Oct. 12, 2020 Orion Township ZBA Meeting

by Becky Andrus | Oct 13, 2020 | Uncategorized

The Orion Township ZBA meeting of Oct. 12, 2020 is now ready for viewing.

Click link below:

https://reflect-ontv.cablecast.tv/vod/1443-Twp-ZBA101220-0-v1/vod.mp4

time to swap your old card for a new sticker

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.

LARA Urge Licensees to Beware of Phishing Emails

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 LANSING – To ensure Michiganders are aware of the continued attempts to obtain their personal information, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is drawing attention to an urgent alert issued by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). This alert warns residents to beware of phishing emails sent to Michigan licensees by scammers impersonating LARA officials. 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. State of Michigan licensees have reported receiving fraudulent emails similar to the example linked here with numerous grammatical errors. “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.” A library of consumer alerts created by the Department’s Consumer Protection Team is available online and organized by a number of categories. 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. More details on how Michiganders can protect their personal information are available on the Consumer Protection Team’s webpage.

Oct. 12-16 is Michigan School Lunch Week 

by Becky Andrus | Oct 13, 2020 | Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 13, 2020 Contact: Press@michigan.gov   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:   School Lunch Week 2020.pdf