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Fresh Coast Film Festival canceled

Pandemic claims another event

MARQUETTE — Another major event has been canceled: The Fresh Coast Film Festival, which will not take place because of ongoing concerns and restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The FCFF board made the announcement on Tuesday.

The festival, which features outdoors-related films as well as regional recreational activities, was to have run Oct. 17-20.

“The soul of our festival is bringing people together for a shared experience, and this year that is simply not feasible or prudent,” the board said in the announcement.

However, it acknowledged that one benefit from the cancellation is having extra time to plan next year’s festival, which is set for Oct. 14-17, 2021.

All submissions received for this year will be considered for 2021.

“As always, we look to the water for inspiration: individual drops gathered together in rivers, lakes and oceans, flowing through a shifting landscape and shaping the world with patient power,” the board said.

Town hall to focus on food

Director Gary McDowell announced on Tuesday that the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will host a virtual town hall discussion regarding food and agriculture housing challenges in northern Michigan from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 13 via Microsoft Teams.

It was originally slated to be held in person at the end of March, but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to MDARD, Michigan’s food and agriculture work force traditionally consisted of self-employed and family members, but the trend has been showing a sharp increase in the need to hire additional labor within the food and agriculture communities.

It said that a United States Department of Agriculture survey indicated hired labor rose from 25.3% in 2003 to 42% in 2016.

With the increased demand for hired labor in the food and agricultural sector, housing has become a major issue in Michigan. So, MDARD wants to hear from northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula community leaders, economic development representatives, and food- and agriculture-based businesses to garner input about their individualized needs.

To pre register for this remote meeting, individuals should contact Brenda Smith no later than Aug. 6 via email at SmithBL9@michigan.gov and provide their name, organization they represent, email address and telephone number. Individuals may participate via Microsoft Teams or by telephone at 248-509-0316 and enter the conference ID: 591 266 140#. An agenda and other meeting materials will be provided in advance of the meeting.

Results from the town hall meetings, along with the prior survey, will be used to develop a final report later this year to identify solutions and an implementation plan.

Guts Frisbee tourney set for 2021

Kurt Lahtinen, tournament director for the U.S. National Guts Frisbee Tournament, announced on Tuesday that the 2020 tournament scheduled for Aug. 1-2 at Tourist Park in Marquette has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2021 tournament is rescheduled for Aug. 7-8 at Tourist Park.

Programs still available

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services reminds consumers that COVID-19-related assistance programs and forbearance periods are nearing end dates.

Those who have taken advantage of these programs should resume making timely payments, if possible, or contact their lenders right away if they still need assistance.

“I urge homeowners to make timely payments if they can to protect their credit, and if they can’t, to reach out to their mortgage lenders now if they are still feeling the impact of COVID-19,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox in a news release. “Borrowers’ forgiveness agreements established earlier this year may be ending soon, but many Michigan lenders continue to offer help to those who need it.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and DIFS launched the MiMortgage Relief Partnership in April, a cooperative agreement between more than 230 banks, credit unions and mortgage servicers in Michigan to provide mortgage relief to Michigan homeowners experiencing COVID-19-related financial hardships.

These institutions have agreed to work with impacted borrowers in a number of ways, including offering a 90-day mortgage payment forbearance, allowing borrowers to reduce or delay their monthly mortgage payments and providing relief from mortgage-related late fees and charges for up to 90 days. They have agreed not to initiate any foreclosure sales or evictions for 60 days or report adverse payment information to credit bureaus.

Additionally, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act provided assistance to those with federally backed mortgages, providing homeowners the right to request and receive a forbearance on their mortgage payments for up to 180 days, with the option to extend for an additional 180 days, as well as the option to discontinue the forbearance at any time.

During that forbearance period, servicers are prohibited from charging fees or interest beyond what homeowners would have had to pay if they were making payments as scheduled. The CARES Act also provided laid-off workers an increased unemployment benefit payment, which will end by July 31.

Additionally, the Eviction Diversion Program is available to keep renters who fell behind on payments in their homes. The program uses a special court process to get fast rental assistance for renters who have been impacted by COVID-19. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority will administer this program through its network of nonprofit Housing Assessment and Resource Agencies. More information is available at Michigan.gov/EDP.

Fox said borrowers who have been relying on that help to make their mortgage payments should contact their lenders to discuss what options or arrangements may be available to them as soon as possible and before the loan is delinquent.

Visit www.michigan.gov/difs for more information on federally backed mortgages and the MiMortgage Relief Program. Consumers who need assistance with their financial services company also can contact DIFS from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442, or file a complaint at Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.

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