George James

The Saint Clair County Board of Commissioners has suspended $300,000 in annual funding to the Economic Development Alliance (EDA), raising concerns across the county. Commissioner Robert Fielitz proposed the cut, citing transparency issues and a lack of communication with local townships. The EDA suggested adding commissioners to its board but often businesses seeking to locate in the county require a confidentiality agreement, which county officials opposed. With funding frozen, Saint Clair County businesses await the EDA’s response.

The St. Clair Police Foundation is hosting a Purse Bingo fundraiser on March 15th to raise money for a new golf cart for the police department. The event, at the St. Clair Inn at 5 p.m., offers designer purses for Bingo winners. Tickets, available through the St. Clair Police Department, cost $75, or $100 for VIP access. Funds from the event will help buy equipment not covered by the department’s budget, like a golf cart to patrol events with heavy foot traffic.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Port Huron police have identified Dazman Robert Drake as the second suspect in the shooting death of Vincent Buckles. Drake, 23, was arrested in Georgia and faces six felonies, including open murder and felony firearm charges. The shooting occurred on January 28th at a home on Vanness Street. Police say a nearby vehicle fire is linked to the crime. Drake is also wanted in Detroit for a fatal shooting in December of ’23. If convicted, Drake and his co-defendant, Sayon Florence, could face life in prison.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

The historic U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse in Port Huron, built in 1877, is among the 440 federal properties the Trump administration plans to sell. The 39,000-square-foot building is the oldest in the Great Lakes Region portfolio. The General Services Administration says the sale is part of a cost-cutting effort to save over $430 million dollars annually. The building houses the Blue Water Federal Credit Union on the first floor. The full list of properties was available online but has since been removed, with the GSA stating it is “coming soon”.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Four fourth graders at Thomas Edison Elementary taught classmates about bike safety Friday with help from the Fort Gratiot Fire Department and Alpine Cycles BMX riders. The students focused on bike safety after one of their friends was saved by a helmet in a crash. The McLaren Foundation donated 90 helmets to encourage safe riding. Firefighter Nick Prevost stressed helmet use, while BMX riders performed tricks to show safety gear in action. The students will present their project at a statewide competition in April.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet