Additional Michigan Households Eligible for Food Assistance
(May 17, 2021 10:34 AM) The number of Michigan families eligible for additional food assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be increasing in May with everyone who is eligible now receiving an increased amount, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced. An additional 350,000 families will receive the extra food assistance under approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, bringing the total in Michigan receiving extra benefits due to the pandemic to more than 700,000. “Michigan has made great progress towards getting ‘Vacc to Normal’ thanks to the safe, effective vaccines and efforts by millions of Michiganders who have gone above and beyond through the pandemic,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “However, many families are still facing food insecurity due to the health and economic challenges of the last 14 months. No one should go hungry in Michigan, especially in the midst of a pandemic, and I am proud of this step we are taking to continue helping families put food on the table.” Beginning this month, all households that receive food assistance benefits, will be eligible for the additional amount. Previously families already receiving the maximum monthly amount of assistance were…
“Bright Walls” Mural Chosen for Exhibit at U.S. Embassy in Beijing
(May 17, 2021 9:40AM) The U.S. Embassy in Beijing launched Art for the People, a brand new public art exhibit recreating large public murals from the streets of the U.S.A. onto the streets of Beijing. 23 murals from across the United States were chosen for display, including a Jackson Bright Walls mural by Clay McAndrews, Founder of the Bright Walls Mural Festival. This exhibition is the first of its kind to decorate the exterior walls of the U.S. Embassy compound. In announcing the project, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “We want a U.S.-China relationship that includes space for direct, honest, and robust public engagement. Art for the People represents the diversity of American society. It also embodies our deep commitment to genuine exchange with the Chinese people.” McAndrews was surprised when he was contacted by the U.S. Embassy and initially thought it was not legitimate. “When I first got her (Sanny Wroblewski, a multimedia specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing) email I literally thought it was a scam. I tried looking up the woman online and couldn’t find her anywhere. She said her husband worked in secret service and they have worked at U.S. embassies all over the…
Federal, State Tax Filing Deadline is Today
( May 17, 2021 8:54 AM) With taxpayers required to either e-file or mail their federal and state individual income tax returns by midnight tonight, the Michigan Department of Treasury has some tips to help last-minute filers submit an accurate return. “There is still time to file your state individual income tax return,” said Deputy State Treasurer Glenn White, who oversees Treasury's Revenue Services programs. “Please thoroughly complete your state tax return and don’t rush. An inaccurate return could lead to processing delays.” To ensure an accurate income tax return is filed with the state of Michigan: File electronically. Taxpayers can go to www.michigan.gov/mifastfile to learn more about e-filing options. Mail a paper return to the right address. To avoid processing delays, paper filers should carefully follow tax form instructions when sending a paper return to a specific address. Fill in all requested information clearly. When entering information on the tax return, take the time to ensure information is accurate and easy to read. Review all figures. While software catches and prevents many errors on e-filed returns, math errors remain common on paper returns. Get the right routing and account numbers. Requesting direct deposit of a state tax refund is convenient and enables the taxpayer to access…
Michigan Reports 1,289 Coronavirus Cases Today, State Total Now 874,624
(May 15, 2021 4:32 PM) Michigan reported 1,289 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 874,624. Michigan is reporting 107* COVID-19-related deaths today with the state total at 18,607. *The deaths announced today includes 91 deaths identified during a Vital Records review. See cumulative data page for more information. State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 5/14/21): 755,119. 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: 14,396 COVID-19 Positive Cases and 263 Deaths
(May 15, 2021 12:00 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County. As of 12:00 PM today, there are 14,396 positive cases (cumulative), and 263 deaths (cumulative)*. There are 15 new cases and 3 new deaths since yesterday’s report. Cumulative recovered, as of May 15: 12,720** As of May 13, there are 38 persons at Henry Ford Allegiance Health being treated as inpatients for COVID-19. Jackson County Vaccination Coverage: 47.9% of Jackson County residents 16 and older have received first dose, 42.1% fully vaccinated (Moderna or Pfizer both doses, J&J single dose). 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 6:55 PM May 7, there are 5,521 confirmed positive cases at Jackson facilities and 688 confirmed positive staff cases. MDOC positive case numbers are cumulative. 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…
Jackson Awarded $125K to Demolish and Clean Up Eyesore
A former auto shop will be demolished using a blight elimination grant. Photo courtesy City of Jackson. (May 14, 2021 2:55 PM) The State Land Bank Authority (SLBA) and Michigan Department of Treasury today announced a total of $800,000 in blight elimination grants will be awarded to Jackson and five other cities across Michigan. The City of Jackson award of $125,200 will be used to demolish and cleanup the property at 1710 Woodbridge St., which is the former Woodbridge Auto Shop. “This is a great opportunity for communities across the state to tackle blight, remove vacant and abandoned structures from neighborhoods and prepare areas for developments that spark future investment, expansion and growth,” said Emily Doerr, Executive Director of the SLBA. The City of Jackson acquired this property through tax foreclosure last year. The City’s Neighborhood and Economic Operations Dept. applied for the state grant with this property in mind. The grant will cover most of the cost of demolishing the property and cleaning up any environmental concerns from its former use as an auto shop. “The City is thankful for this grant, which will help us remove an eyesore in a Jackson neighborhood,” said Aaron Dimick, Public Information Officer,…