George James

The search for a new Sandusky Police Chief faces delays as Chief Brett Lester’s retirement nears on September 1st. After starting the replacement process this summer, the city has yet to schedule second interviews, citing background checks as the hold-up. Lester has served Sandusky since ’98 and led the police department since 2010. Meanwhile, at Monday’s council meeting, officials reviewed the city’s recent audit and approved City Manager Dave Faber as a voting delegate for upcoming Michigan municipal meetings.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

Kevin Kenaya is celebrating 30 years of running Industrial Park Marathon in Port Huron’s South Park neighborhood. Since taking over from his father in ’93, Kevin has grown the corner store into a full-service gas station and community hub. A renovation doubled the store’s size and added fuel pumps, helping spark positive change in the area. Through the pandemic and beyond, the station remained a vital spot for locals, many who walk in daily. This Friday, Kenaya will thank customers with discounts, giveaways, and raffles from 2 to 5 p.m.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

On September 4th, Port Huron’s south side will host the “100 Men” event, bringing together at least 100 local men to each donate $100. Organized by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, the fundraiser will award $10,000 to local nonprofits chosen by the attendees. Held inside a soon-to-be-opened 16,000-square-foot waterfront event space, the gathering offers a first look at a major redevelopment project set to boost the area’s economy. Food and entertainment will be provided thanks to local sponsors.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

The MilkHouse Cafe at 4189 Keewahdin Road hosted the annual Ice Cream Saves Lives event on Tuesday, from 3 to 9 p.m. All money raised supports the St. Clair County Dive Team Auxiliary, the main fundraiser for their local search and recovery efforts. Families enjoyed divers in a large dive tank, water safety displays, bounce houses, SWAT trucks, drones, and more. The event offered a fun way for the community to back important rescue work in St. Clair County.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

The Michigan Attorney General’s Office announced no charges will be filed against a state trooper who fatally shot a man during a standoff in Port Huron Township in February. The trooper, responding to a domestic disturbance call at a local mobile home park, fired after the man, Mark Ryan, advanced with a realistic-looking BB gun. Investigators found the shooting justified under Michigan’s Self Defense Act. Officials confirmed officers tried to de-escalate, but deadly force was deemed necessary when Ryan threatened their safety. Ryan was intoxicated at the time.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet

St. Clair County Regional Educational Service agency has welcomed Jessica Totty to its Board of Education, officially sworn in during the a recent July meeting. Totty, a longtime Port Huron community leader, brings years of experience from the Port Huron Schools Board and a strong commitment to supporting underserved students. She works at Lake Huron Medical Center and serves as an associate pastor in Kimball. Totty’s advocacy for equity and community involvement promises to strengthen education for all across St. Clair County.

Reporting for WGRT – JP bZet