Workers across the country are continuing to navigate the ripple effects of the pandemic and job vacancies can be found in every corner of the country and region while organizations struggle to fill open spots. During the on-going pandemic visitors continue flocking to parks and outdoor spaces seeking recreational opportunities and the health and wellness benefits that accompany them. That means park agencies,including the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, are looking to fill out their summer teams so they can deliver great experiences and memories for all those visitors, all summer (and all year) long. The Metroparks can offer the flexibility and rewarding work experience job seekers are now opting for in some of those memorable outdoor spaces everyone is spending more time in.
The Metroparks provides employment for around 1,000 part-time and summer workers each year. Jobs with the Metroparks offer a unique opportunity for professionals, students, and retirees to work flexible hours while earning good wages with great benefits and perks. Summer staff are integral in providing exceptional summertime activities and programs. Without the lifeguards, maintenance crews, food service workers, equipment rental attendants, other support staff and volunteers, the Metroparks would not be able to deliver amazing experiences to the millions of visitors who turn to the parks as a primary form of recreation.
This year the Metroaprks have added a package of additional benefits for seasonal and part-time staff as a way to be more competitive in the job market. The hope is that these benefits will entice job seekers to consider joining their team and spend their summer in some of the most beautiful work environments you could imagine.
“The people who serve the Metroparks provide an invaluable service to not only our park visitors, but to our local communities and region,” said Metroparks Director Amy McMillan. “We welcome individuals who want to make a difference and share their unique skills to advance the work we do while ensuring the Metroparks are here for generations to come.”
Those new benefits for seasonal and part-time staff include:
• Paid time off (Seasonal employees earn up to 16 hours per year and part-time employees earn up to 40 hours per year)
• A summer bonus with the opportunity to earn up to an additional $1200 paid out at the end of the summer (details included below)
• Paid medical leave
• AFLAC supplemental insurance
• Deferred compensation retirement plan voluntary option
Those new benefits are on top of existing benefits that were already offered:
• Training and development
• Flexible schedules
• Wellbeing program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free or discounted facility use (golf, water facilities, food service, etc.)
The Metroparks are also looking to fill open part-time Police positions and have added new benefits to make those positions more competitive as well. Part-time police officers could expect to receive:
• $1.00 per hour retention bonus for all hours worked from Memorial Day through Labor Day
• 457 deferred compensation retirement plan
• Eligible part-time employees will receive comprehensive health plans
• Wellbeing program incentives
• Flexible work schedules
• Free or discounted facility use (golf, water facilities, food service, etc.)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Probably one of the most anticipated summer park activities is swimming. There’s nothing quite like jumping into a pool, floating a lazy river and rushing down a water slide. To make that happen it takes a team of lifeguards keeping everyone safe, and the past few years, lifeguards have been in short supply. To address that struggle at Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center at Lower Huron Metropark and Willow Metropark pool, the Metroaprks are offering FREE lifeguard training courses this year to encourage applicants to join the team and spend their summer by the pool with them. Additionally, they would be certified lifeguards which is something that will carry with them after summer and potentially provide them opportunities in other places as well.
These free lifeguard courses are limited to first 20 participants to sign up per session. Applicants must be 15 years old by last day of class and for individuals that are interested in a job this summer at Turtle Cove or Willow Pool. Courses will be offered:
•May 21, 22 | 8 am – 4 pm
•June 4, 5, 11 | 8 am – 4 pm
Interested applicants can call 734-697-9181 for questions or email Amanda Strimple at Amanda.strimpel@metroparks.com for the registration form.
It’s not too late to apply for a fun summer job. Positions are open in multiple parks throughout the region. Learn more about job opportunities with the Metroparks by visiting www.metroparks.com/job-opportunities. Full job descriptions are available by clicking on the job posting. Applications can be submitted online, or applicants may also apply by visiting a Metropark office for a printed job application. Completed applications may be returned to the Metropark office by mail or in person.
Police were intentionally following a local school bus at 6:47 a.m. Thursday morning when a cement hauler completely ignored the red stop lights on the bus.
Huron Township police caught a cement truck driver illegally passing a stopped school bus Thursday morning.
Police were intentionally following a local school bus at 6:47 a.m. Thursday morning when a cement hauler completely ignored the red stop lights on the bus.
Here is police dash cam video of the incident that the department posted to social media:
Police say the driver of the truck was cited and company they work for was contacted.
“Our department has received calls from understandably upset parents who witnessed a concrete truck completely disregard the emergency lighting,” the post said.
“As you can see in the video below, a Traffic Services Officer was present, conducted a traffic stop, and issued a citation to the driver. The company management was notified and is taking the appropriate action against the driver.”
The Village of Waltz in Huron Township will mark a monumental milestone this summer as it celebrates its 150th birthday.
To honor the village’s founding, the Waltz150 Festival has been planned for June 23-26 throughout the community.
In the tradition of the original Waltz Homecoming that was held annually from the early 1900’s until 2009, the sesquicentennial celebration will feature a carnival midway, festival parade, classic car and vintage tractor show, food, craft and general vendors, beer tent, local bands, entertainment, and more.
Several local businesses, churches and organizations have also committed to participate in the festivities.
The event will be the largest celebration since Waltz marked its 100th birthday in 1972 when it held the Waltz Centennial Celebration.
Originally settled by Joseph Waltz Sr. in 1857, this small community was officially platted with the State of Michigan by his son Joseph Waltz Jr. in 1872.
Located along what was then the Holly, Wayne and Monroe Railway, the village was an important rail stop for coal, water, and other supplies as well as providing an important passenger transportation link between Detroit and Toledo.
Waltz was also one of the first communities in southeast Michigan to have telephone service in the late 1800’s provided by the Peoples Telephone Company founded in Waltz. The phone service later expanded throughout Monroe and Wayne Counties.
The Waltz Improvement Association was founded in 1920. The non-profit community organization has a long history of hosting events, activities and supporting local causes.
More information on the group, as well as the Waltz150 Celebration, is available at waltzimprovementassoc.com.
Summer-like temperatures are in the forecast with little precipitation expected, according to forecasters.
Forecasters say models show the extended timeframe with 80s starting next Tuesday and continuing for another seven to ten days beyond next Tuesday.
There will likely be some weather system that forms and keeps temps cooler than 80 some day in that 10 day period, but the main forecast says mid-70s to mid-80s are going to be common next week and possibly the following week.
Posted by The Huron Hub | May 4, 2022 — 9:30 AM EST
A crash on northbound I-275 near Ford Road has traffic backed up for miles in Canton Township on Wednesday morning.
MDOT says the freeway closed around 8:45 a.m.
No other information is available about the crash.
UPDATE: Crash on NB I-275 Location: NB I-275 at Ford Rd Lanes Blocked: All Lanes Event Type: Crash County: Wayne Event Message: FREEWAY CLOSED@revive275@DTWeetin
— MDOT – Metro Detroit (@MDOT_MetroDet) May 4, 2022
The Huron Township Fire Department is participating in a grant-funded initiative through MI Prevention that provides free smoke detectors to any owner/occupants (no rental properties) in Huron Township.
Huron Township Firefighters must do the installation and provide a free fire safety inspection for every resident.
Residents are encouraged to contact any of the staff members listed below to schedule an installation.
“We are always looking for opportunities to get our first responders into the community as a way to have direct interaction with our residents. In this case, we get to work hand in hand with homeowners to make sure homes within our community are a safer place for families. We have limited supplies, so I would encourage interested residents to make their appointment as soon as possible,” said Everette Robbins, Huron Township director of public safety.
Requirements: Must be an owner-occupied residence, not rental Must be installed by Fire Department personnel Must document installation with State of Michigan Must discuss Home Fire Safety Checklist with residents
Procedure: Meet the above requirements set by MI Prevention Contact Huron Township Fire Department to schedule Allow Fire Department personnel access to install equipment Feel comfortable knowing that you have protected your family
Contact Information: Deputy Fire Chief Bill Metzger: bmetzger@hurontwpfd.us
The Huron Hub needs your help to share the stories and happenings of Huron Township and the surrounding areas.
Submit news, photos, announcements, events, articles for publication, and letters to the editor via email at Editor@HuronHub.com or at the contact page on HuronHub.com.
A female (left) and male rose-breasted grosbeak at an outdoor feeder last summer. (Huron Hub file photo by Scott Bolthouse)
Posted by The Huron Hub | April 21, 2022
As Michigan continues to respond to detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza – commonly referred to as “bird flu” – some residents are asking questions about how best to keep themselves, their poultry flocks and wild bird populations safe. This is of greater interest now, as popular passerines (including many songbird species) make the spring migration back to Michigan and seek out food sources such as backyard bird feeders.
With HPAI confirmed in wild birds and domestic flocks in several counties throughout Michigan, wildlife and animal health experts in the state’s departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development have been fielding increased calls about the HPAI virus. Follow the current status of HPAI in Michigan counties at Michigan.gov/BirdFlu.
Megan Moriarty, the state wildlife veterinarian with the DNR, said it is important to note that while all birds are potentially susceptible to HPAI, some are more likely than others to become infected and die. Domestic birds and some wild birds, like waterfowl, raptors and scavengers, are highly susceptible and have been particularly affected by this disease.
“Current research suggests songbirds are less susceptible to highly pathogenic avian influenza and are unlikely to play a significant role in spreading the virus,” Moriarty said. “However, much remains unknown, and surveillance and testing for HPAI in this group of birds is less common, resulting in a knowledge gap.”
One easy way the public can help reduce the potential spread of HPAI is to remove outdoor bird feeders. Though there isn’t yet any widespread recommendation from state agencies to do so, temporary removal of these food sources could be helpful, especially for anyone who has highly susceptible species – domestic poultry, raptors or waterfowl – living nearby. Similarly, removal could be a wise choice for those who observe high-risk species like blue jays, crows or ravens hanging around backyard bird feeders. This temporary removal of bird feeders and baths may only last for the next couple months, or until the rate of HPAI spread in wild and domestic birds decreases.
“If you’re concerned about this virus and want to act from a place of abundant caution, removing your bird feeders for now makes sense, but it isn’t yet a critical step,” Moriarty said. “With warmer springtime weather on the way, too, birds will have more natural food sources readily available to them, so chances are many people will be taking down feeders in a few weeks anyway.”
If people choose to continue using their bird feeders, please keep this guidance in mind:
Thoroughly clean bird feeders with a diluted bleach solution (and rinse well) once per week. Regularly cleaning helps protect birds against other infections, including salmonella.
Clean up birdseed that has fallen below the feeders to discourage large numbers of birds and other wildlife from congregating in a concentrated area.
Don’t feed wild birds, especially waterfowl, near domestic flocks.
Reporting wild bird deaths
Anyone who notices what appear to be unusual or unexplained deaths among wild bird populations is asked to report the information either by:
Using the DNR’s Eyes in the Field app. Choose the “diseased wildlife” reporting option.
Calling the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory at 517-336-5030.
HPAI in domestic flocks
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is highly contagious and can be spread to domestic flocks by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. Make sure domestic poultry (e.g., chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks raised for the production of meat or eggs) is separate from and has no contact with wild birds.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these HPAI detections do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of this strain of HPAI virus have been detected in the United States. Also, no birds or bird products infected with HPAI will enter the food chain. As a reminder, all poultry and eggs should be handled and cooked properly, with a safe cooking temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
“It is vital for poultry owners to take every step possible to keep wild birds away from their flocks and follow other biosecurity measures,” said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland. “Simple, yet effective mitigation strategies help protect not only your flock but others around the state. We have to work together to keep Michigan’s domestic and wild bird populations safe and healthy.”
Domestic bird owners and caretakers should watch for unusual deaths, a drop in egg production, a significant decrease in water consumption or an increase in sick birds. If avian influenza is suspected, immediately contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 (daytime) or 517-373-0440 (after hours). For more information, visit Michigan.gov/BirdFlu.
The Huron Hub - Huron Township News - New Boston News 