Governor Whitmer Signs a Series of Bills into Law
(December 29. 2020 3:27 PM) Today, Governor Whitmer signed over 80 bills into law. The bills are outlined below. Bill Description Sponsor HB 4159 Amends the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act to increase oversight of brownfield redevelopment authorities (BRAs). The act allows municipalities to create BRAs to develop and implement brownfield projects. Rep. Brandt Iden (R- Oshtemo Twp.) HB 4170 Designates a portion of highway M-52 as the "Trooper Byron J. Erickson Memorial Highway" in honor of Michigan State Police Trooper Erickson who died from injuries from the line of duty. Rep. Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian) HB 4223 Establishes a dental assessment requirement for children who register for kindergarten or first grade for the first time. Rep. Scott VanSingel (R-Grant) HB 4313 Requires a pheasant hunting license to hunt pheasants and to allow collectors to obtain a pheasant hunting stamp. The bill specifies that a license registered in this way will not be recognized as a valid hunting license. Rep. Gary Howell (R- North Branch) HB 4395 Eliminates requirement of audible signal when being overtaken and passed by another vehicle on the right. Rep. Robert Wittenberg (Huntington Woods) HB 4396 Repeals Section 19 or Public Act 368 which prohibits obstructions and encroachments as a result of moving on public highways. Rep. Robert Wittenberg (Huntington Woods) HB 4437 Amends the Occupational Code to create new requirements…
Michigan Reports 3,414 Coronavirus Cases Today, State Total Now 483,922
(December 29, 2020 3:20 PM) Michigan reported 3,414 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 483,922. Michigan is reporting 93* COVID-19-related deaths today, with the state total at 12,282. *The deaths announced today includes 105 deaths identified during a Vital Records review. See cumulative data page for more information. State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 12/23/2020): 318,389. This information is updated Monday through Saturday at 3 p.m., with COVID-19 results included as of 10 a.m. Monday reports include Sunday data.
Jackson County Cumulative Report: 7,426 COVID-19 Positive Cases and 152 Deaths
(December 29, 2020 12:00 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County. As of 12 PM today, there are 7,426 positive cases (cumulative), and 152 deaths (cumulative)*. There are 62 new cases and 2 new deaths since yesterday’s report. Cumulative recovered, as of December 29, 2020: 4,951** The cumulative numbers posted on Mondays include the data from Sunday and Monday. Recovered numbers are being posted as received. The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 3:00 PM December 23, there are 4,033 confirmed positive cases at Jackson facilities and 483 confirmed positive staff cases. MDOC positive case numbers are cumulative. As of 4 PM December 28, there 43 persons at Henry Ford Allegiance Health being treated as inpatients for COVID-19. Note: Jackson County will post COVID-19 data daily by mid-afternoon, Monday-Saturday, keeping with the schedule established by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The cumulative numbers posted on Monday will include the data from Sunday and Monday. Recovered numbers are being posted as received. Epicurve data and Township maps are also posted on Mondays by 3:30 PM. *These numbers do not reflect any cases or deaths identified through Michigan…
Governor Whitmer Signs $106 Million Bipartisan Relief Bill, Bills Extending Unemployment Benefits to 26 Weeks
(December 29, 2020 11:39 AM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bipartisan relief bill that the Michigan legislature passed last week. The relief bill includes $55 million to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Grants of up to $20,000 will be made available to small businesses across the state that need support this winter. The relief bill also includes $3.5 million for grants of up to $40,000 each for live music and entertainment venues, and includes $45 million in direct payments to workers who have been laid off or furloughed as a result of the virus. “I proposed this stimulus plan to the legislature in November because I know how much our families, frontline workers, and small businesses need relief. This bipartisan bill will provide families and businesses the support they need to stay afloat as we continue working to distribute the safe and effective vaccine and eliminate COVID-19 once and for all,” said Governor Whitmer. “There is still more work to do to eliminate this virus and grow our economy. All Michiganders have a personal responsibility to do their part and mask up, practice safe social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings where the virus can easily spread from person to person. We will beat this virus together.” …
Kiwanis Club Supports Jackson YMCA Campaign With $40K Donation
(December 29, 2020 10:27 AM) The Jackson YMCA announced today that the Kiwanis Club of Jackson, in cooperation with the Kiwanis Foundation of Jackson, are contributing $40,000 to the Y’s campaign for a contemporary new facility in downtown Jackson. Making its largest contribution in 20 years, the Kiwanis Club cited the two organizations’ shared commitment to youth as the motivation behind the major gift. “The mission of the YMCA is closely aligned to the mission of Kiwanis in making kids priority number one,” said Kiwanis Club President Jim Philo. “We are excited to participate in this awesome project.” This news follows a series of recent announcements regarding the campaign. In 2020, the YMCA has raised more than $7 million, with more than $20 million raised in pledges and contributions to fund a new healthy living campus in the heart of downtown. The Jackson YMCA and Kiwanis Club have individually served Jackson for more than 100 years, annually reaching thousands of youth and teens through a variety of programs, services and projects. Kiwanis’ 80-plus members provide shoes and boots to children who need them, donate Teddy Bears to hospitalized children, and offer scholarships to graduating high school students. The Kiwanis Club…
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
All new today: JTV News presents The Morning Show. Today, Andy and Bart’s guests: Dr. Usman Khokhar, Cardiologist, HFAH. Jacob Shepard, Cheffun's Food Factory. 9 AM and 11 AM. Today on The Bart Hawley Show: Geoff Bontrager, Superintendent, Northwest Schools; Dr. Matthew Badtke, Science Chair, Jackson College; Laura Schlecte, Shop Small-Win Big $1,000 Winner Announcement; Dave Goldfarb, Boy Scouts Troop 424 Tree Pickup (Jan. 9); Blake Wyant, General Manager, Grand River Brewery. 1, 5, 8, and 11 PM; 2 and 5 AM.