University Sports and Events LLC will provide instruction on skill development to help your child with ball handling, shooting, and understanding team play. Your child will get helpful information that will prepare them to better understand the game of basketball. Can’t make it every week, then just drop-in and pay for the weeks you can make it. Registration for the program is $ 42.00 when pre-registering for 6 weeks or $10 per week drop-in for St. Johns School district residents and $48.00 when pre-registering and $12 per week for drop-in for non-school district residents. Drops-ins are allowed only if space permits, to ensure your spot pre-register by January 23, 2016. If you would like to know more about Basketball University please visit www.bballuniversity.com<\/a>. Everyone that pre-registers will receive a certificate and a “Big Boy MVP Award” from Big Boy Restaurant of St. Johns.<\/p>\n

Registrations for all youth activities are available at the City Offices and website at http:\/\/cityofstjohnsmi.com\/Departments\/ParksandRecreation\/YouthPrograms.aspx. Call the City of St. Johns Recreation Department at 224-8944 ext. 228 or email rfaivor@ci.saint-johns.mi.us<\/a> for additional information. Like us on Facebook.<\/p>\n

\n

Marriage licenses filed the week of December 21, 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

Steven Wesley Orweller, 51 of Ovid and Sonja Marie Smith, 48 of Ovid<\/p>\n

Gary Rolland Null, 40 of East Lansing and Robin Lee Mortinsen, 32 of East Lansing<\/p>\n

\n

Divorce decrees filed the weeks of December 4 and 21, 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

Phillips, Richard Alan and Lisa Renee <\/p>\n

Toth, David Alan and Barbara Gail <\/p>\n

Wroe, Russell lee and Christina Renee <\/p>\n

Cooney, John Matthew and Francisca Eliza <\/p>\n

Wettlaufer, Eric Brian and Rebecca Dawn <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Christmas Tree Disposal Christmas trees are not picked up by Granger, they are picked up by the City of St. Johns Public Works Department. The trees will be picked up on either Monday or Tuesday, the same schedule as the brown bag pick-up, beginning January 4th. Please have your Christmas tree free of ornaments\/tinsel and Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1259","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1259","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1259"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1259\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1259"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1259"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1259"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}