Choze Powell

Capac and Casco Win DNR Recreation Passport Grants

Two local communities are receiving funding from Recreation Passport Grants. Capac and Casco will both receive money to invest in local parks.

The Village of Capac was awarded $45,000 for improvements to Aldrich Park. Casco Township was awarded $56,200 for the Belle River Park Picnic Area. Sixteen projects were chosen out of 53 entries this year.

The Recreation Passport Grants are funded by revenue from the passports that give Michigan residents unlimited access to state parks throughout the year. The passports can be purchased when renewing vehicle registrations. More than a third of Michigan license plates have the passport sticker.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Eichinger said, “It’s all about getting more people outside, more often, whether you’re going camping for the weekend or enjoying an after-dinner stroll at the neighborhood park.”

Communities can get in the running for future grants by submitting an application by April 1st through the Michigan.gov website.

 Reporting for WGRT  – Jennie McClelland

Sheriff’s Office Raises Money for YMCA during “No-Shave November”

No-shave November has come and gone, but the money raised from the event will last for a long time. The Office of the St. Clair County Sheriff challenged its staff to give their razors the month off and raise money for charity.

The hairier than usual employees of the Sheriff’s Office dedicated their fundraising to men’s health awareness. The YMCA of the Blue Water Area was this year’s beneficiary of the fundraiser.

Sheriff Mat King presented a total of $2495 to Josh Chapman, President and CEO of the YMCA of the Blue Water Area.

The YMCA was chosen because of its commitment to men’s health and its wide range of programming, including fitness classes, lifestyle classes, and programs for those living with chronic diseases, like cancer.

No-Shave November started as a national movement to draw attention to cancer prevention. Cancer patients often lose their hair during treatment, and the obvious signs of ungroomed facial hair are meant to spark conversations about cancer screenings and prevention like exercise and lifestyle changes.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Natacha Hayden Named New DDA Director

Natacha Hayden has worked in downtown Port Huron for 13 years, most recently as the Marketing Specialist for McMorran Place & Parks & Recreation. Now, she has been named the next Downtown Development Authority Director for the City of Port Huron.

Hayden has been working with downtown businesses as she managed events and programming for McMorran and Parks & Rec, and it gave her plenty of time to get to develop relationships.

“This time working with these business leaders and entrepreneurs has given me good insight on the needs for downtown, both infrastructure- and economic development-wise,” said Hayden.

According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), a Downtown Development Authority’s focus is to improve downtown districts and be a catalyst for new developments. As DDA Director, Hayden will work directly with the City Manager James Freed on existing and future projects that would benefit Downtown Port Huron.

In a press release, Freed said, “We are at a critical moment for downtown. We have a lot of projects going and new investment. These developments, coupled with our emergence from the COVID pandemic, required someone for this position that could hit the ground running. Mrs. Hayden has played a huge role in downtown and was a key player in the McMorran turnaround.”

Hayden starts her new position on Monday, December 6, 2021, taking over for Cynthia Cutright who was promoted to Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Port Huron. Hayden said, “I love downtown, it’s the heart of our city. Being able to begin my career, complete my education, and then have the opportunity to serve the community I love is very exciting.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Historic Michigan License Plate Now Available

The “Water-Winter Wonderland” license plate is the newest addition to the Michigan Secretary of State’s License Plate Store.

Listed under the “Standard Plates” section of the online store, the “Water-Winter Wonderland” plate is here to bring back an old favorite.

According to the website, the plate was first issued in 1965 and was among the first license plates made of galvanized steel. The current version of the plate is a dark, navy blue with yellow lettering, and it’s made of rust-resistant aluminum.

The cost of ordering the new plate is $5, and you can have it personalized for an additional $15 on top of regular renewal or new license plate fees.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson remarked on the historical significance of the plate that was used in the year the National Voting Rights Act became law. She said, “I am proud to give Michiganders back a longtime favorite license plate that also marks a critical moment in the history of our nation’s democracy. In 1965, we worked together as a nation to protect and advance voting rights in pursuit of a more perfect union, just as today we must come together as a nonpartisan, pro-democracy coalition to protect and advance our elections.”

To learn more, visit the SOS website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Port Huron Double Shooting Suspect Arraigned

Port Huron, MI — The suspect of the November 2021 shooting in the East Quay Street parking lot was arraigned on multiple charges December 1, 2021. Marcel Lamar Woods, a 30 year old Clinton Township man, faces eight counts total including two counts of Assault with Intent to Murder.

The shooting took place in the area around the East Quay Street parking lot which is between Fort Street and Michigan Street in Port Huron. The lot provides parking for those attending popular downtown restaurants such as Wings Etc., The Vintage, The Roach Bar, and Lynch’s Irish Tavern.

According to a press release from the Port Huron Police Department, Woods is accused of shooting from a vehicle at cars, building, and people on the evening of November 14, 2021.

During the incident, police say both Woods and an innocent bystander were injured, and “[T]he person who fired at Marcel Woods was identified as a 23 year old make Port Huron resident who was legally armed and appears to have acted in self-defense when he was shot at by Woods.”

The innocent bystander was a 23 year old Clyde Township resident who was treated and released from McLaren Port Huron Huron for a gunshot wound to his legs.

Marcel Lamar Woods was arraigned in 72nd District Court by the Honorable Judge Mona Armstrong on two counts each of Assault with Intent to Murder and Felony Firearm, and once count each of Discharging a Firearm at a Building, Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle, and Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, and Possession of Ammunition by a Felon. His bond was set at $1 million, and his Probable Cause Conference is set for December 14, 2021.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Vaccinated Canadians Don’t Need COVID Test for Short Trips

Sarnia, Ontario — This week marked the start of new travel guidelines for Canadians or those who have right of entry who make a short trip to the U.S. by land or air.

Canadian citizens, permanent residents, those registered under the Indian Act, and their children under 12 who are fully vaccinated, can travel to the U.S. and forgo the pre-entry COVID-19 test if they return to Canada within 72 hours.

Canadians are considered fully vaccinated if they are 14 days out from completing a series of an accepted vaccine. They must also be symptom free.

This opens the possibility for trips to the states to shop, dine, or fuel up their vehicles.

While COVID cases remain relatively low in Sarnia with Lambton Public Health reporting 40 active cases as of December 1st, the active case count in St. Clair County was 4,143 cases.

The St. Clair County Health Department is currently recommending masking in public along with all other safety measures encouraged during the pandemic.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand