MAY 15, 2018 - Cascades Humane Society is busy preparing for Paws in the Park, one of its biggest fundraisers of the year. This is a dog walk-a-thon through Cascades Falls Park on Saturday, June 2, 2018.

This year the Carnival theme continues complete with carnival games, a dunk tank, balloon twisting, professional face painting, and 3 free performances by the Detroit Circus. “We are excited to have the Detroit Circus performers back, doing their juggling, stilts work, and acrobatics. We hope everyone will stay after the walk to watch one of their free performances” says Heather Leszczynski, Executive Director. In addition to the carnival atmosphere, this family friendly event also includes lots of vendors to shop, food for purchase courtesy of the Jackson Breakfast Rotary, and a human-dog photo booth.

MAY 11 - The Hackett Auto Museum selected Ed Konrad to its Executive Advisory Committee. Konrad is an avid student of history and a member of the collector car hobby. He has enjoyed a long career in the banking industry and currently serves as Vice President of Finance for CP Federal Credit Union.

MAY 10 , 2018 – The 2018 Hot Air Jubilee will return to Ella Sharp Park July 20-22 with more than 25 balloonists from across the state of Michigan. Hot Air Jubilee spokesman Jeff Knapp announced the Jubilee is partnering with American 1 Credit Union for the first time as the Presenting Sponsor. “American 1 is providing the stability of a three-year presenting sponsor agreement, and we are excited to have them onboard.” Knapp also announced that, “Once again we are pleased that Ella Sharp Museum and Hammond Propane are both returning as Gold Sponsors; their contributions and dedication to the Jubilee are extremely important to the success of this event. Ella provides the perfect venue, and Hammond generously donates the propane for our balloonists.”

MAY 7, 2018— The Michigan Works! Association has partnered with the Michigan Department of Treasury and Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson to eliminate qualifying Driver Responsibility Fees (DRF) before Oct. 1, 2018, for individuals who participate in a qualifying workforce development training program. Many programs are available to the public, and Michigan Works! organizations will assist individuals with enrollment.

Michigan Works! Association, Michigan Department of Treasury and Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson released the following joint statement:

“Eliminating fees will remove financial, work-related barriers for a large number of Michiganders who are able and willing to work. This partnership provides a unique opportunity to participate in workforce programs with getting people on the road and back to work as the end goal.

The partnership created through the DRF program is key in helping to return workers to our state’s labor pool.

Michigan Works! and our state partners will continue to work together to ensure the success of this program, thereby serving job seekers, and ultimately employers, in a comprehensive, efficient way.”

MAY 7, 2018 – The Jackson County Health Department announced the award of $15,000 in funding from the Michigan Child Lead Exposure Elimination Commission (CLEEC) to further eliminate child lead exposure in Jackson County. The Jackson County Health Department was one of 11 award recipients in the state demonstrating innovative approaches to the elimination of child lead exposure. 

The project will be a collaboration of the Jackson County Health Department, Jackson Health Network, and Jackson Community Medical Record with a focus on Preventing Lead Exposure in Pregnant Women.  Lead exposure during pregnancy is of concern because lead can be passed to the developing fetus during pregnancy or to the infant during breastfeeding.

Dr. Ray King, President and CEO of Jackson Health Network, said, “The unique collaboration between Public Health (JCHD), Henry Ford Allegiance Health and JHN physicians and providers, and the rest of our community resources makes this type of work feasible in our community.”

MAY 1, 2018 — Henry Ford Allegiance Health announced the grand opening of its Center for Health Innovation & Education on May 1. Ground was broken in September 2016 for construction of the two-story addition to the northwest side of the Charles Anderson building. The Center’s leading-edge technology makes it possible for residents, researchers, educators, physicians and nurses to hone their medical and interpersonal skills through simulated learning. Increased knowledge and advanced skills allow the Henry Ford Allegiance Health team to provide a higher level of quality and safety for an exceptional patient experience, HFAH said.

MAY 3, 2018 - American 1 Credit Union announced a new compensation strategy for the credit union’s 187 employees. The new compensation plan, which took effect on April 25, 2018, increases wages for every position at American 1, with the exception of the CEO, and comes at an annual cost of $954,405 in increased compensation.

MAY 3, 2018 - The Hackett Auto Museum has been approved to receive a $15,000 “Intervention” loan from the Michigan Historic Preservation Network. Ted O’Dell, project leader and executive director of the museum said, “This funding will allow us to address immediate needs with the roof in order to help stop further deterioration of the building.”

The MHPN Intervention Loan program provides funding for repairs to nonprofit organizations that focus efforts on saving historic buildings. The primary aim of the program is to stabilize historic properties that are threatened by one or more failures of major building systems, like structural elements and rehabilitation of the building.

MAY 1, 2018 — Henry Ford Allegiance Health is taking steps to ensure patients have access to the level of care they need in the most appropriate setting. These steps include offering expanded hours at the Henry Ford Allegiance Walk-in Clinic, located at 1401 W. North Street in Jackson.

“Our goal is to provide the most appropriate, most timely care possible to the community. In order to do that, we need the primary focus of our Emergency Department to be on patients with life threatening concerns, such as a heart attack or possible stroke,” said Mark Smith, MD, Henry Ford Allegiance Health Chief Medical Officer. “Offering a walk-in clinic with expanded hours makes it possible for Henry Ford Allegiance Health to provide timely, affordable care for patients with non-emergency health needs."