Consumers Energy Commits $12 Million to Help Past-Due Energy Customers
(November 12, 2020 10:44 AM) A multi-million-dollar commitment by Consumers Energy to help customers struggling to pay their utility bills will strengthen the slate of assistance programs available to energy users across Michigan. United Way of Jackson County (UWJC) operates a Program Assistance Center, connecting customers in need regardless of where they reside in Michigan. UWJC works with Consumers Energy, DTE, SEMCO and other utility providers as part of the statewide Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP). “With the winter months approaching, making sure Michigan families can keep the lights and heat on is more important than ever,” said Heather Kapustka, Program Administrator for UWJC’s Program Assistance Center. “We work hard to connect people with past-due energy bills to assistance programs that can help.” UWJC is among the agencies partnering with Consumers Energy to help connect customers in need to the Consumers Affordable Resource for Energy (CARE) Plus assistance program. The program, which totals $12 million statewide, has a goal of serving 25,000 households and 1,000 small businesses. CARE Plus is a 12-month affordable payment plan that helps income-qualified customers stay on top of their energy bills. As a CARE member, participants have a portion of their monthly bill paid by…
Jackson DDA Cancels Eve on the Ave
(November 12, 2020 10:32 AM) The Jackson Downtown Development Authority has canceled this year’s Eve on the Ave event. At their regular monthly meeting this morning, the board unanimously voted to keep the community safe as COVID-19 numbers rise and not hold the annual celebration welcoming in the new year. DDA Executive Director Cory Mays said, “After considering the rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in Jackson and, more broadly, in Michigan, the DDA board made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s downtown new Year’s Eve celebration. The DDA encourages everyone to stay home and celebrate with your immediate family. We look forward to offering these and other outstanding events in the future. Stay safe Jackson!” The Eve on the Ave typically attracts hundreds to downtown for a street party, ball drop, and fireworks display on New Year’s Eve. Considering a large number of attendees in close quarters, the board felt it would be difficult to keep everyone safe. The announcement follows similar decisions in other communities throughout the country. Organizers of the Times Square New Year's Eve celebration in New York City will go digital to welcome in 2021. It's the first time in 114 years that a massive…
Consumers Energy Match Grant Achieved with $200K Gift by Ric Walton for New Y
(November 12, 2020 10:30 AM) The Consumers Energy Foundation and Jackson YMCA today announced they have achieved a $6 million challenge for the YMCA’s campaign to build a new building – overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic to meet the milestone in only 10 months. A $200,000 donation from Jackson business owner Ric Walton of the Walton Insurance Group has pushed the YMCA’s campaign fundraising since January to $3 million. That qualifies the YMCA for a full $3 million matching pledge the Consumers Energy Foundation made at the time, the largest in the Foundation’s history. “We are proud to serve a world-class hometown every day, so we’re not surprised Jackson has shown a world-class response to this once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy’s president and CEO. “We are excited to see the YMCA move closer to a new building that will transform our community.” The Jackson YMCA continues to progress in its fundraising to replace its nearly 60-year-old building. A contemporary new downtown facility will enable the 124-year-old nonprofit organization to enhance existing programs, develop new offerings and expand services. The Y’s campaign has raised close to $20 million. "The YMCA does so much for kids and families. For kids who…
JPS Announces Major Donation from Glick Family for New Fieldhouse, Withington Stadium Upgrades
(November 12, 2020 8:09 PM) Jackson Public Schools this morning announced a major donation is being made to the district for the construction of a multi-purpose field house, a concession facility with restrooms, and enhancements to disabled spectator seating at Withington Stadium. The versatility of the new field house will provide a world-class facility with many uses for JPS. This new construction has been made possible by a single donation from Al Glick and the Glick family. Sources at JPS Administration have confirmed the amount of the donation is $10 million. A press statement from Jackson Public Schools explained the Glick family is making the donation as gratitude for education received by the family since the 1930s: Al’s father, Louis Glick, came to Jackson in 1916. Since that time, four generations of the family have graduated from Jackson Public Schools, starting with Louis Glick’s children: Robert (1935),Agatha (1937), Edith (1939), and Al (1944). Mr. Glick provided this generous donation in gratitude for the excellent education received at Jackson High School. His involvement with the school newspaper covering Jackson sports taught him the value of teamwork. The district provided these comments from Al Glick and Superintendent Jeff Beal: “Our family recognizes…
Events of Thursday, November 12, 2020
Prohibition Lecture Series. Ella Sharp Museum. Gender and alcohol in American history + the temperance movement, explaining its link with women’s suffrage, and outlines of the evolution of prohibition policy in the state of Michigan — Don't miss these virtual talks with Michelle McClellan, Ph.D. November 12 @ 6 p.m. - Prohibition Lecture Series: “Do Everything”: The Temperance Campaign as Radical Social Movement. TICKETS: https://ellasharpmuseum.org/.../prohibition-lecture.../ Popcorn Drive Up Pickup. Sponsored In Memory of Leo and Beulah Lammers. Pull up on Mechanic Street (under the Michigan Theatre Marquee) between 5:00 and 6:30 P.M. for your free box (or boxes) of Michigan Theatre popcorn! Just pull up and one of our masked and gloved representatives will hand you the popcorn.
Thursday, November 12, 2020
JTV News presents The Morning Show. Today, Andy and Bart’s guests: Dr. Donna O'Neill, Infectious Disease Specialist, The PIIC Center. The Chamber Connection with Tim Booth, Jackson Chamber & Daniel Mahoney, NAACP President. 9 AM and 11 AM. Today on The Bart Hawley Show: Shawna Tello, CEO, Jackson YMCA; Nancy Peters-Lewis, Executive Director, College & Career Access Center; Jeff Beal, Jackson Public Schools Superintendent; Ric Walton, The Walton Insurance Group; Dave DeBaker, Entertainment Correspondent. 1, 5, 8, and 11 PM; 2 and 5 AM.
Celebration of Veterans 11-11-20 | Photo Gallery
Celebration of Veterans, November 11, 2020. Photos by Brooke Morse, JTV. To order prints or downloads, click here. [ngg src="galleries" ids="853" display="pro_blog_gallery"]Celebration of Veterans, November 11, 2020. Photos by Brooke Morse, JTV. To order prints or downloads, click here.