Bay Mills News
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Serving the Eastern Upper Peninsula
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TAX AIDE FOR SENIORS
AARP will provide free tax preparation on Fridays in February and March to Seniors and others, by appointment. Call 906-632-8368 for more information and to make an appointment.
TRIBAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM APPLICATIONS DUE FEB. 5
The U.S. Department of Agriculture 1994 Tribal Scholars Program is an employment program that offers a combination of work experience and academic study leading to career positions within USDA. The program is designed to integrate classroom study with paid work experience. The program is conducted in accordance with a planned schedule and a working agreement between USDA agencies, student, and the 1994 Tribal Colleges and Universities. The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program is designed to strengthen the long-term partnership between USDA and the 1994 Land-Grant Institutions; to increase the number of students studying and graduating in food, agriculture, natural resources, and other related fields of study; and to develop the pool of scientists and professionals to annually fill 50,000 jobs in the food, agricultural, and natural resources system.
View application information by clicking here.
STUDENT INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY:
The Office of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Programs is looking for a graduate level college student to participate in the Summer 2017 Class of Health Equity Fellows for the HHS Office of Minority Health’s Youth Health Equity Model of Practice (OMH YHEMOP). This is an excellent opportunity for the perfect student who is interested in working with American Indian, Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian Elders. Although the work-site will be Washington, DC, telework options will be discussed with the right candidate. Work details will include gathering and analyzing data, developing materials, and compiling information for grantees.
Additional information about the Summer 2017 Class of Health Equity Fellows for the HHS Office of Minority Health’s Youth Health Equity Model of Practice (OMH YHEMOP) can be found at the following link:
https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/YHEMOP/index.html
The student application deadline is Feb. 15. For additional information please contact Cynthia LaCounte at 202-795-7380 or Cynthia.lacounte@acl.hhs.gov.
Download the January Digital Issue here
G.L.A.S.S. RACE CANCELED DUE TO WARM TEMPS
January 27, 2017
SAULT STE. MARIE— Participants in the Great Lakes Antique Snowmobile Series will not be seeing I-500 ice this year due to track and weather conditions. I-500 Race Director Bill Cryderman made the following post on the G.L.A.S.S. Facebook late Thursday night :
"It's with great displeasure I have to inform you all that the Vintage Race at the Soo has been canceled by event organizers with the warm temps the last few weeks we have trimmed up the race week tremendously. Starting on Monday we will refund your entry monies. I will contact our insurance carrier to see about the isr insurance and what can be done there.. Again we are very sorry but Mother Nature was not on our side.. Thank you all for your support of this great event. And we hope you can see it from all sides."
Racers of the vintage sleds were scheduled to hit the track on Wednesday, Feb. 1 for a 40-lap race.
CHECK TRAIL CONDITIONS BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT
January 26, 2017
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources warns that during the current stretch of warmer weather, riders using trails in many locations throughout the state may encounter poor conditions in low-lying areas and some areas exposed to the sun. Any trails with marginal snow and wet areas could become impassible. The forecast for the next few days indicates continued warmup with low temperatures not reaching much below freezing, as well as minimal snowfall. If you are heading out, it is advised that your review trailing grooming reports for your area.
The majority of trails in the Upper Peninsula are open and in good shape, but riders are urged to operate with caution and be aware of changing conditions. The majority of trails in the northern Lower Peninsula are in fair to poor condition but remain open. Trails in southern Michigan are closed. In all areas of the state, riders should operate with caution and check local trail conditions before heading out.
In the Upper Peninsula, for example, only one trail segment of Trail 8 between Paradise (Chippewa County) and the mouth of the Tahquamenon River currently is being closed. The Bear Creek Swamp segment of Trail 2 near Blaney Park (Schoolcraft County) continues to be closed. Neither of these trails is able to be rerouted.
Riders can check the websites of local snowmobile grant sponsors or the Michigan Snowmobile Association for trail updates. The DNR will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as changes are reported.
More information, including links to partner organizations, trail maps and trail reports, is available on the DNR website www.michigan.gov/dnrtrails.
CLOVERLAND ELECTRIC WARNS OF PHONE SCAM
January 25, 2017
SAULT STE. MARIE — Cloverland Electric Cooperative is reminding members to be aware of a phone scam requiring the person or business to pay their electric bill with a pre-paid debit card or the electricity will be shut off within 30 minutes. Utilities in Michigan and Wisconsin are seeing an increase in the fraudulent phone calls.
Scammers target small businesses and commercial accounts hoping to connect with an unsuspecting employee who shares business information with the caller.
Cloverland does not call members concerning payment before disconnection. State police will not investigate until there is a 'victim.' If a call is received, hang up and contact Cloverland immediately at 800-562-4953.
TAX FILING SEASON HAS BEGUN
Michiganders Encouraged to E-File for Quicker Tax Refunds
January 24, 2017
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s individual income tax filing season has officially begun.
Effective immediately, state residents can start filing their 2016 tax year state individual income tax returns online or through the U.S. Mail. All individual income tax returns must be e-filed or postmarked by Tuesday, April 18, 2017.
“The easiest and quickest way for Michigan taxpayers to get their refund is to file electronically,” Michigan Treasurer Nick Khouri said. “This helps ensure tax returns are accurate and improves tax refund turnaround times.”
Choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is convenient, safe and secure. Last year, more than 4 million Michigan taxpayers e-filed and had their refunds directly deposited into their bank accounts.
After Feb. 1, limited quantities of printed tax forms will be available at public libraries, U.S. Post Offices in northern Michigan, Department of Health and Human Services county offices and Treasury Field Offices. Individuals who would like 2016 tax forms mailed to them should call 517-636-4486. READ MORE
LITTLE BIG SHOW – Retired Lake Superior State University geology professor Ken Hatfield - himself an accomplished regional artist - examines I See More Than Meets The Eye by Kinzey Heikkinen, one of more than 90 5x7 canvases donated by Michigan and Ontario artists during a reception held last spring for the annual 5x7 Art Show in LSSU's Arts Center Gallery. Submissions for this year’s show are due by April 14 for unveiling during an April 21 preview reception, followed by a viewing that runs through May. (LSSU/Kati Doty)
CALL GOES OUT FOR FOURTH 5X7 ART SHOW SUBMISSIONS
January 23, 2017
SAULT STE. MARIE – The Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Sunrise Rotary Club and Lake Superior State University’s Arts Center invites all regional artists to be a part of the fourth annual 5x7 Art Show fundraiser by creating, submitting and, donating works on a 5x7 canvas. Submissions may include paintings, drawings, tiles, sculpture, fabric, 3-D artifacts, or photographs. This year’s theme is “Through a Window.”
The deadline for submission is April 14. Registration forms and 5x7 canvases are available at the LSSU Arts Center Gallery, as well as at The Art Store in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., which is this year's canvas sponsor. The gallery's website - lssu.edu/artscenter/5x7 – has an entry form, answers to frequently asked questions.
This year’s exhibition opens with a preview reception in the LSSU Arts Center Gallery 6 to 8 p.m. on April 21, a sponsored event to include music, hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. The reception will provide a first opportunity to view and purchase original works of art for only $50. Artist names will be hidden on all artwork until they are revealed at the end of the reception.
A panel of local artists will jury the top three submissions. A first-place honor is $300; runner-up, $200; and second runner-up, $100. Recognition takes place during the preview reception. All submissions will be displayed in the LSSU Arts Center Gallery, April 21 to May 31.
Proceeds from the reception and sales will benefit Gallery exhibition programming and the Sunrise Rotary Club’s mission to support global clean water projects and local initiatives.
For more information, contact Sharon Dorrity, LSSU Arts Center Gallery director, at 906-635-2665 or by e-mailing acgallery@lssu.edu. Gallery hours are 12 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday.
DECEMBER UNEMPLOYMENT RATE UP SLIGHTLY IN MICHIGAN
Annual Rate Falls for Seventh Consecutive Year
January 20, 2017
Lansing – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in December edged up over the month by one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.0 percent, according to data released on Jan. 19 by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget . The state’s workforce rose by 14,000 over the month as both total employment (+9,000) and the number of unemployed (+5,000) increased.
The Michigan jobless rate in December 2016 was one-tenth of a percentage point below the state’s December 2015 rate of 5.1 percent. The national jobless rate decreased by three-tenths of a percentage point over this period. The state’s December unemployment rate was three-tenths of a percentage point above the national rate. The U.S. jobless rate rose slightly by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.7 percent in December. READ MORE
