George James

A tough start to the Port Huron-to-Mackinac Island Sailboat Race over the weekend. 85 of the 193 boats dropped out after strong winds and equipment failures battered crews on Lake Huron. Race officials say all sailors have been accounted for and are safe, with nearby harbors stepping in to take in damaged vessels. Conditions improved to 10 to 12 knot winds and roughly four-foot waves, allowing the remaining boats to continue racing, with some reaching Mackinac Island on Sunday.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A Macomb County man will spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury found 42-year-old Matthew Lewinski guilty of killing his ex-girlfriend inside his home in late ’20. Prosecutors say an argument turned violent when 52-year-old Courtney “Jerri” Winters showed up unannounced, ending with Lewinski choking her to death. He then hid her body in his basement for months. The crime surfaced after a medical emergency led family members to the home. Lewinski later confessed, and that statement helped secure his conviction and life sentence without parole. Authorities say the victim had not been reported missing during that time.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

A Clyde Township restaurant is turning to the community for help after a fire forced it to shut down earlier this month. The Dorsey House has been closed since the July 5 blaze, and the owner is now asking nearby bars and restaurants to consider hiring displaced staff while repairs remain uncertain. A social media post lists openings for servers, bartenders, and kitchen workers to quickly reconnect employees with jobs. The fire happened mid-afternoon during renovations, with no injuries reported, and the cause is still under investigation.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet