Dear Friend,
Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! Read on for legislative updates and things to do this month, along with other community information.
Constituent Listening Tour
Join me on Friday, June 28, in Clio for my next stop of my constituent listening tour. I will be at the Clio Area Senior Center from 9-10:30 a.m. Come sit down and have a chat with me. Ask questions, make suggestions, get answers. See you there!
Time Running Out to Keep Tuition Incentive Program Benefits
Time is running out for eligible individuals who graduated in 2015 with a high school diploma or equivalent to claim their Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) benefits, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. The grant program – commonly referred to as TIP – encourages eligible Michigan Medicaid recipients to complete high school by providing college tuition assistance. Eligible TIP students have four years from high school graduation to initiate TIP benefits or permanently forfeit eligibility.
For the class of 2015, this means TIP students must be enrolled in college by the upcoming fall 2019 semester or become permanently ineligible to receive TIP. All TIP students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA for short, to receive TIP benefits. To learn more about TIP and how to start using it, click here or contact MI Student Aid at mistudentaid@michigan.gov or (888) 447-2687.
Measles Warning
Southeast Michigan is currently experiencing a measles outbreak with 33 cases in Oakland County and one case in Wayne County. Infected individuals in Oakland and Wayne Counties range in age from 8 months to 63 years. There are currently no measles cases in Genesee County. To help prevent further spread of the disease, the Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) is urging residents to make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations.
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that can have lifelong health complications. Measles is spread by direct person-to-person contact and through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus can live up to two hours in the air where an infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:
● High fever (may spike to over 104 ̊F)
● Cough
● Runny nose
● Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
● Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) 2-3 days after symptoms begin.
For more information, please contact the Genesee County Health Department at (810) 257-3612.
Genesee County Bike Trails
Take some time to visit Genesee County’s bike trails with family and friends this summer. For a scenic ride, Black Creek Trail in Davison Township is perfect. The trail begins at Davison Township Municipal Center and winds along the Black Creek to the Jack Abernathy Regional Park in the City of Davison.
The George Atkin Jr. Recreational Trail is located along the scenic Pine Run Creek in the City of Clio and Vienna Township. The George Atkin Jr. Recreational Trail goes along natural woodlands and parks and runs through commercial and residential areas. The 7.5-mile trail features uninterrupted travel across the local infrastructure through a series of tunnels and bridges.
Events in the 48th District
Animal Pose Yoga
For-mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum is hosting Animal Pose Yoga on Monday, June 24, from 11 a.m. – noon Let your inner animal ROAR with a yoga class designed after the movements and shapes of animals. This class is low impact. For all ages and all abilities. For more information, please visit the Genesee County Parks website.
Hollywood Monster Makeup Special Effects Demo
The Mt. Morris Library is hosting a Hollywood Monster Makeup Special Effects Demo on Wednesday, June 26, from 5-6 p.m. Learn how real special effects artists create special effects makeup just like you see in the movies. For more information or to register, please visit the Genesee District Library website.
Build a Better Lunar Roving Vehicle
The Davison Area Library is hosting a Lunar Rover building event on Saturday June 29, from 2-3 p.m. Create your own Lunar Roving Vehicle with foam rubber castoffs from the auto industry. Then race your space car to see which one is the fastest. This activity is for ages 6 and up. For more information or to register, please visit the Genesee District Library website.
I hope you found this information useful. Please feel free to contact my office if we can be of any assistance.
Sincerely,