by Becky Andrus | Oct 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020
CONTACT: Kim Nowack, Mackinac Bridge Authority, 906-643-7600
MacPass account holders: time to swap your old card for a new sticker
October 13, 2020 — The MacPass toll cards were good, but the new windshield-mounted stickers are better. That’s why the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) is retiring the old cards and urging MacPass account holders to make the switch before the end of the year.
The stickers, which are automatically scanned when drivers pull up to the toll booth, were introduced in September 2019 as part of the MBA’s new toll software system. MacPass account holders along with new customers have been rapidly switching from the MacPass cards to the new stickers, and more customers are paying with the stickers now than cards. Cards will no longer work after Dec. 31.
“We continue to hear from our customers who love the new system and the convenience of not needing to stop and roll down their window to scan their MacPass card,” said MBA Executive Secretary Kim Nowack. “During the pandemic, they’ve also appreciated the quick MacPass transaction time and touch-free toll paying.”
The stickers, which can be linked to a single account for multiple vehicles, cost $1 each. Existing customers do not need to open a new account; they can add a sticker tag to their existing MacPass account.
Customers can obtain the sticker tags in the MBA administration building at the north end of the bridge around the clock, seven days a week. They will need to provide the license plate number, make, model, color, and year of each vehicle that will be linked to the account, though new vehicles can be added later. MacPass account holders can also order new sticker tags online by logging into their account at https://MacPass.MackinacBridge.org (instructions at www.MackinacBridge.org/MacPass).
New passenger vehicle MacPass accounts require an initial deposit of $80 and a $7 one-time set-up fee; commercial accounts require a $200 deposit and the same $7 one-time set-up fee.
MacPass customers can use toll lanes designated for MacPass by the overhead signs, or any open lane. Drivers should still watch for toll collectors and customers walking across lanes.
Though the MacPass is not exclusively for commuter customers, MacPass holders with passenger vehicles can still qualify for the commuter discount toll if they make both a northbound and southbound trip within 36 hours. The toll will be $4 for the first trip but customers will not be charged for the return trip if completed within 36 hours.
MacPass is the only tolling transponder currently in use at the Mackinac Bridge; I-Pass, E-ZPass, SunPass, etc., though similar, are not accepted. Surveys have shown that few Mackinac Bridge customers currently use other tolling transponders.
The MBA still accepts cash, credit and debit cards for tolls. Other payment types on phones, including Google Pay and Apple Pay, also are accepted.
by Becky Andrus | Oct 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
Media Contacts:
Ryan Jarvi
(c) 517-599-2746
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020
AG, LARA Urge Licensees to Beware of Phishing Emails
Michigan licensees refers to anyone who holds a professional license issued by LARA, such as those under the Public Health Code, the Occupational Code and other relevant statutes.
“Scammers will stop at nothing to cheat someone out of their personal information and hard-earned money,” said Attorney General Nessel. “My office provides a library of resources for Michiganders to ensure they know how to spot and stop attempts to rob them of their personal information. We all must look for warning signs such as misspelled words, unrecognizable email addresses and suspicious links in the emails we receive.”
Attorney General Nessel wants consumers to keep the following in mind:
- Misspelled words or poor grammar in the subject line or body of the email are red flags identifying a scam.
- The name listed on the “from” line is not always an indication of who is emailing you. Pay close attention to the actual email address. If that email address doesn’t match up with what you know to be correct or is abnormally long, it’s likely a phishing scam.
- Always be cautious of any unsolicited requests for any personal information. LARA will not contact you directly asking for personal information.
- Do not respond to, or open hyperlinks in email or text messages about validating your personal data.
Remember: Do not reply to any suspicious emails and never provide personal information. If personal information is compromised, it may be used to commit identity theft or in other fraud schemes.
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by Becky Andrus | Oct 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2020
Governor Whitmer Proclaims Oct. 12-16
Michigan School Lunch Week
LANSING – School lunches, whether provided in school or to families of children learning at a distance during the pandemic, are important components to ensure healthy children. Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared the week of October 12-16, 2020 as Michigan School Lunch Week.
“No parent should have to worry about how to put food on the table for their children. The National School Lunch Program has helped provide food to Michigan families for more than 70 years,” Gov. Whitmer said. “Federal waivers to provide flexibility in the delivery of school lunches have helped our state continue to provide food for children during the COVID-19 pandemic, so all students can eat free this fall. School Lunch Week will serve as a reminder for all of us to give thanks and underscore the importance of schools meals for students and their families.”
To support schools and families when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit Michigan in mid-March, Michigan was granted waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in March and again in late August that permitted:
- Parents to pick up food for their children outside of school
- Schools to provide meals for 7 rather than 5 days a week
- Parents to pick up meals at a single school for children in more than one school
- Schools to provide free meals for children at all schools
State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice said this proclamation shines the spotlight on the positive impact nutritious school lunches have on children’s education, development, health, and well-being; and the dedicated people who work hard every day to plan, prepare, and deliver these meals to children.
“We have served a nearly100 million meals to kids in Michigan since the pandemic first hit Michigan in mid-March,” Dr. Rice said. “The federal waivers have just been extended through the rest of the school year so children will not lack the essential nutrition to be healthy. Celebrating school lunch week promotes nutrition education and the awareness of the value school nutrition programs have on the whole child.”
National School Lunch Week (NSLW), which for the past 30 years has commemorated the National School Lunch Program created by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, now serves nearly 30 million children every school day.
To view the proclamation, click the link below:
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by Becky Andrus | Oct 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
Contact: Bob Wheaton, [email protected], 517-241-2112 October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared October 2020 Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month to call attention to the importance of infants sleeping safely.
“Far too many Michigan babies die in unsafe sleep environments. Parents, grandparents and caregivers can all play a part to help prevent these deaths,” Governor Whitmer said.
Recently, Governor Whitmer signed the fiscal year 2021 budget which included funding for her Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies plan she announced at her State of the State address this year. The budget includes $23.5 million for the program which ensures women are given the care they need to have a healthy pregnancy and healthy babies. The program will also work to expand support for interventions that are proven to improve outcomes.
Babies 0-12 months of age can be kept safe, while sleeping at night and during naps, when American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines are followed:
- Place baby on back, in a crib, bassinet or pack ‘n play for every sleep time.
- Use a firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet.
- Keep baby’s sleep space clutter free – no pillows, blankets or toys.
- Avoid overheating baby or covering baby’s head. Instead of a blanket, consider using a sleep sack, wearable blanket or footed sleeper to keep baby warm.
- Remind everyone who cares for baby, including babysitters and family members, how to keep baby safe while sleeping.
- Keep baby in a smoke-free environment.
- Support breastfeeding and immunizations.
As more parents began following the infant safe sleep recommendations in the 1990s, the number of infant sleep-related deaths dramatically decreased. However, over the last decade, that decrease has slowed. From 2010 to 2018, 1,287 Michigan infants died due to sleep-related causes.
During the same period, unacceptable disparities have existed in sleep-related infant deaths. Black babies are dying at more than three times the rate of white babies from unsafe sleep environments.
“Health disparities exist because communities of color often lack access to sufficient resources, strong support networks, adequate housing, education, jobs, and quality health care, said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “Due to these inequities, black mothers experience life stressors at higher rates than white mothers. These stressors can put babies at higher risk of sleep-related infant death. MDHHS is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of safe sleep to protect newborns so that families don’t have to suffer through these terrible tragedies.”
Compared to white mothers, Black mothers were more than twice likely to lose their job during pregnancy. In addition, they are 2.5 times more likely to report they were in unsafe housing and four times more likely to report being homeless in the year before their new baby was born.
“As a state we have prioritized infants safely sleeping through our Mother Infant Health & Equity Improvement Plan and our vision of zero preventable deaths and zero health disparities. Together we can achieve this vision and ensure that all mothers, infants and families have the right to optimal health, adequate access to appropriate and timely care, and the opportunity to thrive,” Dr. Khaldun said.
As part of the effort to prevent future sleep-related deaths, MDHHS is partnering with families, communities, hospitals, local health departments and organizations statewide to raise awareness and promote system changes that result in Michigan babies surviving and thriving in their first year and beyond.
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