George James

Michigan’s Thumb coast is taking a big bite out of the competition. Michigan Blue Magazine asked readers to pick the best of the best across the state, and the Thumb coast won 22 of 54 categories. Marine City led the way with 7 wins, including Best Vacation Town, Best Festival for Maritime Days, and Best Fudge. Port Huron took Best Boating Town, and the Bayview Mackinac Race won Best Boating Race. Other winners include the St. Clair Inn, Port Crescent State Park, and the M-29 Diner.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Port Huron’s hospital is getting a new top boss. McLaren Port Huron has named Lance Beus its new president and CEO, starting October 26, taking over from interim leader Tim Vargas. Beus brings more than 15 years of hospital leadership, most recently running hospitals in Detroit, where he worked to speed up emergency room care and bring in more doctors. He also led hospitals in Ohio and Tennessee. Board chair Gregory Busdicker says Beus will help strengthen quality and expand services for families across the Blue Water Area.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A Harrison Township resident’s 911 call Wednesday night set off an overnight search on Lake St. Clair. Deputies say a passenger swam to shore near MacRay Harbor after the boat capsized and found the resident. The passenger said the accident happened around 8 p.m., and deputies were called at 10:48 p.m. Macomb County Sheriff’s marine and underwater teams searched overnight and recovered 3 people from the submerged boat at about 5 a.m. Thursday. All 3 were pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

State police are investigating a suspected drunk driving crash in Tuscola County that claimed the life of a Saginaw man on Monday evening. Authorities report that a 55-year-old Akron woman driving eastbound on Akron Road failed to stop at Unionville Road in Fairgrove Township, slamming into a northbound Nissan Versa. A 35-year-old passenger in the Versa died at the scene from his injuries, while the 41-year-old Saginaw woman driving the sedan and the driver who ran the stop sign were both rushed to out-of-area hospitals with serious injuries.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet