George James

Lynnea McFadden Takes Director Job at Friends of the St. Clair River

The Friends of the St. Clair River organization has added a Director of Programs and Services to their roster, with the hiring of Lynnea McFadden.

McFadden has a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Lake Superior State University and a Master of Science degree in Conservation Biology from Central Michigan University.

McFadden told us that she is very excited to join Friends of the St. Clair River, saying, “I join Friends of the St. Clair River combining my backgrounds in Conservation Biology and education.  Much of my past experience lies in private landowner conservation efforts across the state as well as teaching environmental science at Saint Clair County Community College.”

McFadden said she is excited for the opportunity to further enhance local natural resources and work with partners and community members to boost conservation efforts within the Blue Water area to maintain safe and healthy drinking water, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities.

Visit scriver.org to get involved with Friends of the St. Clair River.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

$3 Billion Surplus Prompts Tax Rebate, Rate-Lowering Plans

Lawmakers are debating ways to return tax dollars to Michigan taxpayers. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proposed a plan called MI Tax Rebate Right Now that would return $500 to working families. The state has a $3 billion surplus.

Speaking about her plan, Whitmer said, “Michiganders are counting on us to work together to provide real relief right now, so they can pay the bills and put food on the table. Let’s draw on the grit and determination our working families show every day and let’s get it done.” 

Republican lawmakers are proposing lowering the individual income tax rate from 4.25% to 4% and increasing the personal income tax exemption by $1,800, as well as making families eligible for a $500 non-refundable child tax credit.

State Representative Andrew Beeler, who backs the Republican plan, said, “Irresponsible spending by the federal government has caused runaway inflation, kneecapping families in Sanilac and St. Clair counties. It’s past time we demonstrate that money is better spent by those who earn it than by the government.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PH Victory Day Planned for August 12th; Sign Up By June 10th

Victory Day is a tradition in the Port Huron area, and this year’s event is already in the works. The annual football game that includes participants of all abilities is scheduled for August 12, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

Victory Day is described as an evening of education, inspiration, and fun. Children and young adults with special needs, aged six to 26 are invited to register by Friday, June 10th.

Victory Day will feature all the things that make a football game fun: marching band, cheerleaders, and jerseys. Participants will have a chance to run or catch a pass to score a touchdown with play-by-play announcing. Each child will get a medal after the event to remember the special day.

Sports teams, service groups, and staff from Port Huron High School will volunteer to make the day memorable for participants and families.

For more information about getting signed up for Victory Day, go to the PH Victory Day Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/phvictoryday

Reporting from WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Chuck Gaidica To Judge MI Favorite Snack Competition

The MI Favorite Snack Competition will feature legendary Detroit broadcaster Chuck Gaidica as the emcee and judge for the competition.

The contest will feature snack food creators from across Michigan. Port Huron’s All Star Services, a sponsor of the contest, will narrow down the entrants to a group of finalists. The finalists will present their snacks on September 17th in the hopes of being named “MI New Favorite Snack” and winning a cash prize.

Having Gaidica as the judge adds a new level of excitement. Blue Water Area Chamber CEO/President Thelma Castillo said, “Having someone of Chuck Gaidica’s stature involved in this event is really special. He is such a familiar and beloved person in our state. As a state wide competition, it was important to have a celebrity participating who truly represents Michiganders.”

Gaidica was the weatherman on Channel 4, WDIV, in Detroit for 27 years. He is considered “one of the most trusted figures in Michigan” after decades of issuing “cuddle alerts” and tornado warnings and keeping an eye on the sky.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Whitmer Celebrates Preliminary Injunction of 1931 Abortion Law

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who has consistently aligned herself with the abortion industry giant, Planned Parenthood, which operates 19 Michigan health centers, and vowed to “fight like hell” to maintain unrestricted abortion access in Michigan, celebrated a victory this week, with a preliminary injunction against Michigan’s 1931 law that criminalizes abortion.

Whitmer said, “The opinion from the Michigan Court of Claims is clear and sends the message that Michigan’s 1931 law banning abortion, even in cases of rape or incest, should not go into effect even if Roe is overturned. It will help ensure that Michigan remains a place where women have freedom and control over their own bodies.”

Pro-abortion activists, industry lobbyists, and elected officials like Whitmer have been in panic mode since the leaked Supreme Court draft surfaced and have quickly initiated pre-emptive legal processes. 

While some look at the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned as an opportunity to start a new conversation about abortion at the state level, a press release issued by Whitmer referred to the issue as “beyond settled” and cited statistics saying that 65.7% of Michiganders are in favor of the repeal of the 1931 law. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClellan

Updated 5/23/2022 – An earlier version of this story referred to Planned Parenthood centers as “abortion clinics”. According to Planned Parenthood Michigan’s website, they “provide the abortion pill at all of our health centers in Michigan” and they “provide in-clinic abortion procedures at our Ann Arbor East, Flint, and Kalamazoo health centers.” The story was updated to refer to Planned Parenthood clinics as “health centers” to align with the term they use to describe themselves.

McLaren, Port Huron Schools Partner with STEAM Project

A new partnership is blossoming between McLaren Port Huron and Port Huron Schools. Two students in the Biomedical STEAM Project Lead the Way have been hired by McLaren Port Huron after completing a paid internship over the past semester.

The program is offered at both Port Huron Northern and Port Huron High Schools. McLaren sponsors the Biomedical STEAM programs at the schools with plans to expand to twelve internships per semester. Jobs include physical therapy, medical imaging, inpatient nursing, laboratory work, and facilities and clerical positions.

Eric Cecava, President and CEO at McLaren Port Huron said that the hospital is “excited to partner with Port Huron Schools to not only expose students to the variety of health care careers that exist, but also to give them real opportunities to find a career in a thriving organization right here at home.”

The program is exclusive to Port Huron Schools. Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Catherine Woolman said, “To develop local talent is a high level and unique advantage our district has due to our partnership with McLaren.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland