George James

Yale Bologna Festival Has Something for Everyone July 29th-31st

The Yale Bologna Festival is on the calendar for July 29th through 31st this year and the traditional small-town festival has something for everyone.

This is the 32nd annual festival that celebrates the common lunch-box meat product that is produced at C. Roy, Inc, in Yale. The festival has an abundance of creative traditions from the crowning of the King and Queen of Bologna to the famous outhouse races and the popular parade and fireworks.

This year’s festival has food vendors all weekend long, but no one goes to the Bologna Festival without getting a fried bologna sandwich. There are inflatable midway games, pony rides, and plenty of kids’ activities and family-friendly shows. Living history displays will be at the Yale City Park all weekend.

The Big Bologna Fireworks Spectacular is planned for Friday, July 29th, with the best viewing near Yale High school. The Big Bologna Parade steps off at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 30th.

There is much more to the Bologna Festival and a link to the full schedule of events can be found below.

https://www.yalechamber.com/yale-bologna-festival.html

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sanborn and Court Street Pools Open and Free to Use

What’s better than taking a long, leisurely swim in a city pool? Not much, other than getting to swim for free.

The Port Huron Recreation Department has announced that admission to both the Court Street and Sanborn pools is free of charge until maximum capacity is met. Both pools have a maximum of 150 people at each facility. Lifeguards are on duty at all times at both pools. Children aged 11 and under need to have an adult with them.

The Court Street pool recently underwent upgrades. The tile has been resurfaced in the smaller children’s pool, the deck has been repaired, and there are new flood lights.

Both Court Street and Sanborn have new roofs on their buildings as well.

Open swim at Court Street is Monday through Sunday from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. until Friday, August 19th. Sanborn Pool’s open swim is on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. until Sunday, August 14th.

So, add the Port Huron city pools to your list of ways to beat the summer heat.

The Port Huron Recreation Department provides a safe, fun and active recreation and learning environment for adults and youth. Individuals may attend programs, clubs, camps and special events throughout the year. For more information or to register for a program, please visit www.porthuronrec.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Voting Absentee? It’s Time to Request Your Ballot for the August 2nd Primary

Michigan’s primary election is on August 2nd. and it’s a critical one, with many ballot proposals and state legislature elections on the ballot.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said, “Voters have options in Michigan and, however you cast your ballot, you can have confidence that every vote will be counted securely and your voice will be heard in your community.”

Voters may choose to use absentee ballots instead of voting in person on election day. The options for absentee voting include voting from home or voting early in person at a local clerk’s office.

Registering to vote can be done until July 18th online, or up until 8:00 p.m. on election day at the local clerk’s office.

Those who are already registered can vote from home by requesting an absentee ballot. The request should be made by July 18th to ensure getting it in time. The request can be made in person at their clerk’s office or online at Michigan.gov/vote.

Voters can be sure that their vote is being counted by checking the status of the ballot online or by contacting their clerk’s office.

Over 875,000 Michigan voters have already requested ballots.

In-person voting at polling places is from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on August 2nd.

A link to a sample ballot can be found below.

https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/PublicBallot/Index

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Help Babies by Donating Diapers and More to Maternal and Infant Health Program Diaper Drive

If you’re looking for a way to help babies and their families, there’s an easy way being offered by the St. Clair County Health Department’s Maternal and Infant Health Program. The Diaper Drive is being offered to individuals as well as any interested organization that wants to make sure local families have what they need to nurture their babies.

Starting July 8th, the Health Department will begin taking donations of new packages of baby diapers in all sizes, baby wipes, rash creams, and baby hygiene items.

Who gets the items? All of the items will go to participants in the Maternal and Infant Health Program. The program is a benefit for Medicaid recipients and Medicaid-eligible pregnant women and babies up to 18 months old. The program helps babies meet growth and developmental milestones.

Donations can be taken to the St. Clair County Health Department on 28th Street in Port Huron during normal business hours. Pickup of donations can also be arranged.

Businesses and organizations are encouraged to help the cause. Monetary donations can be made at the St. Clair County Treasurer’s Paypal account.

Drop off donations at the St. Clair County Health Department, 3415 28th Street in Port Huron during regular business hours: Monday 10:00am – 6:30pm or Tuesday through Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm.  MIHP is also providing donation pick-ups by calling (810) 987-4903.  Monetary donations can also be made via St. Clair County Treasurer’s PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sccmitreasurer. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Invasive Beech Leaf Disease Detected in St. Clair County

Invasive beech leaf disease has been confirmed in southern St. Clair County. That’s not great news, as the disease was not previously known to be in Michigan, the home of around 37 million American beech trees.

The disease is associated with a microscopic worm that damages leaves of American, European, and Asian beech species. Infected trees die within six to ten years of initial symptoms.

The disease was detected thanks to landowners who reported the suspected outbreak to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network.

Simeon Wright, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Forest Health Specialist said, “Though beech leaf disease was detected this spring, the condition of the leaves and number of trees affected at this location suggests the disease has been there for more than a year. Because symptoms are slow to emerge, it is difficult to detect the disease before it is established.”

Symptoms of beech leaf disease are dead buds and darkened, thick tissue bands between leaf veins that make leaves look striped.

See below for instructions on reporting suspected cases and more information about the invasive disease.

DNR and MDARD encourage monitoring for any signs of the disease. If you suspect you have found a symptomatic tree, take one or more photos of the infested tree, including close-ups of affected leaves; note the location, date and time; and report it in one of the following ways:

DNR Forest Health Division: Email DNR-FRD-Forest-Health@Michigan.gov or call 517-284-5895.

Use the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) online reporting tool.

Download the MISIN smartphone app and report from your phone – MISIN.MSU.edu/apps/.

For more information on beech leaf disease and other species on Michigan’s watch list, visit Michigan.gov/Invasives.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Be Aware of Dive Flags When Boating; Give Scuba Divers Space

What should you do if you see a red and white flag floating on the surface of a body of water? You should be aware that the flag means that a scuba diver is beneath the water and you need to give them some space.

Boaters need to be especially cautious and stay at least 100 feet away from the dive flag when boating in a river, channel, or inlet. Stay at least 300 feet away from the dive flag if boating in open water.

Divers could be doing anything from repairing underwater structures, to recovering lost items, to exploring the underwater world recreationally. Divers are trained to surface within 100 feet of the flag. The dive flag is placed in the water before scuba divers go under the water and removed once they get out.

Scuba divers can often be found near break walls in the St. Clair River, but they could also be in open water. Bubbling at the water’s surface is another clue, besides the flag, that there is a scuba diver at work or play beneath the water.

First responders also have teams that are trained for underwater operations.

Be aware of Dive Flags, keep your watercraft away from the area, and enjoy the water.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland